June 2008 by verge

downtown augusta

Save Your Sanity (and gas)

choose a bicycle for downtown commuting

Three Men and a Theatre

le chat noir finishes its second season

The Marriage of Vintage and Kitsch two broads open fashion / costume boutiques

FREE

june 2008

verge / june /

contents 15

The Benefits of Biking Downtown Save money, gas, time, the environment and your sanity!

Two Broads on Broad The two delightful, quirky women behind the magic

Bringing Off-Broadway to Augusta Le Chat Noir continues to stretch the boundaries of theatre

gallery: Jeffrey Kronsnoble soundcheck: Trees Leave onstage: The Pillowman offstage: Summer Solstice Stroll

Downtown Loft Tour 2008 Historic Augusta offers 12 living and working spaces for this year

hands across downtown: Betty Crenshaw An amazing story of love, power and belief in humanity

experience more 5

smatterings

5 7

enter to win free stuff quick clips

discover downtown

downtown news

he saw / she saw

front porch / the soul city sirens

good chow / dining al fresco

pipeline: get plugged in

movies at main more to see and do be a tourist in your own downtown

29 30 33 34

printed matter / great reads for kids past times / castle hall marketing for the people

augusta music 101

volume one issue four

downtown as i see it #4 the engagement kiss (near the history museum) original photograph by Elizabeth Benson

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smatterings / notes from the publisher publisher Matt Plocha editor Lara Plocha pipeline editors Claire Riche & Jason Barron grammarian Gabi Hutchison web guy Andy Donnan ad graphics guy Ryan Davis Editorial content of verge is the opinion of each contributing writer and is not necessarily the opinion of verge, its staff or its advertisers. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

verge is printed on 50% recycled stock. It may be recycled further, please do your part.

Isn’t it odd how an oft-heard message can hit you differently at various times in your life? Especially when you’re not expecting it? As I thought about this month’s smatterings, my original idea was to share all the cool events and stores opening downtown this month. For instance, the upcoming Loft Tour sponsored by Historic Augusta provides a great way to see first hand the strides our downtown residential community is making. I also planned to talk about last month’s big event, Thunder Over Augusta. A simple “thank you” is insufficient kudos to the event organizers and participants (from what I understand it was possibly the largest Veteran’s Day event in the country). Then, I thought I’d share the news that our family is preparing to move to a downtown flat this month. Yes, we’re “livin’ the dream.” After over three years of waiting for the perfect opportunity, it has finally presented itself and we‘re making the move. Then, of course, there’s First Friday and the upcoming Summer Solstice Celebration, two more great ways to get involved and join the fun. But, instead, my attention was focused on a Sunday morning sermon. The message was clear and relevant. Really clear and relevant (thanks Jer-

got a story tip? editor@vergelive.com free event listings pipeline@vergelive.com letters to the editor editor@vergelive.com mail 1124 Broad Street Augusta GA 30901 submit your ideas editor@vergelive.com www.vergelive.com

I can only begin to share with you the excitement of this new found energy in the space I have each month. However, the pages of verge do the talking for our downtown community. From the advertisers that have committed to the success of downtown (they deserve your business and thanks, go shopping with them to the belief system that is building). The trust, concern, support and involvement are integral parts of the bigger picture: koinonia.

Our downtown district has become a vibrant destination. There is a lot more going on downtown than any other time since the creation of “the urbanization of America.” There is a growing movement underfoot to get back to true community, koinonia.

All of the special people that make this publication possible each month have that yearning. We want to share our positive experiences with you in hopes that you will in turn share your positive experiences with us, building our community one experience at a time. The desire for community and oneness is a belief system. We are dedicated citizens, we are family and we are great friends. We laugh together. We cry together. We share our dreams, our visions and our excitement. The more we get out and do, the more we get to experience. The more we get to share with each other, the larger our community becomes.

Augustans seem to yearn to be a part of something special: koinonia. In speaking with community leaders, business owners and residents, the topic of conversation always points to the positive growth of downtown Augusta. The commitment by the local community to grow the downtown district is gaining momentum. Local residents are getting more involved and outside investors are taking notice of this positive growth and investing in our future. Yes, we are on the “verge” of great things.

Koinonia. See you downtown! Matt

free stuff / sample downtown

emy). Don’t worry, I’m not going to preach to you. Instead, I would like to share the relevance and parallel found in the message. My pastor has been speaking of building koinonia. I have to break out the dictionary for a second, please bear with me. Koinonia is a Greek word (κοινωνία) that means communion by intimate participation. The light bulbs started going off in my head as I hung on each word and put koinonia in context to downtown Augusta.

register to win free cool stuff from downtown merchants ❏ enter to win dessert for two at boll weevil enter to win an intimate dessert for two at boll weevil - try the amazing perfect chocolate cake that swoops off the plate. (value: $15)

❏ win a vintage 965 vegan handbag Vintage 965 offers your choice of color in their most popular handbag – the vegan leather Bethany drawstring handbag can be scrunched or left undone for two different looks. (value: $40)

❏ enter to win a Cente Fiori gift set To celebrate the first exhibition of Cente Fiori: A Hundred Flowers by Harvey Maisel, blue magnolia offers a gift set including artwork, notecards and magnets by the photographer. (value: $45)

name: address:

email: phone: enter to win – three ways – registration ends june 23, 2008 via email: editor@vergelive.com • via mail or in person: 1124 broad street 30901

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quick clips downtown dessert decadence George Harrison, owner of the Boll Weevil, shares this photo and message from a recent desert smorgasbord experienced by Mr. and Mrs. Mike Burr (Owings, MD), Art Harris and fiancé Erika Matthews (Thomson, GA). The foursome ordered one of every dessert in the case! Thank you for the wonderful evening at Boll Weevil. The food and service were exceptional as always, but dessert, now we have something extra special to talk about. Wow we never expected such a wide variety of delicious desserts all in one place! Your chefs must work overtime to keep 22 incredible desserts on the menu.

saturday market updates name Now that the popular Saturday Market is no longer on Broad, its name is changing to reflect the new location. The Saturday Market on the River has moved to more spacious headquarters – the Eighth Street bulkhead between the Cotton Exchange and Cotton Patch. Get your fresh fruits, veggies, baked bread, jewelry, plants and great barbeque every Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm (rain or shine). Details: 706.722.8000.

downtown’s new favorite chip Until a few months ago, you could only find these cheesy delights at the City Jail – but Herr’s Hot ‘N Honey Cheese Curls have been released for good behavior and great flavor. Find them at Eighth Street Tobacco. Owner Tony Williamson says this Herr flavor is quickly becoming his number one chip seller.

base leans toward cake territory, but the shape clearly declares it a cookie. This black and white cookie originated at the New York City William Greenberg Bakery in 1946. Find this tempting treat at New Moon Café (if I haven’t already bought them all).

destination downtown seeks participants d(a)2 plans to launch a new loyalty program for the downtown district, “Destination Downtown,” in early August chock full of incentives to encourage locals and visitors to shop and play more in downtown Augusta. Currently, the Alliance is seeking participation from downtown business owners in the program. Participation is free for d(a)2 members (a mere $50 a year). For details, contact Lara Plocha at 706.828.6550 or laraplocha@gmail.com.

Walking Brochure Input Historic Augusta and the ARC Planning Commission are hosting a public meeting at 6 pm on Wednesday, June 18 at the Joseph R. Lamar Boyhood Home (415 Seventh Street). The purpose of the meeting is to receive public input on the first draft of a web-based walking tour brochure. The brochure is part of a series being developed as a result of a Historic Preservation Fund grant received by the City of Augusta.

the debate continues: cake or cookie? I seriously thought about keeping this delicious news to myself (and my taste buds). It’s hard to resist a big, soft cookie frosted on one half with vanilla fondant and on the other with chocolate. The texture of the

call for fashion show models Halo Salon is searching for models (21 and up) for their annual fashion show which will be held on July 12th at 1102 Bar and Grill. For details, contact Sarah at Halo: 706.828.4856.

casa-blanca art contest In partnership with the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, CasaBlanca Coffee Café, which opens soon in the “new” White’s Building in downtown Augusta, invites the art community to participate in an historical art contest. “This is my way to give the art community a chance to show-off their talent in Augusta,” says Jai West, Casa-Blanca’s owner. The White’s Building, once a large four story department store built in 1924 (where Jai worked as a sales clerk, see the photo!) on 936 Broad Street, is one of the first downtown Augusta redevelopments to be completed this summer/2008. Casa-Blanca is among two upscale eateries which will be located on the first floor.

The winner will receive a cash reward, among other great perks, and permanent display of the painting at Casa-Blanca. Get your registration in now (due June 9, 2008). The actual paintings are due on Augusta 2nd. For eligibility and details, visit casablancatime.com or call 706.495.4356.

call for teen photographers The Augusta Headquarters Library (902 Greene Street) calls for entries in their annual teen photography contest. The contest is open to teenagers, grade 6 to 12, and deadline for submission is Friday, June 20. Photos must be 5x7 or larger and will be displayed from June 27 to July 20. Library patrons can vote for their favorites. Winners will be announced (with prizes) on Monday, July 21.

Green Tea for Your Skin? We’ve all heard the studies that say drinking green tea has great health benefits. Carless Gay, owner of Cloud Nine, believes these same benefits can be applied directly to improve your skin in the form of soaps, lotions and glows. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which scavenge free radicals (those nasty environmental toxins that kill good cells) and help stem the aging process. Cloud Nine’s Green Tea care line is made with organic tea, contains a natural UV protectant, can help eczema and has a fresh lemony scent. got news? editor@vergelive.com

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discover downtown shop

dine

play

live

Artistic Perceptions

Luigi’s

The Playground Bar

The Palace Downtown

551 Broad Street

590 Broad Street

873 Broad Street

134 Eighth Street

Wanta and Roy Davenport own Artistic Perceptions at 551 Broad Street. Entering into this shop is like walking into a working art gallery. The walls are lined with beautiful creations done by Wanta herself, and as her studio sits right in the back, it is not unusual to see several of her works in progress on display. If you have been looking for the right place to get a family portrait or if you want a landscape or still life to add to the décor of your home, this is the place. Call 706.724.8739 to set up an appointment, or walk in and introduce yourself between the hours of 10 am and 6 pm Tuesday through Friday or on Saturday 11 am to 5 pm.

Luigi’s, at 590 Broad Street, originally opened in 1949 and is now the oldest family owned restaurant in Augusta. Its present owner, Chuck Ballas Jr., is the third generation to operate this Greek and Italian food restaurant. As soon as you walk in the front door, you can hear the sultry sounds of Glenn Miller played on an antique jukebox complete with original 45’s. Luigi’s is known for their chicken parmesan, but the menu includes a wide array of Greek and Italian cuisine from stuffed grape leaves as an appetizer right down to Baklava for dessert. Slide into a cozy booth for a romantic dinner, Monday through Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm.

If you are tired of the same old routine during your evening out, visit The Playground Bar at 873 Broad Street this week. Complete with full bar, pool tables, and live music one to two nights a week, this bar could quickly turn into one of your regular nighttime haunts. The gathering area has more than enough room to hold you and all of your friends with a separate patio area housing the stage for local bands. The Playground’s reputation has been built on fun games and atmosphere with an emphasis on local bands. Owner Scott Levine opens the bar at 6:30 pm on Monday, 7 pm Tuesday through Thursday, 5 pm on Friday and 8 pm on Saturday.

The Palace Downtown is a wonderful place if you are in need of a quality haircut. Their barbers have been in the area for seven years and have built quite the rapport with many in the downtown community. Sit back in the chair and let their fully licensed barbers give you a trim while you have a leisurely talk. Dads, The Palace is a perfect place to bring your son for that all important first haircut. Or if you just want a laid back atmosphere, but want quality professional haircuts; The Palace is the place for you. The owner, Daryl Smith, keeps shop hours of 9 am to 7 pm, Monday through Saturday at 134 Eighth Street. photos and stories by Andrew Mullis

on the street / downtown trees receive an artist’s touch Described by Gallery on the Row attendants as a “Pioneer Woman of sorts,” it looks like Joni Vanover has inspired a movement to beautify the sidewalks of downtown Augusta. Seeking to surprise the gallery staff, Joni took the combination of a planted tree and unadorned dirt to build a tiny garden in front of the business. In so doing, she drew attention to a beautiful possibility for the downtown district of the Garden City. She says she sought to “turn barren into beauty” for all the tourists she sees come into the gallery these days. Hoping to be a part of the rejuvenation of Artists’ Row, Joni sees downtown as a “jewel in the rough” simply waiting for the polish of good ideas. Beginning with a bit of mulch last summer, continuing with a little fence that didn’t do the trick, and finishing off with Edwin Walker erecting a cement wall around the dirt, Joni’s Garden – as the members of Gallery on the Row

have come to call it – has already inspired imitation up and down the block. As a result, downtown businesses can now become involved in placing brick planters in front of their shops throughout the district by going to the Downtown Development Authority and the city authorities for approval of sidewalk improvements. Anyone interested in purchasing a planter for the front of their business can contact Gallery on the Row or d(a)2 and expect to add a world of beauty and creativity to their storefront for approximately $150 per tree. After all, what better tribute to the Garden City than a sidewalk lined with little gardens of beauty? by J. Edward Sumerau • photo by Katie McGuire

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he saw / she saw eduardo and jessica / tuesday date night We came downtown a few Tuesdays ago, after a long day at work, to unwind, relax and reconnect with each other. The weather was perfect for a stroll, the street was quiet, the moon was full. It was a perfect time for a romantic date night.

candles to silly knick-knacks and stylish décor for your home. I noticed they have a great toy section in the back, babyblue, full of wooden toys, baby things and unique games for older kids. With our little one on the way, I’m sure I’ll become a regular!

We ate dinner at our favorite restaurant, The Bees Knees. The food, as well as the atmosphere, is wonderful. It provides a fun experience for a large group because you can taste so many different “tapas” plates (tapas means small plates for sharing). Even for two, it’s fun to swap and try new things. From the tuna tartare to their homemade hummus to the seaweed salad, each dish is unique (and delicious!). With the low lighting and candle-lit table, an intimate dinner for two is provided, perfect for our date night.

The Pizza Joint is also a downtown favorite that never disappoints. The pizza is great and the slices are extra large; the waiters are nice and very attentive, and the atmosphere is laid back and casual. On nights like this one, the outside seating is perfect. If you are looking for good food without spending a fortune, this is a great choice.

We were able to stop by Blue Magnolia for only a few minutes before they closed at 6 pm, but I am definitely going to make time to go back. They have a large assortment of very unique gifts for someone you know or for yourself. They range from original jewelry and cool

One of our favorite weekend things to do downtown is get a boxed lunch and have a picnic by the river. We really enjoy leisurely walks down River Walk, soaking up the nature walk and the interesting historic tidbits scattered along the way. Then we head over to Broad Street to check out all the different shops downtown has to offer. I only wish more of the stores would stay open later on week nights. Eduardo Lowe is a computer technician and his wife, Jessica, is a dental hygienist. They are expecting their first baby in November. photo by Brooke Southerland

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front porch / the soul city sirens Combining provocative outfits, alternate personalities, and a flair for the dramatic (and sexy), women are turning the old concept of roller derby leagues upside down. Roller Derby began as a sport in the 1930’s. Most people thought roller derby was dead and gone when the league structure collapsed in the 70’s. But thanks to the hard work and ingenuity of now mostly female competitors, the sport has seen a complete turnabout, and is making a strong comeback. Augusta has joined the rebirth of roller derby, with a league of its own: The Soul City Sirens. Officially begun in 2008, the Sirens are still relatively small, with only two full teams, but after six months of endurance training, skate practice, and practice jams, they are a force to be reckoned with. If you have never seen a roller derby bout, it is relatively simple to understand, even if it is not so simple to play. There are three types of players: pivots, blockers, and jammers. The pivot and blockers for each team face counter clockwise around the track in formation. Both jammers stay about 20 feet behind the pack. The object of the game is for the jammers to pass the pack while skating around the track, while the blockers and pivot do everything in their power to stop the other team’s jammer from making it through. The women that play this sport can be ruthless at times, and many of them sport the well earned scrapes and bruises that jam sessions have to offer. The members of the league hail from all over Augusta, but several live or work in the downtown area. Fuka-Saru (jammer) works for Fox 54, WFXG, and is adamantly pro-downtown. Her theory is that Broad Street offers everything you need to stay alive and be happy, and the only reason to leave is to go to the grocery store. Haute Mess (blocker) also works downtown, as a stylist at Halo Salon. Her favorite thing to do is have a drink at The Firehouse with teammates Unsofistakatie (blocker) and Pollie Hatchet (pivot), both of whom live or work in the downtown area. You might have seen Pollie Hatchet as you bought your morning coffee at New Moon Café today. Or maybe Unsofistakatie passed you on her bike as she rode to the Metro to hang out. Almost all of the roller girls that frequent the downtown area knew each other before they were involved in roller derby. They joined together after seeing the many posters advertising the new team. When asked why they joined, the girls answered that roller derby is an entertaining way to relieve stress, stay in shape, meet new people, and express your inner self. Meet the Soul City Sirens on First Friday at the Americana Tattoo Shop. Hopefully, we’ll get to see them in full action later this summer in an official roller derby bout. by Andrew Mullis • photos by Katie McGuire

above / skates rule: Polly Hatchet, Fuka-Saru, Haut Mess left / the quintessential roller girl: Fuka-Saru inset / downtown girls left to right: Unsofistakatie, Polly Hatchet, Haut Mess and Fuka-Saru (kneeling)

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cycling in action / zac attacks the road

living downtown / ride a bike

save money, gas, the environment and your sanity

When someone tells you that they are riding cross country on a bicycle in less than three months, it takes a little time for that information to sink in. About three minutes later, you realize that they aren’t talking about a motorcycle or a car or an airplane or even a moped. They are talking about hard physical labor, rigorous training, and difficult living conditions. So when Zac Holford, a 23 year old from Aiken, happened to mention that to me in casual conversation, I was in awe. I won’t even walk my dog, much less bike 4,167 miles across the country in less than three months. And to top it off, this isn’t some casual scenic trip for Zac (also known as “Zac Attack”); he’s doing this for a good cause. His self-supported, charity bicycle ride is to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He hopes to raise 15,000 dollars for the Society. Zac isn’t the first person to bike across country for a good cause. Our very own Laddie Williams, a local firefighter and singer for the band Distal, did the same thing. Laddie cycled from California to Charleston last year to help raise nearly $50,000 for the families of nine Charleston firefighters who lost their lives in 2007. When I asked Laddie for some advice for Zac, he said, “try and look at the obstacles along the way as an opportunity to grow instead of an impediment, many of the curses turn to blessings when you just change your perspective.” Zac should be somewhere in the middle of America right now. His goal is to reach Astoria, Oregon by mid-July. You can track his progress and learn about sponsorship and donations through his blog at zacattackscancer.blogspot.com.

by Katie McGuire

If you live downtown, chances are your decision to become a downtown dweller had something to do with the atmosphere: lofts with great character, a plethora of non-chain dining options, unique retail, and guaranteed good times nightlife. However, one downside to downtown living is that moment in time when you enter your gas-guzzling box on wheels and proceed to run errands. Total chaos at peak traffic time, trucks taking up an entire lane to make deliveries, trying to turn left to double back down Broad, and the arduous task of finding a parking spot. That’s why I say to downtown Augusta: “Don’t be fuel-ish, ride a bike!” After conducting a vehicle versus bicycle analysis, I’ve concluded that the bicycle is the most viable option for running errands. Riding a bicycle has many benefits for conducting everyday activities; the first being convenience. I know from experience that riding a bike to the [insert your favorite place here] is much easier than firing up your vehicle and getting to that same place. Your ride versus drive time is very comparable with riding coming out on top in many cases. Best of all, you don’t have to deal with all of the aforementioned headaches and stress of driving. Park your car, ride a bike! The next benefit is saving money. With gas prices rising at alarming rates and the cost of operating a vehicle following suit, a bicycle is a great way to save some green. The average cost of operating a vehicle is about $0.51 a mile. So if you drove a total of 4 miles a day for 30 days, your monthly expenses would be $61.20, not including your car payment. That’s a big chunk of change for a distance that could easily be ridden on a bike. Bicycles are far less expensive to own and operate. With a minimal investment, you can start

riding your way to the bank! While on the subject of things that are green, the bicycle is one of the best ways to go green. Motor vehicle emissions represent 31 percent of total carbon dioxide, 81 percent of carbon monoxide, and 49 percent of nitrogen oxides released in the U.S. (The Green Commuter, a publication of the Clean Air Council). Sixty percent of those emissions are a result of the first few minutes of vehicle operation. If you commute via bike for all of your shorter trips, you can make a huge impact on reducing pollutants in the air we breathe. Being that a bicycle leaves absolutely no environmental footprint when operated, it is the ultimate “green” machine. Ride your way to cleaner air! Now that you’ve got your bike and you’re saving money and the environment, improving your health while doing it is yet another benefit to using a bike as transportation. Biking is a low impact aerobic activity. You can get in shape, burn calories, de-stress, and have fun all at the same time. Throw running errands in the mix and the bicycle is the master multi-tasker. As reported in Bicycling Magazine, in the first year of commuting by bike, you can lose up to 13 pounds of fat. Commute by bike and get fit! Well, there you have it. It’s all in black and white: benefit after benefit with no negative side effects. The bicycle reigns supreme as the ultimate commuting machine. It combats obesity, knocks out pollutants, and will help you get rich…well it certainly doesn’t hurt your cash flow. So the next time you fire up your clunker, remember, you do have an option. You live downtown, you work downtown, and you play downtown… now ride downtown. by Drew Jordan

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ooollee bricker and michele hattman / I didn’t realize that being a model meant donning a hundred pounds of fur and looking more like the beast than the beauty. After shedding the massive Chewbacca costume, I spoke with Ooollee and Michele about their collaborative project, Two Broads on Broad. Ooollee runs Vintage Ooollee, a new gem which sells amazing vintage apparel and shoes, ranging from an 1840s Victorian-kimono dressing gown to prom dresses from the eighties. Michelle operates Costumes by Michele. When Ooollee approached her with the concept of opening a dualretail business, she was more than happy to accept. “It called my heart,” says Michele.

Ooollee is no newcomer to the vintage scene. “I have loved it all my life. I began around eleven or twelve, playing dress-up, and fantasized about opening up a shop,” the native Augustan says as she walks though the shop. Her wares are impressive, with prices comparable to auctions and internet listings. This summer, she is highlighting gorgeous swimsuits, including modest but beautiful one-pieces to flirty bikinis. Vintage Ooollee holds wonders of dresses, shirts, skirts, and shorts from all imaginable decades and designers. The most remarkable items are those bearing the name Joseph LaRose. LaRose, a famous shoe designer from the age of Marilyn Monroe and Joan Crawford, left over 300,000 pairs of handmade flats, loafers, heels and more in his workshop upon his death. Ooollee has seventy-five pair of these striking shoes for sale, with access to more. Meanwhile, Michele busies herself, bagging costumes for the Augusta Opera’s performance of Pagliacci. She takes a moment to “breathe, breathe,” sits down at a 45-year-old Tacsew sewing machine and begins to resize a vest. She pulls out a pair of leggings. “This needs to fit a woman about my size,” she explains as she measures and cuts fabric, smartly transforming the leggings into the back of the vest, now invisible and slightly elastic. “Never throw anything away,” she says emphatically. Both women smile. This is their trade, after all - they are bringing the simple, well made styles of the past back to life in a present setting. Michele works into a different niche of their craft. A seamstress since her youth, she fell in love with costumes. After volunteering for the Opera, she ran the FatMan’s costume shop for twenty-four years. When the store announced its closure, she bought all the costumes and began looking for a space downtown. “I was looking at a smaller shop further down Broad,” Michele says as she feeds fabric through the machine. “And I couldn’t possibly have filled each side of this place,” Ooollee adds. Racks of costumes line Michele’s side of the building. “Each time I see a costume, I fall in love with it again.” Ooollee and Michele have a wonderful chemistry. “We are the perfect complement,” they each say to me. When dating a vintage piece, Ooollee immediately looks to the style of the item and the tags. Michele, however, simply looks over the stitches, dating the item by what kind of machine produced such lines. The two bounce off each other, creating an amazing energy which gleams on their faces. It is plain to see that they are passionate, not only for their retail business and their friendship, but for their happiness. Victorian dresses, sixties skirts, Roman armor, cocktail dresses, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle suits, madras shorts: “Two Broads on Broad” is a treasure to revel in. Two Broads on Broad are located at 1125 Broad Street. Costumes by Michele is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 am to 7 pm, Saturday 11 am to 6 pm. Vintage Ooollee is open by chance or by appointment: 706.724.4508. by Ashley Plocha • photos by Brooke Southerland

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two broads on broad bring vintage and costumed fashion downtown

itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about the fashion Marian Kaufman is dressed in a 1950s black halter-top evening gown with a lace overlay. She wears black satin Joseph LaRose shoes with crystal accents. Jewelry from the ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal collection. Rachel Thomas wears a mod mini-dress with trumpet sleeves and a drop waist, circa 1970; black calf-high platform boots and handmade mask by Michelle. Her sword cane is courtesy of Elduets Treasures of the World. Stephen Lechner models a green silk dinner jacket with lack piping and Shaw collar, a white tuxedo shirt and black dress slacks, all circa 1950s. The journalist is under the Chewbacca costume.

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verge / june / 19

le chat noir / avant-garde or just good theater Downtown’s Le Chat Noir Theatre takes its part in delivering quality entertainment to Augusta very serious. A group of three business partners, Richard Justice, Doug Joiner and Krys Bailey, have managed to develop a “sand box” of creativity. The result is an off-off Broadway venue off our very own Broad Street. Most people understand theater is a subjective experience. And, sometimes, if you are lucky, it can be a visceral art form that captivates you as an audience, provided the material is provoking or compelling and the actors working the words bring forth life. The mission of this trio of directors is precisely about finding those ingraining productions that would rival the marquees of any city’s mini Great White Way. Their reward for the passion in producing off-beat brilliance is great success; financially and consciously.

Bailey added of the commingling of philosophies, “If you leave this theater and you are not moved, then we have failed. I don’t want to have a theater where you cry while you are watching, then leave and move on. I want there to be discussion after the show.”

In keeping with the belief of not placating to the masses, they have chosen to close their 2008 season with Martin McDonough’s ultra-controversial play, The Pillowman.

The Pillowman should have you in discussion until the wee hours of the morning - your espresso steaming and the lights in every room glowing. Joiner said as if it were elementary, “There should be some level of confused emotions working in a good play. Issues should make an impact. The work should haunt [the audience] for a while.”

The play’s plot revolves around the murder of children and the cruelty that can be found within a human being. The Pillowman is pitch black dramatic theater. Yet McDonough’s words shape this morbid theme into a brutally noir comedy. Le Chat is brave. Of course they are aware The Pillowman won both the Olivier Award and the 2005 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Play. Still, accolades aside, the work is not what one would call a fluffy-for-the-masses-dinner-theater fare. Then neither is, say, Pulitzer-winning legend Eugene O’Neill’s once controversial psychological peeks into human frailties and cruelties. The partners of Le Chat agree The Pillowman, is, at its core, an admittedly gruesome play. Yet as with all art variations, there is a need for this kind of subliminal stimulation. It keeps imaginations alert and intelligence full-steam ahead. Joiner, who is delightfully theater-y in a Dr. Watson of-the-imagination way, was the partner who picked The Pillowman to close their second season. “It was the best play that I have read in 15 years. And I read plays all year long.” Bailey, who looks somewhat like a rock-and-roll roadie (until he speaks), said they each refuse to dumb down the theater’s picks. He pointed out another work Le Chat brought audiences, “Killer Joe was a blood bath in the Quentin Tarantino style. It was also a great play. People loved it and it became a big success for us.” Joiner and Bailey said there’s “plenty of places doing the mainstream in the area.” Le Chat Noir Theatre opened with a different mission. Bailey added that while he respects the abilities of the acting troupes around the area, Le Chat’s theater is small enough to indulge. He said, “We don’t have to serve up works that put butts in the seat.” Le Chat has 75 to 80 seats to fill and nearly every performance is sold out. By its name alone audience’s may know what to expect of the petite respite for the art-starved. The original Le Chat Noir, which closed in 1897, was an infamous Parisian cabaret known for its bohemian slant on performance art. These three self-appointed keepers-of-the-flame-seeking-arts said they collectively introduce works they would like to see come into production. Joiner said they must be choosing correctly because “after each show’s run our patron base grows – and our growth has really all been word of mouth.”

Le Chat’s bold choices raise the quality of experiences available in the downtown area. Their audiences then discover the area’s boutique shops and fine restaurants. They come away from their night out understanding that downtown Augusta has become a smart metropolitan destination. They are also eager to return. by Emily Blunt • photos by Katie McGuire Emily Blunt is the creator of Blunt Review, Hollywood star interviewer and freelance writer. Blunt Review accentuates the positive and includes her own little “Emilyisms,” which are now an underground sensation with readers.

20 / june / verge

gallery

soundcheck

Jeffrey Kronsnoble: Notes on the 19th, 20th, and 21st Centuries The Morris Museum of Art • opens June 7

Trees Leave June 13 • Stillwater Taproom

The Morris Museum of Art will hold an exhibition titled Notes on the 19th, 20th, and 21st Centuries. The exhibition includes forty paintings and mixed-media constructions by artist Jeffrey Kronsnoble.

Wyatt Espalin believes. He believes in reality, in hope, in God and in the power of music to speak truth. As the lead vocalist and songwriter for Trees Leave, Wyatt adds a fresh voice to the alternative folk scene with songs that mourn opportunities lost and celebrate hope renewed. Joined by Cobi Ferguson, whose electric guitar riffs tinge each song with a haunting urgency, the duo captures the essence of today’s troubadour.

Since the ‘60s, Kronsnoble has been teaching art at the University of South Florida, where he has also spent decades working on his consistent philosophical approach to painting. Many of Kronsnoble’s paintings are based on the concept of collage, which seems to be an appropriate metaphor for contemporary life, in which people are constantly meshing diverse traditions, technologies, and other divergent cultural elements. Kronsnoble’s paintings and drawings are poetic commentaries—he calls them “notes”—about the struggle between order and chaos in modern life and contemporary art. Perhaps Kronsnoble is highly influenced by his academic lifestyle, because much of his work fits nicely into the familiar flow of art history, though visitors may be disconcerted by his strange combinations of images from various periods and styles. A single painting may meld Renaissance portraits of merchants or saints with elements of architecture and abstract expressionist brushwork. It’s as if someone asked Art, “But will it blend?” The answer is yes. “It doesn’t matter what the parts are,” Kronsnoble asserts, “figures, design elements, whatever. . . . whether the art is realistic or abstract or anything in between.” For him, the correct balance, the ideal set of relationships, occurs when “it hovers between chaos and order. It therefore looks like life. This being in a state of grace is so much like life that it’s a metaphor for life; whether it’s abstract or representational, it mirrors life.” Notes on the 19th, 20th, and 21st Centuries: Paintings by Jeffrey Kronsnoble opens to the public on Saturday, June 7, and remains on view through Sunday, August 10, at the Morris Museum of Art. by Katie McGuire

Ranging from bluegrass to Americana to pop, Trees Leave comes to Augusta celebrating (and promoting) the release of their debut album, Run. From the easy-on-the-ears Pensacola to the spiritual longing of Groaning and Water Falls, the lyrics allude to an abiding faith and a desire for more. In fact, the duo met as members of a praise and worship band in Hiawassee, Georgia. They moved to Nashville with the full intention of becoming a Christian rock band, similar to Third Day. “We’re both believers,” Wyatt says, “but when we got to Nashville, we realized the Christian music industry is just that – an industry like any other. It felt like we were making music in a box.” The two chose to walk the narrow path, eschewing both the “Christian” music scene and the rock world for a more personal connection with each other and their audiences. Run proves their point with songs about real life, real sorrows and real hope. Wyatt explains, “Our music is all about being real, reaching out, finding hope in the hopeless. You’ll hear the gospel throughout.” Wyatt is quick to point out that while they are believers, their music is not intended for the so-called “Christian” audience. Their influences range from camp songs (Wyatt grew up on his granddad’s campground), Gillian Welch, Ryan Adams and Tool (apparently Cobi has an affinity for metal bands). Experience Trees Leave on Friday, June 13 at Stillwater Taproom. For a sample of their music, check out www.myspace.com/treesleave. by Wylie Graver

verge / june / 21

onstage

offstage

The Pillowman Le Chat Noir • June

Summer Solstice Stroll Broad Street • June 20 from 6 to 9 pm

Once upon a time, in a totalitarian dictatorship, there lived a solitary writer of rather gruesome short stories and his mentally challenged brother. When the writer’s stories begin to suspiciously mirror recent murders in the community, Katurian, the writer, and Michal, his brother, are brought in for interrogation. What is unveiled is as horrifying as it is beautiful. With John Grisham’s knack for suspense and the Grimm Brothers’ landscapes of the unthinkable, Martin McDonagh weaves quite a tale in The Pillowman.

Recapture the essence of the original First Friday on June 20th, as galleries and shops on Broad Street celebrate the Summer Solstice and the inaugural year of the Augusta Photography Festival.

Winner of the 2004 Olivier Prize for best new play and another premiere for Le Chat Noir, The Pillowman is a fist full of laughs, an eye full of tears, and a heart full of compassion. Fraught with twists and turns, mystery and fantasy, McDonagh juxtaposes the harsh reality of the jail cell against the soft, cathartic hum of storytelling. Seamlessly darting back and forth between the interrogation room and the writer’s fictional world, the action evolves into a trial of sorts, blurring and questioning the role of the artist, the government and the society that must endure them on one hand and applaud them on the other.

Artistic Perceptions exhibits the photography of Roy Davenport in Sights In and Around Augusta. The Augusta Museum of History extends their regular hours for strollers to experience The Godfather of Soul: Mr. James Brown. A photographic history of Augusta will be displayed at the Miller Theatre. Metro Spirit features works by the Festival’s steering committee.

The production team includes Krys Bailey as scenic designer and Mark Swanson as composer of incidental music. Krys Bailey’s set design pops and folds with childlike familiarity, while Mark Swanson’s mild dissonance and bitonality gently captures the haunt and hope of The Pillowman. The all-male cast includes Doug Joiner as Katurian, Mark Swanson as Tupolski, Gary Dennis as Ariel, and Krys Bailey as Michal. The Pillowman is unlike anything you’ll ever see – a story of the twisted, the gruesome, and the redeeming power of love and creativity. Get your tickets now. Seating in the intimate black-box theatre is very limited. Tickets for Le Chat’s last show, Sordid Lives, sold out two weeks in advance and all added shows and seats sold out as well! Choose your dates: June 13 & 14, 20 & 21, 26 to 28. Le Chat Noir is located at 304 8th Street. Details: call 706.722.3322 or visit www.lcnaugusta.com. by Doug Joiner

The Summer Solstice Stroll is designed as a feast - for your eyes with exhibits of local and regional photographers, for your taste buds with tantalizing refreshments, and for your ears with acoustic musicians scattered along the street. And it’s all free. Even better.

Michael Johnson’s photographic essay on Congressman Paul Broun will be on display at the Lamar Building Penthouse. Further down Broad, Vintage 965 highlights the photography of Ben Riche and Elizabeth Benson. David Kernaghan’s bodyscapes explores the human figure from an abstract perspective at Tire City Potters. Zimmerman Gallery features the lighthearted approach of Andy Donnan in Urban Hammocking. A few steps away, Gallery on the Row presents the wildlife photography of Forrest Roberts. Gabi Hutchison captures the exquisite beauty of the everyday on film at The Book Tavern. Art on Broad features New York photographer Scott Matyjaskek, whose hand layered photographs create three dimensional urban landscapes. Sarah Thompson brings out the hidden charms of ordinary objects, while Harvey Maisel’s retrospective cente fiori: a hundred flowers continues to captivate the eye, at blue magnolia. Pick up your Summer Solstice Stroll guide at any of the participating galleries. Then, choose an end of Broad Street and wind your way down. by Wylie Graves • photo by Elizabeth Benson

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verge / june / 23

good chow fresh air dining abounds downtown Dining al fresco, better known as “out in the fresh air,” has been standard operating procedure on much of the planet since the days when it was the only ambiance available. In more recent centuries, Europeans have elevated al fresco dining to an art form with their oh-so-chic sidewalk cafés. Don’t rush to buy that plane ticket because downtown Augusta brings Europe to you. The Bees Knees: Let’s start at The Bees Knees. It probably attracts a more diverse crowd than other restaurants in the area. The relaxed yet elegant atmosphere allows students to study over a glass of wine, a romantic evening with your partner, or a family night out. The music gently spills out of the restaurant, enveloping you without overwhelming any conversation. It’s hard not to get involved in the conversation at the next table as the bohemian atmosphere stirs the passions of life. Situated on a side street, the minimal traffic allows a more peaceful ambiance. The sidewalk is newly renovated with beautiful street lamps, trees, and brick trimming to add to the elegance. With some of the best servers in town, an evening here is a luxurious experience.

The Cotton Patch The courtyard at The Cotton Patch is the perfect place to escape the crowds inside. Lushly decorated with plants and a giant fountain, it provides an intimate space to meet your friends and have a good time. They often have live music in the evenings and as one of my friends told me, “Everyone is out to have a good time at The Cotton Patch.”

Blue Sky Kitchen Blue Sky Kitchen is right around the corner from The Bees Knees, and in my recollection they have had tables on Broad Street longer than anyone I know. One of the best parts of sitting there is enjoying the pedestrian traffic. Friends are sure to see you and stop by for a chat. If you’re shopping on Broad Street, this is the best place to kick up your heels with a sandwich and some delicious sweet tea.

The Pizza Joint The Pizza Joint is likely the largest outdoor dining area downtown. It has a covered area for when the sky isn’t as beautiful as our usual sunny days, and a number of umbrella covered tables to keep the sun off your back when it’s beastly hot. Speaking of beasts, dogs are welcome (unless they are as poorly behaved as mine). The front of the courtyard is huge, and in the evening, great strings of lights give off a pleasant glow. So hop on your bike, have the dog pull you down, and grab a beer and some pizza.

The Jury Room Located across the street from City Hall, The Jury Room is a small café boasting a delightful courtyard that is sunken into the ground to add a little extra privacy. It has a quaint, old world feeling with the solid yellow painted walls of the Delaigle House rising up behind you. They also serve one of the best old world treats: Gelato! This Italian ice cream is far creamier than its American counterpart and is the perfect way to push the summer aside for a while. by Jack Casey • photos by Katie McGuire

24 / june / verge

Historic Augusta’s 2008 Downtown Loft Tour June 6 & 7 Historic Augusta offers a taste of downtown life with its annual Loft Tour featuring trendy living and working spaces. Get an intimate look at this year’s twelve sites, including a preview of the White’s Building and Sutherland Mill, both in the process of being rehabilitated, and the “lofty” Union Baptist Church. The tour contains buildings of various sizes and styles, each with distinctive architectural features and design.

when: Friday, June 6, from 6 pm to 9 pm and Saturday, June 7, from noon to 5 pm

how much: Advance tickets ($15) are available at Historic

Augusta, blue magnolia, Mellow Mushroom and the Metro Spirit. Tickets can also be purchased during the tour for $20 at Tour Headquarters in front of 1002 Broad Street.

where: A B C D E F G H I J K L

Johnson Building: 756 Broad Street Cotton Exchange: 32 Eighth Street Castle Hall: 309 Eighth Street The White’s Building: 936 Broad Street Italianate Townhouse: 1028 Reynolds Street Goldberg Building: 1044 Broad Street Union Baptist Church: 1102 Greene Street The Sylvester Building: 812 Broad Street Brislen Building: 1168 Broad Street Leonard Building: 700 Broad Street (Friday only) Sutherland Mill: Cottage Street (Saturday only) Enterprise Mill: 1450 Greene Street (Saturday only)

added bonus: your tickets includes admission to the Loft Tour Celebration on Saturday, June 7 from 8 to 11 pm. The party will be held at the City Club ( 724 Broad Street) with live music by the Joe Stevenson Band and a cash bar.

more details: 706.724.0436 or www.historicaugusta.org.

photos courtesy of Historic Augusta, Inc.

verge / june / 25

ovies at

pipeline / 6.6 - 6.16

friday june 6

outdoor events

ain

First Friday: Kickoff to Summer Downtown • 5 to 10 pm • free Downtown comes to life as galleries, studios and shops stay open late and the street is filled with vendors and live entertainment. New this month: Kids Zone – activities for kids. Plus enter to win summer themed prizes at the main tent. Tenth Street Concert featuring Jerusalem Sounds Brass Band.

june • teen flicks Augusta HQ Library 902 Greene Street 6:30 pm • mondays • free June 2: 10 Things I Hate About You 1999 • PG-13 97 minutes A loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” this quirky teenage love story never fails to amuse.

June 9: Step Up 2006 • PG-13 104 minutes Incredible choreography makes this one of those films that you love to hate and hate to love. Better than the first? You’re on your own for that one.

June 16: The Great Debaters 2007 • PG-13 126 minutes Based on the true story of professor Melvin B. Tolson, who in 1935, inspired students at Wiley College to form a debate team.

June 23: Stardust 2007 • PG-13 127 minutes The perfect movie if you are looking for a night without “pseudo intellectual hyper analysis.” Though the characters are endearing and the acting is charming.

June 30: Freedom Writers 2007 • PG-13 123 minutes Completely inspiring. The film rings true about the difference a dedicated teacher can make in the struggling lives of her students.

special events Coffee Cupping New Moon Café • 7:30 pm • free New Moon on Broad St. will be doing a comparative coffee cupping on First Friday. The cupping will be led by the coffee roasters from MoonBeam Coffees and will teach the basics of professional cupping, as well as a cupping of our Charity of the Month coffee. Seating is limited and begins at 7:30 pm. Details: 803.644.0637. Grand Opening of Sky City Sky City • 5 pm to 3 am • $5 Featuring 80’s Night – Come out and welcome this awesome new venue to Downtown Augusta. “Fish Fry” with Kris Fisher of HD98.3 Metro Coffee House • free

art events

live music Old Crow Medicine Show Imperial Theatre • 8 pm • $24 Tightly meshed ensemble with keen vocal harmonies, fiddles, and banjoes.

Oil Portrait Exhibition by Wanta L. Davenport Artistic Perceptions • 5 to 9 pm • free Wanta has painted the portraits of numerous local and international subjects including Augusta’s Mayor Deke S. Copenhaver, whose portrait is now displayed in the mayor’s office. Jaycie Ward will be singing some of your favorites on First Friday. Refreshments will be available. Wanta will be in attendance to discuss her art.

The Pillowman Le Chat Noir • 8 pm • $20 See OnStage, page 21 for details.

live music

Details on the band: www.crowmedicine.com. Tickets: www.imperialtheatre.com

Trees Leave Stillwater Tap Room • 10 pm • $4 • alt folk

DJ Mix

Blue Cotton Cotton Patch • 9 pm • $2 • folk rock

209 Music Lounge • 9:30 pm • $8

Chairleg • Hollowmass • Nine Day Descent • Enable Kain • Moultire Killer Sector 7G • 6 pm • $8 • hardcore

El Dorado Deluxe Cotton Patch • 9 pm • $2 • blues

Daddy Grace Fox’s Lair • 8 pm • free • acoustic

R2D1 Fox’s Lair • 8 pm • free • acoustic

Fletch & Folk Joes Underground • 10 pm • $4 • folk

The Edison Project Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $4 • rock

saturday june 14 special events

sunday june 8 outdoor events Preston & Weston: Candlelight Jazz Eighth Street Bulkhead • 8:00 pm • $6

Southern Classic Feis Bell Auditorium • 8 am to 6 pm Irish Dancing Competition

Bring your own picnic and seating!

Self Defense Class Greene St Library • 2 pm • free

Details: www.prestonandweston.com

Class taught by 3rd Degree Blackbelt Johnny Hughes for CSRA Defensive Arts

Members Only Reception Morris Museum of Art • 5 to 10 pm • free Notes on the 19th, 20th, and 21st Centuries: Paintings by Jeffrey Kronsnoble. Meet the artist during an exhibition preview.

theatre events

special events Augusta Tattoo Expo James Brown Arena • noon to 11 pm • $10 Over 60 world class artists tattooing on site. Daily tattoo contest, full bar, live music, art show, bike & car display.

Music on the Plaza 8th Street Plaza • 7 to 10 pm • $5 Come out and enjoy the best local and regional entertainers in the beautiful setting of the 8th Street Plaza. This concert series will showcase a wide variety of musical talent. Details: 706.821.1754

theatre events

Details: www.centralvalleytattoo.com

live music Keith Gregory & John Kolbeck

The Pillowman Le Chat Noir • 8 pm • $20 See OnStage, page 21 for details.

Cotton Patch • 8 pm to midnight • free

monday june 9

sports events

special events

live music Jeff & Shane Fox’s Lair • 8 pm • free • acoustic John Kolbeck Cotton Patch • 9 pm • $2 • acoustic

Augusta Colts Game James Brown Arena • 7:30 pm • $8 to $30

Movies at Main Greene St Library • 6:30 pm • free

vs Carolina Speedway

Brown Sugar Band featuring Eric Mayweather 209 Music Lounge • 9:30 pm • $8 • blues

Step Up, rated PG-13, 104 min

Impulse Ride Joes Underground • 10 pm • $4 • rock

live music Life Runner • Dr. Acula • Prior Drive • Xiphoid Process • Tales of The Black Freighter Sector 7G • 6 pm • $8 Jazz Collective Tribeca Budda Lounge • jazz Jeff Liberty Fox’s Lair • 8 pm • free • folk

live music Prior Drive • Night After Dark • Lennox • Fun in Washington • Fatal Disorder Sector 7G • 6 pm • $7 • hardcore Shane / Blue Cotton Joes Underground • 9 pm • $2 • folk

thursday june 12 live music

Impulse Ride Cotton Patch • 9 pm • $2 • rock

The Zach Brown Band with The Mason Jars Sky City • 9 pm • $10 ADV & $15 DOS

Mojo 1102 • 10 pm • $5 • rock

www.zachbrownband.com

Shotgun Opera Playground • 10 pm • $3 • metal The Independents Firehouse Bar • 10 pm • $5 • punk The Mason Jars Joes Underground • 10 pm • $4 • folk

saturday june 7 special events Augusta Tattoo Expo James Brown Arena • noon to 11 pm • $10 Over 60 world class artists tattooing on site. Daily tattoo contest, full bar, live music, art show, bike & car display. Details: www.centralvalleytattoo.com

Just Surrender • Every Avenue • The Morning Light • You Me and Everyone We Know Sector 7G • 6 pm • $10 • punk Paul Arrowood Joes Underground • 9 pm • $2

friday june 13 outdoor events Movies in the Commons Augusta Commons • 9 pm • $2 Bee Movie, rated PG, 90 min

sunday june 15 outdoor events Kemba Cofield: Candlelight Jazz Eighth Street Bulkhead • 8:00 pm • $6 Bring your own picnic and seating! Details: www.kembacofield.com

live music Devaron Roof Cotton Patch • 8 pm • free • funk John Kolbeck Cotton Patch • 10 pm • free • acoustic

monday june 16 film events Movies at Main Greene St Library • 6:30 pm • free The Great Debaters, rated PG-13, 126 min

live music The Menzingers • The Leftovers Sector 7G • 6 pm • $6 • punk Dave Firman Joes Underground • 9 pm • $2 • acoustic

26 / june / verge

pipeline / 6.17 - 6.27

sports events Augusta Colts Game James Brown Arena • 7:30 pm • $8 to $30

live music The Mason Jars Joes Underground • 9 pm • $2 • folk

vs Mississippi Mudcats Art at Lunch Morris Museum • noon to 1:30 pm • $10 “Should I Throw Out My Camera? The future of photography in the digital world” presented by Jay Williams.

Dirty Dozen Brass Band Sky City • 9 pm • $10 ADV & $15 DOS www.myspace.com/dirtydozenbrass Terry & Jordan Cotton Patch • 9 pm • $2 • rock

Artist Talk Lucy Craft Laney Museum • noon to 1:30 pm • $5

Picture Perfect Band featuring David Heath 209 Music Lounge • 9:30 pm • $8 Black Sheep Joes Underground • 10 pm • $4

Workshop for Beginners Gertrude Herbert • 10 to 11:30am • $10 Portfolio review – receive feedback on your work (limit 3-5 photos)

Wycliffe Gordon protégé Kemba Cofield charms audiences with her sassy style and soulfulness that wraps itself around each song. Her interpretations of jazz standards reminds us of how music transforms and how the essence of jazz transcends. She’ll be at Candlelight Jazz on June 15th promoting the release of her sophomore project Kemba Cofield Live. Details: www.gardencityjazz. com.

special events

Learn some basic yoga moves & enjoy delicious smoothies. For ages 11 & up.

augusta photography festival Closing Gallery Talk Morris Museum • 2 to 3 pm • free Gallery talk by Angela West. Free reception with food and drinks.

Space is limited to 15 participants.

sunday june 15 • 8 pm • the eighth street bulkhead

thursday june 26 Yoga & Smoothies Greene St Library • 6:30 pm • free

sunday june 22

Presented by William Anderson

live music Nu-kle-?r Blast Suntan • Black Tusk Sector 7G • 6 pm • $6 • punk John Kolbeck Joes Underground • 9 pm • $2

Reservations required – lunch is included.

50 Year retrospective of William Andersons black & white works.

kemba cofield: candlelight jazz

tuesday june 24 live music

theatre events The Pillowman Le Chat Noir • 8 pm • $20 See OnStage, page 21 for details.

live music

outdoor events

Workshop for Advanced Gertrude Herbert • 2 to 3:30 pm • $10

Mace Hibbard: Candlelight Jazz Eighth Street Bulkhead • 8:00 pm • $6

Portfolio review – receive feedback on your work (limit 3-5 photos)

Bring your own picnic and seating!

Ruskin Yeargin Joes Underground • 9 pm • $2 • acoustic

friday june 27

Details: www.macehibbard.com

Space is limited to 15 participants Steering Committee Exhibition Opening Metro Spirit Headquarters • 5-7pm • free Works by members of the Festival Steering Committee will be on display Summer Solstice Stroll Broad Street • 5-9pm • free

film events live music

Choose Your Poison • The Skuds Sector 7G • 6 pm • $6 • punk Keith Gregory & John Kolbeck Cotton Patch • 8 pm to midnight • free

monday june 23

Reviving the spirit of the original First Friday with special photography exhibits in the galleries and shops on Broad street. Meet the artists, find affordable art to bring home, enjoy refreshments and live music during this casual stroll under the stars. Details: 706.828.6550

film events Movies at Main Greene St Library • 6:30 pm • free Stardust, rated PG-13,127 min

Movies in the Commons Augusta Commons • 9 pm • $2 Hairspray, rated PG, 117 min

theatre events The Pillowman Le Chat Noir • 8 pm • $20 See OnStage, page 21 for details.

live music Town Mountain Stillwater Tap Room • 10 pm • $4 • bluegrass

for details on festival: www.augustaphotofestival.org

theatre events The Pillowman Le Chat Noir • 8 pm • $20 See OnStage, page 21 for details.

live music

tuesday june 17 live music

Too Pure to Die • Under War Tom Skies • Upon The Alter • Xiphoid Process Sector 7G • 6 pm • $10 • hardcore

Soul Control • Lie and Wall Sector 7G • 6 pm • $7 • punk

Roger Enevoldsen Fox’s Lair • 8 pm • free • acoustic

Joe Stevenson Joes Underground • 9 pm • $2 • acoustic

Keith Gregory Cotton Patch • 9 pm • $2 • acoustic

thursday june 19

Joe Stevenson & Friends Joes Underground • 10 pm • $4 • acoustic

augusta photography festival

Betsy Franck & The Bare Knuckle Band Stillwater Tap Room • 10 pm • $4 • bluegrass

Opening Reception Gertrude Herbert • 6:30 pm • $5 Exhibition preview and “Time Scene” presentation by Steven Lawson. Images created using “radically altered” cameras, incrementally recorded scenes through time, showing changes in subject, light and weather. Lawson’s hand crafted cameras also on view. for details on festival: www.augustaphotofestival.org

live music John Krueger Joes Underground • 9 pm • $2

friday june 20 augusta photography festival Gallery Talk Morris Museum • 10:30 to 11:30 am • free Insights by Kevin Grogan on A. Aubrey Bodine, mid20th Century pictorialist & photojournalist

saturday june 21 augusta photography festival Field Workshop Augusta Canal Interpretive Center • 7 to 8:30 am • $10 Canal Photo Cruise: capture early morning views from aboard canal tour boat – no tripods allowed. for details on festival: www.augustaphotofestival.org

theatre events The Pillowman Le Chat Noir • 8 pm • $20 See OnStage, page 21 for details.

the augusta photography festival Environments: Past, Present and Personal june 19 to 22 • augustaphotofestival.org The first Augusta Photography Festival promises to be an event filled four days, including gallery exhibitions of award-winning photographers, competitions, workshops, photo field trips, a downtown Summer Solstice Stroll and more. The competition attracted over 500 entries and the winners will be announced on June 21st. For a complete schedule or to sign up for workshops, visit the festival website: augustaphotofestival.org. photo by Gabi Hutchison

verge / june / 27

pipeline / 6.28 - 7.4

TFS Rave Sector 7G • 8 pm • $5 • rave Billy & Chris Fox’s Lair • 8 pm • free • acoustic Blue Funk with Old School DJ and Blue Cotton Joes Underground • 10 pm • $5 • funk

wednesdays Open Mic Night 209 Music Lounge • 8 pm • free

saturday june 28

Open Mic Night Fox’s Lair • free

special events CSRA Jazz Festival Bell Auditorium • 8 pm • $29.50 to $39.50

thursdays Rhyme and Dine (spoken word) 209 Music Lounge • 7 to 9:30 pm • free

Pieces of a Dream, Najee, and Comedian AJ Jamal Jazz Festival After Party 209 Music Lounge • 9:30 pm • $8

fridays Friday Night DJ Mix 209 Music Lounge • 9 pm • $5

outdoor events Music on the Plaza 8th Street Plaza • 7 to 10 pm • $5 Come out and enjoy the best local and regional entertainers in the beautiful setting of the 8th Street Plaza. This concert series will showcase a wide variety of musical talent. Details: 706.821.1754

theatre events The Pillowman Le Chat Noir • 8 pm • $20

saturdays Saturday Market on The River 8th & Reynolds • 8 am to 1 pm • free

First Friday: Fourth of July Celebration july 4 • 5 to 10 pm

Jamie Jones Cotton Patch • 9 pm • $2 • rock Whosehouse Joes Underground • 10 pm • $4 • rock

sunday june 29 outdoor events Sounds Unlimited: Candlelight Jazz Eighth Street Bulkhead • 8:00 pm • $6 Bring your own picnic and seating! Details: www.gardencityjazz.com

Celebrate Fourth of July all day long in downtown Augusta. Between RiverBlast on the River Walk, a patriotic concert at the Ampitheater, and family fun up and down Broad Street, downtown comes to life in red, white and blue. First Friday festivities continue as galleries, studios and shops stay open late and kid friendly activities abound. For details, visit www.augustaarts.com.

live music Keith Gregory & John Kolbeck Cotton Patch • 8 pm to midnight • free

monday june 30 film events Movies at Main: Freedom Writers Greene St Library • 6:30 pm • free Freedom Writers, rated PG 13, 123 min

live music Jacob Beltz Joes Underground • 9 pm • $2 • rock

tuesday july 1 live music 2 Sweet • Fireworks • This Time Next Year Sector 7G • 6 pm • $8 • punk nd

thursday july 3 live music John Kolbeck

outdoor events First Friday: 4th of July Celebration Broad St • 5 to 10 pm • free Special family friendly Fourth of July Celebrations mark this First Friday. River Blast Augusta Riverwalk/Augusta Commons • 2 to 9:30 pm • free Activities include an arts/craft bazaar, a variety of musical entertainment, dance & activities for the entire family to enjoy. There will be a patriotic con-

William Anderson: Lest We Forget Lucy Craft Laney Museum • Now thru June 30 • $2 to $5 Mixed media exhibition including a 50 year retrospective of William Anderson’s black and white photography. A. Aubrey Bodine: Baltimore Pictorialist Morris Museum of Art • Now thru July 13 • $3 to $5 This exhibition includes a representative sampling of the work of master pictorialist photographer A. Aubrey Bodine. Bodine was a longtime staff member at the Baltimore Sun, for which he created photo-essays on subjects ranging from studies of his hometown, Baltimore, Maryland, to the oystermen and skipjack fishermen of the Chesapeake Bay. Cente Fiori: 100 Flowers by Harvey Maisel blue magnolia • now thru June 30 • free

cert at the Amphitheater and a spectacular fireworks display with cannon firing in the evening.

special events Coffee Cupping New Moon Café • 7:30 pm • free New Moon on Broad St. will be doing a comparative coffee cupping on First Friday. The cupping will be led by the coffee roasters form MoonBeam Coffees and will teach the basics of professional cupping, as well as a cupping of our Charity of the Month coffee. Seating is limited and begins at 7:30 pm. Details: 803.644.0637. “Fish Fry” w/ Kris Fisher of HD98.3 Metro Coffee House • free

live music Brown Sugar Cotton Patch • 9 pm • $2 • blues Arrowood Joes Underground • 10 pm • $4 • rock

every week sundays

Joes Underground • 9 pm • $2 • acoustic

friday july 4

Jazz Collective Metro Coffee House • 9 pm • $2

ongoing exhibitions

See OnStage, page 21 for details.

live music

In the heart of Augusta: a unique open air market experience. Every week rain or shine.

Jim Perkins Augustinos • 8 pm • free

Join us each Sunday along the banks of the Savannah River for an enchanted evening of jazz featuring regional and local jazz artists. Go to gardencityjazz. com for more info.

tuesdays

Dr. John Fisher (Irish) Fox’s Lair • 9 pm • free

The Godfather of Soul: Mr. James Brown Augusta Museum of History • Now thru May 2011 • $2 to $4 The first major exhibit devoted to the life of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul. The exhibit celebrates his life through three studies – the man, the music and his great legacy. Steve Lawson: Time Scene Gertrude Herbert • June 19 to August 1 • donation Steve Lawson’s images created using “radically altered” cameras, incrementally recorded scenes through time, showing changes in subject, light and weather. Photography Festival Steering Committee Exhibition Metro Spirit Building • June 21 to July 30 • free Works by several member of the Photography Festival Steering Committee will be on display.

Candlelight Jazz 8th Street Bulkhead • 8 to 9:30 pm • $6

Jam Sessions w/ Jazz Collective Metro Coffee House • 9 pm • free

Walt Whitman once said, “A morning glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.” Harvey Maisel brings that satisfaction to a permanent state with his retrospective exhibit of photographed flowers throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Canada.

Environments: Past, Present and Future Augusta Canal Lockkeepers Cottage • June 25 to October 30 • free Augusta Photography Festival finalists’ & winners’ work will be on display.

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a different art form / the annual tattoo expo

june 7 and 8 • james brown arena

In early June, tattoo artists from around the country will converge on downtown Augusta for the 2nd Annual Augusta Tattoo Expo, on Saturday June 7th and Sunday June 8th at the James Brown Arena. The event showcases the artistic talent of tattoo craftsman from around the country with exhibitions highlighting some of the industry’s most famous names. The convention emphasizes the merits of craftsmanship through daily contests and complimentary displays including various cars, bikes, and artwork on display for the public. For a mere ten bucks per day, the convention is sure to draw a mass of patrons, casual observers, and artistic enthusiasts. (Note: the expo is open to all ages). Featured tattoo artists include Baba from Vintage Tattoo in Los Angeles, Josh “Baker” Williams from Hot Rod Tattoo in Atlantic City and Permanent Mark from Golden Eagle Tattoo in Santa Barbara. Even more popular are the daily tattoo contests, pitting artist against artist for bragging rights. The Tattoo of the Day Contest will be held on Saturday at 10 pm and Sunday at 7 pm. Only tattoos completed at the convention by a registered artist are eligible for judging – and only one winner results each day. Augusta’s tattoo expo evolved from the involvement of First Amendment Tattoo’s own Mike Ferguson. “Upon attending some of our conventions in California,” says Chris Earl, the event coordinator, “we mentioned to Mike that we would like to do some shows out of state, and he recommended the city of Augusta.” Considering that similar conventions in California draw upwards of 5,000 people, Earl hopes to see the tatted bodies and enthusiasm of around 3,000 folks flooding downtown Augusta over the weekend. Earl says that he and his partner at Central Valley Tattoo in California seek to “express the fact that tattoo work is not what it used to be.” They hope to move beyond the stereotypes of prisons, prostitutes, and other vagrants often associated with the art of tattooing. Furthermore, they want to show people that “tattoos are for anyone and are a legitimate art form that requires talent and dedication to a craft.” Earl speaks of the convention as an opportunity to showcase the talent of artists from California to Atlantic City and everywhere in between. Open for all ages from noon until 11 pm on Saturday and noon until 8 pm on Sunday, the 2nd Annual Tattoo Expo flies into Augusta on the wings of craftsmanship. Details: www.centralvalleytattoo.com. by J. Edward Sumerau • photo of the 2007 expo by Jodi Hancock

Baba Vintage Tattoo • Los Angeles, CA / Permanent Mark & George Edwin Totten Tattoo Country • Santa Barbara, CA / Frost, Duane & Matt Pain Is Beauty • Bakersfield, CA / Mike Ferguson 1st Amendment Tattoo • Temecula, CA / Nate & Dante 1st Amendment Tattoo • Murrieta, CA / Skully World Famous Tattoo • Sunset Beach, CA / Jon Pitcher & Fro 1st Amendment Tattoo • Augusta, GA / Timmy Tatts Tattoo Marks • State College, PA / Josh “The Baker” Williams Hot Rod Tattoo • Atlantic City, NJ / Jeff Cribb & Randy Hall Hero Tattoo • Conway, SC / Kenny, Robert & Dan Casey Aces & Eights Tattoo • Augusta, GA / Josh Lindly & Mac Painted Pony Tattoo • Anderson, SC / Cool – Aid Cool-Aid Tattoo • Des Moines, Iowa

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be a tourist in your own hometown reviving the romance for Augusta After growing up in Augusta, you may find yourself wanting a good reason to continue living here after college. Since I’m not a golf fan and I’m sure I can find James Brown on every jukebox in the nation, I’m constantly determined to discover new things about my hometown. Living in Augusta is like being involved in a lifelong marriage. I need to be romanced so the passion doesn’t die out. I need reasons not to be tempted by a larger, more charming city. So I decide to erase what I know of my town and start over. I start by leaving the state, not so much by choice but necessity. It’s the only way to get to the Georgia Visitor Center off I-20, and this is my Mecca. The Visitor Center resembles a fancy southern ball room: wood floors, rocking chairs, and to my amazement, a total lack of Master’s memorabilia. It’s nice to know that Georgia is proud of things other than golf. I decide my best method of enlightenment is to collect as many brochures as I can about Augusta. Twenty five brochures later, I have my road map, and the weight of proof that there are exciting things to do in Augusta. Augusta is the birthplace of many celebrities. Renowned sports icons, past presidents, and music stars took their first step within these city lines. We didn’t just pull names like Jessye Norman Amphitheater, James Brown Arena, and Butt Bridge out of our own proverbial butt. There is an advantage to being on the east coast. We’re older than the west coast. Technically this isn’t true, but it does explain a lot of the war memorials throughout town. The Augusta History Museum showcases 12,000 years of Augusta’s legacy, so I imagine they’ve done a pretty good job explaining why it’s cooler to live on the east coast. William Bartram was a fan of our town. If you don’t know who that is, just know to thank him when you take your girlfriend on a walk down the Augusta Canal. His naturalist legacy left a large imprint on Augusta, thus causing the Bartram Trail to be created. If walking through nature is too extreme for you, I suggest a Petersburg Boat Tour down the canal. Or if you’re looking to break out in a sweat, the river and lake plays host to a variety of water sports. Golf is HUGE in this town. We have over 24 golf courses, and probably another dozen popping up as you read this. Before you cash out your IRA to purchase a private membership, might I suggest Augusta’s alternative form of 18 holes. Disc Golf is a hipper, or more importantly, a cheaper way to play. There are several free courses around town and an eager bunch of players willing to show you the ropes. Downtown Augusta is worthy of exploring. Broad Street (and its offstreets) is home to various art galleries, museums, locally owned bars and restaurants, theaters, music venues, public parks, and plenty of antiques. It’s no Manhattan, but I feel confident to say that local residents and business owners are proud of their downtown. Shopping for something other than Victorian era porcelain is finally an option thanks to new clothing boutiques and gift stores. First Friday is the probably the best way to be introduced to the variety of things to do downtown. So there we have it – the beginning of my adventure to conquer Augusta. My mission is to become a visitor in my own town. I don’t expect my collection of brochures to reveal to me everything Augusta has to offer, but it’s a good place to start. My other mission is to find others to join me in the process. Check out my blog at vergelive.com. You’ll be able to sign up and post your own experiences as a tourist in your hometown. by Katie McGuire

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printed matter / good reads for the whole family I always rather enjoyed children’s books. Growing up, our parents read The Chronicles of Narnia aloud nearly every night, or The Hobbit, or any of several dozen stories. We shared the excitement of the Harry Potter books with my nieces in a similar fashion, along with The Golden Compass, all our favourites, and many new discoveries. The time we spent together reading knit us closer in an unmatchable way. I thought I might introduce you to a few of our friends, old and new, so you might spend the summer knitting, too.

I am a Bunny, illustrated by Richard Scarry, is a wonderful story for the very young. I still have my first copy. The story follows a bunny named Nicholas through the seasons. The illustrations are unlike any other Richard Scarry book, filled with lush, fantastic detail. Of course, I like all Richard Scarry’s books, and was pleased to find my three-year-old nephew enjoys Richard Scarry’s Best Storybook Ever with the same glee I did. Our family had hours of enjoyment reading his works, examining the pictures and creating new stories out of the pages. Have you ever wanted your own planet? At least a very small planet? I always thought things would be pretty on the moon and perhaps a winged horse would take me there. It hasn’t happened yet, but I met The Little Prince, who has his very own, very small planet. He takes care to rake out his active volcanoes and is very loving to the one flower growing there. Well, truthfully, I didn’t meet him; but Antoine de Saint-Exupery did, and he shares with us how to see what really matters. Winged horses may not take me to the moon, but they can take you through time. While no Pegasus appears in A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle doesn’t leave them out altogether. This series, more than any other, made me believe in the impossible. The Murray’s are a very different family, and when their father goes missing, friends of an unusual sort help them traverse space and time to discover the key to his rescue is something deep within us. A bit closer to the earth, and sometimes beneath it, is Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson. My sister and I sang “New Folks Coming, Oh My!” along with Little Georgie many times. Though very short, it is full of kindness and generosity. Written in 1944, its theme of hope still resonates today. While the characters enchant a child’s imagination, Lawson doesn’t shy away from serious and lifelike struggles. From the moon to the earth to The Clouds Above, a story written and illustrated by Jordan Crane. Simon doesn’t want to go to school and face a rather grouchy teacher, so he takes the stairs to the roof and then up into the clouds where his adventures, though odd, are quite exciting. One thing I learned from this book is you really can walk on clouds. Ever wondered who inspired C.S. Lewis to write all those fantastic tales? Allow me to introduce you to George MacDonald, who wrote a great number of fantastic books of which my favourite is At the Back of the North Wind. North Wind is personified in this fable about God’s Justice, and befriends a young boy, Diamond, to whom she teaches a great deal about her own nature and his.

One of my favourite stories is nearly an introduction to philosophy for children. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster illustrates the power of photo by Katie McGuire thinking through the character of Milo. He receives a mysterious present, a tollbooth, which transports him to the Land of Wisdom. His wits will need to be about him to rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason, and by the end of the book, your wits will be sharper as well. J.M. Barrie’s Peter and Wendy are much loved in our family, but we recently discovered Peter’s story begins a bit before Neverland. Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson superbly invent a beginning to the tale in Peter and the Starcatchers without sacrificing any of the original story’s devices. Where did Peter come from? How did Neverland come into being? How did Barrie get the idea for the tale? All your questions can be answered in this entertaining and cunningly written trilogy. Beware the words you read here, lest they spring to life. Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke, takes us into the home of a bookbinder (you can already see why I love this story) and his daughter, who longs to hear her father read again. But he makes her read all the books, and as the mystery unfolds we find the line between fact and fiction can be bridged, and words can be dangerous when uttered aloud. I could not put this book down until I had swallowed each page. Another recent discovery, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick, is proof that printed books will always remain a delight. A story told in both words and pictures, Hugo Cabret brings a cinematic quality to the story of a young boy who lives in the secret corridors of a train station. His life centers on attempting to perfect his father’s invention, which leads him to a world of amazement. Finally, I would like to thank my friend Harry, who just introduced me to Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie. Haroun lives in a town whose name is forgotten, where factories build sadness to sell. Haroun’s father, Rashid, is a story teller of great repute, until one day his stories stop. Haroun must journey to Gup and uncover what has gone wrong with the Sea of Stories. Rushdie constructs a tale of delight and courage in which the forces of silence cannot prevail against the precious gift of speech. Next month: You may have read a short story by this author in school, but her reputation as a witch was manufactured by her husband to help create a buzz for her macabre novels and generate film options. David Hutchison is the proprietor of the Book Tavern, located at 1026 Broad Street. David is best known for his unique ability to match the perfect book to a customer’s personality and being a veritable walking encyclopedia of literary works.

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past times / castle hall Castle Hall is a three-story structure with an Italianate style façade located at 309 Eighth Street between Ellis and Greene. Part of Downtown Augusta’s retail scene for the past 100 years, 309 Eighth Street has been the location for an array of businesses and organizations. Castle Hall’s many floors have been used by and for the YMCA, a steam laundry, drug company, as a meeting hall, seed supply, typewriter exchange, and jewelry stores.

1880 Built for retail space and may have been first occupied by

2004 to 2005 Renovated by Mark Donahue of Peach

a wholesale grocery store.

Contractors for use as residential lofts and retail space. During the demolition of the 1950’s-1970’s brick façade, completely intact iron pilasters were discovered. Forged in 1880 by Lombard Iron Works of Augusta, the pilasters are original to the building.

1888 It was used as headquarters for the Young Men’s Christian Association, or YMCA. Augusta’s YMCA is celebrating its 150th anniversary of service to this area in 2008.

ca.1912 to 1941 Used as the Knights of Pythias’ lodge, which the order refers to as a Castle Hall. The Knights of Pythias, an international fraternal order, was founded in 1864 by Justus H. Rathbone in Washington, D.C.

1917 The words “Castle Hall” were added to the façade along with the metal parapet wall at the top. Also added were the brackets and dentil moldings that complete the parapet detailing.

1950’s The headquarters for Friedman’s Jewelers moved into 309 Eighth Street. Friedman’s bricked over the façade for security purposes and built offices on the second floor that connected to the building next door.

2005 Peach Contractor’s received a Preservation Award from Historic Augusta for the rehabilitation of Castle Hall.

Today One of Castle Hall’s ground floor lofts will be featured in Historic Augusta’s 2008 Downtown Loft Tour, held June 6th and 7th. For more information about the tour, please call Historic Augusta at 706.724.0436 or visit www. historicaugusta.org. Haley Grant, an intern with Historic Augusta, Inc., lives in Aiken, South Carolina and is currently applying to graduate school. • photos by Andy Donnan

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marketing for the people the importance of logo creation Your company logo: is it lean, mean or lame? A company logo should immediately give a simple impression of your vision. Here are a couple of guidelines about creating and using logos. I often come across companies whose logos mean a great deal to them. Typically these are self-created logos or logos designed by a family member that carry a sentimental significance. The majority of these logos contain a piece of clipart complimented by fonts such as: Brush Script, Papyrus or Zapfino. If this description fits you, it’s ok. We still love your products. This bit of advice is for those who think they need a logo or a redesign. Logo development has certain guidelines and these guidelines make them timeless and useable across all mediums. The point of the logo is to express the whole of the company in a simple form. If you own a flower shop, your logo may logically include your company name and an icon such as a petal, a flower or a portion of a flower. When general consumers see the logo, they should be able to easily relate it to your company. This can be achieved by using colors that mimic your products, packaging, or even the walls of your shop. Just keep in mind that it’s a mental association the consumer must be able to make.

The logo should be designed using black and white, adding color only after a balanced look is achieved. There will be many times when your logo will only be printed in one color (ie, newspapers, fax machines, stickers, signs, b/w laser printers, and even some embroidery projects). If your logo is dependent on multiple colors to give it life, your cost to print will be much more expensive. A professional designer will give you a series of logos that have color and some that are only black and white. You can use them as you need them or as your printer requests it. The format is also very important. Your logo should be vectorized. In the world of graphic design, you can have a vector image or a raster image. The idea of a vector image is that the object is created using scalable mathematics, sort of like a parabola. The edges are clean and crisp no matter how large the logo is. On the other hand, a raster image is built by small square blocks of color like a photograph. The more you enlarge the image, the more pixilated the edges become. This can result in fuzzy edges when printing and many printers for specialty items cannot use a logo in a rasterized format. Vector data can be stored in the formats of .eps, .pdf and .ai files. Rastered data can be held in jpgs, tiff and .gif files. Most designers can actually redraw a logo in a vector based program, and if you haven’t had it done, I’d certainly suggest it. Though logos seem simple, I suggest seeking out a designer to help create or recreate your company logo. Having an improperly built logo can send you into a series of roadblocks at any moment you decide to use it. Be smart and keep in mind that image is everything. Shane Thompson is the founder of Westobou, a local marketing and design firm. He’s from Augusta and enjoys chatting about financially efficient and effective ways to market a small business.

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hands across augusta / L.O.T.S. ministries serving the least of these On any given day, several places downtown serve a free lunch to people in need. One woman, in line for lunch at L.O.T.S. Ministries last week, told me she prefers L.O.T.S. because she can openly talk about God and hear Bible teaching. That is, in a nutshell, a description of the L.O.T.S. services held daily beginning at 12:30 pm. Lunch attendees on Wednesdays will hear Charlene Scharite, who is enthusiastic about their current study in the book of Exodus, leading the service. Mrs. Betty Crenshaw, founder and director of L.O.T.S. Ministries, located at 566 Broad Street, is determined not to pass by those in need. L.O.T.S. is an acronym for “least of these souls,” coming from one of Jesus’ parables in Matthew chapter 25: “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? …The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’” (vv. 37-40, NIV). Mrs. Crenshaw tirelessly serves those who often go unnoticed in downtown Augusta. One man, LJ, who now cooks lunches at L.O.T.S., began coming to the ministry in 2000, back when he was an abusive husband and father. LJ says Mrs. Crenshaw took the time to listen to him and “showed me that God would not forsake me or leave me.” LJ was surprised to hear “a white lady telling me ‘I love you,’” as she introduced him to the love of Christ. LJ now reaches out to others at L.O.T.S. by creating hot lunches from daily donations of fresh food. Lunch usually consists of one meat, two veggies and a dessert, and is served around 1:30 or 2:00 pm after the 12:30 service. The seeds of L.O.T.S.’ current ministry downtown began in 1949 when Mrs. Crenshaw started a food bank at her South Augusta church, Calvary Baptist. The food bank was moved to Fleming Church of God (now H.I.S. Community Church) around 2003, and served as a training opportunity for youth. The current L.O.T.S. Ministry building, purchased by Mrs. Crenshaw’s late husband over 40 years ago, was gutted and re-built from its previous use as a strip club around 10 years ago. The building was refurbished entirely by volunteers, since the L.O.T.S. ministry receives no grant funding and operates solely from donations. Mrs. Crenshaw reports that a pharmacist donates medication for some of the service attendees, as well as a local dentist who donates services. Food donations from Publix total almost $25,000 per quarter. Future plans for the L.O.T.S. Ministry include building a school for computer and GRE classes and the application of life skills. Thomas McKenzie, known as Mrs. Crenshaw’s right hand man, oversees most of the activities at L.O.T.S. Ministries. Thomas came to L.O.T.S. about 8 years ago as a drug addict, hungry from a 5-day binge, and looking for answers after his mother’s recent death. He saw his lunch at L.O.T.S. as a “divine appointment” because “the inner part of me was hungry, too.” Like many who have benefited from L.O.T.S. Ministries, Thomas later made himself available to serve others. In fact, March 2, 2007 was declared “Thomas Mackenzie Day” by Mayor Copenhaver in recognition of “the love and support to many given by this outstanding gentleman.” Thomas has mentored many homeless men, acknowledging “they’re not fluffed up and pretty when we get them,” and that it’s hard to discern who really wants to and is ready to change. Thomas adds, “We’re asking God to send us people who have a heart for this type of ministry.” Thomas and LJ are two of many needy people in Augusta who are thankful for Mrs. Crenshaw’s service to the “least of these souls.” Augustans should be proud to pass by the L.O.T.S. Ministries building downtown, where attendees can be heard singing, “Savior, Savior, Hear my humble cry; While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.” by Melody Carr • photos by Elizabeth Benson

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augusta music history 101 Historical June Jams If there’s ever a month of the year that just screams rock & roll, it has to be June. The rock & roll era ostensibly launched with the June 1951 release of Rocket 88. This “hot” month has been a magnet for landmark moments in rock & roll history. How different would music be today had the Rolling Stones not hit US soil in 1964 or the Beatles not released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967? The King himself, Elvis Presley, even performed for the last time in June 1977. June 1, 1980

Not to be left out, Augusta related artists also have some pretty rockin’ June dates to celebrate! I guess what Robert Burn once wrote in his ode to June melodies is true:

Playing a crazed preacher, James Brown makes a short cameo appearance in the film The Blues Brothers. Performing the gospel song, The Old Landmark, Brown leads the Rev. James Cleaveland Choir while the congregation performs a “soul line dance” routine. Other soul and blues legends in the film include Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, and fellow Georgian Ray Charles.

O, my luve’s like a red red rose that’s newly sprung in June: O my luve’s like the melodie that’s sweetly played in tune.

June 19, 1953 The Godfather of Soul James Brown becomes a married man for the first time when he walks down the aisle with Velma Warren at the Trinity CME Church in Toccoa, Georgia. Brown met Warren through a mutual friend at the Mount Zion Baptist Church. They divorced in 1969.

June 15, 1954 Teresa Fay Gibbs Daughtry, better known to the music world as Terri Gibbs, is born in Miami, Florida. Born briefly with sight, an incubator accident caused her to go completely blind. At about the age of one, the Gibbs family moved back to the Grovetown area where Gibbs took to playing piano and singing gospel standards before hitting the pop charts in 1981 with the song Somebody’s Knockin’.

June 20 1988 Steve Morse makes a rare return to Augusta as the Dixie Dregs kick off their 1988 US reunion tour at the Post Office on Washington Road. The band’s first tour since 1981 is short-lived with Morse returning to tour with Kansas in November. The Dixie Dregs would not tour again until 1992, returning to the Post Office in February of that year.

June 14, 2007

June 30, 1963 James Brown’s releases the landmark album Live at the Apollo, Vol. 1, the most successful release on King Records, reaching #2 on the album charts. While other artists, such as Hall & Oates, B.B. King and Ben Harper & the Blind Boys of Alabama, would follow suit in releasing albums titled Live at the Apollo, Brown’s 1963 remains the quintessential release recorded at the legendary theater and the measuring stick for which future live albums would be measured.

Nancy Glaser, Executive Director of the Augusta Museum of History, lights a spark on what would eventually result in an exhibit of memorabilia honoring James Brown. The exhibit, close to a year in the making, opened in May of 2008 accompanied by the music festival “Payback: Celebrate James Brown”.

John “Stoney” Cannon is the creator of Augusta music resource Lokal Loudness and has been covering area music since 1992. For more information visit www.lokalloudness.com.

Alexis All-Star Picks: Riff Raff Kings – 118 The debut CD by Augusta rock-rap group Riff Raff Kings stands out not only as one of the more significant releases of 1999, a banner year as far as area musical releases is concerned, but is also considered the best of the bands two CDs. Four of 118’s six tracks would end up in regular rotation on WRXR’s Homegrown show and, along with a highly charged live show, would launch the group from new band status to one of the most popular acts in the area. Before their breakup in 2002, Riff Raff Kings would perform with popular English group Bush at the Bell Auditorium, appear on Disney TV, and release a follow-up, Audio Stimulus, in 2001. To check out tracks from Riff Raff Kings CD 118, go to http://reverendrockstar.com/riff-raff-kings/

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5 more things not to miss coffee cupping: new moon café savor your coffee like a fine wine while learning the art of coffee cupping in this intriguing class by MoonBeam coffee roasters.

old crow medicine show: imperial theatre old crow medicine show brings an infectious stage presence and American roots music with a rock and roll attitude

the zac brown band: sky city defying musical genres, Georgia native Zac Brown captivates with his vivid storytelling, powerful voice and unique charisma.

time scene: gertrude herbert opening reception for Stephen Lawson’s arresting photographic montages described as “sculpting the materials of time and space.”

summer solstice stroll: along broad street make the most of summer’s longest day as galleries and shops recreate the essence of the original First Friday

artscene / wanta l. davenport american impressionist artist My inspiration comes from life and the joy of living. The goal is not to achieve a photographic image but an impression of the subject I am painting. When a collector views one of my paintings, I would like for it to bring to mind a treasured memory or a good feeling. Oil on canvas is my medium of choice. Oil allows a wide latitude of expression from the softest of hues, to rich vibrant color. Each layer brings the painting to life so that it might dictate its own destiny. Some of my best pieces have been created when I just hold the brush and let the oils surprise me! Wanta Davenport’s art can been seen at her studio, Artistic Perceptions, 551 Broad Street.