Art of Arts Autumn Amble

an art walk hearkening back to the original first friday

Join us Tonight September 18, for The Art of Arts Autumn Amble - an art walk hearkening back to the days of the original First Friday. Explore downtown Augusta’s most creative art galleries and shops. Experience art for all your senses: smell, taste, touch, sight and sound.

Select galleries and stores will feature unique art exhibits in conjunction with the Westobou Festival. Enjoy complimentary refreshments throughout the Amble.

Pick up your Autumn Amble guide at any of the participating galleries and shops and wind your way down Broad Street.

Read the rest of this entry and check out the gallery below. [Read more]

pandora’s box: silent film

Sacred Heart Cultural Center
1301 Greene Street
9.19 at 7:30 pm - $12

Sacred Heart will open its doors to present the infamous 1929 silent movie Pandora’s Box accompanied by talented organist Ron Carter, who will combine the original movie score with his own improvisations. Pandora’s Box stars the iconic Louise Brooks as Lulu, a young and raw seductress dashing through the lives of suitors who fall victim like a moth to her flame. The Germans were ahead of Hollywood at least 40 years by introducing the first lesbian character on film in Countess Anna, who is played by Alice Roberts. It’s hard to believe that we scandalously starved people of Augusta will have a chance to watch such a steamy and mysterious film within city limits, let alone inside such a historically pious landmark. Anyone who has been begging for downtown to open its own art-indie theatre should make an appearance at this event.  It will be one of the few occasions this year that will be reminiscent of times gone by and worthy of bragging.  Details: Seats are limited.  Purchase tickets in advance at Sacred Heart (706.826.4700) or go to sacredheartaugusta.org

Music 101: September

Augusta Music Scorches in September 

It’s a well known fact that summers in the south come with many traditions.  We southerners like to enjoy the summer splendor with a tall glass of iced tea, family trips to the beach, city festivals, and (in some cases) NASCAR.  For Augustans, summer has its own “hot” take on these traditions:  Long Island Iced Tea at Metro A Coffee House, a stroll by the river on the Augusta Riverwalk, the monthly First Friday celebration, and of course, the boat races.  

But, as the heat of summer drifts into fall, getting us all giddy for football season and the annual Border Bash, Augusta is continually surrounded by music no matter the activity.  You can hear it everywhere, pouring out of music venues as well as outdoor speakers from businesses up and down Broad Street.  September in Augusta has always been hot for music, and when the first annual Westobou Festival kicks off in a few weeks…it will get even hotter! 

First, as always, let’s celebrate special moments in a scorching September music history that has led us to where we are today. 

September 15, 1945 

Opera legend Jessye Mae Norman is born on September 15, 1945, at the old University Hospital.  Growing up, Norman would listen to Saturday afternoon broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera, which would lead her to win her first talent contest by singing at Mount Calvary Baptist Church.  Since that day, Norman has performed on many special occasions including the 60th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, President Ronald Reagan’s 1985 inauguration, the funeral of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and the 200th anniversary of Bastille Day.  Norman was honored in 1991 with Augusta’s Jessye Norman Amphitheatre on the River Walk, and in 1999 she was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. 

September 20, 1989 

Eighties hair rockers Bon Jovi performed to a packed house at the Richmond County Civic Center a month after headlining the Moscow Music Peace Festival.  Sixteen years later, the band would release Have a Nice Day featuring the duet “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” with Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles (who has performed on many occasions in Augusta with her previous band Soul Minder’s Daughter). 

September 18, 1998 

B.B. King performed at the Augusta Richmond County Civic Center a few days after his 73rd birthday in September of 1998.   The legendary blues artist, named by Rolling Stone Magazine as the third greatest blues guitarist of all time, gave what is to this day considered one of the top performances ever presented at the venue now dubbed the James Brown Arena.  

September 11, 2001 

Augusta band Impulse Ride released Residue, the follow-up album to their popular 1998 release Corn Dog Money on J-Bird Records.  Despite months of planning in preparation for the album’s release, the band put all promotion on hold in light of the events that occurred on the fateful early morning hours of the CDs planned release. 

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: Various - Grand Slam Jam

When I think back to Augusta releases that were not only impactful on Alexis’ introduction to area music, but also on the Augusta music scene, the Grand Slam Jam compilation released by David Bradberry on his Haunted Pillar Records labels has to rank near the top of the list.  Released in 1998 and the third of three great Haunted Pillar compilations released in the nineties, this great collection of songs featured not only artists that paved the way for a big shift in original area music over the following year, but also proved to be a stepping stone for artists that have since made influential marks on the Augusta music scene.  With many releases in 1998, including this great one, it is no accident that Lokal Loudness was able to step out of the underground with such great music to cover.  Featuring Augusta artists such as Gearbox, featuring The Cubists’ Noel Brown, long-time faves Impulse Ride, future Horsepower frontman Grady Nickel, Kingthursday with 48Volt vocalist Brian Panowich, and national major label rockers Billionaire featuring former members of Hundred Year Sun, it is no wonder why Grand Slam Jam is a vital piece of Augusta music history.

the author’s club and supper

Le Chat Noir - Eighth Street
9.22 & 9.23 at 5:30 pm - $10

For ten bucks, you get an erudite evening of spoken word, dramatic acting and social dialogue about the art of words.  The Author’s Club brings a two-night showcase of local writers to Le Chat’s intimate stage, highlighting the art of the written (and ultimately uttered) word.  Hear young poets from the Live Poets Society share their written visions, experience An American Storm, an original Porter Fleming prize winning play by Lowell Greenbaum, readings by established poets Starkey Flythe and Mike Lythgoe and writers Hawk McKinney, Karin Gillespie, and Naomi Williams.  Three one act plays on Tuesday, will include the multi-talented Rick Davis’ NY prize winning monologue The Sword Swallower’s Husband, a dark comic monologue that delves into the memories of a man at the brink of suicide; relating his life in the circus and his sword swallower wife.  Details: tickets are $10 each and available at Le Chat Noir: 706.722.3322

words and images of berry fleming

Augusta-Richmond County Public Library
902 Greene Street
Opening: 9.22 at 6 pm - free

We may recognize his name across Augusta on street signs and buildings, but the Fleming name contains much greater significance than mere directional cues. Berry Fleming, a renowned author and painter, is a native to Augusta and his story is worth telling. The Augusta-Richmond County Library will have Bill Harper, a former colleague and friend of the late author, presenting the life and works of Berry Fleming, along with the film Colonel Effingham’s Raid based on his novel of the same name. Learn why Publishers Weekly magazine once called Berry Fleming “the quintessential Southern writer; funny, wise and like the best of those from the South, an incredibly good storyteller.” If you’ve ever wanted to know some of the slighted history of this town, or how we produced a bestselling author, be sure to visit this event. Exhibit Hours: Monday to Thursday: 9 am to 9 pm; Friday & Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm; Sunday: 2 pm to 5:30 pm

robert rauschenberg’s augusta allegory (anagrams)

Morris Museum of Art - One Tenth Street
unveiling on 9.21 at 2:00 pm  free

Robert Rauschenberg’s influence on twentieth century art can be compared to the likes of Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. His mixed media techniques were innovative to the times and helped pave the way for many of the artists we see today. Many of his compositions grace the halls of major museums across the country, and Augusta is lucky enough to be home to thirty-nine works by the artist. Included in this collection is a massive five by twelve foot commissioned art piece called Augusta Allegory (Anagrams), which contains depictions of several major downtown landmarks. This work is usually kept behind doors at the museum, but during the Westobou Festival will be unveiled once again. Starkey Flythe and Keith Claussen will entertain with a lively discussion about Rauschenberg’s life and impact on art, followed by a reception.  Details: Discussion at 2 pm; Reception at 3 pm. themorris.org

mark twain himself: a portrayal by bob rollins

Joseph R. Lamar Boyhood Home
415 Seventh Street 
9.19 at 8 pm & 9.20 at 3 pm & 8 pm - $20

The art of time travel has finally been mastered. You’ll be traveling to 1906, when you only made twenty-two cents an hour, paid eleven dollars to call Denver from New York City, and only fourteen percent of homes had bathtubs. It was also the year that Samuel L. Clemens, better known at Mark Twain, began his lecture tour at age 71. Bob Rollins brings his one-man portrayal of this great writer to the intimate setting of a historic 1860 home. Rollins created this program after spending years studying the literature of Mark Twain and has spent the last thirty years performing this role over 500 times. It’s a performance that should not be missed by anyone who has ever read one of Twain’s classic novels. Details: Limited seating.  For tickets, call Historic Augusta at 706.724.0436 or visit historicaugusta.org.

job: a postmodern opera of biblical proportions

Heritage Academy - 333 Greene Street
9.26 at 7 pm - free

When most people think of opera, they envision stolid women, in fancy costumes, reaching high notes undreamt of by mere mortals in foreign languages.  However, Job: A Postmodern Opera of Biblical Proportions turns the traditional aria upside down. From the haunting overture to the thrilling closing refrain, Job transports you into this quintessential tale of suffering and restoration and how one man discovers the true nature of God. The Company of Job brings the story of Job to life, using it as a tool to illuminate real suffering taking place around us, and supporting organizations that bring light to the dark places of the world. Details: thecompanyofjob.org

billy s: the peace show

Sky City - 1157 Broad Street 
9.25 at 8 pm - $3

If you’ve frequented Mellow Mushroom, you may already be familiar with the vibrant and abstract artwork of Billy S, a self taught artist.  Eight years ago, Billy S started a campaign to encourage and promote other artists in what he calls the Peace Show. “Peace” stands for “Poetic Expression and Creative Enlightenment,” and the show will encourages artists from the area to exhibit and relate with other artists. It also provides an occasion for artists to talk about their art and receive feedback from the public. Billy S encourages anyone to stop by during the show and participate. Details: Opening art reception begins at 8 pm and musical performances begin at 9:30 pm.  Visit skycityaugusta.com for the scoop.

going with the flow: rhythm & songs

The Augusta Canal
1301 Greene Street 
9.22 thru 9.26 at 6:15 pm - $24

What’s better than sitting back and relaxing on a cool September afternoon while listening to some of your favorite local music? Enjoying all this while lazing on an open-air boat that tours the better part of the Augusta Canal. The Petersburg Boat is modeled after the cargo vessels that carried cotton to local markets, resembling the original in size and shape, except a small band or singer performs where you once found bales of cotton or bushels of corn. And to cap it off, the Augusta Canal folks have commissioned local musicians to write and perform original songs inspired by the heritage and scenic beauty of the Canal.  Each night from September 22 through September 26, you can hear the songs; each night features a different act: the eclectic style of singer/songwriter Galen Kipar (9/22); the smooth jazz saxophone of Fred Williams on (9/23); the old time Americana instrumentals of The Wynns on (9/24); Augusta’s favorite singer/songwriter Tara Scheyer on (9/.25); and the gospel bluegrass sensation Eryn Eubanks on (9/26).  Details: Seats are limited to 35 per cruise.  Call for reservations early: 706.823.0440, extension 4 or visit augustacanal.com for more details

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