Blog Topic: Upcoming in Athens

Homedrone: Sprockets Music Video Fest Deadline Wednesday

By Gabe Vodicka | April 28, 2014 2:50pm

Here's your friendly reminder that the final deadline for submission to this year's Sprockets Music Video Festival, which happens July 18–19 at the 40 Watt Club, is this Wednesday, Apr. 30.

More details can be found on the Film Athens site.

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Grub Notes: Sister Louisa's Church to Open an Athens Branch

By Hillary Brown | April 25, 2014 10:02am

Sister Louisa's Church in Atlanta (photo via Facebook)

It is dang difficult to write a headline that encapsulates exactly what Sister Louisa's Churchis for those who don't know. Basically, it is a bar, but a far more interesting one than most we have in Athens, run by Grant Henry, a.k.a., Sister Louisa, an Atlanta artist who already has one location (Sister Louisa's CHURCH of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium) on Edgewood Avenue, serving drinks and light eats in an environment one could describe as nouveau Southern rococo.

Henry says he's been looking for space for an Athens location for six months and decided to take over the space at 254 W. Clayton St. that most recently housed Jack's Bar (and was formerly The Mercury Lounge, among various other iterations).

Henry says he is shooting for an opening date of Aug. 15, as he plans extensive renovations.Whether or not he'll offer food—or ping pong—is up in the air as of now Sister Louisa's Church (It's a Glory Hole)—yes, that appears to be the official name—will offer food and ping pong, according to Henry's comment below, and is sure to be a welcome addition to the Athens bar scene.

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Homedrone: Brian Crane Memorial Scheduled for Apr. 27

By Gabe Vodicka | April 18, 2014 11:07am

Crane (driving), with The Sugardaddies

Last Friday, we reported that longtime local musician and scene fixture Brian Crane had died. Now, Crane's brother Bill, a Georgia-based political strategist, WSB radio broadcaster and syndicated columnist, writes with the news that the family has arranged an Irish wake-style memorial, per Brian's wishes, to be held at East/West Bistro on Sunday, Apr. 27 from 4–7 p.m.

Bill Crane also pays tribute to his brother in his column this week. After the jump, read Brian Crane's official obituary.

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Homedrone: Win Tickets: Cloud Nothings Plays Georgia Theatre Friday

By Gabe Vodicka | April 17, 2014 3:48pm

Scrappy Ohio-based indie rockers Cloud Nothings play the Georgia Theatre Friday on the strength of a stellar new record, Here and Nowhere Else. (Guitar virtuoso Ryley Walker opens.) We've got a pair of tickets to give away. To win, tell us in the comments after the jump why YOU deserve to go for free. We'll choose a winner Friday at 4:30 p.m.

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Homedrone: Win Tickets: Thee Silver Mt. Zion Plays 40 Watt Tuesday

By Gabe Vodicka | April 14, 2014 4:24pm

Photo Credit: Yannick Grandmont

Punk-leaning Godspeed You! Black Emperor offshoot Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra plays the 40 Watt Club Tuesday, Apr. 15, and we've got a pair of tickets to give away. To win, tell us in the comments after the jump why YOU deserve to go for free. We'll choose a winner at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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Culture Briefs: 24 Hour-ish Film Festival Team Pickup Tonight

By Gabe Vodicka | April 11, 2014 11:58am

The 24 Hour-ish Film Festival, the annual event put on by Film Athens wherein teams are given a line of dialogue, a prop, a special requirement and 24 hours… -ish (very -ish; it's actually more like 42 hours, but who's counting) to create a short film, happens Wednesday, Apr. 23 at Flicker Theatre & Bar.

But if you're interested in entering a movie into the competition, you've gotta scoot on down to Flicker between 4 and 6 p.m. today to get briefed on your mission. There's no pre-registration required (though there is a $20 entrance fee per team for non-Film Athens members); just show up and get crackin'.

Completed films are due back at Flicker on Sunday, Apr. 13 at noon. Cash prizes will be awarded to the Audience Choice and Judges' Choice winners following the Apr. 23 screenings.

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Homedrone: Q&A with William Tyler, Playing Green Room Wednesday

By Dan Mistich | April 7, 2014 11:22am

Photo Credit: Will Holland

Nashville-based guitarist and songwriter William Tyler has done time in indie rock's trenches, as a member of such critically acclaimed groups as Lambchop and Silver Jews. In 2010, he stepped out on his own with Behold the Spirit, a stirring collection of instrumental music steeped in the folk ethos of American Primitivism but also kissed with psychedelia. Another full-length, Impossible Truth, followed last year. On Apr. 29, Merge will issue a three-song EP, Lost Colony.

Flagpole spoke with Tyler in advance of his show Wednesday at Green Room.

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Culture Briefs: CMT's 'Party Down South' Is Coming to Athens

By Blake Aued | March 30, 2014 1:06pm

The CMT reality show "Party Down South" will film its second season in Athens, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

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Homedrone: Q&A with King of Prussia's Brandon Hanick, Playing Flicker Thursday

By Gabe Vodicka | March 26, 2014 2:27pm

Photo Credit: Cory Moore Smith

Psych-pop outfit King of Prussia started in Athens, but its leader Brandon Hanick has since traveled the globe, settling for a spell in Barcelona, Spain, where he wrote and recorded half of what would become King of Prussia's new double-album, Zonian Girls… And The Echoes That Surround Us All.

The other half of the record, which marries lilting pop melodies with dense, deliberate arrangements and is out Apr. 8 via Minty Fresh, was put to tape right here in Hanick's onetime home with the help of The Glow Recording Studio's Jesse Mangum, and features contributions from notable locals like Mike Mills.

Flagpole caught up with Hanick, who kicks off a 23-date U.S. tour Thursday, Mar. 27 at Flicker Theatre & Bar. Read the Q&A after the jump.

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Homedrone: Sprockets Music Video Fest Dates Announced, Deadlines Approaching

By Gabe Vodicka | March 20, 2014 3:34pm

The 2014 incarnation of the Sprockets International Music Video Festival will happen July 18 and 19 at Cine and the 40 Watt Club, respectively, according to a press release from parent nonprofit Film Athens.

The festival, whose panel of judges awards the prize for Best Music Video and also includes the crowd-sourced Audience Choice and Best Georgia Video awards, seeks to highlight emerging and established filmmakers and their work alongside musicians. Groups from Athens and the wider world are encouraged to submit videos. Last year's grand prize went to Craig Sheldon and Lauren Gregg for their clip for local band Grape Soda's "Obvious Signs."

Submission details after the jump.

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