Sam Lipkin

The second annual Athens 706 Day returns with the goal to bring together local residents, families, businesses and community organizations for a day of fun and connection. Named for the local 706 area code, the event was envisioned by Alesha Smith and Isaiah Stephens as a way to bring different generations together in celebration and appreciation of the Athens community. There will be free food, athletic competitions, a water balloon fight, music and a vendor area for resources and businesses. In the spirit of supporting local, organizers have worked with locally owned businesses to continue the celebration on Monday for a 706 Saving Day, where businesses that signed up will offer a $7.06 inspired deal. The list of participating businesses […]

Last weekend the local shoegaze-inspired, grunge-tinged band Trepid made big strides releasing its debut EP Together // Apart on Friday, then taking the AthFest main stage on Saturday. Composed of members Maymay Bryant (vocals), Turner Chastain (rhythm guitar), J. Ben Turk (lead guitar), Adam Smith (bass) and Ethan Houseman (drums), the group has been playing together for roughly two years. Chastain and Turk had played together in multiple bands and wanted to create their own project that was “truly impactful, tight and heavy,” they say. The duo recruited Houseman based on his performance in the band Swear Jar, then Maymay joined about a week before the band’s first show. After seeing some teasers the fledgling band posted on Instagram, she […]

Mixed-media artist Jennifer Heynen’s exhibition “Interwoven,” featuring sculpture and paintings, will open at the Lyndon House Arts Center next week with a reception on Thursday, July 16 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Inspired by the coast, Heynen’s works embody a warm and playful summer energy that also invites the viewer to take a moment of reflection. She graduated from Indiana University with a BFA in ceramics, and works commercially as an artist out of her Athens studio. More info about the exhibition can be found at accgov/exhibits, but Heynen shared with Flagpole what inspires her process. Flagpole: You use so many different mediums and materials. Do you find different inspirations in each of those?Jennifer Heynen: I love to tackle a new craft […]

Mixed-media artist Jennifer Heynen’s exhibition “Interwoven,” featuring sculpture and paintings, will open at the Lyndon House Arts Center next week with a reception on Thursday, July 16 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Inspired by the coast, Heynen’s works embody a warm and playful summer energy that also invites the viewer to take a moment of reflection. She graduated from Indiana University with a BFA in ceramics, and works commercially as an artist out of her Athens studio. More info about the exhibition can be found at

Last week ended with news of two downtown establishments closing on East Clayton Street: Barberitos and Bad Moon. While Bad Moon held its final night over the weekend, the owners of Barberitos said that they’ll be closing the franchise’s first Athens location at the end of the month. Keith Neace, the owner and operator of Barberitos Downtown for the past 20 years, said that he wanted to publish a thank you letter to all of Athens. Dear Athens,Change is inevitable. It’s as certain as death and taxes, and a “wise man” taking credit for saying it. But enough with using an attempt at humor to mask forlorn relatability. With a slightly saddened soul, a false stoic demeanor (we’ve already cried […]

Although it was never intended to happen this way, Christian DeRoeck’s nostalgic rock project Little Gold has released its last three albums six years apart—allowing for a lot of life to happen in between. The latest of these releases is Public Dog, courtesy of Tall Texan Records and available on July 24.

Noticing the pterodactyl tattoo on the forearm of The Grawks frontman Steve Phillips and knowing the band has a fondness for the extinct flying reptile, it felt necessary to ask, “So, what’s the deal with the pterodactyl?”

Southeast Asian restaurant Puma Yu’s hosts an annual daiquiri competition, using Pelacañas rum as the main ingredient, as a fundraiser for the local nonprofit Farm 2 Neighborhood, and as a fun way to build community in the cocktail scene of Athens. The nonprofit works with local and minority farms to deliver free, healthy meals to people who are living in poverty. For the competition, 12 contestants will go head-to-head in three rounds, with only one winner crowned at the end. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample drinks and vote for their favorite in round one. The $10 door fee will be donated directly to Farm 2 Neighborhood, and it covers the tasting of all contestant drinks. A special food […]

Earlier this month, Strolling Bones Records reissued Rick Fowler’s 2008 blues album, Back On My Good Foot, as part of the label’s Cold Case Tapes series—providing an under-promoted record with a deserved second wind. At the time it was released, Back on My Good Foot received high praise from music critics around the world. The solo musician was backed by a powerhouse of peers: Bill Berry and Gerry Hanson on drums, keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Randall Bramblett, bassist Michael C. Steele and organist Tim White. But the recession was in full swing, and investors pulled out of the record label backing the album. The company shut down, and the album’s momentum fizzled out. Many years later when Fowler was talking with […]

7 Brew Coffee opened at 3455 Atlanta Highway today, with its soft opening over the weekend causing reports of a traffic jam on Timothy Road. The chain serves the usual hot and iced coffee drinks, in addition to customizable energy drinks, sodas, teas, lemonades, smoothies and shakes.