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Enter the Garden Portal, and More Music News and Gossip


HEY, PSST: Michael Potter (The Electric Nature, Null Zone), the hardest-working man in Athens’ experimental scene, has been booking shows like crazy. And even though it’ll be a gol’ darned miracle if you pick this paper up and get this bit of news before this first one goes down, I’d still be remiss in my duties if I didn’t attempt to inform you. On Tuesday, Oct. 8, he’s got Chosen Evil (a project by Michael Lauden of Scab Queen), Flesh Narc (Denton, TX), Frank Hurricane and psych/noise group Mystery!. This all happens at Flicker Theatre and Bar with doors at 9 p.m. and music at 10. Since chances are very good the above show has happened before you see this, just be sure to look into Potter’s ongoing Monday night series promoting his Garden Portal label and associated artists. The next one happens Monday, Oct. 14 at Go Bar and features Thom Strickland, Andrew Mansberger, Atlanta artist Lebo Jenkins, Madeline Polites and Christopher Without His Liver. For information and sounds, see gardenportal.bandcamp.com

BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL: AthFest Educates, the charitable organization behind the annual AthFest music festival, has announced its awarding of $40,590 in grants for 2019. Funds were awarded to the Clarke County School District, as well as the UGA Performing Arts Center, ACC Library and UGA Music Foundation, for various programs, including music education and artist-in-residence efforts. $20,040 went to music and arts programs, $15,000 went to instrument purchases, and $5,500 was awarded to specific teachers for professional development. For more information, see athfesteducates.org

OVERDRIVE CITY: One of Athens’ favorite prodigal sons will return, at least briefly, Wednesday, Oct. 9. This is the night that musician Garett Hatch (Mother the Car, Nate and the Nightmares) brings his project Ancient Ethel to play at the Caledonia Lounge. Also on the bill are Forbidden Waves, Tom Visions and DJ Pip (Phillip Jagger). Ancient Ethel’s self-titled EP just came out late last week, and the duo (Hatch plus drummer Missy Lawrence) blasts through the five tracks like they stole them. Utterly tuneful yet still rockingly nasty, garage-punk joy is this thing’s calling card. Visit facebook.com/ancientethel, and get in on the ground floor.

THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVED: Jazz and pop standards vocalist Marty Winkler just released her first single in four years. It’s a cover of Irving Berlin’s “What’ll I’ll Do?”, and the emotionally bare song features, at least here, an appropriately bare arrangement. It features only Winkler on vocals and Michael C. Steele on bass. It’s a gently heart-aching tune of longing and wishfulness, and Winkler says she intends to include it on a 2020 full album release. It’s only available digitally, so give it a spin at store.cdbaby.com/artist/MartyWinkler

IF YOU’RE GONNA PLAY IN GEORGIA…: The North Georgia Folk Festival happens Saturday, Oct. 12 at Sandy Creek Park from 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Now in its 35th year, the festival never fails to bring a big day of entertainment and education in folk styles. This year’s event features The Skillet Lickers, Caroline Aiken Band, Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboys, The Moonshine, Grupo C21, Rebecca Sunshine Band, Eliot Bronson, Adam Klein, Crooked Mile, Joe Leone Band, Nina Ricci and Oh Jeremiah. There are lots of artist booths and displays of traditional folk arts all day long, too. Attendees are welcome to bring blankets to sit on and instruments to participate in the open jam covered area. For tickets and information, see facebook.com/NorthGeorgiaFolkFestival and/or athensfolk.org/festival. While we’re at it, let’s all give a collective thanks for the Athens Folk Music and Dance Society for all the great work they’ve done through the years promoting the folk arts here in town.

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