THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD: The newest volume of author Larry Acquaviva’s book series comes out Thursday, May 16. It’s titled Nobody Cares Who You Are: The Panic Years, Part Two. In this volume, he goes deep into the last two-and-a-half years of his tenure with Widespread Panic. Acquaviva describes this time as the point where the band had begun to really pick up speed, the work was becoming a bit more rote, and the original sense of togetherness had been somewhat lost. Instead of seeing the boys in the band all the time, he writes that he often only saw them when they hit the stage. Also, he was itching to start following his own dreams of making music, and while his love for Panic never faded, he knew it was time to move on. It’s a tale well told, full of bright descriptors and incredible storytelling, which shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone already familiar with his work. Acquaviva’s band, The Honey Sliders, are also performing at Flicker every Thursday in May, and the 16th is no exception. So head down, grab a copy and rock out. For more information, see facebook.com/LarryAcquavivaBooks.
HOMECOMING: Artists, musicians and scene dudes Joe Kubler, John Michael Boling, Jason Coombs and Greg O’Connell are screening the debut episode of their animated series Thursday, May 16 at Go Bar. The overarching project name, which you may have already seen floating around social media, is Culturesport. The first episode is titled “Rotterdam 1995,” and is set in Rotterdam during the birthplace of that locale’s hardcore techno scene and scored by—who else?—Rotterdam artist Rotterdam Terror Corps (RTC). Additional music comes courtesy of Jake Merrick, Javier Morales, Kubler and O’Connell. During the Athens show, there’ll be live music from the various contributing composers, but I’m fairly certain RTC won’t be in attendance. At any rate, some of these guys now live in Brooklyn, NY, but it’s been a hot minute since I’ve seen any of ‘em at all, so I can’t really tell you who lives where. I can tell you, though, that this appearance is part of a tour, during which they’re launching a fundraiser to complete the entire first season of this series. So, if you dig it, throw some bucks at ’em. Sign up for more info at culturesport.tv.
CLICK HERE: Longtime Athens musician Bill David (Squalls, Supercluster, Bob Hay and the Jolly Beggars) suffered a stroke back in February, and he and his wife Laura, after initially not wanting any fundraising done on their behalf, have decided to let friends help them out. To this end, a fundraiser is taking place as we speak at gofundme.com/help-heal-bill-david. When you click through, you can read the story of David’s pretty incredible progress. Although this will most assuredly be a very long road with multiple hardships and frustrations, Bill’s already-demonstrated determination to participate as fully as possible in his own recovery is really encouraging and amazing. Please consider giving what you can.
THE PILGRIMAGE HAS GAINED MOMENTUM: Artist2Artist, Avid Bookshop and Foundry Entertainment will host a release party for author Robert Dean Lurie’s latest book, Begin the Begin: R.E.M.’s Early Years, at The Foundry Sunday, May 19 at 6 p.m. (Lurie’s other titles include books on David Bowie and The Church.) The event begins with a book signing by Lurie, then a reading. Then, at 8 p.m., R.E.M. cover band Dead Letter Office will perform. This event is a benefit for Artist2Artist’s veteran suicide prevention program, which provides emotional support animals to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. This event is all ages, and advance tickets are $10 until May 17, after when they go up to $15. For tickets, see foundryathens.com, and for more information on Artist2Artist and Lurie, see facebook.com/athensA2A and robertdeanlurie.com, respectively.
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