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OCTOBER 26, 2017

CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE

SOUTHWORD LITERARY FEAST · BITCHES BREW · THE PULSE HALLOWEEN GUIDE

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VOL. 14, NO. 43 • OCTOBER 26, 2017

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CELEBRATING THE CITY

Chattanooga loves a good party. But sometimes, Mother Nature has other plans…such as bringing the remnants of a hurricane over the Tennessee Valley, making outdoor events a bit problematic.

A VERITABLE FEAST OF SOUTHERN LITERATURE

Wendell Berry arrives in Chattanooga next week, bringing a message of the wisdom of his principled life: “My purpose as a writer is to do the work I have been given to do as well as I can do it.”

THE ALCHEMY OF A BITCHES BREW

Jazz purists scoffed when trumpeter Miles Davis began incorporating electric instruments in his groups and taking inspiration from rock stars like Sly Stone and Jimi Hendrix in the late ‘60s.

THE YEAR OF STEPHEN KING ON SCREEN

This seems like the year for Stephen King adaptations. It has broken all sorts of box office records, going down as one of the most successful horror films in history.

ALSO INSIDE

Building A Sacred Space Maybe it’s the time of the year. At Walmart, the Day of the Dead merchandise smiles toothily—cheerful skeletons painted with roses and decked with jaunty top hats. When I see the Halloween décor, I think I should probably be doing some sort of Samhain thing.

FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS

CONSIDER THIS

MUSIC CALENDAR

AIR BAG

MUSIC REVIEWS

ARTS CALENDAR

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

HALLOWEEN GUIDE

JONESIN' CROSSWORD

ART OF BUSINESS

ON THE BEAT

Jenn Webster is a dancer and technical writer by trade who has also written for marketing, educational, and consumer publications. She’s an Army veteran and a member of WEAVE: A Conceptual Dance Company.

David Traver Adolphus, our resident car geek, is a freelance automotive researcher who recently quit his full-time job writing about old cars to pursue his lifelong dream of writing about old AND new cars.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • THE PULSE • 3

BEGINNINGS ∙ CITY LIFE

Celebrating The City Not even bad weather can stop a city celebration and parade By Michael Thomas Pulse contributor

BREWER MEDIA GROUP Publisher & President Jim Brewer II FOUNDED 2003 BY ZACHARY COOPER & MICHAEL KULL

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor Gary Poole Assistant Editor Brooke Brown Music Editor Marc T. Michael Film Editor John DeVore Contributors David Traver Adolphus • Adam Beckett Rob Brezsny • Matt Jones Ernie Paik • Rick Pimental-Habib Ward Raymond • Alex Teach Michael Thomas • Jenn Webster Cover Photo Steven Llorca Editorial Interns Kelley J. Bostian • Jessica Manning Cartoonists Max Cannon • Rob Rogers Jen Sorenson • Tom Tomorrow

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Account Executives Chee Chee Brown • Rick Leavell Cindee McBride • Libby Phillips John Rodriguez • Logan Vandergriff

CONTACT

Offices 1305 Carter St., Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone 423.265.9494 Email info@chattanoogapulse.com Website chattanoogapulse.com THE FINE PRINT: The Pulse is published weekly by Brewer Media and is distributed throughout the city of Chattanooga and surrounding communities. The Pulse covers a broad range of topics concentrating on music, the arts, entertainment, culture and local news. The Pulse is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No person without written permission from the publisher may take more than one copy per weekly issue. The Pulse may be distributed only by authorized distributors. Contents Copyright © 2017 by Brewer Media. All rights reserved.

HATTANOOGA LOVES A GOOD party. But sometimes, Mother Nature has other plans…such as bringing the remnants of a hurricane over the Tennessee Valley, making outdoor events a bit problematic. Such was the dilemma facing both the City Celebration & Ciclovia and the Chattanooga Pride Parade two Sundays ago when rainfall washed out both of their planned events. However, neither group was willing to wash their hands on their respective events. Instead, they’ve joined forces and rescheduled for this Sunday. Five neighborhoods from Main Street to Glass Street will launch a series of “block parties” celebrating what makes each neighborhood unique and special during the inaugural Chattanooga City Celebration and Ciclovia. And to make things even more fun, the Chattanooga Pride Parade will kick off that day at 11:30 in the morning with the parade running from Polk Street at Sculpture Fields and trekking over to the “Mural Fest & Arts Expo” neighborhood party at Stove Works on 14th Street. The block parties will be strung out along a 4-mile route with a protected car-free lane to allow everyone to safely enjoy the journey between parties without having to drive (CARTA will also provide free shuttles). Complete details including schedules and a route map are at chattanooga-celebrates. com. Musicians and dancers will perform. Artisans and craftspeople will demonstrate and sell their products. Food trucks, local restaurants and community groups will share their favorite foods. And with Halloween just around the corner, everyone is encouraged to dress up and jump in at the block

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“We really want the event to be interactive, so we’ll have games, dancing, art projects, activities for the kids—anything to get people engaged.” party costume contests. “We really want the event to be interactive, so we’ll have games, dancing, art projects, activities for the kids—anything to get people engaged,” said City Celebration Director Shannon Burke. “We’re working hard to pack each party with as much fun stuff as possible to encourage everyone to explore the whole route—with lots of Halloween surprises. And it’s all free.” The event will run all afternoon and gradually progress from west to east with each neighborhood party lasting around two hours. Each party will have a unique theme, and all of them will have music, food, entertainment and activities. The first party will be at the Stove Works development on Holtzclaw near Main Street from Noon to 2

p.m., and the last party will be at the intersection of Dodson Avenue and Glass Street from 3 to 6 p.m., with a grand finale parade starting at 5:30 p.m. In between, there will be block parties in Highland Park, Ridgedale, and Orchard Knob. According to local bicycle and greenways advocate Jim Johnson, who conceived the City Celebration, “The idea is to give Chattanoogans the opportunity to see the city and its communities in a different light. To see neighborhoods they wouldn’t normally see. To interact with others they normally wouldn’t interact with. And by making this a biking and walking event, we’re encouraging people to get out of their cars and connect with each other in a fun, unique and energizing way.”

Consider This with Dr. Rick

EdiToon by Rob Rogers

“It is entirely possible to be a kind, loving person who refuses to tolerate bullshit. In fact, it’s not only possible, it’s absolutely necessary.” — Nanea Hoffman

Hallowcon: A Place For Horror Lovers And More Have you ever had the dream of dressing up as your favorite horror character, mingling with other people that have the exact same dream, and talking about fantasy and horror for three days straight? You might want to register for the 2017 Hallowcon. Founded in 2002, Hallowcon invites horror and fantasy lovers to a weekend of partying, cosplay, and horror genre appreciation. Watch classic movies, talk about the history and influence of horror, discuss the most up-to-date ghost hunting techniques, or even participate in a cards against human-

ity tournament. The range of possible activities is all over the spectrum, and there’s always something to do. Special guests attending the event include authors T.D. Raufson, Tamara Lowery, Amy Petulla, Alexander S. Brown, and many more. Outside of

the world of writing, professional artists and actors will be hosting panels for fans, including Santiago Cirilo, known for his role as Julio in the fourth season of The Walking Dead. Hallowcon encourages fans to leave their homes and share their passion with other like-minded individuals. It’s a way to expand your horror palate, discover a previously unknown interest, or just simply talk about how awesome the horror genre is and always will be. To register or find more information, visit the Hallowcon website at hallowcon.com — Kelley J. Bostian

If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way you sometimes speak to yourself—when you are down on yourself, flagellating yourself for something you did, said, or thought, beating your self-esteem to a pulp, how long would you allow that person to be your friend? Hopefully, not long. Boundaries are a healthy relationship imperative. They are formed by deciding where to set your limits, for your own self-worth, peace of mind, and the health of the relationship. One side of the line is intolerable, the other is allowable. On one side, bullshit. On the other, truth. Consider this: We teach others how to treat us by how we treat ourselves.

You complete us.

— Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D.

Now recruiting Media Sales Professionals to represent Chattanooga’s Alternative Newsweekly Send your resume and cover letter to: Mike Baskin, Director of Sales mikebaskin@brewermediagroup.com In the subject line, please include: Brewer Sales Position Learn more about us at BrewerMediaGroup.com. Brewer Media is an equal opportunity employer.

brewer media everywhere. every day.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • THE PULSE • 5

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COLUMN ∙ AIR BAG

One Hundred Years Ago Today When you understand the past, you understand the present

David Traver Adolphus Pulse columnist

F FOR SOME REASON YOU THINK about 1917, at all, you might think about Woodrow Wilson and the US entry into World War I, which was being fought on foot and horseback. The Civil War was as close to 1917 as is the release of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” and the birth of Dr. Dre to today. “Rural electrification” wasn’t a thing yet, nor were “paved roads.” At the same time, I’ve gone surfing with people who were alive in 1917; you could buy an electric marshmallow toaster out of your Sears catalog; they played hockey on man-made ice in Toronto; England launched a 340-foot submarine that did 22 knots; and you could pick up your phone and call the West Coast. For me, it’s cars where it is most strikingly similar to today. Unless it was a bizarro Model T, you could hop in a 100-year-old car and drive it away, presuming you know how to double clutch. That year, V-8s were really starting to get popular, like Chevrolet’s 288-cu.in. 4.7-liter OHV, along with about two dozen more; and there were plenty of hybrids, frontwheel drive and electrics hanging around, some with continuously variable transmissions. The really big news, however, were the 16-valve four cylinders from Stutz (100hp!) and White. You know, like almost every car on the road now, and they built them for the same reason, because the 16-valve en-

gines got 50 percent better mileage. It was the last year you could buy a car without electric lights and an electric starter, and it was only one model. For 2016, manufacturers built 3,934,357 cars in North America. For 1917, it was 1,745,792, which is really not that big a difference, although not a fair one, because there were also 7,995,684 light trucks (which includes SUVs) built last year and in 1917, they made 128,157 of them, which is, um, 1.6 percent. After falling out of favor when steel roofs became practical, convertibles were getting hot again that year. You could have an onboard tire inflator, a Stanley garage door, annoyingly bright aftermarket headlights and a pop-up camper. In Hollywood, they were putting cameras on them; and a kid named Earl C. Hanson from LA was trying to get people to buy his wireless car telephone. I won’t even begin to touch motoring fashion, which was its own enormous industry. The desire for new cars and the pace of innovation and styling created a used car problem—nextto-new cars less than a year old wouldn’t bring 50 percent of their retail value, and good luck getting even that for last year’s model. You might think that cars of this era were used up quickly, but you expected to see 50,000-plus miles out of a good make, and 100,000 over 10 years wasn’t out of the question.

Pierce-Arrow even advertised their cars were good for 200,000 miles, which was around the total distance of all the roads in America. Dealer groups pumped out endless ideas for making used cars palatable including making over front ends to look more current, wedging on a new top and the revolutionary idea of a used-car warranty. They looked wistfully at England where wartime shortages were driving up used car prices dramatically. Barring that, there were kits you could buy to turn your worthless two-year-old luxury car into a truck. But this was Peak Car, and there were 131 different makes to choose from, so who was going to touch that old ‘15 Velie Chesterfield? With one car built for every 58 people, we were truly a car-mad nation, especially when you consider the median annual household income was around $700 and you were looking at $500 for the dirt

cheap model T. That V-8 Chevrolet would set you back more than twice that and you weren’t going to touch something like a Cadillac for under $2,200, assuming you could find one that wasn’t already spoken for. The New York Auto Show brought 340 cars and over 200 accessory makers, but you could put together a show in Cleveland and get 80,000 people through the door. Where Broadway is today in New York was the heart of automobile row, but that was true for almost any downtown. I’m not going to argue that cars have been particularly good for the world or for us as a species, but if there’s one thing you have in common with your great-grandparents, it just might be that. David Traver Adolphus is a freelance automotive researcher who recently quit his full time job writing about old cars to pursue his lifelong dream of writing about old AND new cars. Follow him on Twitter as @proscriptus.

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COVER STORY

Building A Sacred Space The urge to create sacred spaces is universal and crosses over many beliefs By Jenn Webster Pulse contributor

AYBE IT’S THE TIME OF THE YEAR. AT WALMART, the Day of the Dead merchandise smiles toothily—cheerful skeletons painted with roses and decked with jaunty top hats. When I see the Halloween décor, I think I should probably be doing some sort of Samhain thing. Isn’t that what good pagans do? At least dust off my chalice. At one time I had a pretty good altar. A tool for each of the four elements. A nice slate roofing shingle to set candles and offerings on. A little box of salt. A plastic skull from a fish tank. Not exactly pagan, I guess, to keep a memento mori lying around. Then I put the parts away and haven’t gotten them out since. I turned into the boring kind of pagan who reads the Symposium occasionally and kinda believes in fairies. Yet, I think, maybe I want to create an altar. Not for magic, just for…what? And why? Searching for answers, I sought out some non-pagans rather deliberately, and found a pastor and a therapist. I asked them, “Do you have an altar? How do you build an altar? What do you do with it?” Pastor Jeff P. Crim of Ascension Lutheran Church tells me the urge to create sacred space is universal. Even before he was a church pastor, he says, he maintained an altar. He shows me into his study in the church, where two bookshelves are set aside for two very different kinds of devotion. “When I’m being good,” he says disarmingly, “this is a place for my own

prayer and devotional time in the morning—it grounds me and centers me.” “Grounding?” I ask. It’s a word I’ve heard used in modern dance. He explains: “This reminds me why I do what I do.” Looking at his altar together, we examine a print of the face of Christ, an image of Mary and the infant Jesus, a portrayal of the Crucifixion with a baleful red moon waning in the background, a medallion with a candle and shell from his son Leo’s baptism, two candles, a censor (“incense is good for covering the smell of a blowout diaper”), a candle snuffer, a seal to imprint a religious motto into communion bread, and a plate featuring Martin Luther preaching, and an odd little statue, just a twig set into a wood base. The icons are Byzantine in style—austere, mannered and intense. Pastor Crim collects items for various reasons. The Mary and child, the adult Jesus and the Crucifixion represent key elements in the Christian narrative. The style is highly stylized; there’s no attempt at realism. Other items, such as the baptismal medallion and the Martin Luther plate,

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have personal significance, denoting important people in his life—his son’s birth and a gift from a friend. In fact, he has two altars, side by side. On the next bookshelf over, he has a collection of memorabilia devoted to baseball. He invites me to examine five framed baseball cards, two balls, a statue and a bat— “all related to some incarnation of the Chattanooga Lookouts,” he explains. “It just goes to show there is nothing particularly unique about setting aside spaces in the places where we live our lives.” In the sanctuary, we look at the congregation’s altar. Here, the elements are communal rather than personal, and some are merely the impedimenta of daily life in any work environment—a flashlight left out

between projects, green drapery to signify the liturgical season of Pentecost, candles, a place for flowers, the minister’s thick copy of the Book of Worship, and a lace table runner covered with a plastic liner to defend against spills. Everything’s practical and well-handled. While a personal altar is specific to its maker, Pastor Crim says, this space is filled with symbols with meaning to the church as a whole. If I go into other Lutheran churches, he adds, I’ll find similar items arranged in a similar fashion. And, he explains, the public altar is symbolically active in a way that his bookshelf of devotional items is not. “This is a corporate and ritual space,” he says as we stand in the chapel. “Here, the congregation

COVER STORY comes to worship together. My altar is not a ritual space. Even if a paten and chalice were there, they would be present as symbols of the Eucharist, not because I serve it there. Here, the altar is a place for the serving of communion.” I leave our conversation pondering. The public-facing altar, apparently, consists of symbolic objects arranged to affirm similarity of thought, across locations and occasions. But it’s also active in some way—magickal, so to speak, or salient. Pastor Crim’s distinction between ritual and non-ritual altars intrigues me. Could a single individual create a ritual altar, too? Apparently not, at least for Christians. Pastor Crim clarifies the relationship: “From a Christian point of view, our individual practice and our corporate practice are related. I look for symbols that relate to the things I experience in church that I carry into my own space. I look for one to reinforce the other. What do I want to carry from my public religion into my personal life? What is important in our group space? Ultimately it boils down to what speaks to me.” Still full of questions, I visit a counselor who makes altars and teaches others to do so—art therapist Jas Milam, MAAT, owner of Daily Practice Altar Art. Unlike the businesslike, work-inprogress look of the church on a weekday, Milam’s office/studio is filled with a Little Mermaid’s collection of objects—paintbrushes and a Magic 8 Ball and St. Joseph and rocks and a scarab and a fake skeleton and a glow-inthe-dark crucifix and a Hamsa and a dream catcher—yeah. There’s a lot. But in the middle of it, Milam’s vision for altar-building is one of clarity. For her, the act of creating sacred items and sacred space seems equally important to the spiritual work done in front of the altar once it’s complete. She describes a visual devotional object as a “yantra,” the correlative of a “mantra” people may chant while praying. Just like Pastor Crim standing in

Milam likes color. Her big studio altar space is arranged to correspond to the color wheel, red to violet. The bright colors are complemented by glittering gold; Milam often uses gold leaf on the meditative objects she creates. What do people do as they create icons, populate their altars and worship there? Milam encourages them to find or make meaningful items that relate to their lives in some way. Even negative images—such as a representation of someone you’re letting go of—can be important. The act of creation can be accompanied by another meditative act, such as reciting a sacred name or line of poetry. Repetition is also important. For a while, for instance, Milam was drawing a mandala every day as part of her spiritual practice. I recall Pastor Crim’s description meditating daily “when I’m being good,” and of his reference to grounding. The practice of creating altar objects, or tracing yantra visually or tactilely, can be an act of grounding. “sacrilegious as I am religious.” She Right now, Milam is creating tripmight include Elvis on a cross next to tychs, three-sided panels that support a serious icon, for instance. themselves to stand up, creating small, When I ask her how a prospective portable altars. To paint her triptychs, altar-builder should arrange his or her she’s invented abstract vocabulary of space, she suggests familiarity rooted leaf-forms and dots and cross hatches, in one’s own family or cultural tradirepeated in continuous variety, often tion, if possible. However, there’s no edged with thick lines and traced with need to force things. Milam indicates gold leaf. that reality or science are fully acceptLooking at these structures, I imagine able objects of spiritual devotion. a seeker could paint a triptych him- or “The components are necessary by herself—perhaps on three sides of a tradition and culture,” she explains, cut-away cardboard box—paint it, and adding that the most basic altar eleset up an altar wherever it was needed. ments tend to be universal. “Most culIn fact, I’m thinking about trying. tures include something like a candle, What will I do there? Trace the pattern a feather, an iconic image, and a with my fingertip, dance the pattern liquid of some kind, such as water or in front if the altar, and try to ground oil.” myself in values that are meaningful to Her references to culture remind me me. of Pastor Crim’s description of a workTo create your own three-dimensioning altar as communal space; howal altar with Jas Milam, come to her ever, as I listen to her speak, I get the Altar Art: Creating and Holding Sacred sense that she pictures an altar’s real Space on Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. All mawork as spiritual and highly personal. terials will be provided. Register at jasFor instance, there’s individual taste. milam.com. CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • THE PULSE • 9

“It just goes to show there is nothing particularly unique about setting aside spaces in the places where we live our lives.” front of his Crucifixion scene, a seeker may gaze at a yantra or trace it with his or her finger. From thinking about yantra, Milam moved to the larger practice of creating and contemplating an entire altar space. “I was raised Episcopalian,” she says. “I worship with all my senses.” But she doesn’t prescribe any one religion in her therapeutic practice. Instead, she uses the tools of art and altar-building in a way that is spiritually focused but religiously agnostic. “You can fill in the blank with God, Jesus, Buddha or Johnny Cash,” she says. “I work with many who are recovering from religious abuse—they may have been shamed, harmed or punished in the name of being good Christians. They often become hippies or pagans. On that level of spirituality I am pretty fluid.” In building her own altars—there are two big ones in her studio, one of which seems to be also a functional artists’ workstation—she says she is as

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

A Veritable Feast Of Southern Literature SouthWord brings together a bevy of Southern writers

Shakespeare’s Most Underrated Play When it was written sometime between 1603 and 1604, Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” tackled some of civilizations most unspoken and complex issues; specifically what the government’s role in assigning legislation to sex, marriage, and personal identity meant for the individual. In retrospect, the underlying message of this particular comedy translates into contemporary society on almost every level, potentially becoming the most underrated play in the Shakespearean catalogue. Taking place in Vienna, the play is widely known for tricking its audience into empathizing with any of its three lead roles. Because these three roles have completely contrasting ethical alignments, even an experienced playwright will question their own moral alignment by the conclusion. From Wednesday to Friday, the UTC Fine Arts Center is bringing this widely renowned work of art back to life with five actors from The London Stage. Their unique and intentionally understaffed performance has become extremely popular internationally, coming back to UTC by popular demand following a previous performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” last year. In the midst of current events, one should take a moment to absorb the complexity of history’s greatest playwright through a play that’s arguably still relevant. Or, just enjoy the professional acting talent of one of London’s most prestigious acting companies, founded by Sir Patrick Stewart. — Kelley J. Bostian Measure for Measure Oct. 25-27, 7:30 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center 752 Vine St. (423) 425-4269 www.utc.edu 10 • THE PULSE • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

Wendell Berry

By Ward Raymond Pulse contributor

ENDELL BERRY ARRIVES IN CHATtanooga next week, bringing a message of the wisdom of his principled life: “My purpose as a writer is to do the work I have been given to do as well as I can do it. I would like to see a trend toward reading and literacy, but am otherwise not much interested in trends.” A literary triple-threat—poet, social critic, and humanistic fiction writer—Mr. Berry scoffs at the toils and avoids the snares of modern technology, writing his novels and essays by hand and communicating with friends (and journalists) by hand-written letters, in elegant cursive at that. He finds contentment and purpose in old-style farming, and serenity in family and community life in his hometown of Port Royal, Kentucky. But for four decades, Mr. Berry’s voice has rung

and sung across the land, a blend of Robert Frost, Thoreau, and the prophet Jeremiah. In strident but dignified admonitions, he points up the apocalyptic folly of modern “progress” in the areas of Big Agra and Big Food, and the primacy of tending one’s own garden: “I have friends and loved ones, living and dead, who occupy my heart and my thoughts. My pastures, which I have kept carefully for many years, now look reassuringly healthy and beautiful to me.” He delivers the keynote address next Friday evening at the SouthWord 2017 Literary Feast. Readings, panel discussions, and unique events take place at UTC on Friday, Nov. 3, and Bessie Smith Hall and Lindsay Street Hall on Saturday, Nov. 4. In his reverence for the life well lived and the word well written, Mr. Berry will be among likeminded “fellows,” who comprise the Fellowship of Southern Writers, co-sponsors with the Southern Lit Alliance of this event, previously known as the

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

“The program promises more than 40 major Southern writers, including some receiving awards for their careers and achievements, and some young voices as well.” Celebration of Southern Literature. Another towering figure of Southern literature, Jill McCorkle, has attended and presented at the conference since the 1990s, when “in those years, such literary greats as Eudora Welty, James Dickey and George Garrett (among many others) were in attendance.” Recalling her most memorable moment, Ms. McCorkle evoked “Wendell Berry’s introduction of Ernest Gaines several years ago. I was so aware of the literary greatness on that stage and moved by the great testament of their friendship—I felt privileged to witness it.” This year, Ms. McCorkle and two long-time friends, fellow author Lee Smith and professional musician Matraca Berg will sing for their literary supper in a program entitled, “The Roots of Literacy Music.” The trio and another friend Marshall Chapman have practiced and performed for 20 years, reading and singing and having a good ol’ time, which they’ll share with an audience Saturday afternoon at Lindsay Street Hall, where author book signings will

also take place. The program promises more than 40 major Southern writers, including some receiving awards for their careers and achievements, and some young voices as well. In the former category, the Woodward Franklin Award for Historical Writing will recognize Wayne Flynt, a two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee and renowned Alabama historian whose most recent book is “Mockingbird Songs: My Friendship with Harper Lee”. In a panel discussion on Ms. Lee’s literary career and legacy, Mr. Flynt will address whether she “was shy, introverted, reclusive, or just intensely private, and what these different words mean.” A young playwright receiving the Bryan Family Drama Award, Jireh Holder is a new name being illuminated off-Broadway with his civil-rightsera play, “Too Heavy for Your Pocket”, in his words, “an honest reflection on a moment in time: the joy, the difficulties, and the progress made. It’s about two young couples who are

very much in love—who doesn’t want to spend an evening with them?” Mr. Holder confides that after his father saw “Too Heavy” in New York and also “Phantom of the Opera” on the same trip, the playwright was too apprehensive to ask which one he preferred. In a confessional mood, he admits to his secret affinity with all the fiction writers he’ll be rubbing elbow patches with. “I have always wanted to be a novelist,” he explains, but he lacks the patience and scores too high on extroversion. “So to be honest, I plan on pretending to be a novelist for the duration of the weekend.” One who won’t have to pretend is noted fiction writer Liza Wieland, who not only receives the Robert Penn Warren Award but also shares her craft in a writer residency at Baylor School, a task of giving back that many of the SouthWord attendees find time to do. “I love teenagers,” she says. “They’re so raw and uncertain and willful and awkward and beautiful. I love it when they pretend to be blasé about an experience, but if you look, you can see they are taking it in with every nerve in their bodies.” In the same spirit, many Chattanoogans will be “taking it in” at the 16 major sessions of the SouthWord event, detailed here at southernlitalliance.org

Wayne Flynt has intense insights on the dichotomy between what Southerners sayz and what Southerners doez, so to speak:. “The largest contemporary conflict in Southern studies is the contrast between the South’s self-identity as the most conservative, evangelical, family values, patriotic part of America and the historical reality that independent Pentecostals have the highest divorce rate of any discreet group in the U.S., followed by Southern Baptists…that when I was a boy in the ‘40s and ‘50s, personal character defined qualification for public office; now the candidate can be a slime bag morally but favor banning same-sex marriage and abortion and all else is forgiven and forgotten, despite the fact that Jesus commanded Christians not to judge others, in three Gospels denounced divorce, and never once mentioned same-sex marriage or abortion.”

THU10.26

FRI10.27

SAT10.28

Limestone Connection

Nooga! Ghost Stories!

Rocky Horror Picture Show LIVE!

Performance, talk, and book signing by the playwriting and performing duo of Jason Tinney and Holly Morse-Ellington. 6:30 p.m. Star Line Books 1467 Market St. starlinebooks.com

Come out and join some of Chattanooga's best improv actors as they thrill and chill you with some downhome scary stories! 10 p.m. First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. improvchattanooga.com

It's time to do the Time Warp once again with a great cast of local actors in the camp film classic. 10 p.m. The Honest Pint 35 Patten Pkwy. thehonestpint.com

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • THE PULSE • 11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Frightening Ass Film Fest

THURSDAY10.26 Great Conversations 11:30 a.m. 2 on the Roof 313 Manufacturers Rd. (423) 883-1156 2ontheroof.com Bad Day for the Cut 6 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Limestone Connection Book Reading & Signing 6:30 p.m. Star Line Books 1467 Market St. (423) 777-5629 starlinebooks.com Measure for Measure 7:30 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center 752 Vine St. (423) 425-4269 utc.edu Janet Williams 7:30 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Dina 8 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Rebel in the Rye 10 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave.

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(423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com

FRIDAY10.27 HallowCon 3 p.m. Quality Inn & Suites 6700 Ringgold Rd. (423) 892-8100 hallowcon.com AquaScarium 4 p.m. Tennessee Aquarium 1 Broad Street (800) 262-0695 tnaqua.org Ladies Night Out–Hallowine 6 p.m. The Georgia Winery 6469 Battlefield Pkwy. (706) 937-9463 georgiawines.com

The Great Halloween Ball 7 p.m. The Walden Club 633 Chesnut St. (423) 756-6686 waldenclub.org Charlotte’s Web 7 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com Frightening Ass Film Fest 7 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Bitter Alibi Halloween Haunt 7 p.m. The Bitter Alibi 825 Houston St. (423) 362-5070 thebitteralibi.com

ENTERTAINMENT SPOTLIGHT A Chattanooga audience favorite, the "Tennessee Tramp" Janet Williams doesn’t hold anything back about her views on marriage, divorce, men, and women. Janet Williams The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

Measure for Measure 7:30 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center 752 Vine St. (423) 425-4269 utc.edu The Woman in Black 7:30 p.m. Mars Theatre District 117 N. Chattanooga St. (404) 915-6939 bapshows.com Janet Williams 7:30, 9:45 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Strange Extravaganza 8 p.m. The OM Room 3230 Brainerd Rd. (607) 760-2868 facebook.com/theOMroomcha Ghoulish Gala 8 p.m. Closed Door Entertainment 105 Maple St. Rossvile, GA (423) 290-8515 cdoorent.com The Sound of Music 8 p.m. Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5580 tivolichattanooga.com Improv Showdown 8 p.m. First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com Nooga! Ghost Stories!

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Signal Mountain Zombie Run 10 p.m. First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com The Long Game 10 p.m. First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com

SATURDAY10.28 Triple Crown Bouldering Series 7 a.m. Stone Fort Little Rock City 1875 Brow Lake Rd. (423) 332-3111 mountainproject.com The Tennessee Valley Heart Walk 8 a.m. AT&T Field 201 Power Aly. chattanoogaheartwalk.org Chattajack 31 8:30 a.m. Ross’s Landing 201 Riverfront Pkwy (423) 643-6311 chattajack.com HallowCon 10 a.m. Quality Inn & Suites 6700 Ringgold Rd. (423) 892-8100 hallowcon.com Red Bank Artisan Festival 10 a.m. Downtown Red Bank Unaka St.

redbanktn.gov Howloween Pawty Noon Play Wash Pint 113 Johnson St. (423) 643-2275 playwashpint.com Local Art Party 1 p.m. Barley Chattanooga 235 E Mlk Blvd (423) 682-8200 The Seizure of Brown’s Ferry 2 p.m. Moccasin Bend Arch. District 10 Hamm Rd. (706) 866-9241 nps.gov Charlotte’s Web 2:30, 7 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com Hogs and Hams: Talk and Dinner 3 p.m. Sequatchie Cove Farm 320 Dixon Cove Rd. (423) 942-9201 sequatchiecovefarm.com Book It! 5k 3 p.m. CSAS 865 E 3rd St. (423) 209-5812 racesonline.com English Country Dance 4 p.m. Brainerd United Methodist Church 4315 Brainerd Rd. (423) 698-6951 brainerdumc.org

Signal Mountain Zombie Run 5 p.m. McCoy Farm and Gardens 1715 Anderson Pike (423) 400-6897 sceniccitymutlisport.com Hogwarts Masquerade 7 p.m. Barnes & Noble 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. (423) 893-0186 barnesandnoble.com Janet Williams 7:30, 9:45 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Halloween Contra Dance! 7:30 p.m. Brainerd United Methodist Church 4315 Brainerd Rd. (423) 698-6951 brainerdumc.org The Sound Of Music 8 p.m. Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5580 tivolichattanooga.com Rocky Horror Picture Show LIVE! 10 p.m. The Honest Pint 35 Patten Pkwy. (423) 468-4192 thehonestpint.com

SUNDAY10.29 HallowCon 10 a.m.

Quality Inn & Suites 6700 Ringgold Rd. (423) 892-8100 hallowcon.com Chattanooga Market 11 a.m. First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St. (423) 648-2496 chattanoogamarket.com Chattanooga Pride Parade 11:30 a.m. Sculpture Fields 1800 Polk St. (423) 402-0408 TennesseeValleyPride.com Ciclovia 2017 Noon Bessie Smith Cultural Center 200 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-8658 chattanooga-celebrates.com Human Flow 1 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Charlotte’s Web 2:30 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com Blade of the Immortal 3:30 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Monster Bash 4 p.m. Bessie Smith Cultural Center 200 E. MLK Blvd. CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • THE PULSE • 13

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Aspen Sante Fe Ballet (423) 266-8658 bessiesmithcc.org Tragedy Girls 6 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Janet Williams 7:30 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

MONDAY10.30 Aspen Santa Fe Ballet 7:30 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center 752 Vine St. (423) 425-4269 utc.edu

TUESDAY10.31 Human Flow 3 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Tragedy Girls 5:30 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Blade of the Immortal 7:30 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave.

14 • THE PULSE • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

(423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Top Secret Tuesdays 10 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com

WEDNESDAY11.1 Blade of the Immortal 1 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Main Street Market 4 p.m. 522 W. Main St. mainstfarmersmarket.com Human Flow 7:30 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Comedy Open Mic 7:30 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Tragedy Girls 10 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse. com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com

the Pulse

Halloween Guide escape experience zombies are real...and they are coming for you!

boo in the zoo halloween fun with your favorite animals

plus: haunted houses & halloween events WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO SEE, WHEN TO SCREAM

your weekly guide to chattanooga's favorite halloween haunts

The Escape Experience With seven minutes left to go, my partner and I quickly inserted two skeleton keys into the launch control unit of a secret Raccoon Mountain nuclear missile silo. We had narrowly prevented the beginning of nuclear war, but zombies were now crowding the outside the door and preventing our escape. Ammo was low, and if we didn’t escape soon the increased radiation levels would surely kill us before the zombies ever got close. With only a minute and a half left we made a break for the exit. The only door that promised a safe escape was locked. Zombies began getting closer and closer, and then without warning, the lights turned. This is the Halloween edition of the Chattanooga Bunker Escape Experience. If you’re unfamiliar with the traditional Escape Experience, it involves getting locked in a thematic series of

rooms that challenge guests to solve intricate puzzles using teamwork to escape in an hour or less. The catch is that these puzzles are not for the faint of heart, with the usual escape success rate hovering between 2540% depending on which of the four rooms you choose. However, for Halloween the Escape Experience has added an undead twist to the usual Bunker room experience. Live actors playing zombies chase guests from room to room, hiding between props and adding an extra layer of stress that truly appeals to the zombie-lover in all of us. Early in the experience, you’ll find a few

“guns” that are the only line of defense between you and these zombies. Just when you think you’re safe and making progress in the cleverly designed puzzle, you’ll be unloading rounds into a horde of zombies you swore were dead only a few minutes before (trust me, headshots are important). In all honesty, the Bunker Escape Experience is the most unique haunted attraction in the Chattanooga area. Zombies don’t just pop out and scare you; they grab your ankles, pile up and block your pathway, and get close enough that you’ll empathize with the protagonist of zombie narratives for the rest of your life. Even if you don’t escape, there’s a good chance you’ll stop the nuclear launch and take out many zombies in the hour that’s allotted. That’s enough to make anyone look forward to Halloween. — Kelley J. Bostian

Boo In The Zoo The Chattanooga Zoo is hosting its annual “Boo in the Zoo”, a non-scary family friendly Halloween event that lasts all weekend long. During this event you can expect to have numerous character encounters ranging from Star Wars to cute and furry animals. Guest are more than welcome to celebrate the Halloween Spirit by wearing your choice of costume. If you’re worried you’ll be the only grown-up decked out in costume, trust me, you won’t be. Since you are taking the time to dress up, make sure you join in on the costume contest as well. Even if you don’t participate you’ll definitely want to catch the catwalk of adorable children parading across stage in their Halloween attire. The zoo has been decorated ac16 • THE PULSE • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • HALLOWEEN GUIDE • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

cordingly, providing countless opportunities for the perfect family photo throughout the entire park. There will also be food available at the zoo’s concession stand or snack stands scattered all through the park that offer pretzels, Dippin’ Dots, cotton candy, popcorn and frozen sugary drinks. Don’t forget to bring some extra cash so you take home a special Boo in the Zoo T-shirt to remember your experience and help support the zoo. Make sure you grab a scavenger

hunt guide that will have you exploring each area of the zoo to find the answer to tricky riddle. Also upon arrival you will be given a pamphlet with times and location for animal enrichment activities, that offer you an informative and personal interaction with zoo keepers and the animals on exhibit. Other activities include Trick-orTreating around the zoo, pony rides, hay rides, bounce houses, carousel rides, face painting, floating magic shows, a special Creepy Crawlie Exhibit, and of course the zoo itself. The best part is that all these activities are all inclusive with your admission into the zoo. Children two and under are free, members are $10 and nonmembers are only $15. — Jessica Manning

Haunted Houses & Events The Haunted Cavern Thur-Sun & Halloween Dread Hollow 321 Browns Ferry Rd. (423) 821-2544 hauntedcavern.com

Halloween Eerie Express Fri & Sat in October Tennessee Valley Railroad 4119 Cromwell Rd. (423) 894-8028 tvrail.com

Lake WinnepeSPOOKah! Fri & Sat in October Lake Winnepesaukah 1730 Lakeview Dr. (706) 866-5681 lakewinnie.com

Blowing Springs Farm Fri-Sun till October 29 271 Chattanooga Valley Rd. (706) 820-2531 blowingspringsfarm.com

Mayfield Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch & Haunted Trail October 1-31 257 Hwy. 307 E. Athens, TN (423) 746-9859 mayfieldmaze.com

CDE’s Ghoulish Gala October 27 The CDE Loft 105 Maple St. (423) 290-8515 cdoorent.com

ODDtober Fri & Sat in October Tennessee Aquarium 1 Broad St. (800) 262-0695 tnaqua.org

Ladies Night Out – Hallowine October 27 The Georgia Winery 6469 Battlefield Pkwy. (706) 937-9463 georgiawines.com

Post-Mortem Haunted Trail Tri-State Exhibition Center 200 Natures Trail S. McDonald, TN (423) 476-9310 postmortem.myfreesites.net

Scary-Oke Contest October 28 Sing It or Wing It 410 Market St. (423) 757-WING singitorwingitchattanooga.com

Ringgold Haunted Depot October 27-28 155 Depot St. (706) 935-3061 cityofringgoldga.gov

Big Chill Halloween Bash October 28 The Big Chill 103 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 267-2455 thebigchillgrill.com

Rocktoberfest Fall Festival Sat & Sun in October Rock City Gardens 1400 Patten Rd. (706) 820-2531 seerockcity.com Escape Experience October 1-31 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 551-3306 escapeexperience.com Acres of Darkness: Haunted Woods & Family Adventure October 27-28 Audubon Acres 900 North Sanctuary Rd. (423) 892-1499 acresofdarkness.com Boo in the Zoo October 27-29 Chattanooga Zoo 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. (423) 697-1322 chattzoo.org

The Haunted Barn Fri & Sat in October 5017 McDonald Rd. McDonald, TN (423) 396-9790 thehauntedbarnchattanooga.com

Chattanooga Ghost Tours Nightly in October 57 E. Fifth St. (423) 800-5998 chattanoogaghosttours.com

The Haunted Hilltop Fri & Sat in October 8235 Highway 58 (423) 488-3956 thehauntedhilltop.com

Fall Hayrides & Campfires Saturdays in October Cloudland Canyon State Park 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd. (706) 657-4050 gastateparks.org

The River Maze 1371 Hwy. 64 Cleveland, TN Fri - Sun through Oct. 29 (423) 650-0710 therivermaze.com

Something Wicked on Station Street October 28 41 Station St. (423) 521-2929 somethingwickedonstationstreet.com Trick or Treat October 31 Hamilton Place Mall 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. hamiltonplace.com Trick or Treat October 31 Nortgate Mall 271 Northgate Mall Dr. visitnorthgatemall.com THE PULSE • HALLOWEEN GUIDE • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • 17

18 • THE PULSE • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • HALLOWEEN GUIDE • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

COLUMN ∙ THE ART OF BUSINESS

Tickling The Ivories At Summitt Pianos Chattanooga's premier dealer for pianos brings the music to you By Brooke Brown

Pulse Assistant Editor

We may not have a Rolls-Royce dealership in Chattanooga, but if you’re a musician with a love for finely crafted ivories, we have the Rolls-Royce of piano dealerships at your fingertips. Summitt Pianos, an institution that has been centered in Chattanooga for decades upon decades, is the area’s authorized Steinway and Sons dealer for good reason. “This business is a continuation of Lansford Pianos, which was located on Cherry Street downtown for over ninety-eight years,” says store manager Buddy Shirk. “Lansford was the oldest Baldwin dealer in the nation and we sold the area’s one millionth Baldwin piano at that location.” Their passion for some of the finest musical instruments to ever be crafted has not let up a bit since Ted Summitt’s overtaking of his father’s business. After his father’s retirement in 2008, Summitt Pianos opened under its new name in January of 2009 and continues to hold in high regard the luxury of owning one of their beautiful pianos. “Steinways take over a year to complete from start to finish,” says Shirk. “98 percent of the world’s concert artist’s choose to perform on a Steinway and it’s not easy to become a Steinway artist. You have to fill out applications that touch three different continents, you must have published music.” It’s not as simple as sitting behind a

Summitt Pianos See website for hours 6209 Lee Highway (423) 499-0600 www.summittpianos.com

Steinway and beginning to play, and neither is choosing the right piano for your talents, future, or pleasure. At Summitt Pianos, you’ll find the pick of the litter depending on what you’re looking for. Acoustic pianos to digital pianos and keyboards, even organs grace the showroom floor, although with a button or two more. Once you’ve picked your perfect companion in song, there is an expansive selection of scale books to practice with ranging from elementary knowledge to expert. Surely the idea of lugging that piano home didn’t really factor into your purchase, and that’s quite alright seeing as Summitt Piano’s owner Ted Summitt also owns two moving companies: Piano Movers Plus and Choo Choo Movers. “Household moving, pianos, safes, hot tubs, whatever you need moved, we can move it,” says Summitt. They deliver locally, short haul, long haul, nationwide, and worldwide, if you need something moved, they’ve got you covered. One less thing to worry about, right? “We’ve been moving pianos for as long as I can remember, and moving hard to move items since about ‘96,” says Summitt. “Before I took over it was just a crew of guys who moved pianos. Now we do it all.” They’ve shipped pianos to Switzerland, Brazil, the US Virgin Islands and many more places

“If you need a little direction on the best pianos money can buy, Summitt Pianos is the place to ask.” around the globe. Most recently, and locally, Southern Adventist became the area’s 100th All Steinway school and St. Nicholas became Tennessee’s first Steinway K-12 School, a huge feat for the future of our local musicians. “Going to an All Steinway school ensures a child’s future in music,” says Shirk who has over forty years of piano and organ experience, is on the advisory board of Jazzanooga, and is the Second Chair

Vice President of the Chattanooga Music Club. If anyone knows anything about a future in music, it’s him. If you need a little direction on the best pianos money can buy, Summitt Pianos is the place to ask and will surely find you a match made in a perfect harmony. From Steinway & Sons to Essex and Boston, designed by Steinway, you’re going to find something to tickle your ivories.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • THE PULSE • 19

MUSIC

The Alchemy Of A Bitches Brew

An all-star group tackles Miles Davis’ seminal album

Nick Lutsko

Something Wicked This Way Comes This weekend will be filled with numerous Halloween events, but make sure you make it a priority to come to the first annual Something Wicked on Station Street this Saturday starting at 5 p.m. This event will feature four local—and rather peculiar —bands starting on Station Street and ending inside the Revelry Room, thus allowing you to choose your music style and location. Nick Lutsko, who usually can be found playing around the city will be presenting his Horror Show. Nick’s shows are famously known for having great music, being high energy, and his always accompanying human puppets. Following Nick’s performance will be The Communicators (presenting the legends of music’s past), Strung Like A Horse and Plvnet, who will be performing 10,000 Days: a Tool tribute. This exhilarating event will also feature a selection of DJs along with the Chattanooga Fire Cabaret who offer an energetic and death defying performance by their daring fire dancers. You can count on plenty of craft beer, cocktails and food trucks along Station Street to keep you going all night long. Obviously, it wouldn’t be a Halloween party without a costume contest. The contest will have four locations Regan’s, Backstage, Westbound, Revelry Room. “Thousands of dollars in cash & prizes will be awarded to the Best Overall Costumes!” The final judging will take place on Station Street where the winner will receive $500 and a three-day, two-night stay in New Orleans. — Jessica Manning Something Wicked on Station Street Saturday, 5 p.m. Revelry Room 41 Station St. (423) 521-2929 somethingwickedonstationstreet.com 20 • THE PULSE • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

Matt Nelson

By Ernie Paik

Pulse contributor

OR AN ARTIST, WHEN YOU ANGER purists, that often means that you’re onto something. Jazz purists scoffed when trumpeter Miles Davis began incorporating electric instruments in his groups and taking inspiration from rock stars like Sly Stone and Jimi Hendrix in the late ‘60s. Davis’ album Bitches Brew, recorded in 1969 and released in 1970, is arguably the most important jazz fusion album ever, featuring Teo Macero’s creative editing and sporting a supremely talented and engorged lineup with several drummers/percussionists and electric pianists playing simultaneously and the likes of Chick Corea, John McLaughlin and Wayne Shorter. Remarkably, for such a groundbreaking album, Bitches Brew sold well, earning a gold record, and was even awarded a Grammy; more importantly, it was profoundly influential.

Drawing from the blossoming free-jazz scene in Knoxville, under the sponsorship of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, bassist Matt Nelson has assembled an impressive lineup to pay tribute to Bitches Brew. Joining Nelson at the Thursday, Nov. 2nd show at Barking Legs Theater will be guitarists Mike Baggetta and Jake Smith, drummer Hunter Deacon, trumpeter Joe Jordan, saxophonist Chuck Mullican and Jorge Variego on B-flat and bass clarinet, and he took the time to answer some questions for The Pulse. The Pulse: What does Bitches Brew mean to you, and why has it proven to be so enduring? Matt Nelson: One of the very first albums that I bought was Bitches Brew. I remember when I got it, I listened to it several times in a row while laying on my back on the floor in my room. I was immediately drawn to how organic the album sounded. The album was very minimal, but I could tell that the musicians had a lot of freedom within that context.

MUSIC

“I wanted to keep that tense, contained energy from the record but also find a way to improvise as much as possible and take the songs wherever we wanted to in the moment.” I think that historical context plays a big role in why this album has endured. This was Miles’ first big step into the “pop” music of the time. He was not the first person to combine elements of rock, funk and jazz but he definitely was able to make music like that accessible to more than just jazz fans for the first time. TP: How did you approach this material for the live performance? MN: I liked the idea of having a large ensemble play this music. I wanted to keep that tense, contained energy from the record but also find a way to improvise as much as possible and take the songs wherever we wanted to in the moment. TP: Can you discuss your musical background, and what are your current musical projects

and activities? MN: I started playing electric bass when I was 14 years old. When I was 16, I started studying with the jazz and classical bass professor at the University of Tennessee, Rusty Holloway. I started playing upright bass in college while continuing to study with Rusty Holloway, all while playing many different genres of music in bars and other venues in the Knoxville area. After college I toured around the country with a folk rock band for a few years. I left that band in February of this year and have since been freelancing in the Knoxville area and curating a monthly concert series at the Pilot Light and a bimonthly house show series. Both of these feature primarily improvised music. I released my first album earlier this year and

just recorded a new album that should be out by 2018. TP: What was your introduction to jazz? MN: I knew about musicians like Jaco Pastorius and Herbie Hancock very early on but it wasn’t until towards the end of high school that I heard Bill Evans’ Sunday at the Village Vanguard and John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme. Bill Evans’ and Scott LaFaro’s interplay on that record inspired me to get serious about playing the upright bass, while John Coltrane’s raw energy on A Love Supreme made me realize for the first time that improvisation could be a deeply emotional and spiritual art form. TP: Do you have any guiding philosophies when it comes to improvisation? MN: Improvisation allows you to convey emotions that you can’t normally in other types of music. I love free improvisation because it allows you to access uncomfortable or darker emotions. When you combine those emotions with the other musicians in a “conversational” way, it can create very unique situations that cannot be repeated the same way again.

THU10.26 Scott H. Biram

Biram mashes together blues, hillbilly and country precariously and then adds raucous punk and godless metal. 7 p.m. Songbirds Guitar Museum 35 Station St. songbirdsguitars.com

FRI10.27 Double Dick Slick, The Unsatisfied, Koza

It's an in-your-face preHalloween show guaranteed to melt your face with 200 proof rock-n-punk. 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com

SAT10.28 Mark “Porkchop” Holder

Come hear the newest material from one of the best bluesmen you'll ever hear in an intimate setting. 10 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • THE PULSE • 21

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

Tank & The Bangas

THURSDAY10.26 Tank & The Bangas, Voices of The Creative Underground 5:45 p.m. Bessie Smith Cultural Center 200 E. MLK Blvd. bessiesmithcc.org Rick Rushing 6 p.m. Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Limestone Connection 6:30 p.m. Star Line Books 1467 Market St. starlinebooks.com Tim Lewis 7 p.m. Southside Social 1818 Chestnut St. thesouthsidesocial.com Open Mic Night with Ryan Oyer 7 p.m. Moccasin Bend Brewing Co. 3210 Broad St. bendbrewingbeer.com Randy Steele 7 p.m. Greenway Farms 5051 Gann Store Rd. (423) 643-6311 WHiSKEYDiCK 7 p.m. Mad Knight Brewing Company 4015 Tennessee Ave. madknightbrewing.com Scott H. Biram 7 p.m. Songbirds Guitar Museum 35 Station St.

22 • THE PULSE • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

songbirdsguitars.com Bela Fleck 7:30 p.m. Tivoli Theater 701 Broad St. chattanoogasymphony.org KlusterfunK & BMFM 8 p.m. Trip’s Tavern 4762 Hwy. 58 (423) 803-5686 Big Emotions & Meagan Alford 8 p.m. Woodshop Rehearsal Space 5500 St. Elmo Ave. thewoodshop.space Open Mic Night with Jonathan Wimpee 9 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Scenic City Super Show 9 p.m. Music Box @ Ziggy's 607 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 265-8711 ziggysbarandgrill.net Haunted "House" Party with the Two Shoe Crew 9 p.m JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com

FRIDAY10.27 Jessica Hitte 6 p.m. Cadence Coffee Company 11 E. 7th St. cadencecoffeeco.com

Drake Freeman 7 p.m. Slick’s Burgers 309 E. Main St. slicksburgers.com Overland Express 7 p.m. Songbirds Guitar Museum 35 Station St. songbirdsguitars.com Convection, Cacophony, The Goetia, Alex Abel, Nomad 7 p.m. Music Box @ Ziggy’s 607 Cherokee Blvd. ziggysbarandgrill.net Dirty Blonde, No Thank You John, Graham Hodge 7 p.m. Woodshop Rehearsal Space 5500 St. Elmo Ave. thewoodshop.space Shabti & MouthGremlin 7 p.m. Frequency Arts 1804 E. Main St. (423) 260-8387 Gino Fanelli 8 p.m. The Casual Pint 5550 Hwy. 153 hixson.thecasualpint.com Harp T & The Gillpickle 8:30 p.m. The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Double Dick Slick, The Unsatisfied, Koza 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Noah Gundersen

9 p.m. Revelry Room 41 Station St. revelryroom.com The WhistleStops 9 p.m. Leapin’ Leprechaun Pub 100 Market St. theleprechaunpub.com Bryan Jones 9 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Liz Moriondo 9 p.m. Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Benyaro 10 p.m. Clyde’s On Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com Voodoo Slim 10 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar 5751 Brainerd Rd. budssportsbar.com

SATURDAY10.28 "Rocktober Fest" with The Wurstbrats 11 a.m. Rock City Gardens 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Nathan Bell, Danny Sample, Rye Baby, DL Yancey 2, Mark “Porkchop” Holder & MPH, Okinawa, Ryan Oyer Band 4 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

Captain Midnight Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Strung Like A Horse, Nick Lutsko, The Communicators, Plvnet 5:30 p.m. Station Street & Revelry Room 41 Station St. somethingwickedonstationstreet.com The Power Players 6 p.m. Embargo ‘62 301 Cherokee Blvd. embargo62.com Skelton Key 6 p.m. Cambridge Square 9453 Bradmore Ln. cambridgesquaretn.com Music for the Seasons of a Woman’s Life 7 p.m. Chatt. State Humanities Theatre 4501 Amnicola Hwy. chattanoogastate.edu Keith & Kristyn Getty 7 p.m. Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. tivolichattanooga.com Playin’ Possum 7 p.m. McHale’s Brewhouse 724 Ashland Terrace mchalesbrewhouse.com Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt 8 p.m. Walker Theatre 709 Broad St. tivolichattanooga.com Austin Lucas, Ryan Singer, Night Shapes, Bohannons

8 p.m. Sluggo’s North Vegetarian Café 501 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 752-5224 Ashes Fall, Dying 2 Live & Dear Vista 8 p.m. Mayo’s Bar and Grill 3820 Brainerd Rd. mayosbarandgrill.com John Lathim 8 p.m. The Casual Pint 5550 Hwy. 153 hixson.thecasualpint.com Mountain Creek Housefire 8 p.m. Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse 105 McBrien Rd. christunity.org Harp T & The Gillpickle 8:30 p.m. The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Corpse Wax, Dollies & Infidel 9 p.m. Music Box @ Ziggy’s 607 Cherokee Blvd. ziggysbarandgrill.net Lacing, Meinschaft, The Handsome Grandsons, Shaky’s Bad Knee 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Stacy Wilson & The Band Raven 9 p.m. Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Captain Midnight

10 p.m. Clyde’s On Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com Mark “Porkchop” Holder 10 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Voodoo Slim 10 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar 5751 Brainerd Rd. budssportsbar.com

SUNDAY10.29 "Rocktober Fest" with The Wurstbrats 11 a.m. Rock City Gardens 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Nabil Ince 1:30 p.m. Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Bluegrass Jam 4 p.m. Fiddler’s Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd. (423) 994-7497 Open Mic with Jeff Daniels 6 p.m. Long Haul Saloon 2536 Cummings Hwy. (423) 822-9775 Maria and Josh Sable 7 p.m. Southside Social 1818 Chestnut St. thesouthsidesocial.com

Danney Gokey, Mandisa, Love and The Outcome, Jasmine Murrary 7 p.m. Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. tivolichattanooga.com Mathis & Martin 7 p.m. The BackStage Bar 29 Station St. (423) 629-2233

MONDAY10.30 Open Mic Night 6 p.m. Puckett’s Grocery 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Monday Nite Big Band 7 p.m. The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Open Air with Jessica Nunn 7:30 p.m. The Granfalloon 400 E. Main St. granfalloonchattanooga.com

TUESDAY10.31 Danimal 6 p.m. Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Nightmare Before Christmas Halloween Bash 6:30 p.m. Revelry Room CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • THE PULSE • 23

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong 41 Station St. revelryroom.co Bill McCallie and In Cahoots 6:30 p.m. Southern Belle 201 Riverfront Pkwy. chattanoogariverboat.com Courtney Holder 7 p.m. Southside Social 1818 Chestnut St. thesouthsidesocial.com Open Mic with Mike McDade 8 p.m. Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com Rivers of Nihil, Iniquitous, Sparrus 8 p.m. Music Box @ Ziggy’s 607 Cherokee Blvd. ziggysbarandgrill.net Pains Chapel, Genki Genki Panic, The Breaknecks 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Opposite Box & The Aquaucks 9 p.m. The Honest Pint 35 Patten Pkwy. thehonestpint.com

WEDNESDAY11.1 Toby Hewitt 6 p.m. Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Hap Henninger 6 p.m.

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Mad Knight Brewing Company 4015 Tennessee Ave. madknightbrewing.com No Big Deal 6 p.m. SpringHill Suites 495 Riverfront Pkwy. springhillsuites.com Amber Carrington 7 p.m. Southside Social 1818 Chestnut St. thesouthsidesocial.com Joel Brothers 8 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Priscilla & Little Rickee 8 p.m. Las Margaritas 1101 Hixson Pike (423) 756-3332 Jazz In The Lounge 8 p.m. Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Unguent, Ghost in Salad, Tape Baby 8 p.m. Frequency Arts 1804 E. Main St. (423) 260-8387 Pigeons Playing Ping Pong with Flamingosis 9 p.m. Revelry Room 41 Station St. revelryroom.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse. com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com

RECORD REVIEWS ∙ ADAM BECKETT

Harmon Den, Analog Architecture

Harmon Den As Long As We’re Dreaming (harmonden.bandcamp.com)

ome delightful music coming from Knoxville is Harmon Den’s album, As Long As We’re Dreaming. The music comes as part of a solo project from Adam Norris, the bass player for Knoxville’s notable band Ephemeral. This instrumental, ambient, electronic, post rock album is spectacular. It is the kind of album the produces chill bumps while listening to it, it is unique to itself, and does not sound like any other music. Upon discovering this fantastic album, I was captivated from the moment that I pressed play. The pace of the album fluctuates between ambient and hard knocking, but it is filled with emotion and beauty all the way through. At times throughout the album, I found myself in outer space mentally, it grabbed a hold of me, and took me out of my head for a bit. The production and sound that comes from this album is absolutely phenomenal. It possesses pure sound created by a music man that has a tremendous amount of soul. It really does not matter the genre, it is the perfect

Analog Architecture Intergalactic Control (analogarchitecture.bandcamp.com)

music for any music lover. The sounds all flawlessly blend to beguile eardrums in general. While the upbeat “Dissociate/Destroy” is the standout song in my opinion, all of the songs are candidates for notable mention. “Amethysia”, and “Worlds at Sea” are pungent, heady tracks that will creep inside of bones and make the listener feel the powerful sound. The authenticity that is this album, mixed with precise, elegant sounds makes this album soul shaking. It is not every day that one can find music that will help them to escape the rut of everyday life and throw them into a completely different plane of existence, simply by pressing play. This is an extraordinary album coming from the great State of Tennessee. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

hile the electronic dance music category is an umbrella for countless sub genres, and outside of the popular artists in each specific EDM genre, often is watered down music with less than potent

attempts at people attempting to make jammable music; that is not the case with Knoxville artist Analog Architecture’s album Intergalactic Control. Even with all of the sub genres that fall under the EDM umbrella, this album cannot be pinned down inside of any one of them. It is difficult to even begin attempting to describe its distinctive style, rhythm, and flow. Intergalactic Control is a sub-genre bending masterpiece that see saws between tracks, and is beyond potent in a musical sense. The album touches on a variety of sounds, and holds hints of electro, chill, techno, and an outer space synth sound; it even holds a touch of eighties tunes, which all blend perfectly to create a mesmerizing individual sound, which is completely sole to itself. The Galactic names for his tracks are fitting for the outer worldly sound that unleashes from the albums realm. Spellbinding tracks “Timeless Space”, “Into the Void”, “Space Party”, “Luminous Wave”, “Only a Few Return”, “Unknown Worlds” and “Whispering Nebulae” all join forces to produce this wonderful portal hopping album. Analog Architecture is an especially clever artist. His methodicalness is one of a kind, and the sounds that he utilizes in his music are foreign to Planet Earth. It is special when an artist is able to create such an exclusive sound, without compromising the music. Despite the singular sound, he has found a way to keep the music beautiful and uncontaminated. The heart and soul that pours from it is blatant, and greatly appreciated. Give it a listen, and dance, play, groove, and space out to this Tennessee album that is a dance party waiting to happen. CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • THE PULSE • 25

FILM & TELEVISION

The Year Of Stephen King On Screen From big screen to small, King continues to deliver

Feed Me, Seymour, I'm Hungry! Business is bad at Mushnick’s Flower Shop. Shy Seymour and brave Audrey will soon be unemployed. That is until Seymour pricks his finger and a sickly little exotic plant gets its first taste of human blood. The plant spurts ten feet tall. As horticultural interest in “Audrey II” sprouts, Mushnick’s business takes off. But fresh blood must be found—and people start disappearing. Love and business bloom at a hilarious yet bloody cost. And so goes the story behind one of the most unusual—and entertaining—musicals of all time, brought to life on the big screen in 1986 starring the talents of Rick Moranis (Seymour) and Ellen Green (Audry) and a bevy of guest stars including Steve Martin, Jim Belushi, John Candy, Christopher Guest, and Bill Murray. Fans will not want to miss Little Shop of Horrors: The Director’s Cut, which features the rarely-seen original ending and an exclusive introduction from director Frank Oz. And while it may not technically be a Halloween movie, what’s scarier than a carnivorous ten-foot tall sentient plant with some serious vocal chops? Truly a mean green mother from outer space. And best of all, there are two local showings: Sunday at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., and then on Halloween itself, also at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Trick or treat! — Michael Thomas Little Shop of Horrors: The Director’s Cut Sunday & Tuesday, 2 & 7 p.m. East Ridge 18 Hamilton Place 8 5080 South Terrace 2000 Hamilton Pl. Blvd. (423) 855-9652 (844) 462-7342 www.fathomevents.com 26 • THE PULSE • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

By John DeVore Pulse Film Editor

HIS SEEMS LIKE THE YEAR FOR STEphen King adaptations. It has broken all sorts of box office records, going down as one of the most successful horror films in history, and though some may quibble with a few adaptation choices, the film got the tone and casting absolutely correct, creating an enjoyable film for a wide audience. It’s certainly not bad for a book that spans generations and over a thousand pages. At least at my school, there are several middle schoolers attempting to read the book after seeing the movie, which is always a positive in my mind.

On the other hand, The Dark Tower didn’t tell the story it needed to and will likely disappear into obscurity until it’s adapted in another medium. It’s unfortunate, as the cast for the film was strong. But the world will keep spinning and we’ll see The Dark Tower series somewhere else in the future. These major releases might overshadow, however, other adaptations that have appeared on Netflix this month. Stephen King has always been more at home in short fiction than in sprawling novels. The Shawshank Redemption, Stand By Me, and The Green Mile are all based on short fiction by Stephen King. The format forces King to self-edit, dig down into what he’s really trying to communicate, and tell a great story. Last month, Netflix released Gerald’s Game, a

FILM & TELEVISION

“1922 makes for another stellar entry into the club of Stephen King adaptations. It is well shot, well-paced, and well-acted.”

✴ ✴ NEW IN THEATERS ✴ ✴

story of a sex game gone wrong, which has received very positive reviews. And now, just in time for Halloween, Netflix brings us 1922, the story of the man inside every man. 1922 is a more recent King short story, published in 2010. Wilfred James (Tom Jane) is a farmer with a beautiful wife and a young son. He owns eighty acres in Hemingford Home, Nebraska, land that has been in his family for years. He sees his life as idyllic, full of rich soil and open skies, the kind that provides everything a man might want. He believes that a man without land is no kind of man. His wife Arlette (Molly Parker) was left 100 acres of good farm land that adjoins his own. Wilfred intends to leave this land, all 180 acres, to his son, Henry (Dylan Schmid). Arlette, however, has no taste for the farm life. She has spent all her life in one place and longs for something new. Her father’s land gives her the op-

portunity to move to Omaha, where she wants to open a dress shop. She intends to take Henry with her. Wilfred and Arlette cannot come to an agreement. It becomes clear that the land gives Arlette the power—something that Wilfred will not abide. He envies his neighbor for his agreeable wife, who answers every question with “whatever you think is best, dear.” Enlisting the help of his teenage son, who fears leaving the pretty, young girl farm girl next door, Wilfred plots to murder his wife and take her land. As with most secrets, however, they refuse to stay buried for long. 1922 is classic King. Many of his stories involve relational strife—it’s easily the most common and deadly source of conflict. Director Zak Hilditch pulls performances out of his actors to show the malice that bubbles just underneath the surface of the struggle for power between Arlette and Wilfred. Neither are especially

Jigsaw Bodies are turning up around the city, each having met a uniquely gruesome demise. As the investigation proceeds, evidence points to John Kramer, the man known as Jigsaw, who has been dead for ten years. Directors: Michael Spierig & Peter Spierig Stars: Matt Passmore, Tobin Bell, Callum Keith Rennie

evil—their plans are simply at odds. Arlette has no cause expect the violence from the man she’s shared her life with. He does not seem violent. It’s just that each character is so intractable in their desires. There can be no middle ground. Wilfred, as was common in his time, sees Arlette as just another piece of this farm to manage. It allows him to distance himself from her, to see her as livestock rather than human. Henry is young and in love. That it leads to matter-of-fact discussions of murder in the privacy of a cornfield is terrifying. Arlette never had a chance. The isolation of the farm is as dangerous as the man that occupies it. Hilditch focuses on just how remote the farm is through dialogue and solid narrative choices. The isolation later becomes the enemy that ultimately defeats Wilfred and brings him to his terrifying conclusion. 1922 makes for another stellar entry into the club of Stephen King adaptations. It is well shot, well-paced, and well-acted. Given that King is one of the most prolific authors in the world, there are nearly endless stories to find. I look forward to the next gem.

Suburbicon A home invasion rattles a quiet family town. A noir, small crime thriller set in the 1950s, this film marks the return of George Clooney behind the camera for his first directing gig since 2014. Director: George Clooney Stars: Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Oscar Isaac, CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • THE PULSE • 27

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY ∙ ROB BREZSNY SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “You never sing the same song twice,” said chanteuse Billie Holiday. “If you sing it with all the same phrasing and melody, you’re failing your art.” That’s an extreme statement, but I understand what she was driving at. Repeating yourself too much can be debilitating. That includes trying to draw inspiration from the same old sources that have worked in the past. I suggest you avoid this behavior in the coming days. Raise Holiday’s approach to a universal principle. Fresh sources of inspiration are available! Halloween costume suggestion: a persona or character unlike any you’ve ever imagined yourself to be. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): How can you enjoy the lavish thrills of rebirth later unless you die a little inside now? It’s the trickiest phase of your cycle, when your energies are best used to resolve and graduate from the unfinished business of the last ten months. I suggest that you put the past to rest as best as you can. Don your funniest sad face and pay your last respects to the old ways and old days you’ll soon be leaving behind. Keep in mind that beauty will ultimately emerge from decay. Halloween costume suggestion: the mythical phoenix, which burns itself down, then resurrects itself from its own ashes. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): There are no such things as magic healings and miraculous redemptions and impossible breakthroughs. Right? Hard evidence provided by science precludes the existence of exotic help coming from spiritual realms. Right? Well, no. Not right. There is in fact another real world that overlaps the material world, and it operates according to different laws that are mostly imperceptible to our senses. But events in the other real world can have tangible effects in the material world. This is especially true for you right now. Take advantage! Seek practical answers and solutions in your dreams, meditations, visions, and numinous encounters. Halloween costume suggestion: white-magic sorcerer or good witch. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Many years from now, in your last hours on earth, you will have visions that show you how all the events in your life were crucial to your life story. You will understand the lesson that was provided by each twist and turn of your destiny. Every piece of the gigantic puzzle will slip into place, revealing the truth of what your mission has been. And during that future climax, you may remember right now as a time when you got a long glimpse of the totality. Halloween costume suggestion: the happiest person on Earth; the sovereign of all you survey; the wise fool who understands yourself completely.

28 • THE PULSE • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You might be able to pass for normal, but it will be better for your relationship with yourself if you don’t. You could try to tamp down your unusual urges and smooth your rough edges, but it will be smarter to regard those urges and edges as fertile raw material for your future happiness. Catch my drift? In the coming weeks, your main loyalty should be to your idiosyncratic intelligence. Halloween costume suggestion: the beautiful, interesting monster who lives in you. ARIES (March 21-April 19): I share Vincent Van Gogh’s belief that “the best way to know life is to love many things.” But I also think that the next twelve months will be an inspiring time for you to be focused and single-minded in your involvement with love. That’s why I encourage you to take an approach articulated by the Russian mystic Anne Sophie Swetchine: “To love deeply in one direction makes us more loving in all others.” Halloween costume suggestion: a lover celebrating a sacred union to the love of your life, to God or Goddess, or to a symbol of your most sublime ideal. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “Yes, We Have No Bananas” is a silly novelty song that became a big hit in 1923. Its absurdity led to its wide use for humorous effect. For example, on the kids’ TV series The Muppet Show, puppets made out of fruits and vegetables sang parodies of the tune. That’s why I find it droll that the “No Bananas” songwriters stole part of the melody from the “Hallelujah Chorus,” the climax of classical composer George Handel’s religious oratorio Messiah. I’d love to see you engage in comparable transmutations, Taurus: making serious things amusing and vice versa. It’s a time when you can generate meaningful fun and playful progress through the art of reversal. Halloween costume suggestion: a tourist from Opposite Land or Bizarro World. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In the next two weeks, you may have to navigate your way through careless gossip, distorted “facts,” superficial theories, hidden agendas, fake news, and official disinformation. To prevent problems in communication with people who matter, take advantage of the Halloween spirit in this way: Obtain a bicycle helmet and cover it with aluminum foil. Decorate it with an Ace of Clubs, a red rose, images of wrathful but benevolent superheroes, and a sign that says “No Bullshit Allowed.” By wearing this crown, you should remain protected. If that’s too weird for you, do the next best thing: Vow to speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and ask to receive the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Watch out for a fake pizza-delivery driver who’s actually trying to issue you a legal summons. Be careful you don’t glimpse a blood red sky at dusk, in case it’s a prophetic sign that your cell phone will fall into a toilet sometime soon. Beware of the possibility that a large bird carrying a turtle to its nest accidentally drops its prey into a rain puddle near you, splashing mud on your fancy clothes. JUST KIDDING! All the scenarios I just described are stupid lies. The truth is, this should be one of the most worry-free times ever. You’re welcome, of course, to dream up a host of scary fantasies if you find that entertaining, but I guarantee that they’ll be illusory. Halloween costume suggestion: an indomitable warrior. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): What is the material object you want most but don’t have? This is an object that would serve your soul’s highest purposes, although not necessarily your ego’s. Here’s another question: What evocative symbol might help keep you inspired to fulfill your dreams over the course of the next five years? I suggest that you choose one or both of those things to be the inspiration for your Halloween costume. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Did you get a chance to go to circus school when you were a kid? How about magic school? Or maybe detective school or time-travel school or superhero school? Probably none of the above, right? Much of your education revolved around what you HAD to learn rather than what would be fun to learn. I’m not saying it was bad you were compelled to study subjects you felt ambivalent about. In the long run, it did you good. But now here’s some sweet news, Virgo: The next ten months will be a favorable time to get trainings and teachings in what you YEARN to learn. Halloween costume suggestion: a student. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Now is an excellent phase in your cycle to scour bathrooms, scrub floors, shampoo carpets, and wash windows. But the imminent future will be an even more favorable period to purify your motivations, tonify your emotions, purge your less-than-noble agendas, calm down your monkey mind and monkey heart, disinfect the moldy parts of your past, and fact-check the stories you tell about yourself. So which set of tasks should you focus on? It may be possible to make great strides on the second set as you carry out the first set. But if there’s not enough time and energy to do both, favor the second set. Halloween costume suggestion: a superhero who has wondrous cleaning powers; King Janitor or Queen Maid.

JONESIN' CROSSWORD ∙ MATT JONES

“And?”—people in conjunction. ACROSS 1 Honolulu’s island 5 One dimension of three 11 Late Playboy founder, familiarly 14 Closing ___ (surrounding) 15 Escapee’s shout 16 Dir. of this entry 17 Musician Wainwright fully understandable? 19 Greek letter after pi 20 Cozy reading corner 21 Schadenfreude, for one 23 Streamed service, often 25 Actor Quinn in the act of helping? 27 Totals (up) 28 Covetous feeling 29 Peat ingredient 30 Also 31 Former U.N. secretary general Kofi ___ Annan (because “___girl” is so cliche) 32 Bambi’s mother, e.g.

34 Baseball’s Dwight prepared? 38 Big T-shirt sizes, for short 39 Hit the horn 40 Fuel economy org. 43 Potent opener? 46 Start up a computer 47 Self-involved 48 Composer Franz Joseph’s search? 51 Rick’s TV grandson 52 Anybody 53 Some pet hotel visitors 54 Frost in the air 55 CEO Buffett’s time of quiet? 60 Oar wood 61 At least 62 Hunchback of horror films 63 Some ice cream containers, for short 64 Thelonious Monk’s “Well You ___” 65 “Can’t say I’ve seen it” DOWN 1 Canola, for one 2 “I’ll take that

as ___” 3 Elvis classic of 1956 4 Nullifies 5 Clickable text 6 Letters associated with Einstein 7 Org. with Lions and Jaguars 8 Covetous 9 First side of a scoreboard, generically 10 Everglades wader 11 Manufacturer of Gummi Bears 12 Repeats 13 Outward appearances 18 “Hollywood Squares” win, perhaps 22 Made docile 23 Distillery tank 24 Altar reply, traditionally 25 Poker pot part 26 Sir Walter Scott novel 28 Approx. takeoff hrs. 31 They’re retiring AIM at the end of 2017 32 Body shop

removal 33 Charter ___ (tree on Connecticut’s state quarter) 35 Nitrous ___ 36 Piece for Magnus Carlsen 37 Way in the past 41 Poe’s “The ___ and the Pendulum” 42 By ___ means necessary 43 Response to an impressive put-down 44 Little Red Book follower 45 Oreads, naiads, etc. 46 “Cold one, over here” 47 Elect 49 From ___ (henceforth) 50 Drum kit drum 51 Treasure hunter’s assistance 53 Online tech news resource 56 Fishing pole 57 Directional ending 58 Police officer 59 Before, in old poems

Copyright © 2017 Jonesin’ Crosswords. For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents perminute. Must be 18+ to call. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Reference puzzle No. 855 CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • THE PULSE • 29

COLUMN ∙ ON THE BEAT

April Fool’s Day, October Style Officer Alex and the adventures of “Mister Funny Man”

Alex Teach

Pulse columnist

HE SUN WAS DIRECTLY OVERhead and casting shadows of barren tree branches across the path of the sidewalk I was walking on beside a local mall, and I could swear for just a second that I saw a vapor trail of my own breath upon exhaling. The days were getting colder sooner than normal, and it made me sad. While I do not fare well in conditions of extreme heat, I certainly do not thrive any better than a wood beetle in extreme cold. I went down a mental checklist of where my gloves and winter face mask were (think of a disconnected turtle neck I could pull above my nose) in the cavernous trunk of my venerable Crown Vic for future reference when I heard muffled footsteps behind me, and the slightest bump to the butt of my gun as I instinctively pulled my elbow over it to protect it. What the hell? “I touched your gun,” someone said almost casually at that same instant, now at a dead-run beside me. “Mother of God,” I said in response… and then began to run as well, bait swallowed whole. It was daytime. It was cold. I was running. And some nimrod had just randomly touched my pistol after sneaking up behind me. EVERY one of those things was wrong, as wrong as thinking your stepsister has a blouse full of goodies or accidentally shooting your neighbor’s cat, yet it was all going down like a Clinton financial partner and

I knew it as I was doing so, while completely unable to stop myself. This was transpiring years before my career would involve a shirt, tie and shoulder holster so I had that much going for me, but I still preferred to check the mailbox using a car instead of my feet. Everyone knew this. I wasn’t as fast but I had instantaneous fury on my side and it made us closer to even in speed, though it was clear I’d never make up the distance between us. What looked like a “he” rounded the corner of a concrete wall that housed a dumpster up ahead, and just as I came around it also I saw the open door to a utility hallway inside the mall and what appeared to be the silhouette of a man or woman that was about to have my hands placed upon them with fierce determination and considerable focus. The hallways that run between and behind storefronts in a mall are convoluted to say the least, and run at inconsistent lengths and angles that prevent direct line of sight for very long, but they carry sound extremely well. I could hear the now-audible sounds of their feet, and they could hear my intentionally guttural sounds of rage—think Jack Torrance from the maze scene at the end of The Shining—a psychological trick I was rarely too ashamed to use. This hallway finally ran out into a larger maintenance corridor lined with concrete block and large

30 • THE PULSE • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

“I touched your gun,” someone said almost casually at that same instant, now at a dead-run beside me. “Mother of God,” I said in response. enough to accommodate two vehicles to pass one another, and my customer was heading towards the harshly lit bay door that would take us back outside…near a drainage culvert if I recalled correctly. This distance had been narrowed somewhat, but it was eliminated completely when Mr. Funny Man attempted to navigate said concrete sluiceway and tripped, face-forward, down into it instead. (I would have smiled had vomiting not been so near.) I came over the edge and willingly let gravity take me down upon his/her back, where he or she very successfully broke my fall.

My teeth were barred and my eyes narrowed as I began to roll them over, and I’ll be damned if they weren’t half smiling with blood covered teeth as they again repeated “I touched your gun,” followed by pain mixed laughter. It was Craig, from my academy class. Off duty. Always with the jokes, always with the pranks, even with a mouthful of blood he thought he was just the funniest guy in the world. (Everyone knew this.)

When officer Alexander D. Teach is not patrolling our fair city on the heels of the criminal element, he spends his spare time volunteering for the Boehm Birth Defects Center.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • OCTOBER 26, 2017 • THE PULSE • 31