THE MOVE: Arrest Breonna Taylor’s Killers
The (socially distant) shows must go on
The Move cannot recommend celebrations while police brutality continues to inflame and destroy families and communities — and Breonna Taylor’s murderers remain free. And nearly 200,000 Americans have died since March due to the coronavirus. We should all miss the days when we had to sleep with a stranger to get a virus.
We must, however, keep moving forward. The Move talked to some of our regular movers and shakers to discover not only how everyone is adjusting to the new life, but making the world better than it was.
Read on to lubricate the mind and learn about the dance clubs that are feeding doses of safe energies to the public, the restaurant owners n’ do-gooders who’ve survived beyond one stimulus check (signed Donald), and those making sure the safety of Black lives isn’t just a trend in 2020.
Speaking of which, if you have disposable income, and haven’t been donating to organizations workjing with Black, Indigenous, people of color — it’s 2020! Get creative with your donations, ask friends to chip in, maybe even sell your blood diamonds.
Disclaimer: Cancelations due to the urgent response of Black Lives Matter protests or coronavirus pandemic outbreaks highly possible, please confirm events online.
The Move’s visual artist to follow — George Baker III
Lucky us, this artist (@GFB3 on Insta.) has stayed busy in 2020. Baker just finished the mural dripping down the front of the new Slutty Vegan location on Edgewood Avenue. Just before that, he was part of Dashboard’s recent exhibit, “In Light,” “an open air art exhibit exploring themes of connection in times of uncertainty.” But we’re most excited about the massive BLM mural now living in front of Decatur High.
“We had over 500 community members volunteer with us to paint every last square inch of this piece, and, to be honest, I was amazed by the willingness to help. The stories I heard, the tears I’ve seen from my peers, and the smiling faces of the everyday people is definitely something I’ll take with me forever. Every push of this boulder up the hill towards a new day helps us get there. We don’t know what will cause the spark, but we must continue to start as many fires as possible.” — George Baker III
Hiring!
Earn cash and be a model citizen. Get paid to work the polls in November. There aren’t enough poll workers bc of COVID-19. Secure your paid position now, and let Granny stay safe at home.
“The Fulton County Elections Office is seeking highly motivated dependable individuals to work from 6:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. (9:30 p.m. for City of Atlanta General Election) on Election Day.” — https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/
Southern Fried Queer Pride
SFQP receives recurring mentions in The Move — for far too many more reasons than will fit in this box — proving why you should fund a black-owned queer community space: When the queers win, everyone benefits. Creative inspiration usually starts in queer communities. Black drag queens invented camp and, therefore, all we hold holy. Southern Fried Queer Pride has been bringing the love for years and is finally close to having a physical location — with the help of your donations. A space much needed with indie, DIY favs like The Bakery and Mammal Gallery, no longer options.
SFQP gives direct access to social, human, and financial capital to communities who have been systematically denied these resources, and they curate immersive and intentional user-center programming, as well as incubate accessible and robust leadership for emerging artists and leaders in the South.
Straight as an arrow? Have no fear. SFQP’s new place will be a safe space for all to enjoy, learn, and gain inspo. Keep the deep-fried liberation alive by becoming a monthly donor. Donation amt is pay what you can, a established theme in SFQP’s mission.
Wussy Mag’s virtual telethons have been raising cash for queer artists since the early days of COVID outbreaks with their “Big Ass Telethon to End Metronormativity” streaming on Twitch.tv. “So far, we have raised over $15k in mutual aid, 100% of which has gone directly into the pockets of rural Queer artists, performers, and collectives.” — Jon Dean, Wussy Mag creator.
The content doesn’t stop there. Wussy Mag is producing a new online series, “Southern Black Trans Lives Matter,” with moderators Taylor Alxndr of Southern Fried Queer Pride; Jesse Pratt López, founder of the Homeless Black Trans women fund; and Cortez Wright from the Southern Center for Human Rights. In this episode, the panel discusses what it looks like to begin to see long-term partners engaged in the liberation of their work for trans folks in Atlanta.
Dad’s Garage
If you’re a reggae — that means a regular MOVE reader — y’all already kno she loves her some IRL LOLs at Dad’s Garage. Old normal: Gather at an abandoned church turned Dad’s Garage comedy club, watch for a few hours, laugh, cry, go home. New normal: The show must go on(line) streaming via Twitch, meaning you don’t have to leave your bed, couch, or even golden throne. (gross, tho).
“(Dad’s Garage) founded in the summer of 1995 by a group of wacky college kids who wanted to make theater they couldn’t see anywhere else. Since then, we’ve grown to a large, professional (-ish) organization of entertainers, designers, and administrators.” — Dad’s Garage.
If minor snickers just aren’t cutting it anymore, and you’re depressed AF, Dad’s Garage Twitch account streams on the reg and offers a subscription for $4.99/mo, not required, just a cool way to support the most funniest! nonprofit in ATL. Don’t turn to the The Move for tax advice, but maybe it’s a write-off seeing as Dad’s is a not-for-profit?
Save Our Stages!
The Move caught up with local mega promoter Josh Antenucci of Rival Entertainment to ask about the future of our venues, now empty due to the virus.
“There were a lot of independent venues and promoters that were screwed with nowhere to turn for help. The common bond of the severity of our situation was unifying, and, led by a handful of badasses with extra time on their hands and their livelihoods at stake, NIVA (National Independent Venue Association) was born.” — Josh Antenucci
What can folx at home do to help?
“Go to www.SaveOurStages.com and keep the messages flowing. Even better, call or email your senators and let them know how live music plays a role in your life, your job, and of course, your spending in Georgia,” Antenucci continues. “They need to understand that for every $1 spent at a music venue, $12 more is spent at restaurants, bars, hotels, and retail in the area. Live music is an economic multiplier, and if we go down, the whole block might, too.”
Atlanta would be thanking Rival Entertainment for bringing Phish to Piedmont Park for two nights, Candler Park Fest, and 400+ shows at Center Stage/The Loft/Vinyl this year if it weren’t for COVID-19. It only took seeing his first concert, Run DMC, and the Beastie Boys’ Together Forever Tour in 1987, for Antenucci to kick off a career now responsible for producing shows well into the five figures (his estimate). The least we can do is email and call our elected officials to make sure we get the possibility of thousands more.
The Groove ATL
Keeping our energies up!
One of ATL’s longest-running, favorite parties, The Groove, hasn’t slowed down in 2020. DJ Wally Sparks and Xavier Blk are still supplying good vibes weekly and virtually on Twitch.tv. House music is best enjoyed with others and its magic makes folx gravitate towards each other. Since we can’t absorb each other’s energies in public, take to the screen, connect to a Bluetooth, or pop in your ear buds and simply groove inside — until the china shakes.
“We’ll be hosting our event @thegrooveatl Thursday Sept. 5, Friday, Oct. 30, and Friday, Nov. 27, on @clubhouse_global. They’re one of the leading live-streaming platforms that have surfaced over the course of the past few months … This is the first time they’ll be featuring an ATL-based party ❤️.” — Xavier Blk
Rumor has it, there will be a game-show element coming to these grooves.
Follow @thegrooveATL on Instagram or Twitter for updated info.
Free99Fridge
Step up and join the do-gooders
The Free99Fridge project was started on July 19, 2020 with a simple mission. “Eating healthy, daily meals shouldn’t be a privilege,” founder Latisha Springer states. This is a mutual aid initiative that is working to establish fridges with pantries all over the greater Atlanta area, open 24/7 and offering free healthy food access, powered by the people.
According to a 2010 USDA study, there are approximately 133 billion pounds and $161 billion worth of food wasted a year. But in ATL, Free99Fridge will lower those numbers by dropping refrigerators in East Lake, West End, Ormewood Park, Reynoldstown, Edgewood, Kirkwood, and the Buford Highway area over the next several months. The West End location was already launched at Best End Brewing (1036 White Street SW) on Friday, August 28.
“Since creating our Instagram (@free99fridge) in mid-July,” Springer says, “we’ve been able to source eight fridges and have started the long process of getting them placed around Atlanta. As this is a large undertaking, we’ve been relying on the support of our neighbors and volunteers through the donations of money, fridges, building materials, and more, to help us build up community — one fridge at a time. Without them, NONE of this would have been possible!”
Ecstatic Dance
Remember, nothing is set in stone in 2020, but Ecstatic Dance has been popping up in Candler Park, yes as in real life, when the rain lets up, which it hasn’t. An OG reg on The Move, ED is a place to throw your body around and let it follow the music before your mind catches up. It sounds freeing, bc it is.
We approve this event bc there is plenty of space to move around more than six feet from one another. Legally, masks can’t be required, but without one you shall be mask-shamed by a bunch of noodling hippies. Come as you are, leave ecstatic. Sobriety is not required, but it will help the good vibes seep into your pores more easily.
Check in with Ecstatic Dance Facebook page and DJ Scott Houston for updates.
Electric Hospitality
Keeping us fed
Whenever The Move is to Golden Eagle again, ask to sit in Jay’s section. A member of the opening team in 2017, we’ll let him tell you why he’s stayed with Golden Eagle, although the doors have been closed since March 2020.
“At the beginning of the quarantine, Electric Hospitality (the restaurant group that is Golden Eagle, Muchacho, and Ladybird) stayed in close contact with all the employees to make sure we all had access to food and toiletries.
“This went on for a few months, but after everyone got on UI, they expanded into preparing meals for other members of the service industry outside of the restaurant group, and started the nonprofit ATL FAMILY MEAL.
“They do meal deliveries to food insecure members of the service industry, especially folks who are ineligible for UI benefits. For the first few months EH management would personally call each employee to see how we were doing as far as food — and emotionally.” — Jay Norris, server, Golden Eagle.
ATL Family Meal had donated more than 75K meals to hungry hospitality workers. They kept their doors closed and staff safe. Not every restaurant has the financial ability to do so, but if you do, and you haven’t, BYEEEEEEEEEE.
Mike + Keke Present:
UPDATE: RIP Music Room. The heartbeat of Atlanta nightlife will not be reopening.
Our friends at SOS (Music Room, SPKEZ, Bonelick Southern Kitchen) were some of the first to adjust to the dawn of new life in 2020, closing their doors to the public, creating “SOS” pop-ups with dinner packages for bi-weekly pick up, and streaming live events from a now empty dance floor in the basement. Even when their windows were blasted out in the aftermath of Rayshard Brooks’ death, they didn’t blame those involved. “There was tension in the air, and rightly so. Our windows being shot out was something that we certainly did not want to happen, but we understand that sometimes things must get to a boiling point to make them heard. We heard. And we feel very strongly that there is nothing but positivity coming from the BLM movement, and we want to do everything that we can to support the Black artists, musicians and Black-owned businesses in our wonderful city. We consider ourselves part of the BLM movement. If we had to lose a few windows to let someone’s frustration finally be heard, well, then, so be it.” — Keiran Neely, co-owner Music Room, Edgewood SPKEZ, and SOS POP-UP KITCHEN.
Music Room has been running a livestream party every Saturday from 8-11 p.m. on Twitch to help raise funds to pay for the ongoing costs of the venue. Music Room, and life on Edgewood Avenue, inspired the “You’re Welcome” event newsletters that eventually became The Move. They clearly haven’t stopped inspiring.
Wednesday is a rotating fried chicken menu. Examples: General Tso’s, Nashville Hot, Miso-Brined Wasabi, Korean Fried Chicken. Price $22-28. Fridays, the menu is a rotating internationally-inspired family-style meal to-go. It’s always made from scratch and feeds two+. This is usually a clever, five-course, prix fixe menu that is as entertaining and playful as it is delicious. Examples are the International House of Dumplings (IHOD): a selection of dumplings inspired by classic plates from various countries, none of which are traditional dumplings, but English Fish and Chips Dumplings, or Indian Chicken Tikka Masala Dumplings; The Sitch: a playful take on a Szechuan feast, incorporating local ingredients; and Polylife: A Polynesian-inspired pupu platter, $39.99.
The menu usually sells out each day. To get on the list, email sospopupkitchen at gmail.com to order.
We can expect more changes from SOS. Seeing as “this COVID situation is not going away any time soon, (we) will be making a transition to Mike + Keke Present as more of a permanent change,” Neely tells The Move regarding the future. Ideas are being tossed around, but no definite plans for the location at 327 Edgewood Avenue have been made public.
Donate: paypal.me/musicroom/327 or CashApp $musicroom327
TipTop Proper Cocktails
If the above isn’t enough, and you still need a drink …
Life Hack: Leave the Bota Box behind bc y’all kno that box hides all your feelings — and how much wine you’re drinking. White Claw may look n’ taste like bubbly H20, but it’ll be claws out, lights out, waking up on a MARTA bus OTP … or so we’ve heard. Sidenote: MARTA is free right now!
In 2020, we’ve moved onto a more sophisticated, sanitary, and local way to get a buzz. Atlanta-raised, classy and trashy. Tip Top Cocktails are the balance The Move strives for in daily living. The recipes of bartender and James Beard finalist, Miles Macquarrie (Kimball House, Watchman’s Seafood & Spirits), live in a perfect pour can, weighing in at 100 ML, conveniently canned and TSA-legal, if you must fly rn.
Tip Top Proper Cocktails was founded by two lifelong friends and Atlanta OGs who came from the music industry: Yoni Reisman, who founded the Governor’s Ball Music Festival in New York, and Neal Cohen, previously marketing director for Superfly, co-producer of Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, and Comedy Central’s “Clusterfest.”
When asked how the coronavirus has affected this young business, co-owner Cohen opened up to The Move. “Considering we’re still under a year old, a lot has changed in the past year,” he says, “but certainly COVID-19 has had an impact on business. While people have been picking up Tip Top from liquor stores, we’ve been selling Tip Top as a to-go item at restaurants and hotels. All of the events, bars, and music venues are no longer operating, taking away both great places to sell our product and the best way to get the word out about a new beverage brand. Nonetheless, we keep growing, and have just introduced an eight-pack package, while expanding into Colorado and Texas in August. The pandemic has made canned cocktails an even bigger category. In that respect, we’ve received a lot of attention as a great solution to contactless beverage service needs and for people at home who don’t want to deal with mixing at the end of a long, demoralizing day.”
Tip Top isn’t just about class in a can. They recently participated in the Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice Bake Sale and sponsored the ATL Collective virtual performance of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On? where proceeds went to the Atlanta Music Project.
For ATL ITP, try Green’s, Tower, Elemental Spirits, Sun In My Belly, Little Five Points Package Store, My Friend’s Bottle Shop, SAVI Provisions, Citi Wine & Spirits, Decatur Package Store, and Toco Giant.
Locations
On the move? Here’s a playlist with all roots deep in Atlanta: Ocean Kelly, Hot Girl Jade, automobilia, Sound Culture, FUX, TWINS (That Which Is Not Said), Space Kadet, Pump Fake and Lady Clementine’s Fantastic Party. —CL—