Pick of the Week:

ACC Tennis Center Public Information Open House

The Athens-Clarke County Tennis Center Public Information Open House is being held for members of the community to have a chance to make comments on the proposed tennis center at Bishop Park. Community members are in an uproar about tearing up Bishop Park to build twice as many tennis courts there; they will have the opportunity to voice concerns at this meeting. ACC has four potential sites picked out for the tennis center, including Bishop Park, Satterfield Park, Southeast Clarke Park and the YWCO property. ACC Leisure Services likes Bishop Park for the best location however, because it would cost less money to expand the current tennis courts as opposed to building completely new facilities at other sites. Bishop Park also is a potential site because ACC already owns the land and would not have to change the layout much. Opponents against building the tennis center at Bishop Park include the Athens Farmers Market, which meets there every Saturday morning, and the locals who have many concerns about the center. The Athens Farmers Market attracts a couple thousand people each Saturday to the community-based open market, with local farmers, artisans and food vendors selling their wares at low prices. If the tennis center is built, it would displace the farmers market to an undetermined location. The local community is also worried about the noise and light pollution that might be produced from the center. Overflow parking would also be an issue during tournaments at Bishop Park since parking is so limited.

The meeting promises to be a good example of how the ACC Leisure Services and local community see each side, and how each want the issue to be resolved. If you are looking to get more involved in the community, this would be a great way to do it.

When: July 7, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Athens-Clarke County Planning Department Auditorium at 120 W. Dougherty St.

Price: Free

Contact: (706) 613-3625

Thursday, July 1

Events:

What: Blue Sky Anniversary Party and Cask

Where: Blue Sky

When: 8 p.m.

Price: TBD

Verdict: Blue Sky’s first birthday! Come celebrate the occasion with Belgian Style Scotch Ale and beer specials all night long out on the patio.

Contact: www.blueskyathens.com

What: Kamama

Where: ATHICA

When: 8:30 p.m.

Price: $6 suggested donation

Verdict: Audrey Chen on the cello and Luca Marini on percussion wow audiences with voice and analog experiences.

Contact: www.athica.org

What: Open Casting Call

Where: no location specified

When: July 1 and 2

Price: Free

Verdict: Low-budget feature film looking for two talented male actors ages 18-30. Must be able to travel to Taiwan for 3-4 weeks in August.

Contact: taiwanoyster@gmail.com

Live Music

What: The Art of the Steal

Where: Ciné Barcafe

When: 6:30 p.m.

Price: $65

Verdict: Dinner and a movie night hosted by the Collectors of the Georgia Museum of Art. A viewing of Don Argott’s documentary follows a catered dinner from The National. Argott’s documentary features the controversy around the Barnes Foundation art collection, which is valued at more than $25 billion.

Contact: (706) 542-0437

What: The Solstice Sisters

Where: DePalma’s Italian Cafe on Timothy Road

When: 6-8:30 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Maggie Hunter, Susan Staley and Anna Durden perform a wide variety of ’40s swing, traditional folk and old-time country ballads.

Contact: (706) 552-1237

What: Timi Conley for “Live After Five”

Where: Hotel Indigo

When: 6-8 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Conley plays feature tracks from his solo record, entitled “Nerd Sexy.”

Contact: www.athensdowntownhotel.com

What: Eric Lindell

Where: The Melting Point

When: 8:30 p.m.

Price: $10 advance, $15 door

Verdict: Lindell blends rock, blues and R&B together with a healthy dose of soul.

Contact: www.meltingpointathens.com

What: The Malah and Zoogma

Where: New Earth Music Hall

When: 9 p.m.

Price: $7

Verdict: South Carolina psychedelic trio The Malah teams up with Mississippi electro-funk-rock group Zoogma to jam the night away.

Contact: www.newearthmusichall.com

What: Battle of the Bands

Where: Last Call

When: 10 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Come down and support your favorite local rock bands in this musical showdown!

Contact: www.lastcallathens.com

What: Dave Spivey and Ben Wills

Where: The Globe

When: 10 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: The two singers swap songs in this joint set.

Contact: (706) 353-4721

Friday, July 2

Events:

What: First Friday’s in the Garden

Where: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

When: 9-10:20 a.m.

Price: $10

Verdict: The garden staff hosts a casual breakfast and tour for anyone wondering about the garden and its staffers.

Contact: www.uga.edu/botgarden

What: Courteous Mass: Protect Bishop Park Ride

Where: Start at City Hall

When: 6 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Leisurely bike ride through Athens to demonstrate the utility and safety of bicycles.

Contact: www.bikeathens.com

What: Drinking Liberally

Where: Little Kings Shuffle Club

When: 6:30 p.m.

Price: TBD

Verdict: Left-leaning political talk for anyone who wants to join. First and third Fridays of every month.

Contact: athens@drinkingliberally.org

What: The Great American Dawg Jump

Where: The Oconee Veterans Memorial, 3500 Hog Mountain Road

When: Two-day event

Price: TBD

What: Red, White and Blue Poolside Bash

Where: Polo Club of Athens

When: TBD

Price: TBD

Verdict: Marinara wrestling, bikini contests and a flip competition hosted by Last Call, Johnny’s Pizza and Monster Energy Drink celebrates the day before our country’s Independence Day.

Contact: www.lastcallathens.com

Live Music:

What: Athens, Guff, Tealvox, Thunderchief

Where: 40 Watt Club

When: 9 p.m.

Price: $6

Verdict: Come see rock bands from around Athens, featuring a young group that plays classic rock, a punk quartet, an indie rock set and a West Coast punk sound.

Contact: www.40watt.com

What: Avery Dylan

Where: Alibi

When: 9 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Featuring songs from his upcoming album, “Broken Down,” Dylan’s blues continue to be soulful and aggressive with the added spice of complicated playing and behind-the-body tricks.

Contact: (706) 549-1010

What: Holman Autry Band

Where: The Melting Point

When: 9 p.m.

Price: $7 advance, $9 door

Verdict: If you like Southern sounds like The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd, you will love listening to the Holman Autry Band.

Contact: www.meltingpointathens.com

What: Los Meesfits, We Landed on the Moon

Where: Go Bar

When: 10 p.m.

Price: TBD

Verdict: Los Meesfits performs The Misfit covers done in a spice salsa style, while We Landed on the Moon plays fast-paced and fun rock that’s driven by synth.

Contact: www.myspace.com/gobar

What: Battle of the Bands

Where: Last Call

When: 10 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: A different lineup tonight, with bands featuring Greedy White Citizens, Albatross and Just Peachy on the battle front.

Contact: www.lastcallathens.com

What: Quiet Hooves, Sugar Dicks

Where: Farm 255

When: 11 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Idiosyncratic pop meets powerful, raw rock and roll in an intense night of music at Farm 255. The Sugar Dicks are putting up their last show for a while due to half the band moving to Portland. Come and see them while they are still here!

Contact: www.farm255.com

Saturday, July 3

Events:

What: Adoption Day

Where: Pet Supplies Plus

When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Price: Free to look, adoption prices may apply

Verdict: Feeling like giving an adorable pet a new home? Local animal shelters bring their animals out for people to adopt.

Contact: (706) 353-0650

What: “Get to Know Your Parks” Tour

Where: Various

When: 9 and 11:30 a.m.

Price: $1

Verdict: Departing from Lay Park, this week’s tour, “Come Out and Play,” celebrates the green space and park trails. Call to reserve your space.

Contact: (706) 613-3580

What: Figure Photography Open Studio

Where: Fringe Collective Artistic Studios

When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Price: $30

Verdict: Teaching skills for photographing figures in a studio environment, lighting equipment included.

Contact: (706) 540-2727

What: Saturday Strolls at Harris Shoals

Where: Harris Shoals Park

When: 9-10 a.m.

Price: $5 adults, free 18 and under

Verdict: This week’s walk is led by local artists Bill Pierson and Robert Clements, giving tips for sketching nature scenes. Bring a sketch pad and pencil for the instruction.

Contact: (706) 353-8310, ppriest@charter.net

What: Naturalist Walk

Where: Sandy Creek Nature Center

When: 10-11 a.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Bring a camera or binoculars for a walk around the nature center with the SCNC staff. Open to all ages and walks of life.

Contact: (706) 613-3615

Live Music:

What: Classic City Band

Where: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

When: Free

Price: 3-4 p.m.

Verdict: Fourth of July annual concert in the visitor center and conservatory.

Contact: (706) 542-6156

What: Dead City Diary

Where: Terrapin Beer Co.

When: 5 p.m.

Price: TBD

Verdict: Birmingham hard rock duet

Contact: www.terrapinbeer.com

What: Abbey Road Live!

Where: Ashford Manor

When: 6 p.m.

Price: $15 adults, $5 child

Verdict: This local group plays Beatles covers and the entirety of “Abbey Road Live” and is back for an Ashford Manor performance. They won the 2010 Flagpole Athens Music Award for best cover band and are a fantastic show for Beatles fans all around.

Contact: www.amconcerts.com

What: The Mill Creek Pickers, The Music Smiths

Where: Bishop Park

When: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Performing for the Athens Farmers Market

Contact: www.athensfarmersmarket.net

What: “Classic City 4th of July American Music Festival”

Where: The Melting Point

When: 2 p.m.

Price: $15 advance, $20 door

Verdict: Betsy Franck and the Bare Knuckle Band, BlueBilly Grit, Cherryholmes, Driftwood, Exception of the Rule, Highway and Art Rosenbaum is the lineup for this Independence Day celebration.

Contact: www.meltingpointathens.com

Sunday, July 4

Events:

What: Star Spangled Classic

Where: Bishop Park

When: 6 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Dunking booths, face painting, inflatables, live music, BBQ and hot dogs for your Fourth of July entertainment, followed by fireworks at 9:30. No pets, smoking, alcohol, or grills please.

Contact: (706) 613-3589

What: Clay Classes

Where: Good Dirt

When: 2-4 p.m.

Price:$20

Verdict: Weekly clay classes

Contact: www.gooddirt.net

What: Open Paper Arts

Where: Madison County Library

When: 2-6 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Come have fun making paper crafts every Sunday!

Contact: (706) 795-5597

What: Emotions Anonymous

Where: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens

When: 4-5 p.m.

Price: TBD

Verdict: 12-step program open to anyone who wants to become well emotionally.

Contact: (706) 202-7463, www.emotionsanonymous.org

Live Music:

What: The Incredible Sandwich, Moses Gunn

Where: Homewood Village Shopping Center, 2415 Jefferson Road

When: 6-9 p.m.

Price: $3

Verdict: Instrumental jam band and old country with a new feel entertains the Homewood Village Shopping Center. The Incredible Sandwich recently won the 2010 Flagpole Athens Music Award for best jam band.

Monday, July 5

Live Music:

What: Jazz Jam Session

Where: Ciné Barcafe

When: 6 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Sonny Got Blue host the weekly jam session at Cine Barcafe.

Contact: www.athenscine.com

What: Raw Ass Temple

Where: Flicker Theatre & Bar

When: 8:30 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Derek Almstead and Heather McIntosh

Contact: www.myspace.com/flickerbar

What: Ping Pong

Where: Flicker Theatre & Bar

When: 4-8 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Table tennis every Monday at Flicker Theatre & Bar

Contact: www.myspace.com/flickerbar

What: Rock and Roll Trivia

Where: Little Kings Shuffle Club

When:8 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Rock and roll buffs should get a team together and come pit your knowledge against other teams in this weekly trivia game.

Contact: www.myspace.com/littlekigsshuffleclub

Tuesday, July 6

Live Music:

What: The Humms, Vincas, Woven Bones

Where: Caledonia Lounge

When: 10 p.m.

Price: $6 for 21 and up, $8 for 18 and up

Verdict: The Humms is a local act described at the “Happy Hippie Horror Rock,” followed by Vincas and energetic garage punk band, and closed by the Woven Bones, who play garage rock sure to please, and Dum Dum Girls and Reading Rainbow.

Contact: www.caledonialounge.com

What: Qurious, Thick Paint, Zona Mexicana

Where: Farm 255

When: 11 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Spacy soundscapes meets a combination of math-rock and basement-party hardcore.

Contact: www.farm255.com

What: American Cheeseburger, Damnesia, Mutilation Rites

Where: Go Bar

When: 10 p.m.

Price: TBD

Verdict: Aggressive old-school thrash rock, plus an intense demonic hardcore and a black metal/grind make for a loud hardcore evening of entertaining.

Contact: www.farm255.com

What: The Peter Pancakes, Tumbleweed Stampede Lite

Where: Little Kings Shuffle Club

When: 4-7 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Upbeat acoustic guitar meets upright bass and a Rhodes piano for Peter Pancakes’ performance while Tumbleweed Stampede Lite use energetic dance-jam-folk music to entertain audiences.

Contact: www.athensfarmersmarket.com

Wednesday, July 7

Events:

What: Canine Cocktail Hour

Where: Hotel Indigo

When: 5-7 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Bring your dog every Wednesday to Phi Bar & Bistro Courtyard for drink and food specials! This week: salty dogs and greyhounds.

Contact: www.athensdowntownhotel.com

What: GMOA Summer Film Series

Where: Lamar Dodd School of Art

When: 7 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: “Avant-Garde Short Films of the 20th Century” includes the screening of seven films directed by various artists.

Contact: www.uga.edu/gamuseum

What: Bawling Comedy Showcase

Where: Last Call

When: 8:30-10:30 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Local comics perform, hosted by Joe Pettis.

Contact: www.lastcallathens.com

Live Music:

What: Singer Songwriter Showcase

Where: Flicker Theatre & Bar

When: Midnight

Price: Free

Verdict: Multiple talented artists perform their own work

Contact: www.myspace.com/flickerbar

What: Vernaculus Duet

Where: Terrapin Beer Co

When: 5 p.m.

Price: TBD

Verdict: Latin folk and contemporary musical sounds from a violin, classical guitar and mandolin.

Contact: www.terrapinbeer.com

Meetings:

What: ACC Tennis Center Informational Meeting

Where: ACC Planning Department

When: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Verdict: Public open house to discuss the master plan and an alternate plan for the proposed tennis center at Bishop Park.

Contact: (706) 613-3625

What: We Are Athens Discussion Group

Where: Ciné Barcafe

When: 6:30-8 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Explore environmental, neighborhood, civic and sustainability issues in this quarterly meeting. Currently reading “The Better World Handbook” by Ellis Jones, Ross Haenfler and Brett Johnson.

Contact: avid.athens@gmail.com

What: Sitting Meditation Group

Where: Mind Body Institute

When: 1 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Silent meditation every Wednesday

Contact: (706) 475-7329

What: Immigrant Rights Rally

Where: UGA Arch

When: 5:30-7 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: Fighting for immigrant rights, Uni2 encourages people to join them at the arch every Wednesday thru July.

Contact: (928) 814-3377

What: 6X6: “Mystery”

Where: Ciné Barcafe

When: 7-8 p.m.

Price: Free

Verdict: The fifth out of six media arts events featuring video, sound and performance art in the Ciné lab.

Contact: proinm.10@gmail.com