Annual Opelika Songwriters Festival showcases top musical talents and the good times to be had in the sleepy railroad town. By Frank Etheridge Downtown Opelika sure is a sweet lil’ bubble to be in. Bordered by two bridges and bisected by railroad tracks, the charming historic corridor dates back further than the town itself, as the Montgomery and West Point Railway Co. line arrived in 1848 — six years before Opelika (the Muscogee term for…
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At the Do Good Fund, March 15-17 By Natalie Downey Sometimes the inspiration for art is divine. For reverend-turned-artist Howard Finster, the calling to create was unmistakable. Alabama native Howard Finster experienced supernatural visions as a young child which continued into adulthood. Inspired by his faith, he became a minister passionate about sharing the message of God’s love. Although he had created art throughout his life, it wasn’t until the 70’s that Finster received a…
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Local Film Needs You! By Paul Rowe As highlighted in the Annual Slate (see January’s edition), local filmmaking is experiencing significant growth. This year, a surge of films are in development in our area, and to transform this into a true cinematic tsunami, we need support, creativity, and ingenuity to bring our productions to life and grow a rich and sustainable industry. Below, you’ll find insider-info on the key challenges our local filmmakers face —…
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What happened to live music? By Miguel Juarez I don’t like to romanticize “The Good Old Days” because I firmly believe the world we are building is better every day than what it used to be. If that’s not the case, it is us who are failing. Just like every generation before us, it is our responsibility to pick up what we were given and run with it as far as we can. I was…
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By Frank Etheridge Talk about a glorious full-circle moment. When the raucous, untamed spirit of Ma Rainey takes the same Springer stage where the “Mother of the Blues” first performed 125 years ago at age 14, she rightfully returns as a now-iconic genius finally given her due. While Columbus native Gertrude Pridget (1886-1939) has long enjoyed critical acclaim, it wasn’t until America’s Cultural Reckoning of recent years, which allowed for new voices such as Black…
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The savory smell of pizza wafts across Columbus as a local favorite returns. By Natalie Downey Deorio’s restaurant has been Columbus’ family-friendly pizza joint for decades, a welcoming spot which, for many, became a regular part of their lives. When its doors closed in 2017, the community was dismayed to lose not only one of its favorite pizza places, but also the smiling faces of Deorio’s owners and staff who were, many say, like family….
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Your Journey to a Wonderland of Good Tastes Awaits By Natalie Downey Tucked into a lush valley, surrounded by vineyards and some of the oldest pecan trees in Georgia, Nutwood Winery nestles quietly into its home spot in LaGrange. Georgia is known for many things, but wineries aren’t typically one of them. Owners Neil and Trish Liechty say the idea to open a winery came about while they were sitting on their porch. “Neil was…
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Uptown’s Fall Food Truck Festival serves up the goods, raises funds for vital community programs. By Frank Etheridge Over the last couple of decades, Uptown Columbus has transformed from a no-options food desert into a blooming onion of a mecca for foodies. This delicious change comes in large part due to the diligent efforts of the nonprofit entity Uptown, Inc. that not only champions the people and places inside this historic, yet vibrant, downtown corridor…
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Brings More to Community with New Shared Kitchen By Natalie Downey Small businesses bring a sense of ownership and belonging to a community. Purchasing from a neighbor’s business feels more personal than buying from a large corporation, and in supporting our local small business owners, we in turn support the community as a whole. But starting a small business comes with many challenges, and The Food Mill’s latest program seeks to help entrepreneurs through those…
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