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Nick Robertson/Connect Savannah

Coco Papy (left, at podium) of Deep Center addresses the Chatham County Commission on Feb. 26.

While Deep Center is best known for its Young Author Program and other literacy-boosting projects offered in 15 of Chatham’s public middle schools and two area high schools, the organization has continually expanded its scope of activities since its foundation, and in 2018 started pursuing policy advocacy and legislative change, according to Deep Center Director of Development and Communications Coco Papy.

“We believe the best in our young people, not just the things that are terrible around them,” Papy said while presenting Deep Center’s newest policy briefing, “Building a Restorative Community,” during the Chatham Commission’s Feb. 26 meeting. “We believe strongly that we cannot continue to honorably uphold our young people if we are not going to do all we could to challenge the policies and laws that created barriers for them and their families.”

According to Papy, Deep Center defines a restorative community as one with active investment in meaningful juvenile- and criminal-justice reform, a strong social safety net, and access to mental healthcare. While the “Building a Restorative Community” policy briefing first released in December has ten recommendations, during her presentation Papy focused on goals that are achievable at a county-government level.

Papy first encouraged the commissioners to declare Chatham County as a restorative community, and take action by establishing committees focused on restorative justice and examining alternatives to arresting low-level offenders. Papy also called for better data-collection collaboration between the Chatham County Police Department and the Savannah Police Department, while making this information directly available to the public.

“Data is the key for us measuring what our metrics look like, where our successes are and where our gaps continue to be,” Papy said.

“We believe the best in our young people, not just the things that are terrible around them.”

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“In effect, cash bail often criminalizes poverty, as people who are unable to afford even the most simple bail are detained while they await trial, for weeks, sometimes months, often days,” Papy said. “Doing away with cash bail for low-level, nonviolent misdemeanors would reduce unnecessary stays in our jail.”

Other recommendations conveyed to the commissioners were decriminalizing local misdemeanors like possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, establishing an external crisis team to aid law enforcement, and developing incentives to attract more mental-healthcare workers who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color to Chatham County.

Following Papy’s presentation, some commissioners lauded the efforts of Deep Center.

“I have seen the changes with the Deep Center and the children that you work with. They are totally amazing,” said Commissioner Tanya Milton.

Visit deepcenter.org/news to view the entire “Building a Restorative Community” policy briefing.

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Pfc. Summermadeleine Keiser

Pfc. Precious Harris, a fire control specialist with the fire control element of 3rd Infantry Division Artillery, on Fort Stewart.

Today, African Americans make up about 19% of the total Army, and serve at every level of military leadership. Many of them come from a long legacy of Army service.

The strength of the Army’s formations is built not only on being the world’s most lethal force, but on their diversity of talent – knowledge, skills, behaviors, and preferences – drawn from all corners of our country and its vibrant multicultural population.

As the Army continues to review and reaffirm its commitment to “People First” by being a more inclusive and representative American institution, it demonstrates this through policy changes. Signs of change are visible at the highest levels, as the Department of Defense appointed its first African-American secretary of defense since the position’s inception in 1947: retired four-star Army Gen. Lloyd Austin.

The United States could not set out to fight and win our nation’s wars without each and every soldier willing to adorn the uniform and serve in various positions every day. Among the Army’s African-American troops are soldiers serving in varied military occupations, from helicopter mechanic to garrison commanders, and ranks ranging from lower enlisted to top ranking officers.

Here at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, the following soldiers are furthering their careers and contributing to their community through their military service and dedication to what they believe.

Capt. Nicole Nelms is a brigade medical supply officer in the 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team on Fort Stewart. She was commissioned into the Army in May of 2016 as a Medical Service Corps second lieutenant after graduating from South Carolina State as a distinguished military graduate.

“Serving in the military as an African-American female allows me to honor and continue the legacy of the strong, determined women from my family,” Nelms said. “In the Army, I am able to interact with people from all over the world and learn new skills that I do not think I would have discovered working a normal job.”

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Spc. Daniel Thompson

Spc. Orfeo R. Joseph is a chemical biological radiological, nuclear specialist assigned to 92nd Chemical Company, 83rd CBRN Battalion, on Fort Stewart.

“Your quality is your quality… just try to focus on being the best you are regardless the color of your skin,” Joseph said.

Sgt. Sean Larson, a UH-60 helicopter repairer with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, on Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, was fascinated with helicopters as a child, which ultimately led him to join the Army.

Spc. Devron Bost, assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, on Fort Stewart, was raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and joined the military as a quartermaster and chemical equipment repairer.

Bost was recognized for his photography skills while serving in his additional duty as a unit public affairs representative. He received honorable mention in the Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware Communications Competition at the U.S. Forces Command level.

“As I look back to where I came from, I hope to inspire the younger generation to take what life has given them, and make it the best that it can be,” Bost said.

Pfc. Precious Harris, a fire control specialist with the fire control element of 3rd Infantry Division Artillery, on Fort Stewart, joined the Army after completing bachelor’s degrees in both criminal justice and sociology from The College at Brockport, State University of New York.

“Don’t give up and don’t be afraid to take opportunities — you just have to push through,” Harris said. “If you’re given an opportunity, take it and run.”

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Pfc. Summermadeleine Keiser

U.S. Army Capt. Peter Nwokoye, a chaplain with the 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, on Fort Stewart.

A priest of 21 years, Nwokoye recalls seeing a viral social-media video of soldiers with weapons knelt in prayer, and said he was inspired to join the service.

“I could see the faith, and I could see as well that they did not believe that their weapon is where their power lies,” Nwokoye said. “Providing religious support to the Army − I see this as a ministry, as a vocation, as a calling.”

Staff Sgt. Kiyomi Thursby, a chemical biological radiological nuclear specialist assigned to 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, on Hunter Army Airfield, joined the Army to travel the world, protect and defend her country, and further her education.

Thursby has earned two college degrees: a bachelor’s degree in business management from Colorado Tech University and an associate’s degree in business administration from Central Texas College. She also has obtained three national medical certifications.

“I wanted to honor and show pride to my family members who had served before me and who are still serving,” Thursby said. “I also wanted to show them that they are appreciated and valued for leading the way for our family and for setting the example of great leadership, and the unselfish act of protecting and serving from the frontlines.”

Spc. Jaquavious Williams, a culinary specialist assigned to the 3rd Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division on Fort Stewart, is from Atlanta, where he graduated from Daniel McLaughlin Therrell High School in 2017.

Williams has been interested in art since he was 10-years old. His recent artwork − honoring Prisoner of War, Missing in Action soldiers and families − was a popular centerpiece at a 3rd ID Thanksgiving meal.

Williams said he joined the Army because he wanted to be a part of something bigger than himself.

Pfc. Wood-Terry Zomme, a human resource specialist assigned to 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, on Hunter Army Airfield, was born in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti and migrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Upper Darby High School in 2018.

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Spc. Daniel Thompson

Staff Sgt. Nicole Allen is an information technology specialist assigned to the 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion at Fort Stewart.

“Serving in the military as an African American means we have succeeded through all adversities,” Allen said. “We highlight the sacrifices made and suffering endured for the sake of racial equality.”

This article was compiled with information provided by the 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs.

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Noelle Wiehe/Connect Savannah

The Kiah House Museum building is considered an important site of Savannah’s Black history.

Now the community is raising money through a GoFundMe campaign to preserve the Kiah House Museum building as an important site of Savannah’s Black history.

“Since its establishment in 1959, it was unique in its design for its historical purpose, yet for 20 years it has been allowed to deteriorate to the point of shame instead of raising pride in this historic community,” said Deborah Johnson-Simon, the founder and CEO of the African Diaspora Museology Institute, and the GoFundMe campaign organizer.

The Kiah House Museum building was built in 1910. It served as a home to Calvin Kiah and Virginia Kiah in 1951, who lived on the second floor. The Kiah Museum was opened in 1959 on the first floor, and was one of the first Black-founded museums in Savannah. Notable past visitors to the museum include Rosa Parks and Margaret Burroughs.

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Noelle Wiehe/Connect Savannah

Laura Seifert, founder and director of Savannah Archaeological Alliance, points out restoration needed at the Kiah House Museum building.

The museum housed artworks, historic-preservation pieces, a fountain from the Bijou Theatre in the backyard, and natural-history specimens. The objects and artifacts that comprised the collection can be attributed to Virginia Kiah and her mother.

The Lillie Carroll Jackson Civil Rights Museum honors Virginia’s mother, and was opened in 1978 in Baltimore, Maryland.

“Her mother promised Virginia, after they were turned away from entrance into a museum in Baltimore, that one day she would not only be able to be an artist, she would also have a museum,” Johnson-Simon said. “She promised her daughter both of these things, and she made good on her promise.”

Johnson-Simon said that in the case of the Kiah House, not only has the building been neglected, but also the legacy, the significance of the museum, and its founders.

Calvin Kiah came to Savannah State College and championed the Education Department, later integrating Georgia State University as the first person of color to hold the position of Vice President of Research and Academic Affairs. He is credited with being instrumental in increasing opportunities for minorities within the university.

Virginia Kiah was a civil-rights leader and artist who specialized in portraiture, as well as a local schoolteacher. Calvin Kiah passed away in 1994, and the building has been in probate ever since Virginia Kiah’s death in 2001.

The Kiah House Museum building has been placed on a list of blighted properties in Savannah, and is now being assessed on blight tax. Taxes have been paid, but nothing has been done to bring the building up to code, Johnson-Simon said, leaving the building threatened with demolition.

“This led the African Diaspora Museology Institute and the Friends of Kiah to become proactive in its advocacy for the Kiah, and raise the necessary funds to prevent the demolition of the building and secure historic-landmark status enabling a dedicated buyer to purchase and restore the site,” Johnson-Simon said.

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Noelle Wiehe/Connect Savannah

Painted rocks placed on the lawn of the Kiah House express support for the building's restoration.

“The other homes in this block are absolutely beautiful and well-loved, and we’d like to see this to be equally so,” Seifert said.

The GoFundMe has a goal of raising $80,000, and as of press time, over $5,000 had been donated through the campaign by about 60 donors.

The Kiah House Museum building is located at 505 W. 36th Street, between W. Broad and Burroughs. Visit gofundme.com/f/historic-kiah-house-restoration-campaign for information on the campaign or to donate.

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Nick Robertson/Connect Savannah

Dr. Lawton Davis, the Coastal Health District health director, presents a COVID-19 response update to the Chatham County Commission on Feb. 26.

Kemp said that he expects this inoculation expansion to begin on March 8. According to Dr. Lawton Davis, the Coastal Health District health director, when the vaccine does become available to teachers and school staff in Chatham County, local officials plan to stagger the administration of shots to educators to help prevent disruptions to class schedules.

“Some [teachers] are going to have side effects and be out of school,” Davis said during his biweekly COVID-19 response update at the Feb. 26 Chatham County Commission meeting. “We may be interrupting school somewhat to vaccinate.”

Prior to March 8, Georgia remains in Phase 1A+ of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, meaning that it is only available for residents aged 65 and up, caregivers for the elderly, healthcare workers, and first responders. However, Davis noted that in Chatham County and across Georgia, demand for first-dose vaccinations has “seen some dropoff” since early February, likely leading to Kemp’s decision to expand inoculation eligibility.

Davis added that he expects vaccine supply to increase soon after the anticipated approval of Johnson & Johnson’s new single-dose COVID-19 vaccine. Nonetheless, Davis encouraged anyone who is eligible for inoculations to jump at the chance to receive vaccination shots.

“We’re not sure what our vaccine supply will be,” Davis said. “If you have the opportunity to get a vaccine, get it.”

Additionally, Davis lauded a new initiative spearheaded by St. Joseph’s/Candler to organize pop-up vaccination centers at Chatham County churches in an effort to increase inoculations among local minority communities. In February, these pop-up clinics were held at Savannah’s Saint Philip Monumental AME Church and Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship, according to a St. Joseph’s/Candler spokesperson, and the effort is planned to continue into springtime.

Meanwhile, the level of COVID-19 infection rates remains troubling in Chatham County, according to Davis, with the average daily number of new confirmed cases rising locally since mid-February.

“We still have very high levels of transmission going on,” Davis said, adding that Chatham residents remain under threat of a mutated coronavirus variant, which has been reported in neighboring South Carolina. “I’m sure that it is here, but we haven’t had a report of a confirmed case.”

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Lindy Moody

The secret entrance to Mint To Be Bubbly Bar.

It is not hard to imagine that Savannah’s open-container policy is an incidental effect of our prohibition past. In case you didn’t know, Savannah is the location of America’s very first ban on alcohol − dating back to 1735. Downtown Savannah’s Prohibition Museum in City Market has a plaque commemorating the original decree banning booze here, issued by King George II.

Later the temperance movement brought gangsters, bootleggers, and speakeasies, and even after the nationwide Prohibition ended in 1933, many relics of the dry period stuck around. Modern times may have washed away the real feeling of a speakeasy, since there is a lack of illegality, but in homage to our history you can still find recreations of ‘blind pigs’ all across the world.

One of my favorite cities that imitates the secret-bar experience flawlessly is Miami. In a semi-recent trip down south, I spent many nights staggering through the town’s most noteworthy hidden drinking holes.

At Little Havana’s Los Altos, you walk through a candy shop and ask the clerk for a drink. The next thing you know, a back room opens up, and Spanish dancers appear to welcome you into a tequila-focused nightclub. While at Bodega Taqueria on South Beach, you can order tacos at the front or walk through the bathroom to find a bar tucked away in the back.

I was transported back to my Miami trip when I walked through the doors of Mint To Be Bubbly Bar. The brand-new speakeasy, located in the heart of Savannah’s historic district, sits in the back of Mint To Be Mojito Bar. You may feel as though you have gone too far if you hit the bathroom doors, but persistence and a little searching will find you transported to another time and place.

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Lindy Moody

The Hibiscus Champagne Cocktail with Billy Goat Chips, served at Mint To Be Bubbly Bar.

It all began when Brecker teamed up with Mary Githens of Latin Chicks to open Mint To Be Mojito Bar. Once the backroom became available, he stepped in to create the bar of his dreams.

“I had to redo the whole thing. I just kind of imagined the stuff in my brain,” Brecker explained as he poured me a glass of bubbly. His brain included things like the hand-painted palm fronds, a nod to Brecker’s time living in Hawaii.

The atmosphere is that of an eclectic lounge with a friendly soul. According to Becker, “I said from the very beginning, I don’t want this to be a pretentious place at all. I am not a pretentious person.”

Even the drinks are relaxed. Although it is a champagne bar, anything available will suit any palate that walks through the Instagram-famous bookshelf.

For a straightforward glass to tickle the nose, patrons can pick from the Bubbly Bar’s versatile list of sparkling wines and champagnes. With the help of his distributor, Brecker put together an all-encompassing inventory of bubbly.

“I love the way that they split it up heading-wise. There is delicious and sweet, the fresh and fruity, the exotic,” he explained. Fresh Brioche, which is one of the headings, represents the wine’s sweet and buttery notes, similar to brioche bread. There are also note designations like Amazingly Yeasty and Deliciously Sweet.

Recently Brecker extended the champagne list to include more Proseccos and his handpicked Lambrusco. The sparkling red hits close to home with Brecker.

“When I was little, in Boston, you would go to the Italian restaurant, and they would have Lambrusco, which is kind of like the two-dollar deal,” Brecker recalls.

The menu includes champagne cocktails loosely based on classic champagne mixed drinks. Mimosas, Bellinis, and a French 75 are available, but there are a few additional creative cocktails as well.

The Sav Gal Special is modeled after a French 75, but with a touch of blueberry. It is named after a local blogger who came into the Bubbly Bar and ordered her go-to version of the classic drink. Similarly, Jen’s Jolly Rodger and Abigail’s Melon Fusion are named to honor girls that work at Mint To Be Mojito.

For me, the standout of all of the champagne concoctions is the Hibiscus Champagne Cocktail. It is created by first pouring a base of hibiscus syrup, including the flower, followed by the house champagne. I suggest you eat the flower at the end of the flute. It is like the Luxardo cherry at the finish of an excellent Old Fashioned − a candy-sweet sticky surprise.

In recent years the Aperol Spritz has once again gained acclaim. It is created by mixing Aperol, Prosecco, and sparkling soda water. Spritzers hailed from Italy and were aptly named because of the spritz of sparkle added at the end. Mint To Be Bubbly Bar has an entire menu section dedicated to the Italian libation.

Because of the thick local summertime heat, a spritzer is a go-to midday drink for bachelorettes, brunch, or sightseeing. My personal favorite on the Bubbly Bar list is the Limoncello Spritz. The fresh lemon and Italian Limoncello brighten up the base of sweet champagne.

Both the Double Espresso Spritz and Dutch Chocolate Spritz pair nicely with any of the house sweets for an after-dinner nightcap. Both drinks are well-balanced due to bitter notes from the chocolate or espresso. Brecker throws in a chocolate swizzle stick for a playful twist to both cocktails.

After too many bubbles, there are light snacks available to freshen up the palate. The Billy Goat Chips were sought out by Becker because the chip’s unique seasoning is hard to pinpoint. The potatoes are something between a kettle chip and a classic cut chip, and I detected flavors of garlic and smoky paprika.

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Lindy Moody

The cannoli and chocolate-covered strawberry served at Mint To Be Bubbly Bar.

“She is called the queen of cannoli because she does this. It’s ricotta. It’s the real McCoy,” says Becker of Smith.

The genuineness of the cannoli can be equated to its preparation. Too often, a cannoli is a limp, soggy mess resulting from improperly frying the shell. All Things Chocolate’s version is light, crisp, and filled to the brim with whipped ricotta. Be forewarned: the chocolate-covered strawberries are the size of a baby elephant, and take a few good tries to eat the entire decadent treat.

Mint To Be Bubbly Bar: 12 W. State St., Savannah. See minttobemojitobar.com for more details, and visit epicuropedia.com to read more by Lindy Moody.

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Courtesy of the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System

A view of the virtual gallery space showcasing the 20th Annual New Beginnings Youth Art Exhibition.

The Links, Inc., Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, and the City of Savannah is presenting the 20th Annual New Beginnings Youth Art Exhibition. The exhibition features Savannah Chatham County middle-and high-school students' artworks, created based on the theme “Visual Art in a Virtual World."

A virtual reception for the exhibit was held Feb. 23, and several speakers congratulated the team of teachers, sponsors, and artists who made the event possible.

Among the virtual attendees were Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, SCCPSS Superintendent Ann Levett, and members of The Links, along with sponsors and other supporters.

“It's a great honor to chair this competition in conjunction with Black History Month," said Carol Bell of The Links, Inc. “We are impressed with the talent of the students and thank them for sharing their work with us."

Rosemary Dodson, Program Coordinator for Visual Arts for Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, managed the competition and created the virtual exhibit to showcase art from our middle and high school students.

"This was a unique year," said Dotson, "and we had to come up with a way to share all the work in a virtual environment. The exhibit is interactive and engaging." ​

Click here to visit the virtual exhibition space.

The competition awards first, second, and third place in both high-school and middle-school divisions, as well as a Best in Show. Over 125 entries are on display. The winners of the competition for 2020 are:

Best of Show Winner - Avery Sullivan, Savannah Arts Academy

High School Winners

1st place: Mojdah Asimi – Savannah Arts Academy

2nd Place: Amy Oh, Savannah Arts Academy

3rd Place: Giselle Berrien – Johnson High School

​Middle School Winners

1st place: Elizaveta Kalacheva – Garrison

2nd Place: Brock Betters – West Chatham Middle School

3rd place: Tijuana Heyward – West Chatham Middle School

"Congratulations to everyone who had a part in putting this together," Levett said.

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Courtesy of Teia Acker

Savannah native Teia Acker is a modern-day speaker, radio and podcast host, and businesswoman.

CS: Can you give us an overview of who you are and what you do?

TA: I am a native of Savannah. I am married and I have a 12-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter. I attended Robert W. Groves High School. I got a dual bachelor’s in kinesiology and health science/community health from Georgia Southern University, as well as my MBA from the University of Phoenix. I am a multi-business owner, and I am also an employee. I own Ebony & Ivory Professional Service, LLC. It has been around for seven years as of July 25, and the goal of that company is to be the launch pad for smaller businesses. We help them get noticed by doing things that will pivot businesses to stand out. I also do development training for people that do not want to be entrepreneurs, but instead want to climb some corporate ladder. I also own Resilient Magazine, which is a spin-off of Ebony & Ivory.

CS: Why did you launch Resilient Magazine?

TA: Anything that the average woman and the educated Black woman could experience, I have been through. I can relate to anything outside of a terminal disease. Though COVID-19 in 2020 had been the true test-dummy of resilience for all, I had my personal pandemic back in 2013. I experienced getting divorced, being a single mom, dating to find a good father for my son and daughter, being laid off, and going from security to poverty in less than 90 days. I have experienced losing a parent. When my father died my world turned upside down. I was a daddy’s girl.

I started Resilient Magazine because I know I’m not the only one, and I aim to be a real model, not just a role model. There is somebody who is looking for an outlet but they don’t have one, or there is a woman who makes everything possible happen for her family but no one knows because she’s not in the mainstream. I decided to start the magazine so that everyday women just like myself feel appreciated for what they do. I also wanted it to look like O Magazine, Essence, and Ebony, because it does not matter your occupation or background, excellence is just that.

"They just want to hear that someone else has been through what they’re going through to motivate them, so that motivates me to keep telling my truth, being transparent and owning every error and mistake. I’m fueled by the fact that it’s not about me."

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TA: It’s a lot of prayer, and I am very intentional. I get my inspiration from the Bible, T.D. Jakes, Sarah Jakes Roberts, Oprah, and knowing why I’m here. Knowing that next month’s issue is going to talk about another woman and it will have 80 pages of pure content about Black excellence − that motivates me. Or when I see that someone has signed up for a two-year subscription of my magazine. Or when I meet someone and they’re like, ‘I just don’t know what else to do with my kids, or my parent passed,’ and I say ‘Oh, I lost a parent too, or I’ve been divorced, also.’ They just want to hear that someone else has been through what they’re going through to motivate them, so that motivates me to keep telling my truth, being transparent and owning every error and mistake. I’m fueled by the fact that it’s not about me.

CS: How many people subscribe to Resilient Magazine?

TA: It’s a steady climb, but when February’s issue dropped, we had 8,002 digital subscribers and we have about 200+ subscribers for the hard copies. I never expected it to take off like this. I anticipated it, but I don’t set expectations because I don’t like my feelings being hurt, but it was unreal.

CS: So you’re climbing this mountain. What does the other side of it look like for you?

TA: On the other side of that mountain looks like a place of rest, and what I mean by that is, I’m building all of this for others. I build small businesses so that small businesses can build small businesses. I’m building Resilient Magazine so that the resilient women can build other resilient women. I’m not doing this for the 50-year plaque, or the street named after me, or any of those things. I want to see the longevity in everything that I do, but I do not intend to work so hard at it like this forever. I’m working now so I can rest later, and later is not necessarily old age. Later is when I get to that point where Oprah is holding my magazine. Yes, the magazine will continue on after, but that would have been the upper echelon of my career.

For example, I wrote a small article in January’s magazine about Vice President Kamala Harris being Vice President. I had no idea that someone would put me in a position where I could make sure that she got that copy when she came out to Savannah for the campaign rally. When I say that I am being intentional, it is so that I can always be in position, so when you’re talking about the mountain, I’m climbing it to be in position to pass my magazine on to the next person. I am a launch pad.

Visit teiaacker.com to find out more about Acker and Resilient Magazine.

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Courtesy of Tell Scarlet

The (family) members of Tell Scarlet, from left: Jeff Davis, Will Davis, Mary Davis, Cory Shuman, and Julia Shuman.

Beginning with a spare piano solo and the lyrics, “Let it go, waking up from a dream state,” the song gathers speed with a rising tempo and modern reverb effects that reveal Tell Scarlet’s growing studio-production savvy. “Accelerate” goes on to encourage listeners to pursue their goals with a genre-bending rap segment stating “you were made for more, a higher dream, a higher name, a higher score.”

Similar upbeat messages of persevering through hard times to discover personal potential also permeate the other two tracks on Accelerate, “I Know She’s Out There (I.K.S.O.T.)” and “Something Good.” But according to the members of Tell Scarlet – who also happen to be family members – their new EP’s spirit of overcoming melancholy to seize the future was merely a continuation of providential events that has allowed the group to flourish for almost a decade now, after starting out with humble intentions as a cover band in 2012.

“The songwriting really kind of happened along the way,” says Tell Scarlet vocalist and guitarist Mary Davis, the wife of bassist Jeff Davis; their kids Julia and Will take turns on lead vocals, while Julia’s husband Cory Shuman plays drums and produces to round out an accomplished group of musicians whose talent truly runs in the family. “We really consider ourselves more of an artist now.”

Along with their growing creative sophistication, Tell Scarlet is enjoying increasingly prominent exposure with regular gigs at high-profile venues. This weekend they play two Savannah-area shows on two consecutive nights, headlining the Plant Riverside District’s Riverside Pavilion Tent on Friday, Feb. 26 , followed by a show at Pooler’s Wild Wing Cafe on Saturday, Feb. 27. Both concerts will feature performances of their Accelerate songs, as well as some tracks from their previous EP, Clean Slate, and a few of their favorite covers.

Accelerate definitely feels more introspective than the more rock-tinged Clean Slate, but its hopeful messages came through with a shared desire for “welcoming the future and being open to anything,” according to Julia Shuman.

Work on Accelerate started in earnest in 2018, and while it took some time to get the EP up to speed, it was an organic process of blending influences.

“Everyone in the band was so good at saying, ‘You know what, this is going to come out when it’s supposed to come out,” Julia said.

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Courtesy of Tell Scarlet

The (family) members of Tell Scarlet, from left: Will Davis, Jeff Davis, Mary Davis, Julia Shuman, and Cory Shuman.

In “Something Good,” Mary performs lead vocals to share her past dreams of sailing the world, while addressing the fallout from her time as a “party girl,” something many moms wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing with their kids at home, let alone singing about with them onstage.

However, this openness yields refreshingly honest music that resonates with listeners because of the relatable emotions expressed.

“We do work really well together, and we enjoy playing together,” Mary says. “We feel very grateful that we get to do what we do, and we don’t take it for granted.”

Of course, the tensions inherent to being bandmates and family members can sometimes spill over, but with a sense of unity, the members of Tell Scarlet always come around to support each other.

“It’s interesting having the dynamic of a family in the band,” Will says. “It is harder, sometimes, because we all want what’s best for Tell Scarlet.”

From Julia’s perspective, the music of Tell Scarlet and the family’s close relationships are inextricable.

“We’re family first, and the music, it comes naturally,” Julia said. “The pieces fell into place.”

As for the future, while Will is considering branching out with some solo efforts someday, Tell Scarlet is happy to continue performing together as opportunities to play festivals and larger events are expected to materialize in the upcoming months. For Mary, the chance to be living out a modern-day version of The Partridge Family – a series she loved in her youth – is already a dream come true, minus one element that would really get their show on the road.

“I would love to have a psychedelic bus,” Mary says with a laugh. Tell Scarlet plays the Plant Riverside District (400 W. River St., Savannah) at 7 p.m. on Feb. 26 and Wild Wing Cafe (417 Pooler Pkwy., Pooler) at 9 p.m. on Feb. 27. Visit tellscarlet.com to hear tracks from Accelerate and for more information on the band.

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Courtesy of Front Porch Improv Theatre

'Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons' stars Hannah Chiclana as Bernadette and Sean Harber as Oliver.

Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, a poignant dramedy about love, powerlessness, democracy, and free speech, opens on Thursday, Feb. 25 for a limited run at the Front Porch Improv Theatre, as the first play staged at their new location on Victory Drive.

The Front Porch Improv always planned to expand beyond improv to host black-box theater. The arrival of COVID-19 upended everything, and operating a performer-run theater during a pandemic is no easy task.

“It’s been the toughest year of my life. And this has been the worst time to do live theater in the last 100 years. It’s a balancing act for the actors to make this run, but we want to keep this alive. It is more important than ever,” said Front Porch Improv Co-Artistic Director John Brennan.

After its 2015 premiere at the Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry, England, Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons went on to sell out at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It is a play about being forced to consider how, what, and when we chose to communicate with those we love the most – perhaps the most consequential interactions each of us has every day.

The entire cast and crew number just four: the play is directed by Brenden Davis with technical direction by Danger Mendrala, and stars Hannah Chiclana as Bernadette and Sean Harber as Oliver. The four created a quarantine bubble to allow for in-person rehearsals.

“It’s a romantic play, so Sean and I have to be really comfortable with each other to make the relationship translate on the stage,” Chiclana said.

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Courtesy of Front Porch Improv Theatre

'Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons' stars Hannah Chiclana as Bernadette and Sean Harber as Oliver.

For Brenden, the show’s director, Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons is his straight-show directorial debut.

“I’ve directed many comedy shows, but this is my first play and it’s my type of story. It’s intimate, compelling, and funny. I’m very thankful Hannah asked me to do it,” Brenden said.

It is also Harber’s theatrical acting debut. He and Chiclana met at the end of 2019 as company members appearing in The Happy Hendersons, a 1950s-inspired improv sketch that frequently opened shows for the Front Porch. When Chiclana pitched Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, she knew Harber was perfect for the role of Oliver; he accepted without even reading the script.

“I trusted Hannah,” Harber said. As rehearsals began, Harber told Chiclana and Brenden, “It’s my first play. Treat me like I know nothing.”

Transitioning from improv to acting has been challenging for Harber.

“It’s nerve-racking. Unlike improv, there are things you have to remember. There are expectations for what you say and how you move,” Harber said.

Watching Harber grow into the complexity of the role, Chiclana believes her instincts were spot-on.

“He brings out the best and worst of Oliver – and that’s the job of an actor,” Chiclana said.

When Chiclana read the script two years ago, Bernadette’s character resonated.

“Her faults and beautiful quirks really hit home,” Chiclana recalls, adding that learning about the character caused her to begin reflecting on her own contribution, just like Bernadette. “I found myself asking am I doing enough? Am I giving the things that matter to me enough time and focus? Am I contributing in a way that is meaningful?”

As we slowly emerge from the pandemic and contemplate how to reengage with what’s important to us, the Front Porch Improv is providing a meaningful way to do just that.

Front Porch Improv Theatre presents Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons by Sam Steiner. Thursday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 28, 6 p.m.; Thursday, March 4, 8 p.m.; Sunday, March 7, 6 p.m. In-person and Zoom tickets must be purchased in advance. For in-person attendance, the theater is operating at 30% or capacity and following all CDC Covid guidelines: masks are required and guests are seated in socially distanced pods. Visit frontporchimprov.com for more details and tickets.

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Noelle Wiehe/Connect Savannah

Alan Kindler works on a painting in progress in his studio on the upper level of Cedar House Gallery.

As the event draws to a close, gallery director and curator Sam Williams said the February showcase has attracted a considerable number of art fans, especially considering that the Local Artist Showcase is usually held in January.

“It was a huge success with it being done in February,” Williams said. “The gallery showcases quite a few really outstanding artists.”

Interested viewers can visit the Local Artist Showcase through Feb. 26, when the show’s closing reception during 6-9 p.m. will include some previously unseen works.

“We had our opening reception, and in high demand, people were asking for a closing session – which we haven’t done in the past,” Williams said. “The people asked and we gave them it.”

Artist Sharonna “Ronnie” Ray sold her entire Local Artist Showcase collection, but created a continuation of her “Chocolate” series to replace the pieces already bought. Williams said that collection will be seen for the first time at the closing reception.

In addition to filling the main gallery exhibit spaces, the showcase includes the upstairs studio spaces of artists including photographers and furniture designers.

The artists in the showcase paid an entry fee to be featured, and were allowed to display up to 10 pieces. The showcase was juried by Cedar House Gallery members on the grounds. Williams said a couple of artists judged the work, while she curated it.

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Noelle Wiehe/Connect Savannah

A painting by local artist Tom Curran, on view at Savannah's Cedar House Gallery.

Williams noted that this is the first show where the gallery has featured high-school students, with two entrants having just graduated before entering their work this year. The pieces in the showcase are all available for purchase, with prices ranging from $15 to $1,750, and a wide variety of works likely to remain on the market during the closing reception.

“This is the last night the show will be up, so if you’re still thinking about that piece you saw at the opening, come on by and grab it before it’s gone, or if you missed the opening show come swing by for the first time and show your support,” Williams said.

After the Local Artist Showcase closes, the Cedar House Gallery has scheduled a series of weekly exhibitions beginning March 5.

“After that, we are pretty much booked out with shows coming up weekly,” Williams said, noting she had some openings in April. “It’s fun to have these rotating shows.”

The Cedar House opened in May 2019 and provides private art studio spaces for artists, as well as public gallery spaces filled with a diverse variety of media. During gallery events, the studio spaces are for viewing.

The Cedar House Gallery (122 E. 36th St., Savannah) is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., with viewing appointments available between 9 a.m. and noon. Visit cedarhousegallerysav.com for more details.