[PHOTOSTORY 1: OUTDOORS] Bluegrass Hootenanny in North Augusta

By Daisy-Grace Hooper

Darcy Williams of North Augusta Cultural Arts Center presenting The Dusty Angels at Music in The Park. Music in The Park is the weekly summer series where bands perform at the local park in order to promote the need of music and culture in the lives of all. 

The crowd listens and enjoys the bluegrass tunes from The Dusty Angels. People from all different ages come to enjoy the music that was being played. 

The Dusty Angels (from left) Ethan Balducci, Chris Haley, Lora Floyd, Andrew Howell, Jerry Hart and Luke Hanley starting their set. The Dusty Angels are a bluegrass band based in Augusta, Ga and have been playing together for about three years according to Howell.

The crowd listens and enjoys the bluegrass tunes from The Dusty Angels. People from all different ages come to enjoy the music that was being played. 

(From left) Bowser, MG and Mack Smith hanging out at a distance from the crowd and still enjoying the music. “We’re just not a big fan of crowds and bowser [the dog] loves people way too much to be sitting over there. He can make best friends with a stick,” said MG Smith.

The Friends Of North Augusta Animals (FONAA) tabling at the concert. FONAA is a volunteer group of the North Augusta pound that takes care of some of the animals and is currently raising money for an animal shelter of their own through going to local events like the concert.

Lora Floyd (on harmony) and Andrew Howell (lead singer) of The Dusty Angels singing and playing their songs. The band originated from a song that Howell wrote and wanted to produce.

Joe Richards playing the fiddle during the concert. Richards started playing violin when he was eight and picked it back up a couple of years before The Dusty Angels began as a hobby outside of his day job as a software developer.

(From left) Luke Hanley, and Richards looking to the group to communicate where they’re going in the music. Bluegrass has a Freeform structure to where there is a main guide for the song, but each player could have times of solos to freely improvise which require skill to be able to communicate with your ban members while playing.

Luke Hanley on mandolin strumming away during the concert. “I honestly could tell you how I got into the mandolin. It’s such a random instrument people don’t think about and that is what intrigued me about it,” said Hanley.

The Dusty Angels and Guitarist Chis Haley plays his solo. “It’s a group effort. Not one person is better than the other. We’re just here, together experiencing this moment together,” said Haley.

Lora Floyd (on harmony) of The Dusty Angels singing the song she described as her favorite. “Bluegrass isn’t just country. It’s songs of protest and the struggle of life. Everyone can resonate with that,” said Floyd.

Lora Floyd (on harmony) of The Dusty Angels singing the song she described as her favorite. “Bluegrass isn’t just country. It’s songs of protest and the struggle of life. Everyone can resonate with that,” said Floyd.

Eric Dallas, in the blue hat, applauding the end of a song. “I came to the concert because I’ve never heard bluegrass before. I really like it,” said Dallas.

Jeffrey Wood, a member of the audience, watches the the concert. He is an avid goer of the weekly concert series and looks forward to hearing the different genres and groups that perform.

On the left, Diana Greene enjoys the bluegrass play on. “I’m from South Alabama and I remember as a little girl hearing my brothers make their own song and I would dance along to their tune,” said Greene, “A good ole hootenanny.”

On the left, Diana Greene enjoys the bluegrass play on. “I’m from South Alabama and I remember as a little girl hearing my brothers make their own song and I would dance along to their tune,” said Greene, “A good ole hootenanny.”

From left, Howell and Richards of The Dusty Angels playing their song together. Howell and Richards were the first of the group and love to ‘fiddle’ around and come up with new tunes to play according to Richards.

Tom Smith sitting out from the crown is paying extra close attention. “I’m the sounds guy that’s why,” said Smith laughing, “I did think it was odd though that people didn’t sit closer. Maybe I stink.”

The crowd captivated by the music and the good times. As the night dwindles down, the crowd still listening to the songs.

The Dusty Angels thanks the crowd for their time, the North Augusta Center for The Cultural Arts and FONNA for their time. “We really appreciate you choosing to spend you time celebrating music and the songs of the human experience,” said Howell.

The crowd cheers as The Dusty Angels round up their set and finish playing their last song of the night.

The Dusty Angels pack up their instruments to get ready for their next gig. The North Augusta Center for Cultural arts hosts bands and artists weekly with their last concert of the summer taking place July 2 at Riverview Park.

[PHOTOSTORY 1: OUTDOORS] Papa Sol's Downtown Concert

 By Jordan Cameron

Papa Sol performs during the Downtown Live concert series in downtown Statesboro. The city continued its family-friendly summer concert series by featuring the seven-member band for local residents and visitors.

Concertgoers gather before the concert begins in downtown Statesboro. Many attendees arrived more than an hour before the scheduled start time to secure seats and enjoy the evening's festivities.

Families and friends get into their seats before the concert begins. Many attendees brought folding chairs and gathered in shaded areas to stay comfortable before the performance.

Food vendors serving locals. The vendor area became increasingly busy as the 7 p.m. concert start time approached.

Customers place orders at the Hobbs Barbecue food stand. The vendor served various meat including ribs, chicken and turkey legs throughout the evening.

Customers line up at the Bigdog Snowcones stand during the Downtown Live concert in downtown Statesboro. The shaved ice vendor attracted a line of customers throughout the event.

Concertgoers enjoy shaved ice from Bigdog Snowcones during the Downtown Live concert in downtown Statesboro. The frozen treats helped attendees cool off as temperatures reached a high of 91 degrees for the day.

Concert attendees dance in front of the stage before the live concert. Attendees were eager to show their dancing skills all evening with parents and children also joining.

Papa Sol takes the stage during the live concert in downtown Statesboro. The band entertained the audience with an energetic performance featuring country, pop, hip-hop and other musical genres.

A couple dances during the concert. The music performed throughout the evening allowed some attendees with a moment to bond through dancing.

Frank LeGree, left, and Karey Davis perform with Papa Sol. LeGree is one of the main vocalists of the group while Davis is the group’s pianist.

Papa Sol's guitarists and drummer performing. Instrumental solos from the guitarists and drummer throughout the evening drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.

A Papa Sol vocalist dances with concert attendees during the concert. Papa Sol regularly invited audience participation throughout the evening.

Britney Winland performing. Winland performed songs made popular by artists including Taylor Swift.

A Papa Sol vocalist invites audience members onto the stage. Papa Sol organized a friendly competition between boys and girls to encourage singing, dancing and crowd participation.

Concert attendees dance onstage with Papa Sol. The men were hesitant to join the stage at first but participation and laughter soon commenced.

Girls from the audience dance onstage while being led by Britney Winland. Papa Sol's audience participation segment encouraged attendees of all ages to join the performance.

Girls from the audience sing and dance onstage with Papa Sol. The participants became more confident as they continued performing alongside the band.

Papa Sol concludes its performance of the concert. The band's final song was followed by applause from the audience as the concert came to a close.

Concert attendees pack their belongings and begin to leave the downtown Statesboro area. Families and other visitors departed following an evening of live music, food vendors and community entertainment.

[PHOTOSTORY 1: OUTDOORS] Macon Bacon defeats Asheboro Zookeepers 7-5

 By: Jackson McKenzie

Macon Bacon fans gather outside Luther Williams Field in Macon, Georgia for a classic outdoor baseball game against the Asheboro Zookeepers May 24. The Macon Bacon baseball team made its debut in the 2018 Coastal Plain League season.

As the first pitch approaches the scoreboard looms over the field. Macon Bacon enters the game with a record of 8-11 while the Zookeepers enter with a 12-6.

Macon Bacon fans slowly start to fill up the stands before the game starts. Luther Williams Field can hold up to 3,500 fans in any given game.

Macon Bacon Pitcher David Austen throws the first pitch to kick off the game. Austen has only pitched in three games prior this season with 11 strikeouts over 12 innings.

Trey Babbitt throws Macon Bacon merch to fans in the crowd. Merch tosses happened regularly throughout the game to get fans engaged and on their feet.

Zookeeper Catcher Drue Saenz waves his arms while on second base in a taunting fashion. Saenz's motion came after Macon Bacon Pitcher David Austen delivered a HBP to one of Saenz's fellow teammates.

Zookeeper Pitcher McCall Biemiller makes his way back to the dugout after being subbed out during the second inning. The substitution came after Biemiller allowed three consecutive walks in a row that loaded the bases during the bottom of the second.

Zookeeper Pitcher Takuma Sato warms up with the ball after being subbed in. At the time of the substitution the Zookeepers led 2-1 and were hoping to turn the inning around in their favor.

Macon Bacon Second Baseman Jackson Morse crosses home plate to tie the game 2-2. Morse scores after Sato's eight pitch since being subbed in is hit to center field.

Brenden Cole reacts at the conclusion of the second inning after the Zookeepers allow five runs. The Zookeepers had not allowed more than fours run in a single inning the entire season until this game.

Stewart Puckett, a third baseman of Macon Bacon, watches a Zookeeper ball soar to left field during the top of the third inning. The Zookeepers managed to score three runs in the third to tie the game 5-5.

Macon Bacon First Baseman Stephen Jordan runs between first and second base during the fourth inning after an error by the Zookeeper first baseman. As the inning progressed, Jordan went on to reach home to give Macon Bacon the lead once again.

Kyra Walker, a member of the 'Sizzle Squad', talking with the crowd in-between innings. Walker joined the Sizzle Squad at the beginning of this season. 

Fans take the field in between the sixth and seventh inning to participate in a water transferring game. The Sizzle Squad hosts interactive games in between every inning that any fan can participate in. 

Eva Murray participates in the Seventh Inning Stretch as the Zookeepers continue to trail behind. Murray is the mother of the Zookeepers hitting coach, Skye Bolt, and watched her son coach for the first time ever this game.

Zookeeper Coach Jamey May approaches the mound to substitute Pitcher Seth Way out of the game. May's second mid-inning substitution came after Way allowed three hits at the start of the bottom of the seventh.

Macon Bacon's mascot, Kevin, leads a conga line throughout the stadium. Kevin is one of Macon's most recognizable figures throughout the city and has remained prominent since Macon Bacon's debut.

The score keeper hangs up a '0' at the end of the eighth inning. The Zookeepers headed into the ninth inning grim knowing they needed to score or the game was over.

Hayden Gustavson catches the games final ball to give the Zookeepers 3 outs in the ninth inning. Macon Bacon defeated the Zookeepers with a score of 7-5.

Macon Bacon players line up to high-five after defeating the Zookeepers. With this win, Macon Bacon ups their season record to 9-11.