A Reluctant Listicle

I’m always admonishing that Savannah’s beloved community can only flourish by showing up in person, but also me? Spending days at a time pottering around the backyarden and bingewatching anything starring Walton Goggins.

Being social these days feels exhausting, even if most of my working hours—at home and at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center—are spent with animals with absolutely no conversational expectations or political opinions (except for Charlie the Box Turtle; he’s giving Libertarian vibes.)

It’s more tempting than ever to hide from the world, especially when the first veggies are ready for the pan and there are still two more seasons of Justified in the queue.

In order not to descend into full Aughra and help build the local web of culture and compassion of which I preach, sometimes I will put on an outfit and Go Be Around Other People. Much to the chagrin of my spouse, who would rather sit smack dab in the middle of the tomato plants watching the sky for migrating kestrels and noodling on the guitar when he’s not opining into his phone from the hot tub like a macaque in a Japanese jacuzzi.

A few years ago a disappointed reader unsubscribed on the grounds that she “thought there would be more lists.” I don’t know if she was looking for restaurant recommendations or where I take my dry cleaning or what, but around here you’ll have to sift through the acrobatic navelgazing and obscure 80s references to find the local knowledge nuggets. (You’ve stuck around this far; you deserve to know it’s David’s Dry Cleaning in Habersham Village.)

Where my Dark Crystal nerds at

However, given last week’s uptick in compelling activities from our city’s most talented and timeworthy, I convinced my birdwatching Facebook-feuding minstrel to leave our backyard habitat for several events and meals. This not only resulted in delightful and much-needed communion with others, it also made for A Decent List of Local Recommendations:

• First Friday: Most cities celebrate the first Friday of the month with some kind of art walk, but Savannah’s has managed to retain its cultural integrity without the commercial barfiness. Stretching from Starland all the way down Bull Street and fanning a few blocks east and west, it all revolves around ARTS Southeast and its open studios of downhome originals like Tittybats and Samantha Mack. Don’t wait until June to pick up the new issue of IMPACT magazine and visit the main gallery for an astounding photography exhibit that includes prints by the legendary Gordon Parks.

• Bella Napoli: If I’m being honest I’d rather not tell anyone at all about this jewelbox Italian bistro on State Street that serves the best puttanesca this side of a Neapolitan bordello, but like I said, you’ve made it through a lot of weird metaphors to get here. Besides, the humble team keeps out the riffraff all by themselves with no reservations and a strict policy of no parties larger than four. If you skip the tiramisu, don’t bother me again.

• Sixby: My girl Natasha doesn’t need my hype; her courtyard under the oaks stays full all day long with well-heeled folks in the know (is it a fashion show or is it lunch? Who cares, it’s all delicious.) The brekkie sammie is now served all day, and new sandwich collabs and smart wine pairings have vaulted the made-in-house menu to the top every visiting foodie’s must-taste list — hello, was that celebrity chef Gabrielle Hamilton who recently stopped in for a turmeric tonic and a chat?

• Kava House: I stumbled upon this sweet little sanctuary on Bull Street a few days ago and am obsessed, as the kids say. Rather than my usual brain-zinging matcha, I was served a delicious iced concoction containing kava kava, an herbal remedy known for its relaxation properties that I’ve long used in my personal apothecary to keep from punching people in the throat. The food menu includes mochi donuts and instant ramen with fancy add-ins; does anyone really need more caffeine, anyway?

• Broughton Street Bowl and Brew: Poor Broughton Street has gotten some hideous makeovers over the last couple of decades (I won’t snipe about Ben Carter’s unfortunate outdoor mall concept now that he’s passed over to whatever circle of the afterlife takes out-of-town real estate developers, but still with the weeds?) So it’s truly thrilling to step inside a renovation that does our historic downtown justice: Down the preserved terrazzo staircase to the former Woolworth’s basement lies a well-lit, family-friendly bowling alley and arcade (wheeee Skeeball) that offers games, fun, and food without the seizure-inducing stimulation of a Dave & Buster’s. There’s also a stage—Dog Days Presents recently hosted the premiere of incandescent Bowie tribute band Ground Control—and with 16,000 square feet, plenty of room to dance.

Ground Control really made the grade

This week promises to leave more time for Vice Principals and stealing my neighbor’s gardenias, but since you’re still here, let me offer you a Savannah Sideways Bona Fide Bonus List:

• Citizen Advocacy Covered Dish Supper: We’ve already discussed this, but Savannah’s greatest and grooviest potluck returns Thursday, May 8 at the Ralph Gilbert Marks Civil Rights Museum Annex. You can never go wrong with a green bean casserole.

• Cookies for Choice: Every reproductive justice warrior with a sweet tooth anticipates the Mother’s Day Planned Parenthood fundraiser of individually wrapped treats from Savannah’s best chefs. Featuring whimsically ferocious artwork by the ever-on point Rubi McGrory (who else could come up with maxi pad mandalas and IUD flowers?), boxes went on sale Monday and there *might* be a few left—it always sells out, since most Americans believe that access to safe, affordable reproductive healthcare is a right and a priority. Make sure you give your love and money to the kickass businesses that put their names on this project.

• A Tribute to Anitra Opera Diva: Savannah’s avant garde vanguard has lost another eccentric sentinel with the passing of one of its most enthralling performers. Even if you never encountered this ethereal creature with the otherworldly voice here on earth, the celebration of her life is bound to entertain and mesmerize. The viewing begins with metaphysical art from dear friends Dame Darcy and Eric Woodell and a diaphanous fashion show courtesy of Vintage Vortex, followed by a darkly cosmic dance party on Wednesday, May 14 at the appropriately elegant and probably haunted Brockington Hall. Proceeds go towards the preservation of the massive body of work left behind by Anitra and her dear departed partner Nicodemus, who met in the 80s club scene and made every Savannah event they appeared at deeply interesting.

  

  The inimitable Anitra Opera Diva at Lattimore House in 2021

• TEDx Savannah: Our local iteration of the world’s most famous ten-minute lecture series continues to bring solutions to whatever we’re calling this hot mess these days on Friday May 16 at Georgia Southern's Fine Arts auditorium. With the 2025 theme “Curiosity Unleashed,” I’m super curious to hear from engineer, educator, and Tybee Oyster Company pioneer Laura Solomon along with my hippie homegirl Jacilyn Ledford, whose soundbaths and healing ceremonies around town are shaking the blue blazer-and-khakis set to its knees. (ICYMI, here’s my 2024 TEDx talk about how to belong in Savannah; the great thing about heyhowyadoin is that it spends very little social energy.)

It may not be Buzzfeed clickbait, but I hope these suggestions help connect us to what’s happening in Savannah—and to each other.

Of course, we all have to recharge our social batteries in these soul-taxing times, and sometimes it’s OK to be like Charlie and retreat into our shells. (Or if you’re my husband, back in the hot tub.)

But I’m bound to be enticed out to the streets soon, as the garden does not yet yield anything chocolate.

Get cute and get out ~ JLL

Charlie is having none of this nonsense