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This Year We Are
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someone says "holiday concert,"
the first things that come to mind
are vocal troupes clad in Santa hats
belting out overplayed carols and a painfully
uncomfortable audience. Hot chocolate might
be passed around, a tree is lit, and the night
is drawn to a close. Mark Spurlock of Doctor
Squid was not satisfied by this lackluster rit
ual and decided to create a new tradition tnat
better represents Athens creativity.
For the third year in a row, Spurlock, with
the help of some other fun-loving Athenians,
has planned an evening of heart-pounding,
face-melting, rock-and-rolling holiday cheer.
Squidmas is a phenomenon in which audi
ence members are simply inspired to enjoy
themselves, along with their community, far
from the overt commercialism of the holiday
season. Bands and club-goers dress in their
festive finest—red and green attire, costumes
and hideous holiday sweaters are not only
encouraged, but practically mandatory.
"There is a dress code," Spurlock says.
"But it's not really enforced... OK, yeah, it
is." Spurlock also points out that even the 40
Watt is dressed for the occasion. Additional
lights and decorations are brought in until
the venue is virtually drenched in fantastically
gaudy d6cor. Finally, in an effort to round out
the warm holiday feel, the bands also bake
homemade cookies that will be available at
the show, free of charge, along with candy and
other traditional goodies.
This year, Jessie Marston of Flesh and
Blood and Jason Harwell of The Warm Fuzzies
have teamed up with Spurlock to collaborate
on what they hope to be the best Squidmas
show yet. "It's slways been clear that Mark
really wants Squidmas to be something that
people look forward to—and to make sure
that the people paying to get in are getting
their every cent's worth," says Harwell. "I
think Jessie and I feel the same way, and so
we've been able to jump in and contribute in
the things we know how to do."
Part of Marston and Harwell's contribution
this year is a compilation, Squidmas EP, that
will be sold at the show. Proceeds from the
bands' compilation will be donated to Girls
Rock Camp, per Marston's suggestion. Harwell,
who offered to record a couple of tracks for
each band and produce the compilation using
his own equipment, mentions that having the
means to help out people who are already
doing great work for the community was "a
no-brainer."
"I know our little compilation isn't much
in the grand scheme of things," Harwell says,
"but hopefully this small contribution can
at least help in some way to ensure that
Girls Rock Camp will remain here to continue
encouraging and empowering young women
creatively."
In addition to screamingly festive decor,
fresh baked goods and community solidar
ity, the bands have also taken great care in
preparing a unique show in which each set is
a little bit different than the others. "Every
year we do a bunch of Christmas covers, but
we also think of clever ways to work them into
our existing songs," Spurlock says. "Then we
have to communicate and make sure everyone
doesn't end up playing 'Jingle Bells.'"
The third annual Squidmas celebration
will be held at the 40 Watt on Tuesday, Dec.
7, and inhibitions should be checked at the
door. The Warm Fuzzies, Flesh and Blood, and
Doctor Squid will be armed with a cornucopia
of holiday surprises sure to last late into the
evening. Based on the tireless planning and
careful preparation, this year's show is sure to
be a magically elfin night Athens won't soon
forget.
"It's definitely already a fixture with all of
our fans, and every year it grows," Spuitock
says. "By far, it's our biggest show of the
whole year."
Carrie Oagenhard
1.2010 • FlAGPOLE.COM 19
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Saturday, December 4th All Day!
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Free Horse Drawn
Carriage Rides f M % •;
10 minute tours of Downtown!
Our Annual Holiday Gift J
Tantalizing Treats & *
Snowsatkma! Libations
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