Welcome back to your weekly dose of the Low. I hope you enjoyed the holiday weekend, but now it’s back to the grind. Fortunately, this short, sweet newsletter will give you the info you need to uplift your spirits as you navigate through your week. 

Before we get to the goods,  here’s another friendly reminder of our free AirPods giveaway. Just subscribe if you haven’t yet (but you have by now, right?) and remember that you get an extra chance to win for every friend you refer. 

So here’s what’s in store for you this week:

Enjoy food and family fun this fall at the Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival.

September is Self-Care Awareness Month. It’s time to put YOU first for a change.

Learn about what may be Savannah’s most beautiful square.

Get ready to celebrate pride and inclusion at the Tybee Equality Fest.

Check out these awesome spots for live music around town.

Find all the details down below. And thanks again for reading the Low.

— Chantel 

Fall is on its way, which means a variety of fun opportunities are following along with it. Once the leaves start to change, people start engaging in all sorts of autumnal activities like apple picking, pumpkin carving, and tailgating. In addition to these seasonal traditions, fall festivals begin to take place. There’s a lot to look forward to this fall, and one festival you’ll definitely want to mark your calendars for is the Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival. 

Taking place Oct. 14-16, the Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival is a time to celebrate the Coastal Empire’s thriving seafood industry, complete with fun carnival rides, live entertainment and of course, mouth-watering seafood. The festival is hosted at J.F. Gregory Park in Richmond Hill and draws in thousands of attendees over the three-day weekend each year. It’s a great time for fall fun that the whole family can enjoy. 

There will be exhibitors, amusement rides and live entertainment throughout the weekend. Country legends John Michael Montgomery and Deana Carter along with rising stars Maggie Baugh and Warren Zeiders will take the stage on Saturday. If you love country music, you won’t want to miss these stellar performances. 

Be sure to put the Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival on your fall bucket list, and get your tickets soon! For more information on the fest, check out these things to know.

ICYDK, September is Self Care Awareness Month. It’s a special observance that reminds us about the importance of taking care of ourselves and prioritizing our holistic well-being. In a world that tends to take more than it gives, carving out time and space for yourself can feel a little selfish if not impossible. But self care is an act of self love that deserves to have a place in your life. Self care is about staying grounded, balanced, healthy and happy. There are a lot of things, big and small, that you can do to that end. 

There are many different kinds of self care, but they generally fall into one of three categories: physical, mental and spiritual. You can think of this as the ‘holy trinity’ of self care. Committing to these kinds of self care activities comes with all kinds of benefits. So if you’re feeling tired, overworked, underappreciated or uninspired, making time for self care can help you in several ways. So let’s take a deeper look at the different kinds of self care. 

Physical self care is exactly what you think it is. It’s all about taking care of your body and your physical health and wellness. Eating a well-balanced, nutritional diet; exercising regularly; getting adequate sleep and attending medical appointments are all aspects of physical self care. Even though it seems simple enough, it can be hard to make time for physical self care activities when you’re busy with work, school, family and everything else. Start small. If you can set aside five minutes for fitness, that’s an act of physical self care. If you can replace one soft drink with water, that’s an act of physical self care. If you can put the phone down and get to sleep one hour earlier, that’s an act of physical self care. With a little effort, you can do so much for your physical health and wellness. 

Mental self care has to do with your psychological well-being. It involves doing things to keep your mind sharp and your mindset positive. A curious mind is a healthy one. Learning new things, completing puzzles and reading books are good ways to stimulate the mind. Beyond your smarts, your inner monologue is worth examining too. Do you engage in negative self talk? If so, try to show yourself some more compassion. You’re doing your best, after all. Being kinder and more accepting towards yourself goes a long way to foster positive mental health.

Spiritual self care comes down to a sense of purpose and meaning in life as well as your connection to others and to the universe as a whole. It can involve religion, but it doesn’t necessarily have to. Having some level of faith, whatever that may look like for you, generally contributes to a healthier, happier life. You can nurture your spiritual well-being by praying, meditating, spending time in nature and connecting with loved ones.  

As you engage in self care, you’ll find that the different types influence each other. A healthier body contributes to a healthier mind. And spiritual welfare contributes to mental health, which, in turn, inspires physical health. They all work together for your good. So take the month of September as a special opportunity to find time for self care. You’ll be better for it. 

Located one block north from Forsyth Park between Taylor and Gordon streets. on Bull, you’ll find Monterey Square. This picturesque square features verdant greenery and a marble monument to Casimir Pulaski. 

The square was created in 1847 and named in honor of the United States’ victory in the 1846 Battle of Monterey during the Mexican American War. In the center of the square, you’ll find the gated monument to Casimir Pulaski.

Of Polish nationality, Pulaski was a general in the American Continental Army who died in the Siege of Savannah during the Revolutionary War. The monument was designed by sculptor Robert Eberhard Launitz, and it was erected in 1854. It features a bronze bas relief showing the moment of Pulaski’s death as well as a coat of arms of Poland and another of Georgia. Standing 55 feet tall, the monument is topped with a statue of liberty, and Pulaski’s remains are interred at the monument. 

There are two plaques about Pulaski and the monument in the square, but there’s more history to explore at Monterey. The square is also home to Congregation Mickve Israel, which is the third oldest Jewish congregation in America, having been founded in 1733. The synagogue was constructed in 1820, making it the first synagogue to be built in Georgia. It features gothic style architecture and is one of very few throughout the nation.

Lastly, the Comer House, which Confederate President Jefferson Davis spent some time at, is also located on Monterey. This shaded square has a lot to offer to inquisitive passersby looking to learn about Savannah’s rich history. So, find some time to enjoy the idyllic scenery at Monterey Square, and read the historical plaques while there. 

This weekend, Tybee Island, aka Savannah’s Beach, will host the Tybee Equality Fest, an inclusive experience that celebrates diversity, unity, and, of course, equality for everyone. Now in its 4th year, the fest is back after a covid hiatus. It’s expected to be an exciting three-day event filled with music, dancing, laughter and fun. Don your rainbow threads and prepare to have a blast celebrating equality and pride. 

The festivities kick off on Friday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. with a SLAY drag show at Huc-A-Poos. The following day, Sept. 10, the festival will have its ‘This Is Me’ parade at 1 p.m. The Grand Marshall for the parade is Julia Pearce. The islander is one of the creators and coordinators of the Tybee MLK Human Rights Organization, which does a lot of great social justice work in the community. The parade route starts out at 6th St. and ends at the Pier. Proceeds will benefit the Center for Jubilee, Reconciliation & Healing. 

The fun continues Saturday at the Tybee Post Theatre with the OUT on Tybee gathering at 4 p.m. DJ Barri will be spinning records, and there will be a Rainbow vendor village and wine. Later that evening at 7 p.m., the Post will host the Christy Snow Band followed by Death At The Disco, a 70s mystery improv show. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best 70s costume. 

The festival wraps up on Sunday at 11 a.m. with a fabulous Drag Brunch at Fannie’s On the Beach. Whether you’re a part of the LGBTQ community or an ally who wants to show their support, the Tybee Equality Fest is a great opportunity to uplift one another and rally together for a more tolerant, inclusive world.

Savannah’s music scene is alive and well. There are plenty of places around town to enjoy live music any day of the week. Whether you’re looking to rock out with an energetic band or chill out over dinner with some bluesy jazz, it’s easy to find a local venue that you’ll love. If you want to know where the best spots for live music are in Savannah, this one’s for you. 

Located on River St., The Warehouse boasts the cheapest, coldest beer in town. It’s a laid back environment where folks can enjoy live music every Thursday through Sunday. You’ll hear a lot of classic rock and country.   

Jazz’d is a Barnard St. eatery offering small plates in a swanky setting. They host live performers Wednesday through Sunday. They feature a lot of singer songwriter types with the occasional band playing the bar. 

A beloved neighborhood pub in the heart of the Starland district, The Wormhole operates as a music venue with concerts in every genre imaginable. If you like a grungy, no frills vibe and a wide variety of music, The Wormhole is where you’ll want to be. 

For more than 20 years, Cuban restaurant Rancho Alegre has been serving up some of the best flavors that Caribbean and Latin America has to offer. Situated on a corner on MLK Blvd, the restaurant features live jazz with a Latin flair courtesy of Jody Jazz Trio. The trio plays every Friday and Saturday night. 

Savannah Smiles is a Williamson St. bar offering a live rock n’ roll party every Thursday through Saturday. There are four talented pianists who go head to head during the audience-driven, all-request show. If you like high energy and non-stop live entertainment, Savannah Smiles is the venue for you.  

On River St.’s west end, you’ll find Plant Riverside District featuring several bars, lounges, restaurants, and music halls awaiting your presence. You can enjoy live music on any given night at the Riverwalk pavilion tent, on the rooftops, at District Live or at Generator Hall. With everything from sultry jazz and R&B, to country, rock and pop, you can enjoy a wide variety of genres at Plant Riverside.