As a student, small-business owner, and band member, author Grace Elizabeth Hale experienced the seminal Athens, Georgia music scene of the 80s firsthand. Blending personal recollection with a historian's eye, she reconstructs the story of the small college town's resourceful networks of bands, artists, and friends who made a new art of the possible, transforming American culture and alternative music along the way.

Hale will appear in conversation to discuss her new book, “Cool Town: How Athens, Georgia, Launched Alternative Music and Changed American Culture” with Tony Paris, Managing Editor of Creative Loafing Atlanta.

This event is free and open to the public.