Freedom Thighs 2012

I couldn't tell you specifically what I like so much about the Freedom Thighs bike ride. There's an inexpressible feeling it gives you, something pictures and text may not have the ability to convey, but I'll try.

Outside the Birdhouse

The bike ride happens each 4th of July, meeting at the Birdhouse around 4pm. Bikers line up in the street, listen to a rendition on the Star Spangled Banner (this year, Dolly Parton's), and begin their patriotic cruise through the neighborhoods of Knoxville.



Most attendees are decked out in American themed apparel. I myself bought a flag vest a couple years back for my first Freedom Thighs, and it's become a go-to for this ride each year. This year, two synchronized boom boxes towed behind bikes busted out jams ranging from Ludacris's Roll Out to some USA themed songs sung in Spanish.

Eagle on Rollerblades!

I couldn't tell you either, if there is any common thread that runs through each of the bikers who come each year to ride this ride.

 I overheard one hipster-looking biker say to his friends as I slowly meandered past them, "I can't tell if this race is satirical or not. It seems like there are a lot of truly patriotic people here, but I know there are some anarchists here as well... and just so y'all know, I bought this (American flag) t-shirt at Wal-Mart."



Sidenote: I don't know much about this subject, but it's true that there is a small contingent of anarchists that like to ride bicycles in Knoxville. They're some real nice people, yet would a true anarchist attend an American-themed bike ride? Are anarchists known to be especially ironic?*

Maybe what I like about the ride is the simultaneous delight and confusion I feel.



Freedom Thighs does mostly draw a bunch of white hipsters, it's true.

Part of the route winds through some East Knox neighborhoods which are predominantly inhabited by African Americans. These are some of my favorite streets to ride through because there is such a great community presence there. So many families came out on their porches to cheer on us white kids dressed like idiots.

And together, we all cheered on America.

 If that's not patriotic, I couldn't tell you what is.

Babe-raham Lincoln

We made a stop at the Pilot on Magnolia. That Pilot made a billion dollars yesterday, and so did the ice-cream man who stopped there when he saw all of us.

Love grows at Pilot

Then some idiot started shooting fireworks. Really? At a gas station? I can't say everyone on the ride is the brightest.




I saw many faces on the ride that have moved away from Knoxville over the past few years. They come back for this ride, and that's saying something.




I didn't end up finishing out the whole route. I think they went about 10 miles in all, making various stops to rest, consume cold beverages, and eat hotdogs, but I had a cookout calling my name.

The Ice-Cream man found us

If you have been intrigued in the slightest by this post, you should consider taking a chance on shenaniganery and joining the ride next year. No one fits in, but we all do because we're American, you know what I'm saying?



 Wherever the 4th of July took you, whether you were enjoying a/c with normal, calm people or with a bunch of hooligans on bikes, I do hope it was as merry one.

Facilitators of Freedom Thighs

*Questions for another time.

Tour de Plants

I had an art opening Saturday evening at the Birdhouse. On Sunday, while cleaning up over there, I ran into Katie Ries, founder of the Urban Land Scouts.



She was there for Tour de Plants, a guided jaunt through the Fourth and Gill neighborhood. I typically become rather hermitish after art openings but decided a calm walk on such a beautiful day with mostly strangers would be better than lazing away on my couch eating leftover cupcakes all day. I was right.






















You know those real life moments that are so perfect, it makes you say something dumb like, "This is just like the movies." Well, walking around with the Urban Land Scouts felt like that, only it was more like being on a PBS special. (I mean that as a compliment, so you know.)



I don't know a lot about plants, and as I sit here looking at the photos I took, I all ready realize I've forgotten most of the names I heard yesterday, but I appreciate the knowledge that was being passed around yesterday afternoon between the ten or so people that showed up.



Young, not as young, and canine walked the urban landscape to talk about foliage. We touched, we smelled, we tasted. Someone even kept throwing around Latin names in the most unpretentious way. Information, experience, and questions were being passed around, and there was not a smart phone in sight.




I can't say that I am much closer to being an expert on the subject of edible plants in Knoxville, but I showed up, I observed, I said the pledge, and now- I'm an Urban Land Scout!























You can be one, too.

Another Knoxville Halloween down

I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween yesterday and this past weekend. I love how when the holiday falls near the weekend, Knoxville spends night upon night in festive attire. This city has taught me a lot about Halloween, and I know if I ever move from here, it will most likely be on Halloween that I'll miss it most. Many thanks to all those who dressed up and made it a good one this year.

I noticed a strong Dia de Los Muertos presence this year. Also, lots of nerds and bloody people, even bloody nerds. I like, too, how lots of people wore normal stylish attire but had dark makeup around their eyes- Halloween's fashion models.

Here are some photos taken before the TVB Halloween Alley Cat Race last night. These crazy people rode about eight miles around town in their costumes. Pretty awesome.

All I have to say is: girl on right with unibrow.

I assume the guy on the left is dead somewhere in a ditch. How he rode on a bike in that thing, I don't know.

Can you guess what Wild Bill and I are? Btw, I think he just wanted an excuse to bare his chest.

In other news, they started decorating for Christmas today in Krutch Park

FIXIT Clinic tomorrow night

If you are alive and breathing in this technological age, I assume that at one point or another you have experienced an electronic (stereo, printer, walkman, discman, tape player, karaoke machine, computer, word processor, electric typewriter, flashlight, ipod, cellphone, digital camera kitchen appliance, etc.) breaking.

And what is usually our response to this? Throw it away, right?

Then what? You buy a newer version that is just as likely to break within a few years.

In my experience, the worst of these are printers. As far as I know, every printer made in the past decade was made to malfunction within a few months, and it's sad that most of those millions upon millions of printers are in a landfill now.

What is my point?

Tomorrow, you will have a chance to rub shoulders with people who say, "No!" to discarding broken or worn out items, and "Yes!" to, at the very least, trying to fix them.

17th Street Studios, located at 1642 Highland Ave., is offering a free FIXIT Clinic at 6pm, tomorrow, Wednesday, September 14. All you have to do is bring one item that is broken (this can be ANYTHING that is broken) and we will provide as many tools and helpers to help you fix it.

Here is a video featuring the creator of the Fixit Clinic, Peter Mui. He will not be there, and probably no one will be wearing a lab coat, but this is what we will be going for:



Here is what you need to know about tomorrow:

Bring your broken, non-functioning things: electronics, appliances, computers, toys, etc. for assessment, disassembly, and possible repair. We'll provide workspace, specialty tools, and guidance to help you disassemble and troubleshoot your item. Whether we fix it or not, you'll learn more about how it was manufactured and how it worked. This is a FREE, family-friendly event: children are heartily invited!

We will provide numerous tools and "Fixers" to help you troubleshoot your item.

Please bring:
1) your broken or non-working thing (carry-in only: no oversize items)
2) any tools you already own that might be helpful (e.g. phillips head screwdriver)
3) a digital camera to document the disassembly and what we find inside
4) boxes, bags and/or small containers to organize (and carry away) parts

Here is the Facebook invite if you are into that, and you may read more about 17th Street Studios workshops and lectures here.

And, this may not go along with the beginning of my post, but I say if we can't fix it, we go Office Space on it, as long as we make jewelry out of the broken pieces. Upcycle!



This FIXIT Clinic is sponsored by:

A new lecture and workshop series promoting Knoxville creatives

I attended Pecha Kucha 2 a couple of months ago at Relix Variety Theater. I didn't know what it was until I got there, but was pleasantly surprised.

In essence, it is an outlet for creative people to talk about what they make. There were about 10ish speakers and each talked for 5 minutes while a slideshow of 20 images was projected behind them. It reminded me of attending the visiting artist lecture series at UT in the Art and Architecture Building, but I like the idea of Pecha Kucha because it gives artists and designers making work in Knoxville a chance to share.

Pecha Kucha 3 happened this past weekend, but I was out of town for it. I know they happen about quarterly, so be on the lookout if you are interested in attending. You can friend them on Facebook for updates.

Attending Pecha Kucha got me thinking that there needs to be more of this type of thing happening in Knoxville. Artists need a place to talk about their work and to teach outside of an academic setting. Art and inspiration for all. So I've decided to see what I can do to help.

I am very pleased to announce that tomorrow will be the first lecture/ workshop in a long series, based on this idea of creative people sharing, brought to you by 17th Street Studios*.

Our first speaker is Katie Ries, founder of the Urban Land Scouts and graduate of the MFA Studio Art program at UT.



photo by Katie Ries

I have gotten to know Katie over the past year or so and have to say she is one of my favorite artists in Knoxville. My first run in with her work was at a show at 1010 where models wore elaborate costumes she had made to better connect them to their surroundings (Costumes to Save Your Life). Later, I knew her as the girl who took people on walks through 4th and Gill to find edible plants in the neighborhood. Her work is exciting, pertinent, and it doesn't hurt that she has a great personality to back it all up. (I only gush when I am sincere, for the record)






















photo by Luke Wilkins

These are her words about the what she will be sharing tomorrow night: My work addresses the intersection between modern people and their land. I will be discussing my most recent project, the Urban Land Scouts, and talking about other contemporary artists with similar social and land-based practices. I will lead participants in a round of making seedbombs so that all may take their newfound knowledge to the streets (or fields).

I do hope you can make it, whether you are an artist or one that appreciates art. It should be thought provoking, inspiring, and a great venue for discussion. It may also be a place where one could find a free beer and some snacks.

Here are the details about tomorrow night:
17th Studios Presents
an Artist Lecture and Urban Land Scout Workshop
by Katie Ries
Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 6-7pm
at Redeemer Church
1642 Highland Avenue, Knoxville, TN
on the corner of 17th and Highland

If you can't make it tomorrow but have any ideas for future workshops or lectures, you may email me at beth@bethmeadows.com.

*17th Street Studios is a work space for 11 artists and designers in the Fort Sanders Neighborhood.

The Salvage Show: A first for First Friday

First Friday is just around the bend, and I'd like to cordially invite you to an exhibition organized and curated by yours truly.
















If you are unaware, I'm the Architectural Salvage Coordinator for Knox Heritage and am also an artist. I'm merging these two worlds into one the night of April 1 for The Salvage Show.

There are twenty artists involved in this exhibition who are making fine art or functional design pieces using materials from Knox Heritage's stash of architectural salvage. The idea is to re-create something new from the materials that can't be used in their original manner anymore.

Here's a sneak peek of what you'll see at the show:






















Reclaimed Lamp by Shawn Poynter
















Pearls for Swine by Katie Ries
Sweetgum balls, felted wool, wooden curtain rings



Dale Mackey's piece


Stool by Brian Wagner


I'm very excited about this exhibition and hope you can join us. If you are so inclined to purchase something, proceeds will benefit Knox Heritage, which is a non-profit, as well as the respective artist.

The Salvage Show
April 1, 2011, 6-9pm
ONE NIGHT ONLY
110 South Gay Street (3 doors to the right of the Emporium)
Knoxville, TN


RSVP on Facebook, if you'd like.


The artists are:

Micah Antanaitis
Hollie Cook
Laurence Eaton
Ethiel Garlington
Michelle Garlington
Briena Harmening
Kelly Hider
Tracy Jackson
Forrest Kirkpatrick
Dale Mackey
Hali Maltsberger
Beth Meadows
Sara Miller
Shawn Poynter
Katie Ries
Veronica Siehl
Jessie Van der Laan
Brian Wagner
Michael Watson
Chad Williams

PS: shameless self-promotion- I am also showing at Magpies that night from 5-7pm
846 North Central St.
Knoxville, TN 37917
Come eat cupcakes with me.

year end thoughts (and how blogging helped me fall for Knoxville)

I'm getting sentimental in my old age.

Nothing makes it worse than when different seasons of life come to an end, so this being my last post of 2010, I'd like to reflect on living in Knoxville, especially in regard to being a writer for the Wigshop.

I've mentioned this in the past, but my first year after graduating from UT was a bittersweet one. Many of my friends moved away to figure out what to do with their lives as I struggled to figure out what to do with mine. I lived in a crappy yet quaint apartment in Maplehurst and watched as downtown Knoxville miraculously made leaps and bounds while the rest of the country seemed to be in shambles. I rode my bike everywhere because I couldn't afford to put gas in my car. I did, however, always seem to have enough money for lots of cheap beer*. Along the way, I was asked to write for the Wigshop. 

I admit that, at first, I used writing about Knoxville as a means to justify living here. I vindicated my decision to stay by trying to prove just how cool of a place it was becoming.

What I didn't foresee was how writing about this city would make living here not just bearable, but legitimate. It opened my eyes to what Knoxville had to offer, and the more I wrote, the more I realized there was to write about. In many ways, it made staying here just as exciting as traveling somewhere new.

Thankfully now I don't feel the need to defend Knoxville like I once did. I'm confident it's a great city in which to live, being a size and caliber that is both close-knit and full of new things to see and do. I'm very proud to call it my home.

So as this year comes to a close, and we ring in 2011, here's to Knoxville, Tennessee. Happy New Year!!**

* One of many things to be thankful for in Knoxville
** My top picks for places to be on New Year's: First Night, Pilot Light Party at Ironwood Studios, and the Public House. Cheers!

holiday kickoff!

Even though they lit the trees and opened the ice rink last week, starting the official city sanctioned Christmas season, I always need a buffer zone between Thanksgiving and Christmas muzak thats longer than one hour. So now that I've had a week to prepare myself, I'm ready to dive in. And this month's First Friday is a really great way for a Knoxvillian to get into the holiday spirit. Here, for your viewing pleasure, are the not to miss things going on this weekend:

CHRISTMAS PARADE!
If you've ever had the desire to see every children's dancing troupe in the metro area this is your golden opportunity. At first it may seem a little cheesy, but standing along Gay Street with thousands of genuinely excited people is enough to melt the most cynical heart. It's long, it's random, but it's awesome. See you there tonight!

LESSONS AND CAROLS!
Getting together to sing all the old carols is something Knoxvillians have been doing almost as long as there's been a Knoxville. But most kids today probably only recognize them as the elevator music they hear in Best Buy while they shop. In the old tradition you can get together with your neighbors and, you know, actually sing about peace on earth together. This concert is particularly Knoxville-ish: described as "earthy and folksy" with "more flannel, less traditional choir and more like a hymn-sing"... and this is your opportunity to sing carols with Matt Morelock on banjo! It all goes down this Sunday at Redeemer Church (17th and Highland in Fort Sanders) at 5 and 7.

MORE MUSIC!
Speaking of Mr. Morelock, he'll be hosting Blind Boy Chocolate and the Milk Sheiks at his shop on Gay Street tonight. If you haven't been there, Morelock Music has become in my mind one of Knoxville's unexpected gems (on the magnitude of Yee Haw or Magpie's) and this may be the best way to see it- with good live music and lots of beer.

HANDMADE HOLIDAY TRUNK SHOW and EMPORIUM HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA!
OK, so I don't like the way we mix consumerism and Christmas, but you have to buy gifts sometime, right? Instead of heading to the mall and giving your money to huge corporations, how about buying some local arts and crafts? You have two opportunities this weekend: the always interesting Handmade Holiday Trunk Show at Abode's former space on Market Square and at the Emporium on the 100 Block of Gay Street. Support local artists and artisans and get gifts that are like no other!

OLD NORTH VICTORIAN HOLIDAY HOME TOUR!
Finally, what's Christmas without decorations? Now you have a chance to walk through one of Knoxville's most beautiful neighborhoods and actually go up and into it's beautiful houses and see them in all their holiday splendor- by candlelight! What is more old skool Christmas than that?

Basically, this is a great city to spend the Christmas season in. Go check some of this stuff out, stay warm, and we hope you have a Merry Christmas!

an ode to the neighborhood potluck, fried chicken, and music

a few weeks ago, i searched for "potlucks" as an activity category on facebook. it was mainly on a whim to see how many people in the social networking sphere liked them too. it was kind of late at night, and i had just missed a my neighborhood's monthly potluck. to my surprise, it was there. and i proudly displayed "potluck"ing as a personal "like" on my profile page.

i really think that potlucks are what we need more of in our society. i am amazed at how sitting around a table and breaking bread together really forms community. food helps us cross social divides to strengthen groups around common goals like ridding our city of crime and blight (read about our neighborhood gatherings). friendships and potlucks are best when they are combined with activities. like shape note singing (the annual old harp thanksgiving singing is just around the corner).

and amazing free performances by local musicians. take this event tonight for example. relix variety theater is hosting abigail washburn (and special guests- we hear its cruz contreras tonight, but we imagine there will be more). the evening will begin with a potluck before the show begins.

mrs. lo and i saw abigail perform in a similar setting this past spring at the glowing body on central. at that time she was practicing songs for an upcoming recording session. mrs. lo and i raved about the evening for weeks to our friends outside knoxville because of how unique it was to listen to songs almost being written in our midst.

in the middle of the show, she told a quick aside about how she loves potlucks, especially when folks bring good vegetarian dishes (this was no different at the glowing body). lo and behold, however, a box of kfc chicken showed up much to her surprise. and she loved it!

so, mosey on down to my neck of the woods in Old North Knoxville tonight. if you miss it, abigail will be there for the next two wednesdays as the artist in residency performing songs from her soon-to-be-released album. (oh yeah, her hubby is bela fleck)

it's not too late to pick up a box of kfc and make our guests feel welcome to knoxville again!

Relix Variety Theater
1208 N. Central Street
8pm (show starts) 7pm (potluck)

p.s. she'll also be there on Nov. 10 and 17 in case you miss her.

Octoberpalooza

It's Friday and holy moly is there a lot going on this weekend. I'm having a hard time prioritizing my to-do list, that's for sure.

It's also Oct. 1, so you know what that means -- First Friday!! How beautiful is the weather? And the 100 block of Gay is open. Seriously, there is no reason not to be out tonight. Here are a few things you might want to catch:

• Ashley Maynor's award winning documentary "For Memories' Sake" is being screened at 6p and 7:30p at the East Tennessee History Center. The film is a half-hour long and explores Maynor's grandmother's passion for photography and home videos and a bit on how to preserve and interpret memories captured on film. You can bring your own photos or film for advice from Maynor on how to preserve.
• Also, Abode is possibly closing (more on that later). Catch one of their last First Fridays, where the shop will feature paintings by local artist Lauren Karnitz. You can also get 10% off purchases.
• When you head to Magpies to try out their Pumpkin Spice super deluxe flavor (psych! I'm going to eat them all before you get there!) check out Newisher Works by our friend Dale Mackey in the small hall between Magpies and the Glowing Body.
• And if that isn't enough, swoon over Duckie and indulge in your love of '80s by catching "Pretty in Pink" as part of Movies on Market Square tonight. Starts around 8pmish.

So, that takes us to Saturday, and there's no rest for the weary on Saturday either.

• Kick off Saturday by participating in the the regional bicycle program's 10th annual neighborhood bike ride. The ride starts at 10 a.m. at Central St. and Baxter Ave. in Happy Holler, and you can park at the Knox Central building at 1000 N. Central. There will be snacks from Three-Rivers Market at the beginning and discounts at Magpies, Time Warp and the Freezo after. The ride is for people of all skill levels and ages and will take you through Old North, Parkridge, Old City and Mechanicsville. Lasts about an hour, and BRING YOUR HELMET (can't ride without it).
• After that's done, it's Happy Hollerpalooza time! Things will be going on in the 'hood all day, but N. Central will be closed down from 2p to 8p for this sort of block-party festival. All the Happy Holler businesses will be open during this time as well.

You think you've got Sunday off? Think again. Sunday brings the annual Hank Day, honoring Hank Williams, who possibly died here or at least on his way to Knoxville. WDVX's Red Hickey will host the festival, which runs from 1p to 7 p at the Candoro Marble Building at 4450 Candora Ave. There will be live music, cooking and I hear B will be hawking some salvage wares.

artists return to their roots

Two UT alumni are back in town, looking around at how much has changed since they studied here. Not an unusual scene in a university city. But these guys (former roommates) are back for a gallery show in their old stomping grounds- bringing paintings, sculpture, and LED light arrays.

Bill FitzGibbons and Creighton Michael met here in Knoxville back in the turbulent days of the late 1960s, becoming part of the counterculture art scene on campus. Together they started a clandestine magazine "The Druid" highlighting poetry, writing and art from students. After college, FitzGibbons ended up in San Antonio, via stints in St. Louis and Alaska. Micheal now resides in New York. Even though they haven't lived in the same city in decades, they have continued collaborating through the years, notably at the LAB Gallery in New York with "EELight" (pic above). Now their newest collaboration is coming back to where it all began.


Starting tonight, the Ewing Gallery (on campus at the A+A Building) is hosting "Filament" showcasing the latest endeavors of Fitzgibbons and Michael. Michael is the painter of the two, with a series of canvases exploring tension of texture and "mark making". FitzGibbons, the sculptor, has a huge steel piece (an abstract wormhole) and a series of "fire drawings"- basically using an welding torch to draw on canvas. In addition, he has set up a huge light sculpture using LED lights on the north wall of the KMA. If you're in downtown during the evening in the next few days, it's well worth a visit to watch the shifting color patterns. Probably the most interesting piece is the direct collaborative effort of the two... but you'll have to go tonight and experience it for yourself. They will lecture at 7:00 (lecture hall 109, just down from the gallery) with a reception to follow at the Ewing Gallery.

Knoxville launched the diverse careers of these two very interesting artists, and it's very fortunate to have them back sharing their talent with it.

What to do on a thursday night

Thursdays are the new fridays y'all. Do you need something to do to kick start the weekend a night early, or do you just like music? Tonight at my favorite venue in Knoxville, the Pilot Light, a couple of really great bands are playing. Two are represented by a Knoxville based record label named Arcade Sound Ltd.

Arcade Sound was started by a local guy named Ryan Foltz. Following his dream he started his own label. There is a really good article by metropulse located here.

The Bands that are playing tonight are:

1) Toro y Moi
I saw Toro y Moi at the Pilot Light last semester, and he was awesome. It was a really cool show.

2) Millionyoung
Millionyoung is represented by Arcade Sound Ltd. and is killing it on the Chillwave scene. His stuff is really catchy, dreamy, summer pop music.

3) COOLRUNNINGS
If you haven't heard of COOLRUNNINGS you should sincerely check them out. I would recommend the song Slumberland and San Dimas Oasis. They truly are a Knoxville band. You may recognize Brandon Biondo from his work with The Royal Bangs, or keyboardist Elliott White from the band YUNG LIFE. They have formed together to make some music. The band also features one of my favorite Knoxvillians: Dancing Dan. He leads the audience in dancing. So you know it will be fun. They are also represented by Arcade Sound Ltd.

The Show is tonight at the best venue in Knoxville, The Pilot Light, at 10p.m. for $10, and y'all it is going to be worth your money.

What's cooking?

Before I mention anything about what's going on this weekend, I want to warn everyone that the weather gurus are predicting severe weather for Saturday afternoon/evening (we're talking possible tornadoes here). Please keep that in mind before you head out to any event this weekend. Better to be safe than sorry!

Now if the weather people are wrong, as they often are, then I want to suggest to you a barbecue event that's for a very good cause. Now for me, there's always a good cause for barbecue, but this one comes with an extra benefit. The Pork Knox Q-Fest at World's Fair Park is this weekend benefitting the Knoxville disABILITY Resource Center, an organization that helps make everyday life more accessible to people with disabilities while also working as an advocacy group. They perform a great service to the community, and supporting them is very worthwile.

It is a barbecue cooking contest (though a Kansas City-sanctioned one, so keep that in mind :), and there's a whole lineup of events (click that link) from now through tomorrow evening. From 6-9 p.m. today, you can participate in the people's choice sampling. Tomorrow there's a hot-dog eating contest and you can meet the Hard Knox Rollergirls.

You've probably also heard, but the Rossini Festival is this weekend too. Street vendors will line Gay Street tomorrow, and you can catch a performance of the Barber of Seville by the Knoxville Opera today and Sunday.

9th Annual Rossini Festival from Knoxville Opera on Vimeo.

So whatever you do this weekend, have fun. But more importantly, be safe and avoid any bad weather headed our way!

This really takes the cake, or biscuit rather

Not long ago, Knoxville had 20 textile mills around town, and, as a result, was known as the Underwear Capital of the World. As sad as it has been to lose this incredible identity, it seems we may have something just as bizarre but much more classy to help put us back on the map.

"What's that?" you sit and think. Biscuits.



On June 5, 2010, Market Square is putting on the first annual International Biscuit Festival. I conducted my first Wigshop interview last week with John Craig, president of the Market Square District Association and founder of the festival. I will share with you what he told me about this festive occasion.

He admits the biscuit idea was not originally his. For at least a decade, there has been talk about creating a biscuit festival in Knoxville because of White Lily Flour's presence, which, some believe, make the best biscuits. But it takes a man like John Craig, aka Mr. Biscuit, to make this kind of thing a reality.

It started with a revolutionary moment when John's biscuit brain cells kicked into high gear. During First Night, the downtown-wide New Year's Eve event he created, he and others were working out in the cold when they came up with a great idea: "Let's do something like this but warm."

I can envision them out in the Square, conjuring up ideas about biscuits and biscuit related events. What better to warm the soul?

After that, the party planning committee formed, known as the Biscuit Brain Trust. Here's a quick rundown of things they foresee happening on June 5. As you read them, think biscuit-themed:

•  music and bands performing at the Square Room, WDVX, and the Market Square stage
• improv performance by Einstein simplified
• a song writing contest
• VIP breakfast
• a film festival, including a documentary
• Biscuit Boulevard (a boulevard of biscuit taste-testing samples)
• a Biscuit Bake off
• a Biscuit Bazaar (where you can buy biscuit accoutrements, i.e. honey)
• the Biscuit Bolt, a 1 mile run (which Mr. Biscuit says will be carbo loading in reverse)
• an art exhibit

and my favorite:

• a Miss Biscuit pageant with an apron fashion show and biscuit baking contest

A little something for everyone. I propose they have a biscuit war, kind of like Spain and their tomatoes.

The underlying goal, as always, is to create something Knoxvillians can enjoy and that potentially draws biscuit enthusiasts from around the globe. Biscuit Mecca. It's definitely something to think about.


The International Biscuit Festival
Downtown Knoxville
June 5, 2010
9am to 7pm

Knoxville's got Big Ears this weekend

We want to hear what you think about Big Ears 2010. Are you going? What are you looking forward to? If you're not going, why not? In the meantime, here's another guest post from our friend that we will now refer to as Wild Bill of Knoxpatch.

Hey y’all!

As you know, today, Knoxville becomes the meeting place for multiple influential artists during the second Big Ears Festival. The entertainment kicks off at 5 p.m. tonight!

Big Ears Festival is the brainchild of Ashley Capps, the owner of AC Entertainment (who also books shows all over, as well as Bonnaroo). Last year's was a resounding success. Big Ears is a festival that celebrates diversity and collaboration. The goal of the festival is: "...to offer an exciting and dynamic platform of musical and artistic discovery by artists possessed of singular and unique visions that stand apart from the mainstream.”

The way the festival is organized is a lot like South By Southwest in Austin. Venues all over downtown are incorporated so that multiple shows can take place simultaneously. The venues this year are: The Bijou, Tennessee Theatre, The Knoxville Museum of Art, The Square Room, The Pilot Light, a place called The Big Ears Annex (Catalyst/Blue Cat’s), and one show at the Cox Auditorium.

This year’s festival is being co-curated by the Godfather of Minimalism Terry Riley as well as one of the busiest musicians around Bryce Dessner (The National, Clogs). Some of the other artists include: The National, Andrew W. K., Clogs (a band that features Sufjan Stevens), Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond, Matt Beringer, and Bryce Dessner),The Ex, The XX, and Vampire Weekend. There are many more bands playing that will blow you away. The festival also features workshops, lectures, and more collaborations between artists than you can shake a stick at.

There are multiple ways to attend. Individual tickets are on sale for all of the shows, or you could go the more thorough route and get either the Inner Ear pass or the Outer Ear pass. The Inner Ear pass allows you to have priority access to all Big Ears events for $250. The Outer Ear pass allows you into most of the shows for $100. At this point in time I know that there are still a few Inner Ear passes floating around but I know that they are going fast. More info here.

What is it about Knoxville that makes AC Entertainment want to host an experimental music festival here? I would propose that there is just no place like Knoxville. It is a weird and wonderful place that no one can really pin down. There are so many influences crammed into a relatively small space. You have Appalachian culture, a large university, a history of industry, and the suburbs all within a few miles. It somehow created an environment that encourages experimental music. The music scene in Knoxville is unlike anywhere else, all of these influences meld together and make a really interesting music scene. This is definitely helped along by people like Jason Boardman (owner of the Pilot Light) who actively seeks to promote experimental music in Knoxville. Somehow it just fits that this festival should be here. It is comfortable place with all of the venues within a half-mile.

I hope that more locals attend this year, so in conclusion, come out and join me this weekend in the madness because it will be a blast.

-Wild Bill, Knoxpatch

What to do this weekend

If for some reason you're not going to the Jubliee Festival this weekend (And I think you should, because it sounds awesome), there are two other ways to get out and about in Knoxville.

1. Remember the schoolyard garden at Fulton HS that I mentioned a week or so ago? They're going to get started on Saturday at 10 a.m. Meet at the flagpole at Fulton (Broadway and Woodland) and bring any kind of gardening tools you might have (shovels, wheelbarrows, spades, hoes, whatever you've got!). They really, really want this to be a community garden, but that will only be the case if the community gets involved. Check out their Facebook page here.

2. The Knox County Library is celebrating five years of the Imagination Library with an event called the Great Cake Bake at the L&N on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. There will be neato cakes to view, a cake-decorating contest, cakewalk and cakes and cookbooks for sale. Chef Walter will be there too doing some sort of demonstration. Tickets are $5, and proceeds benefit Imagination Library (you know, the service started by Dolly Parton that sends free books to kiddos).

Y'all have no excuse to sit around the house this weekend now!

Rock For Haiti Aid

Most of you don't know this, but as well as being a renowned blogger, I am involved with a lot of work in Haiti. I just got back from working in Haiti a month ago, right before the earthquake hit. I've worked down there for a long time, and I can tell you they need all the help they can get. So I wanted to pass this along- Sapphire is hosting Rock for Haiti Aid to raise aid for earthquake relief. You can find more info here.

The low down:

Thursday, February 4th

three bands-

The Fine Line 8 - 9
Vera Noreva 9 - 10:30
Joe Dunn of Adoration 11 - 12

NO cover- 1% of bar sales go to relief efforts through the Red Cross.

I know 1% doesn't sound like much, but if you've ever bought a cocktail at Sapphire you know that those proceeds will pile up quick. If you're going out to drink or see live music anyways, why not do it for a good cause?

[edit: 10% of bar sales will be donated. even better!]

Merry Drunkmas?

This is one of the more interesting things happening this weekend that is off most community calendars' radar.

In an effort to raise funds to put a roof on the Mary Boyce Temple House, Brian Pittman (the owner) is hosting a Hobo Cabaret at his house tomorrow night, Friday, December 11. The admission is by donation, but he wants you to come even if you can't give much.

There will be two performances, one at 8 and one at 10pm. There will be drinks and snacks and a little crassness (leave the kiddies at home) And don't forget to dress warmly. It is, after all, a hobo cabaret. 

this week in review

 
I made sure to have my camera on me this past week to catch all of the different festivities happening in downtown Knoxville recently. Here are a few highlights.




Above: Ice skating in Market Square on Monday.


   The Christmas parade on Gay Street Friday night. Above are some pretty cute VW bugs, and below, who else but Frosty the Snowman on a dump truck.

 
 
 Above: At Lox Salon on First Friday for a show themed around the highly esteemed PBR.


Above: The snow covered valley of Townsend. I had the pleasure of waking up to this Saturday morning. I don't think I've never witnessed this much snow in Tennessee before.

Hope y'all had a merry week as well!

Knoxville Inspired No. 3

You may remember from last week my call for submissions for Knoxville inspired artwork. I received a startling response of one, but, hey, it's quality that I'm after, not quantity.

Today's featured artist is Dale Mackey. She has been so inspired by Knoxville, she's screenprinting t-shirts about it, in a very clever manner, I must say.

design is by Shawn Poynter

She told me she's also done a lot prints of the same design on cardstock as well. She sold both the cards and the t-shirts at Yee-Haw's handmade trunk show a few weeks ago. If you missed that one like I did, you're in luck because there's another one September 18-20th.

I added some of her other creations below. You may see more if you click this.


Sidenote: I have a crush on the drawing below of the pineapple. So good!


If you're interested in contacting Dale about her work, you may email her at mackeyda@gmail.com. From an artist's point-of-view, it means the world to hear from rando's that dig your art, so give her some lovin'.

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I'm still taking submissions, and this time I'm extending it to all Knoxville artists. If you're an artist and want to be featured on the wigsphere.com, email me at aemeadows@gmail.com.