A slowed-down Sundown

A little less than a year ago, we here at the Wigshop aired a few grievances -- for better or for worse -- about Sundown in the City and the effects it had on downtown. Before you get all up in arms, let me remind you that we do LOVE the premise of Sundown bringing people to our favorite part of the city, and we LOVE what Sundown has done to promote music in Knoxville. But we were concerned that people didn't do enough to respect downtown while they were there by disrespecting local businessowners and employees, leaving their trash and wreaking general havoc.

AC Entertainment must have heard what we (and others) had to say and decided to scale back on the event this year, cutting from 12 Thursday shows to five. Ashley Capps told Knoxville.com that 'We plan to do fewer events, but do them really, really well.'

The official schedule was released last week, and I'm curious to know what people think about it. I know lots of people are either really excited about the Drive-By Truckers or at least curious to see them live for their first time. I've seen Blues Traveler live (albeit several years ago), and they put on a decent show. Every person I've mentioned Tonic has said something to the effect of, 'Oh yeah, I remember that one song they had.' And it's always nice to see Jill Andrews take the stage.

I also noticed on Sundown's website, a 'Recycling' link where the sponsors encourage everyone to recycle their drink cups. I can't remember if that's been on the website before, but I hope AC Entertainment does make recycling as easy as throwing cups on the ground or in the trash.

So what do you all think about the acts and how having fewer shows will impact the event overall?

Suggestions?

As a proud native East Tennessean and someone who attended Sundown in high school, I have to say the series is a great part of downtown. I hate that people don't patronize the local joints. If they do, sometimes they don't tip well or at all. It is frustrating. I have close friends who work down there and I hear about it. I also hate that Market Square is covered with trash every Thursday night. But that comes with any public event: Christmas parades, football, 4th of July festivities, etc. People litter. People can be cheap. Period.

I wonder if there is some way to create more awareness about those two things without calling people names, stereotyping them, or sending them away. That approach, as you may have seen in our comments section, is not healthy. Nor do I like it at all. The people that attend Sundown are eclectic and I feel like they represent a cross-section of the community in which we all live. The more the merrier.

I liked those "Don't throw down on K-town" stickers that surfaced a couple of years ago. I wonder if there could be some "Don't throw down on Sundown" kind of campaign that would make people aware that if they are being served it is customary to tip. Don't throw down on our servers, etc. Be good patrons y'all. Another part would encourage people to keep each other accountable for picking up their trash. There are a gazillion trash and recycling bins around the square. It isn't that hard to pick up your stuff (if you even sat it down in the first place) and put it in the proper bin. Be good citizens y'all.

respectfully.

MAX.

let the sun go down on sundown

Let me preface this post with a disclaimer.

I love people coming to downtown. I think anyone who comes to our little, loveable, live-able city will see why we here at the Wigshop have a deep and abiding desire to see it grow and thrive. That said…

I am so glad Sundown is over. That sham of a music event has become nothing but an excuse for sleazy 40 year old men to buy beer for half-dressed 14 year old girls. The city has created an environment in which people come into the city only to trash it, get drunk, and not patronize any of the local shops.

What started out as a summertime music show in the old city, has turned into a joke. The fact that I, and many (if not most) downtowners, avoid being anywhere around where we live on Thursdays is a great example of the problem with it. Market square, which looked beautiful this spring with a beautiful lawn and open space turns into a cattle yard where anything and everything that can be destroyed, is.

I made the mistake of trying to go to LaCosta for dinner last night, not only could I not get through market square, but the patio was taken up by people who had water, no food, and only one person had an empty beer with no apparent intention of getting another, but were they going to move along and let others eat, no. They set up shop from 6-10 actually decreasing the amount of business that LaCosta does in a night.

I can’t stand to walk by 200 emo tweens who are sneaking a smoke off their grandmothers Virginia Slims and trying to suck down a 40oz Miller lite before the security guard catches them.

The city does great street festivals, has family friendly events like Shakespeare and Movies on the square, but has let this event turn into a colossal waste.

Scale it back or move it. It’s no longer an appropriate event for the venue.

Shooter in the City

If outlawish country/Southern rock is you're thing, then I'm sure you already know Shooter Jennings is playing Sundown tonight. I presume everyone is acquainted with Shooter? If not, just know that he's the only son of Mr. Outlaw himself, Waylon Jennings, and Jessi Colter. He lived his early days on their tour bus and portrayed his father in the Johnny Cash biopic, 'Walk the Line.'

It's not exactly going to be Sundown as you know it tonight, thanks to the impending thunderstorms this evening. The powers that be at AC Entertainment have relocated Shooter and his opening act, 1220, to the Tennessee Theatre. The show is still free. It's a first-come, first-serve thing, so if you're really banking on seeing Shooter tonight you might want to go a little early. Doors open at 6 p.m. Attendance capped at about 1,600. I don't know what they're doing about beer sales.

Having watched the masses flee in the middle of the Gavin Rossdale show a few weeks back, I'd recommend everyone thank AC for the pre-emptive decision to move.

"we're from Knoxville, so we'll see you soon"

I went to Sundown last night to see some of our very own play on the big stage. I'm sad to say I missed the Tenderhooks and Same as it Ever Was (whom I love), but I did catch the Royal Bangs. This was my first time to really see them play, and I just wanted to say to them:

Thank you. Thank you for being from Knoxville and for being so dang good.

rossini festival: downtown knoxville, etc.

Downtown Knoxville has a LOT going on this weekend. It's going to be a beautiful, fun weekend! You've got Sundown tonight, and you can read all about it below.

Friday night is the Dogwood Mile and Party on the Square. Associated with the ongoing Dogwood arts festival, this mile race begins at Summit Hill and Gay St and quickly races south down Gay and across the Gay Street Bridge. Crossing the Gay St. Bridge is one of my personal favorite runs, and it's actually really fun to race and see how fast you can run a mile. After the race, there's a party on Market Square. There will be food vendors and Brendan James Wright and the Wrongs will be playing. Activities begin at 8:30, but I am sure you would want to arrive early to register if you are going to run. I think there's a "Dogwood Parade" before the run begins. Go here for more info.

Then, Saturday the 25th is one of the most fun events of the spring: The Rossini Festival in Downtown Knoxville! The festival takes place all day long (noon to 9) along Gay Street (beginning at the 400 block and heading South) and in Market Square. There's an Italian Street Festival (read: delicious street food...and beer!), which is a really, really good time. The festival is a mix of opera performances, art and craft exhibitions, wine tasting, street food, and music. It's an odd mixed bag of stuff going on, but it is a LOT of fun. Other than the street fair, the Rossini Festival is featuring Pagliacci at the Tennessee Theatre. There are performances on both Friday and Saturday night. You know Pagliacci...it was made (more) famous by Seinfeld. Then there's a fully-staged, costumed UT Opera Theatre production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” (Don Juan)at the Bijou Theatre, running Thursday through Sunday night. The fair is free and the performances are all priced reasonably. Go here for more info.

Remember that the 100 block is closed to traffic and parking, so leave yourself time to find a parking spot (don't take mine!) and plan your route around that block.

sundown : karl denson / brent thompson

Knoxville gets FUNKY tonight with Karl Denson's Tiny Universe. Sounds good. I'm sure there'll be a lot of spastic dancing with eyes closed on the Square tonight. On a side note, Denson is the former sax man for Lenny Kravitz. As a life-long Kravitz fan, this alone is tempting me to brave the sweaty under-aged masses.

Paired with KDTU like cheese to a fine wine is the bluesy, funky (eh?) sound of local Brent Thompson and His Wandering Circus. Bring on the da funk! This is probably one of the better Sundown in the City lineups, so be sure to check it out.

sundown : cowboy mouth / phil pollard and the band of humans

This week the Sundown in the City concert series has the band Cowboy Mouth, with local Phil Pollard and The Band of Humans opening. As always, the concert is free to all, the beer flows like wine, and women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano.

Cowboy Mouth (from a few listens) is Rock. Rock via the 90s via Barenaked Ladies via a dash of The Presidents of the United States of America via Southern Fried via simple, catchy songs that occasionally "rock" and will appeal to a 35-and-up crowd. Check out their myspace page and make the call. Personally, I'll be skipping it.


On the other hand, I may stick around to catch the opening act. Phil Pollard and Co. (henceforth known as PPATBOH) seem to be interesting. They're definitely experimental, and Pollard is a percussionist which for me bodes well. One of their songs uses the entire Gettysburg Address as lyrics. I've heard of PPATBOH around town, but never seen them. This is how they describe themselves:

Phil Pollard is a drummer, percussionist, and teacher. He is fond of the classics and believes everyone should know them; but he also knows the importance of living in the moment. Therefore, he combines the written, often classic Literature, with dance and improvised music so that live audiences can live in both worlds at once.
He plays a variety of styles in a host of venues, including bars, theaters, and churches; he does a little radio; he led his Band of Humans in playing a set at Bonnaroo 2006, and he led the Bonnaroompah Band at this past Bonnaroo. Lately, he has been playing a series of solo shows, mostly singing with djembe accompaniment. Look out for the flexitone and ukelele though.
He is a lover, not a fighter.

My advice: Show up early for PPATBOH and then jet to get a good spot at your favorite bar, preferably outside on a patio. It's going to be a beautiful evening.