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.

a real jubilee festival

With so many incredible venues to choose from in Knoxville, there's one that always stands out as uniquely Knoxville in my mind. Originally a church and now community art and music center, the Laurel Theater in Fort Sanders was the first place that I heard live music after I moved to Knoxville. Some boast it has the best acoustics of any venue in town. Much of their strength comes from the monthly calendar and programs that the non-profit that his housed there organizes, Jubilee Community Arts. (JCA's mission and reach is really too long to recreate here, so check out all their other projects like a record label, archives, and educational programs) On any given week throughout the year, one could dance in various folk styles (including the popular contradance), and sing shape-note with one of the most enduring groups in the country. I try to tune in to WDVX on the weekends when they host 5 solid hours of programming on Saturdays and Sundays, including lots of live shows from the Laurel Theater. While I really haven't visited as much as I'd like, I'm making a point to get there more often. Example- folk music festival!


This weekend they are hosting the 41st Annual Jubilee Arts Festival with a wide variety of live music acts, both formal and informal. It seems that 41 years could make it the longest running festival of its kind around. I'm going to try to make it to see Mike Bryant on Saturday, but I will definitely be there for the harp sing!

Here's the lineup:

Friday
7:00 Jim Turley & Friends (unfortunately, Jim passed away recently, so the schedule might change up some)
7:30 Matt Morelock, Ian Thomas & Ferd Moyse
8:00 Tom McCarroll & Tammie McCarroll-Burroughs
8:30 Danny Gammon
9:00 Lost Marbles
9:45 The Bearded

Saturday
7:00 Joseph Decosimo & Allison Williams
7:30 John Alvis
8:15 Roy Harper
9:00 Mike & Marcia Bryant
9:30 Jake Leg Stompers
10:15 Mumbillies

Sunday
11:00-3:00 Annual Epworth Harp Singing with dinner on the grounds (that means a potluck lunch for you non-southerners)

So, maybe you haven't heard of any of these folks, except maybe Matt Morelock and Ferd Moyse (the illustrious fiddler of the Hackensaw Boys) and Knoxville's The Bearded. For people who play music to keep it alive, these musicians are kind of big deals. For the rest of you, if you're into discovering new types of music, new or unfamiliar instruments, or even old traditional music recreated, then this weekend's wide variety of musical styles and depth of talent is not to be missed! Don't let the rain keep you inside.

Also- you might also be wondering why the sets are only 30-45 minutes. Well, if its any consolation, there will supposedly be jams all night long in the basement!

bluegrass capital of the world (?)

pictured: Town Mountain at Friday's Blue Plate Special

A few weeks ago we asked what Knoxville's identity was. The only thing that seems to be clear on this issue/crisis is that nothing is clear. I had a few thoughts on Friday while I was at the Blue Plate Special:

We don't need to import anything new to "snazz-up" our town (i.e. the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame). We have something here that is largely ignored except for aficionados. Most people know we have a "Bluegrass Scene", but couldn't really tell you who what or where this scene entails. WDVX and the BPS have become the most visible indicators of this Scene.

You may not know this, but Knoxville used to be a center of music: rural music, now mainly known as Country with a capital 'C'. Bristol claims to be the birthplace, but the genre came alive here. We had WNOX and the Mid Day Merry Go Round. It was as big as the Opry. Many famous acts got their start here. And it wasn't that long ago- people remember when Knoxville the place to be, enough so that I hear it mentioned all the time by artists passing through. What happened? Well, Country music moved west- stolen, as it were, from us by the "Music City". They crafted an identity around the music and prospered. And our musical heritage became part of our past, celebrated only by small makers at downtown parking lots where palaces of entertainment once stood.


However, as the glamor of mainstream Country Music became entrenched in Nashville, its old deep roots have remained alive here. Much like how it formed in isolated valleys of our mountains, this music remained on our neighborhood porches, in small cinder block bars on alleys. A small radio station played records in a camper. Dolly never left. The music remained.

Call it Old Time, Hillbilly, Appalachian Folk. But "Bluegrass" is the title that most people recognize. In terms of identity, this is important. We've lost 'Country', and given it's current state, I'm not sure we'd want it back. Bluegrass, however, is a decentralized genre. There aren't many major cities in the Appalachians- maybe that's why. Knoxville is about as close as it gets. Consider this-
the Tennessee state quarter is based on music. A guitar (Country/Nashville), a trumpet (Blues/Memphis) and a fiddle (Bluegrass/???). You fill in the blank. These reasons, plus many more, are why we should make ourselves the Bluegrass Capital. It makes sense.

It's here, it's part of what makes Knoxville unique. No one else has claimed/stolen it. We have the music infrastructure (I'm looking at you, AC Entertainment). We need a festival. Not just another little Bluegrass festival, a big national-scale Bonnaroo of Bluegrass. We need a Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum. We need more live radio shows. We need an University Institute dedicated to preserving traditional Appalachian music. We need to make our city The Mecca of Bluegrass fans.

It wouldn't take much more effort that we've invested in other abortive attempts to brand Knoxville. It'll take focus, something Knoxville isn't very good at, to hang our hat on one thing and to do it well.

the best free concert in town

This post has unfortunately been a long time in coming. These concerts have been going on for a few weeks, so forgive me for missing the scoop and letting our dear readers live in ignorance. So here it is:

Knoxville has secrets. It even has free secrets. Like the homeless guy who will backflip off a 6 foot fence for a dollar. OK- that's technically not a free secret. But it's cheap entertainment, like the following secret. It has three parts. First off, Knoxville has one of the best Bluegrass radio stations (if not the best) in the country. No kidding, it's bona fide.. The famous WDVX brings Bluegrass, not to mention Blues/Country/Roots/Americana music to the world and is based here in Knoxville. Secret Part Two: everyday they have a free live "Blue Plate Special" concert at noon at their downtown studio. That's not much of a secret anymore, though. It's been going on for years and has gained a cult status in downtown. The studio is small, however, and often you'll have to get there a half an hour early to get a seat. What to do? That's the third and newest part of the secret: every Friday WDVX migrates to The Square Room on Market Square and has a special full-size concert. And let me tell you- it's a phenomenal musical experience. You feel like you must of snuck in because there's NO WAY you could see music this good for free. Like a bouncer is gonna come drag you out the door any minute. But believe it, kids. WDVX is bringing excellent music to the people for no charge. Where else could you find this? Even if you're not into Bluegrass ect., I challenge you to come to a few of these concerts a see if you don't start getting into it. I wasn't a fan when I first came to Knoxville, but WDVX has since converted me. The Blue Plate also may be one of the easiest ways to get connected with Knoxville's general musical scene. Artists of all stripes, local and visiting, come through and play at WDVX. All you have to do is show up and listen. And if you have to pick one day to come, make it Friday.

Consider yourself informed.

Walden's Way Ramblers to Play at WDVX BPS Tuesday, July 29

If you are downtown on your lunch Tuesday July 29, please stop by the WDVX Blue Plate Special from 12 to 1 PM, located at the corner of Gay Street and Summit Hill, to see the Walden's Way Ramblers play a little bluegrass.



You may have seen these guys gettin' down in Market Square and the surrounding area during the Farmer's Market, Sundown in the City, and when they've needed a little extra change. You can't miss them, being that there are six of them and one is holding an upright bass. I hold a special place in my heart for this band since they've been serenading social gatherings for the past few months in Maplehurst, where two members, Joe and James live. Joe, the fiddle player actually lives above me, and I've been listening to his foot-tapping through my ceiling for a few months now. I couldn't be more excited to see their radio debut.

So come hear these guys as they lay it down. I know they'd appreciate it and wouldn't mind grabbing a beer with you later on in the evening.

blue plate redux

Another good Friday concert at WDVX's Blue Plate Special: The Shake'em Ups sound like a fun upbeat show, Adrienne Young sounds plaintive and a bit Irishy (?), but it was Jay Clark on the billing that caught my attention. I've had the pleasure of meeting Jay a few times and he is a really unpretentious guy. His songs are simple, but his lyrics are layered and evocative- in other words, he's a good storyteller. Which, as an aside, is one of Bluegrass's strengths as a genre. People are getting tired of "i want to have a good time/get with you/verse/chorus/verse/chorus." They want a story, something that engages them, something they haven't heard before. Aside over.
Jay was the leading force in The Stringbeans, Cruz and Robinella's original band, that I first saw when I came to Knoxville in the late 90s. He moved away for a while and they formed another band that you may have heard of. He still keeps close ties with Knoxville and his old bandmates, and I try to go see him perform whenever he's in town. For good songwriting, go check Jay Clark out on Friday, 12:00 noon at WDVX's studio on Gay Street. [map]

blue plate special

Don't miss the Cruz Contreras Band at the WDVX Blue Plate Special this Friday. No better way to celebrate the Fourth than with some Americana music. Mr. Contreras is a very talented mandolin player who's become a jack-of-all-trades (including singing) in his post-C.C. String Band career. Don't miss it! I give it a hearty two thumbs up.