Knoxify

What’s Your Favorite Arts & Entertainment Event in Knoxville?

CP — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:03:14 +0000

We can’t think of a single season that leaves Knoxville with a shortage of arts and entertainment events. Throughout the year it seems that there is always a play to watch, a concert to listen to or a show to take in.

What’s your favorite arts and entertainment event in Knoxville?

Patchwork Quilt that is Knoxville

CP — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:30:01 +0000

Photo by: ZenOptic

This is a guest post by Chad Huskey.

I’ve lived in Knoxville all my life. I grew up in South Knoxville close to Seymour. So as a kid that’s all I knew of our little town. I went to a small elementary school, and an even smaller Pentecostal church. Needless to say, my view of Knoxville, and the world in general, were not exactly “diverse”. I assumed everyone, played with their Papaw’s hunting dogs, and had a creek running through their front yard. My brother and I romped up and down the side of the mountain behind our house, rode bikes down the road for miles, and roamed all over our neighbor’s yards with out anyone giving it a second thought. All my friends all lived pretty much the same way. To me, Knoxville was no bigger than a few county roads with no lines painted on them, and going to town meant going to the Kmart and Kroger on Chapman Highway.

Then one day, just out of the blue, I was smacked upside the head with…middle school. The Knox County School Board decided it was time to combine South-Young Middle & High with Doyle Middle & High. So now I was being shipped on a bus from my little world, to a great big huge melting pot of a school. I was amazed by the some of the kids I met. We had kids, in Knoxville, who lived in housing projects? Kids who lived in high dollar subdivisions? Kids who have only played games on concrete? Kids who believe in different religions? My mind was officially blown.

Looking back, I was apprehensive, angry, mystified, and just upset in general that I had to learn to deal with all these things. I was supposed to be going to “Doyle Middle” another rural country school, not “South-Doyle Middle”. For all its flaws and all the times I got angry with this new place, and new people, I am glad that I had to have all those new experiences. It was an eye opener. My parents had always taught me not to judge people, and that all people are the same, but up to that point that was pretty easy to accept because everyone I knew, up to that point, really was the same. They had the same life style, skin color, religion, accent, and income. I was able to learn, not just to tolerate, but to accept people’s differences, and to appreciate them for who they are.

So, you might ask, “What they heck does any of this have to do with Knoxville as a whole, and what is this yahoo rambling on about his middle school and hunting dogs for!?”. I’m getting there! Jeez…

As I get older I am continually amazed how much Knoxville, much like my first day at middle school, surprises me. Our scruffy little city has turned into quite the diverse little town. We have something for everyone. We have our high dollar sub divisions, historic neighborhoods, log cabins way back in the hills, groovy downtown lofts, trailer parks, and public housing; we’ve got our art districts, country clubs, museums, historic theaters, and various music venues; we’ve got line dancing, gay bars, smoke filled pubs, dance clubs, redneck bars, and gentlemen’s clubs; we’ve got mom and pop delis, five star dining, buffets, fast food out the wazoo, country kitchens, Mexican, Italian, Indian, Greek, Cuban, and any other ethnic food you can shake a stick at; also we have designer clothing, giant malls, antiques, collectibles, Wal-Marts, and Targets, we’ve got rich folks, poor folks, middle class, and the unfortunate homeless; there’s blue collar, white collar, senators, statesmen, republicans, democrats, libertarians, and independents; we’ve got Baptist, Catholics, Universalists, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists and all points in between; we have public schools, private schools, community colleges, and the gal’ dang Tennesse Vols!…Phew!

I drive around Knoxville, and realize how truly blessed we are. We have some of the very best of all worlds, and I’m just thankful for it. Especially to have it all wrapped up in our cozy little town. I hope we can all open our eyes and embrace the diversity we are so lucky to be a part of.

jAVERDE, Delicious Locally Brewed Coffee with a National Mission

Nicole VanScoten — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:30:34 +0000

If you haven’t yet tried jAVERDE coffee yet, I promise you you’re missing out!

Brewed locally in Powell, jAVERDE has a ton of flavors to satisfy any coffee lover’s taste-buds. With names like CocoJo, Mahalo Mocha, Shell Shock, Blarney Moo, Dreamsipple, Munky Chow, Johnny Zappleseed, Jav-O-Lantern, Strawdairy Surprise, and many more, you can be sure you’re not going to find this variety anywhere else! And for those of you who just like a normal cup-o-joe, jAVERDE has your more basic blends too!

What’s my personal favorite? Shell Shock of course! A “jittersweet” combo of a bold roast taste and turtle sweetness of pecans, chocolate and caramel, Shell Shock is one of the best flavored coffee blends I’ve ever tasted (no exaggeration)…and if you know me you know I love flavored coffee!

Aside from having the local appeal, jAVERDE also donates 5% of all sales to help plant trees, through a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. For each dollar raised, one tree is planted, and the company’s is well on its way to meeting its goal of 10,000 trees by 2010.

Want to try jAVERDE for yourself? Stop by the company’s kiosk in the West Town Mall (right next to Victoria’s Secret) to sample some flavors!

And if you can’t get to West Town, check out jAVERDE’s website to order online! Each 12 ounce bag is about $9 to $10.

View of Knoxville, Vol. 51

CP — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:30:08 +0000

This photo was taken by Jackie Crumpler

The View of Knoxville series is derived from photos in our flickr group. Add your pictures and we might feature them here.

What Are You Going to be for Halloween?

CP — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:04:56 +0000

Pretty simple question this week. We’re going as Lil Wayne and instead of trick-or-treat we’re going to ask, “Lane Kiffin?”

What are you going to be for Halloween?

Photo by: Vincent & Bella Productions

Ain’t No Time To Sit Down: Review of Generation of Vipers’ Dead Circle

jodycollins — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:30:50 +0000

What do you think of when you hear the term “post-metal”? My best guess is that 99.9999999999% will retort a truly esoteric “huh? Whuzzat?” According to the bastion of truth that is Wikipedia, post-metal is “…broadly characterized by distorted guitar, heavy atmospherics, gradual evolution of song structure, and a minimal emphasis on vocals.” Yup, that about fits.

Generation of Vipers is not only the best post-metal band ’round these parts, but also one of the best metal bands. Period, no further discussion. Their sound, epic in width and breadth, is truly unique, whilst still retaining an ear for what’s relevant in the scene.

Epic. That’s a pretty good descriptor. Their latest album, Dead Circle, is a bit deceiving. You’ll glance at the back, see there’s only five tracks, and ponder why “that fool online” said it was a grandiose album. Deceiving, I say, because the album clocks in at a whopping 48 minutes and 19 seconds. Hell, that’s longer than the latest Pearl Jam album.

Typically, I break down the ‘shining gems’ on each album, but I’m not going to do that this time. Dead Circle is an album that you should put in your stereo / iPod / yourmusicvesselofchoice, plug in your headphones, and focus on the music.

Photo courtesy of the band’s website.

Quiddities: The Tennessee Stage Company

Robert Stockdale — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:30:31 +0000

A scene from the Tennessee Stage Company’s production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” in which a band of tinkers discuss a play that they intend to present at the wedding of Theaseus and Hippolyta.

Before this summer, I had never attended a production of the Tennessee Stage Company (TSC). This past summer, I attended their presentations of Hamlet and A Midsummer’s Night Dream. I am glad I attended. And, if you do, you will be too — next summer.

But, you don’t have to wait until next summer to experience the goodness that is TSC. Beginning in November, they will be presenting I Hate Hamlet Thursday through Friday nights and Sunday afternoon at the Children’s Theatre of Knoxville. The production dates are from November 27 through December 15, 2009.

Scene from “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.”

And, now is the time to make plans to attend TSC’s production of I Hate Hamlet. You can purchase tickets by calling TSC at 865–546-4280. The price of admission is $15 for general admission and $12 for seniors and students.

The summer Shakespeare series began in 1981 and has been presented on Knoxville’s Market Square Mall for the last 9 summers. The stage at the north end of Market Square Mall is where the Shakespeare on the Square series is presented. The stage and audience are surrounded by restaurants and shops and people passing by.

Scene from “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.”

The plays of William Shakespeare, as presented, are minimalist in scale. There is little in the way of proper scenery and costuming, and the scripts are abbreviated to keep the story line coherent and tight, avoiding subplots that might otherwise distract the audience in the timeframe available.

Unless you are an English scholar, you won’t notice the edited plots as the plays and acting are both good enough that the audience forgets they are in the middle of a busy city mall. The actors, who obviously enjoy their roles, are seemingly unmindful of the city around them. In keeping with the summer atmosphere, the acting is light enough to keep the characters fresh and not overly pompous. On the whole, It makes for an enjoyable evening.

Number from an opening skit presented before the start of “Hamlet.”

The plays are presented free of charge, though the TSC gladly accepts any donation you may want to provide. Parking is close by, and free. Market Square merchants are happy to provide food, drink and service so that you can make an evening of it. And, you can bring the whole family, including the dog, if you want. All-in-all, an opportunity to escape the humdrum as a family and is highly recommended.

Scene from “Hamlet.” Hamlet (center) is talking to Gildenstern (right) and Rosencrantz (left).

TSC is a non-profit organization and depends upon the generous donations of the public, admissions fees to other presentations, and a small amount of public grant monies to support its programs. In addition to the Shakespeare on the Square series, TSC programs include the Timeless Works Series, the New Play Festival, and an educational and outreach program. During the coming spring, TSC also plans to introduce a new program, the Tennessee Williams Festival.

Their next production, “I Hate Hamlet,” is this coming November, is a part of its Timeless Works series. This spring, TSC plans to present the world premiere production of Jay Hulings “The Church of Diminishing Returns.” The production is a part of its New Play Festival program.

Scene from “Hamlet.” Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle (right) and Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother (right).

For more information about the plays and programs, you can go to the Tennessee Stage Company’s web site, located here.

For additional pictures from TSC’s Shakespeare productions, go here, or to view my web site and blog, go here.

View of Knoxville, Vol. 50

CP — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:30:42 +0000

This photo was taken by abennett23

The View of Knoxville series is derived from photos in our flickr group. Add your pictures and we might feature them here.

You’ve Never Heard it Called That!?

CP — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:30:05 +0000

This is a guest post by Chad Huskey.

As a kid, riding up and down Chapman Highway with my folks, we would stop in for gas at a gas station/pawn shop/jewelry store/restaurant. The sign at the road says “Thrifty Center”, but I had always heard it called Taul Town. When I was a teenager I finally thought to ask one day, what exactly a Taul Town was. Turns out I had just heard it pronounced with a Tennessean southern drawl for all those years, and it was actually Towel Town. When the shop first opened it was a gas station/pawn shop/jewelry store/restaurant/towel emporium. You could fill up with gas, eat a waffle, buy a necklace, pawn your stereo, and purchase a hand towel in one convenient stop.

It seems people take great pride in calling it a name no one remembers, and I admit I’ve been guilty of it myself. The scene usually plays out something like this. “Meet me at Towel Town…Where?!…Towel Town! Where the heck is Towel Town?!…You know, the Thrifty Center…Yea I know the Thrifty Center, why did you call it Towel Town!?…What!?! You mean you’ve never heard it called Towel Town, that’s all I ever heard it called growing up?” We take offense to those outsiders who haven’t heard the secret code names, of local establishments from days gone by. At the same time we delight in filling them in on the often colorful history of the old names, and places and how they became what they are today.

Think you’re not guilty? Do you go to East Town Mall or Knoxville Center? I hear older folks still call the shopping center where the Disc Exchange is, Cas Walker’s. Whole communities’ names have come and gone. Ever hear of Happy Holler near downtown or maybe Pennyrile in South Knoxville? We get a kick out of the ignorance about our local stories and legends that make up these lost names. We feel it’s our civic duty, as native Knoxvillians, to fill in the out-of-towners and newly relocated to our “inside info”.

In truth, it’s all done in good fun, with a sense of pride about the silly little tidbits we are privy to about our home town. We enjoy educating folks about things we hold onto that take us back to years ago, when these secrets were common knowledge. When things where a bit slower, and life seemed to be a little bit more relaxed.

Makes me wonder if sometime in the early 1800s a conversation ever went something like this, “Meet me at James White Fort…Where?!…James White Fort! Where the heck is James White Fort?!…You know, Knoxville!”

Photo by: striatic

TN Bloggers Standing Behind Education

CP — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:00:04 +0000

The fine folks over at Tennessee Bloggers For Education have been asking us to spread the word about their program for a while. And what a great program it is. Head on over to their donation page and look at all the ways we can help local teachers.