If you missed getting tickets, I really can't help you with the Sold Out situation for the Ryan Adams show at the Bijou on Tuesday, but I can help distract you with a little bit of trivia about the Grammy-nominated artist.

So...throw a little Gold on the CD player, grab a High Life and some smokes and take a little tour of the life of Ryan Adams--it's almost as fun as seeing him live (well, not really).

*He is NOT Bryan Adams--although they do share a birthday and in some photos, they have almost the same hairdo.

Bryan Adams

Ryan Adams

*He was born, David Ryan Adams on November 5, 1974 (ok...he's a month younger than me. What have I done with my life??) in Jacksonville, NC.

*He's a high school dropout.

*He first started performing as a singer in a punk band, The Patty Duke Syndrome, which released a couple of tunes you might be able to find on eBay for a lot of money. Not one of which is the "Identical Cousins" theme song.

*In 1996, Ryan Adams formed a new alt-country band called Whiskeytown. They were hugely popular with all the cool people.

*Ryan Adams is a wild-man.

*In 1999, his wild-manness pretty much caused the break up of Whiskeytown. All the cool people cried...

*...and they kept crying 'til he came out with his first solo album, Heartbreaker, in 2000. Then the cool people were happy again.

*Since 2000, the prolific Ryan Adams has recorded pretty much an album a year. Here they are in order:
-2001, Gold
-2002, Demolition
-2003, Rock n Roll
-2004, Love is Hell
-2005, 29, Cold Roses and The Cardinals, the band that had been opening for him on tour. They all fell in love and made beautiful music together.

*In 2003 (we're back-tracking), Ryan Adams was nominated for a Grammy. He didn't win, but his fellow nominees included Tom Waits and Bruce Springsteen. I'd say the nomination was honor enough!

*Ryan Adams has worked with all sorts of famous people, which makes him even more brilliant. Some of his friends are Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Beth Orton, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. I'm sure he's got others, too.

*Ryan Adams dates popular girls like Parker Posey and Carrie Hamilton (Carol Burnett's daughter).

*Ryan Adams sells out venues where ever he performs--including the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville!

Posted by the 520 gang at 02:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Whether you are a salsa, swing, hip hop, belly or 'anything goes' kind of dancer, Knoxville hosts a number of venues to satisfy anyone’s dance craving. This list of sizzling hot spots will get you hoppin’ and “happy in the feetzies” until the sun comes up. So come on all you movers and shakers, put those dancin’ shoes on and venture out to one or all of Knoxville’s favorite spots to move your hips.

If you’re looking for something special goings on tonight, check out: World Grotto for some swing dancing, The Fairbanks for some Latino dancing, or Michael's to shag to some retro tunes.

Also, mark your calendar with some special one-time events taking place the rest of this summer, such as a Reggae dance night and an Oasis Belly Dance Troupe at the World Grotto, or Indie Dance Night at Sassy Ann’s Blues House.

And if you’re looking for a regular hot spot to frequent weekly, Cotton Eyed Joe, Malibu 7, Electric Cowboy, Michael’s all serve up recurring boogie nights.

Happening Tonight (Friday, July 21)

Swing Dance Party with The Streamliners, Off the Rails Late Night with DJ Trainwreck
When: 10 p.m.
Where: World Grotto
Cost: $10
For ages: 21-plus
Contact Phone: (865)226-2962

Fiesta Ritmo de Latino-America with DJ Milton (El Salvador)
When: 10 p.m.
Where: The Fairbanks
Cost: $10
For ages: 18-plus
Contact Phone: (865)766-0767
Notes: Salsa, Merengue, Regge, Bachata, Cumbia and Latin house

Dancing
When: 6 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Where: Cotton Eyed Joe
Recurs: Every day
Contact Phone: (865) 675-4563

Dance party nights
When: 7 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Where: Electric Cowboy
Cost: Free
For ages: 18-plus
Recurs: Wednesday-Sunday
Contact Phone: (865)769-8804

Dance music
Where: Malibu 7
Recurs: Every Tuesday-Saturday
Contact Phone: (865) 546-7777

Swing and shag dancing
When: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Michael’s
Recurs: Every Tuesday and Friday
Contact Phone: (865) 588-2455

Pro Audio Oldies Show
When: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Babe's Lounge
Recurs: Every Tuesday-Friday
Contact Phone: (865) 693-8111

Top 40 hits, retro hits
When: 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Where: Michael’s
Cost: free
Contact Phone: (865) 588-2455
Recurs: Every day
Notes: Retro hits on Wednesdays

Retro Night with DJ Chili
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Swizzle's at Holiday Inn Select
Recurs: Every Friday
Contact Phone: (865) 693-1011

The World Grotto features many of Knoxville's favorite DJs

Recurring Dance Events:

Swing Dancing Lessons
When: 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: The Laurel Theatre
Cost: free
For ages: All ages
Contact Phone: (865)522-5851
Notes:
The Knoxville Swing Dance Association (KSDA) offers free dance lessons taught by local instructors on beginner and intermediate levels every Monday and Wednesday.

DJ Slink
When: 9 p.m.
Where: Fiction
Recurs: Every Saturday

Dancing
When: 6 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Recurs: Every day
Where: Cotton Eyed Joe
Contact Phone: (865) 675-4563

Dance party nights
When: 7 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Where: Electric Cowboy
Cost: Free
For ages: 18-plus
Recurs: Wednesday-Sunday
Contact Phone: (865)769-8804

Dance music
Where: Malibu 7
Recurs: Every Tuesday-Saturday
Contact Phone: (865) 546-7777

Swing and shag dancing
When: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Michael’s
Recurs: Every Tuesday and Friday
Contact Phone: (865) 588-2455

Smoky Mountain Shaggers
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Swizzle's at Holiday Inn Select
Cost: free
Recurs: Every Sunday
Contact Phone: (865) 693-1011

Monthly Swing Dance
When: 8 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Where: The Laurel Theatre
Cost: $6
For ages: All ages
Contact Phone: (865)522-5851

Pro Audio Oldies Show
When: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Babe's Lounge
Recurs: Every Tuesday-Friday
Contact Phone: (865) 693-8111

Top 40 hits, retro hits
When: 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Where: Michael’s
Cost: free
Contact Phone: (865) 588-2455
Recurs: Every day
Notes: Retro hits on Wednesdays

Midweek Break at The Fairbanks
When: 11 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Where: The Fairbanks
Cost: $3
For ages: 18-plus
Recurs: Every Wednesday
Contact Phone: (865)766-0767
Notes: DJs RandomBeat, Mic1 and Devious DJ

Dance music DJ
When: 9 p.m.
Where: Electric Ballroom
Recurs: Every Tuesday and Thursday
Contact Phone: (865) 522-9494

DJ Big Ed's request night
When: 9 p.m.
Where: Sassy Ann’s Blues House
Recurs: Every Thursday
Contact Phone: (865) 525-5839

Fiesta Reggaeton
When: 10:30 p.m.
Where: The Fairbanks
Cost: $10
For ages: 18-plus
Contact Phone: Every Second and Fourth Saturday
Contact Phone: (865)766-0767

Out Tonight with DJ Brad
When: 11 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Where: The Fairbanks
Cost: Contact venue
For ages: 18-plus
Recurs: Every Thursday
Contact Phone: (865)766-0767

Retro Night with DJ Chili
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Swizzle's at Holiday Inn Select
Recurs: Every Friday
Contact Phone: (865) 693-1011

Dance Night
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Swizzle's at Holiday Inn Select
Recurs: Every Saturday
Contact Phone: (865) 693-1011

DJ Wigs
When: 9 p.m.
Where: Old City Java
Cost: free
For ages: All ages
Recurs: Every Thursday
Contact Phone: (865)523-9817

DJ Slink gets the Fiction crowd moving with his breakbeats and down-tempo.

Dancing Events Coming Up this Summer/Fall:

Diskotech with DJ Slink
When: 10 p.m.; 07/27, 08/03
Where: World Grotto
Cost:$5
For ages: 21-plus
Contact Phone: (865)226-2962

Int'l Dance Night with DJ Sonia
When: 10 p.m.; 08/05
Where: World Grotto
Cost:$5
For ages: 21-plus
Contact Phone: (865)226-2962

Reggae Dance Night with DJ Rogue
When: 10 p.m.; 08/12
Where: World Grotto
Cost: $5
For ages: 21-plus
Contact Phone: (865)226-2962

DJ Wigs with Science O' Mega
When: 9 p.m.; 08/13
Where: Sassy Ann’s Blues House
For ages: 21-plus
Contact Phone: (865) 525-5839

Salsa Dance Party
When: 10 p.m.; 08/19
Where: World Grotto
Cost:$5
For ages: 21-plus
Contact Phone: (865)226-2962

Monthly Swing Dance
When: 8 p.m. - 12 a.m.; 08/24
Where: The Laurel Theatre
Cost: $6
For ages: All ages
Contact Phone: (865)522-5851

Indie music DJ night
When: 9 p.m.; 08/27
Where: Sassy Ann’s Blues House
Cost: free
For ages: 21-plus
Contact Phone: (865) 525-5839

Oasis Belly Dance Troupe
When: 8 p.m.; 10/11
Where: World Grotto
Cost: TBA
For ages: 21-plus
Contact Phone: (865)226-2962

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 09:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Привет!
Ikon (True Russian Vodka) came across my recent blog, "A Bar, a Bed and a $350 Martini --
520's intern Jules discovers a wealth of jewels at Sapphire," which featured Sapphire martinis made with Russian Ikon Vodka. And now the Ikon Vodka is featuring the 520 blog on its own Web site!

"Knoxville, TN really knows how to make a True Russian Ikon Vodka Drink," exclaimed the Ikon site. Thanks to the Sapphire bar, this fact is true.

So thank you Ikon for posting the blog and to Sapphire for serving up a truely strong Russian martini! Tip your Ikon martini glasses and say Приветствия!

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 04:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Versatility. If one word could describe local R&B/funk/soul/hip-hop singer Jaystorm, versatile hits it on the eye of the storm. And he’s landing at the Kingston Alley this Friday for a special performance, a gig that Jaystorm says he landed “through persistence and perseverance.” However, talent, energy and his diverse style may have just as much to do with it.

With R&B renditions of a wide range of old classics from soul legend Marvin Gaye to ’80s rock hair band Whitesnake, Jaystorm is not afraid to span the musical spectrum as long as he’s “performing good music,” which include a number of his own originals. The performer has opened for major label-recording artists such as 112, Mystikal and Coolio, and even gained great popularity for his originals in the UK—without even touring there.

And when it comes to writing music, Jaystorm is “all about being positive.” “First, I have to be in a super great mood to write a super great song,” he says. “And I’m usually in a good mood because I’m a super positive person.”

Former V.P. for AC Entertainment and current GM of WUTK 90.3, Benny Smith describes Jaystorm as “dynamite and a very diverse individual with great stage presence and powerful vocals to wow any crowd…he has been paving the way for urban independent artists all throughout the Upper East Tennessee area.”

“As an artist, it’s a must that I have to be versatile. It’s gotten me a lot of places I wouldn’t have gone otherwise,” Jaystorm says. And as far as his classic covers, the artist says he performs songs by the “people who paved the way for me to be here.”

Yet Jaystorm is perhaps most notarized for his slamming originals off of his full-length album “Lets Do This,” and his popular single “TwentyFourSeven,” originally a track by local jazz legend Donald Brown. And Jaystorm never ceases to bring his own spin to the music, adding dance moves and performing with rap artist Mista Enz on the single. He has also performed with local guitarist Dave Landeo, a musician whom Jaystorm says adds a “high energy acoustic” sound to the performance.

Originally from Greeneville, TN, Jaystorm (also known as J.J. Jimmy Sardin), moved to Knoxville in ’97 because of the city’s thriving music scene. “Knoxville is a good place to start a base,” he says. "And it’s not too saturated. It’s in the middle of everything that’s going on.”

Since his arrival, Jaystorm, like a stubborn squall, has evolved significantly, honing his skills and sharpening his style. Jaystorm’s first venture into performing was with R&B/ hip-hop group PD-6, where he headed two completed CDs. The singer even fronted the rock band Dead Star Prophecies for months, packing and airing on the radio.

“I started to think rock ’n roll,” he says. The band eventually fizzled, but Jaystorm still attributes his current success and versatility to his experience singing for Death Star. “It made me the front man that I am today,” he says. No wonder he can rock “Is This Love,” with such edge.

“I get crazy on stage,” he touts. “I have a lot of energy.”

Nowadays, that energy is poured into working with his new accompanying band, which he has been with for two ears, as well as producing a new album to be out next year.

“It has taken me to heights unknown. It’s really stepped up my career,” he says of his band, which is composed of Aram Takvoryan on bass, his brother Sevan Takvoryan on lead guitar and Kenneth Brown (Donald Brown’s son) on drum kit.

Since Jaystorm’s “Let’s Do This” came out in 2004, Jaystorm has, on some level, exceeded “having a strong regional buzz,” which he claims to be his No. 1 goal. He has since been nominated for Independent R&B Album of the Year (2005 Southern Entertainment Awards) in Nashville, won a Battle of the Bands national competition held by Got Milk org. based out of Chicago, IL, was voted into November's Top 10 Bands from Pulse Unsigned (UK) out of over 75,000 votes and sold over 2400 copies of his album.

Jaystorm was even featured in 2walls.com, a Webzine with a “Radar Screen,” which touts the slogan, “commentary for the socially misguided.” The radar for the month of April in 2004, picked up Jaystorm, commenting “It’s time to ditch that old Babyface and R. Kelly records, you know the ones you break out on those special occasions, because one listen of the debut album “Let’s Do This” from Jaystorm and the smoothness in his voice is all you’ll ever need. When Jaystorm is not laying down true soul/R&B tracks, he switches gears and gives you a healthy dose of hip-hop that puts the southern roots of his crew on full display.”

Also, Pulse decided to feature Jaystorm in the new Logic Player, a media player that comes with preloaded tracks. All this notoriety, yet Jaystorm is still humble as ever.
“I was tripping out man,” he says of when he heard the news about the Logic.
And yes, it seems that with all this recognition, it almost appears like Jaystorm has become more famous among the laddies in Britain than with the cowboys in the South. But Jaystorm assures me that his roots and his soul remain in the region (although a tour of the UK is not out of the question). And Knoxville certainly wants to keep him around as well, for his live performance schedule in East Tennessee is booked solid.

“It’s been a long journey, he says, “but I’m more advanced now more than ever…It’s called passion. I don’t focus on the obstacles. I focus on the end result. Obstacles are what you see when you quit focusing on the goal.”

Before we parted, I curiously ask Jaystorm about his name. He replies:
“Jay is my middle name, and a storm is what I want to take the world over by.”

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 03:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This Thursday, July 20th Knoxville welcomes the poppy goodness of Guster along with the captivating Ray LaMontagne to the Tennessee Theatre.

Guster

The acoustic-pop group, Guster, wowed Knoxvillians in 2003 when they performed at Sundown in the City and they're sure to do it again this week. They craft guitar-based songs with Beatlesesque harmonies and infuse them with conga rhythms, smart lyrics and unique instrumentation. With their original sound, Guster manages to make even other people's songs their own. In fact, one of my favorite Guster moments is the ukelele solo in their version of "Blister in the Sun". (I'm pro-Violent Femmes, pro-ukelele and that's the song that made me pro-Guster!).

It's their original pieces that make this band really shine, though. Creative lyrics and humable melodies have made Guster a favorite across a wide spectrum of audiences lovingly called, "Gusterrhoids". They have performed on such various bills as Bonnaroo, Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, The World Cafe, NPR and they even sang the National Anthem at Fenway Park!

Guster live in concert

Guster's quirky but accessible sound took shape when the members were all students at Tufts University in the early nineties. Originally calling themselves Gus, they enjoyed local and regional success. When another Gus made it big with Geffen Records, our guys were forced to change their name to Guster. Since then, they have released 5 major albums and a passle of live recordings--including Live in Knoxville, which is the recording of their Sundown show. Be sure to pick up their new album, Ganging Up On The Sun at Disc Exchange or Cats Music.

Guster will be spending this leg of their tour with the remarkable Ray LaMontagne, who is promoting the upcoming release of his new record, Till The Sun Turns Black (out August 29th).

LaMontagne is a self-taught singer/songwriter whose debut album, Trouble, has been considered by many to be an instant classic. His folksy groove hints at some of his influences: Stephen Stills, Otis Redding and Neil Young. LaMontagne's soulful voice and his subtley powerful songs will be the perfect accent to the more lively Guster.

LaMontagne's already classic first album

Tickets are $42 for the 7/20 performance and are still available at the time of this post.

To waste some more time when you should be working, click here to watch the Guster podcast, Joe's Place.

Posted by the 520 gang at 02:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The function of Knoxville520.com is not to play Journalist, but rather to keep you up-to-date on entertainment and events that affect how you spend your evenings.

Sunday's raid on favorite Market Square establishments belonging to Scott & Bernadette West could definitely have an impact on your social agenda!

Federal agents backed their Ryder truck up to the front door of Oodles/Uncorked and loaded it up with boxes of computers, cash registers, files and other suspicious items from Preservation Pub, the World Grotto, Earth to Old City as well as Oodles/Uncorked. (There was also talk that the agents might have found the tequila "suspicious", as there was salt spilled on the bar and bottle out of place when the employees arrived late that morning. Hell...I guess even the Feds recognize that it's always 5 o'clock somewhere!)

Although these places plan to stay open for business as usual, there is a chance that this could turn ugly for Market Square entertainment and Downtown as a whole.

Several local news organizations have released in-depth (well, sort of in-depth) stories on these developments. Check out the video at WBIR and read Bill Brewer's piece in the Sentinel.

We'll do our best to let you know if the day-to-day operations of these popular nightspots are compromised.

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Steve Wildsmith of the Maryville Daily Times (and one of my favorite local writers) has a nice piece about One Leg Up--an East Tennessee Jazz Society event taking place at Cha Cha this Sunday, July 16th. Just thought you'd like to know!

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Read about Joe's adventures as "Hedwig" in The Actors Co-op's HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH at the Black Box Theatre.

Learn what else is shaking on Knoxville stages at Joe's theatre blog.

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Downtown on Gay Street, a classy, mellow joint named Sapphire serves up strong drinks in a soft, musical atmosphere. Venturing to this bar is a rather unique experience, being the only venue in East Tennessee to serve the Russian-imported Ikon Vodka, as well as furnish a plush, blue bed in the corner.

Soft voices and subdued laughter is often set to “In a Mellow Tone,” and other jazz favorites regularly performed by the Sara Schwabe Cabaret with keyboardist Geol Greenlee (Disclaimer: Although involved in the 520 site, Sara had nothing to do with this particular piece).

I take a look at the drink menu and contemplate ordering my usual Mojito, but stop my scanning at a drink called the “Confession.” I have to confess I was curious about the concoction in all its sweetness and its utterly strong list of ingredients. The friendly bartender Jared approaches me to take my order. I pause, and then reluctantly, yet excitedly order the “Confession.” He nods his head a few times and smiles.

“You’re a brave girl for trying that Confession,” he says.

The Confession is one part Vanilla Stolichnaya (Stoli), one part Patron Café, then topped off with a Bacardi 151 Float.

“So I’m a brave woman?” I ask as he returns with the milky white liquor, filled to the top, on the rocks.

“Take yourself a quick sip.”

I take a long sip…pucker my lips and close my eyes. “Delicious”, I say.

The cream complimented the liquor just right…similar to a White Russian in taste but stronger and without the Kahlua. I felt like “Dude” Lebowski with his drink in hand about to declare how the “rug (in this case the bed) really tied the room together.” It was the kind of drink that gets tamer and sweeter the more your hold it around like an accessory…your hand melting the rocks.

With a bar-full of confession drinkers and a bed, who knows what could happen.

And, hence the name, the drink caused a spur of confessions through the room, mostly friendly, innocent musings about gem stones and a light-hearted, tipsy renditions of CHICAGO’s “All That Jazz” and Ella's "Lady is a Tramp." After the musical serenades with drinks close in hand, I talk to the bartenders and owner Mark about the other drinks on the menu.

The Sapphire Martini at $350 is a “classic martini made with Bombay Sapphire or IKON vodka garnished with a 2.25 carat natural blue sapphire. Yet the cost does hold too many people back from purchasing the dynamite drink. The Sapphire Martini has sold about 12 times since the bar’s opening a year and a half ago. That’s a little less than one blue sapphire a month.

For those patrons not able to drop a few hundred, the novel Sapphire Fizz, invented by bartenders Josh Gilliland and Lydia Rock, is a refreshing azure option made with the new Blueberry Stolichnaya. The Sapphire Fizz, although strong, reminded me of the blueberry Kool-Aid I use to sip in summer as a child, tasting oddly refreshing after experiencing the creamy lather and 151 found in the Confession. The Sapphire Fizz, which is not found on the printed menu, is rather sugary, so if you’re a fan of the bitter or smooth, the drink might be too saccharine for your taste.

Another new beverage not found on the printed menu, but definitely worth a taste (or several), is our namesake 520 Cocktail—and this time it is not 520 proof like the infamous 151. 520 is a scrumptious mix of amaretto, juice from half a lemon, light rum, simple syrup and club soda. Served as a martini or on the rocks in a low ball with a twist, this drink is an exuberant addition to the signature “Confession” and “Sapphire Fizz,” and will not only get you ready to confess your heart out, but also inspire you to frequent your favorite nightlife calendar Knoxville520.com!

Make your own at home with these ingredients::

Confession
One part Vanilla Stoli, one part Patron Café
topped with a Bacardi 151 float

Sapphire Fizz
1.5 oz Blueberry Stoli, lime juice, simple syrup, blue curcao (with tilda), splash of soda

Sapphire Martini Bombay Sapphire or IKON vodka garnished with a 2.25 carat natural blue sapphire

520
Amaretto, juice from half a lemon,
light rum, simple syrup and club soda

Other Sapphire favorites:
Sam’s Preferred

Lychee Martini

Banana Split

Lady Macbeth

El Matador

Rockstar

Sidecar

Posted by the 520 gang at 02:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is a big fat weekend on the Knoxville theatre scene with the opening of not one, but 3 major productions split between the Actors Co-op Theatre Company and the Tennessee Stage Company.

The Actors Co-op is getting back to its cutting-edge roots (yea!) with their bold season opener, HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH. This popular rock musical about a would-be rock star who names her band "The Angry Inch" after the remnants of her botched sex-change, officially opens Friday, July 14th for a four-week run at the Black Box Theatre.

photo by Shannon Stanfield

With HEDWIG, Amy Hubbard and the rest of the Actors Co-op resident company hope to further realize their mission "to engage our community with inventive, entertaining and thought-provoking theatre." The company exists not only to provide audiences with intimate and engaging performances, but also to allow actors an opportunity to sink their teeth into challenging, meaty roles.

Rest assured, all ye fans of this cult classic! Joe Beuerlein was born to play Hedwig--perhaps one of the meatiest roles in the musical theatre world. I watched rehearsal this week and I'm here to tell you that Joe's portrayal of the transvestite glam-rocker will impress even the most staunch HEDWIG purists. Gorgeous costumes and make-up by Rob Link made me wish I was as pretty as Hedwig (or at least that I had her legs--yowza!).

photo by Shannon Stanfield

Combine all this with a talented Angry Inch Band including Chris Hamblin, Mike Murphy, Lucas Flatt, Nate Barrett & Jodie Manross (Ytzak), and you've got one hot tranny musical! All performances will be at the Actors Co-op home, the Black Box Theatre on Homberg Drive. Pay attention, though! You might not recognize the building with its new paint job, beautiful new awning and stellar new sign!

photo courtesy Tennessee Stage Co.

On the other side of town (and spectrum), the Tennessee Stage Company opens its fourth season of Shakespeare on the Square on Thursday, July 13th. This festival has become a summer staple on Market Square, providing audiences with free performances of what founder, Tom Parkhill, calls "Shakespeare's Greatest Hits."

This season's bill will feature HENRY V and TAMING OF THE SHREW. Both of these productions have been mounted by the company in recent memory, but this year they're offering a few surprises. Most notably, the title role in HENRY V will be played by Ms. Leigh Monet. I'm a big fan of non-traditional casting, so I'm excited to see how this plays out. (It seems this is the summer for gender-swapping!)

Shakespeare on the Square will be offering these two productions in reperatory through Aug. 5th, so you will have many opportunities to see both shows. All performances are BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair).

If you'd like to read more about either of these productions, check out the latest pieces by Leslie Wylie or Doug Mason.

Also for additional news about Knoxville's theatrical goings-on, head on over to Joe Beuerlein's theatre blog.

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Don't let the name fool you--Secret Gossip is anything but quiet, cagey or covert (how's that for alliteration?). This Nashville funk band comes at you with a full arsenal of horns, percussion and tight vocal harmonies.

I've seen them perform a number of times here in Knoxville and I'm always impressed that a bunch of well-trained musicians can let loose the way they do. Their sound is anything but reckless, though. The driving bass lines and precise horn riffs bring to mind the impeccable groove of Steely Dan and make you want to shake your Bodhisattva on the dancefloor.

Go check out Secret Gossip this Saturday night at the Preservation Pub. Their original material is melodically catchy and lyrically witty--although the last time I saw them, the sound sucked and I missed most of their words. Surely this band doesn't intend to be quite that secret. Gossip is no fun if you can't hear it!

Posted by the 520 gang at 03:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Inside Stir Fry Turkey Creek

Anyone living in West Knoxville or Farragut has undoubtedly been faced with the dilemma:

"When I want good live entertainment, do I journey all the way downtown and risk driving back to 'East Nashville' after a couple adult beverages, or do I just stay safely this side of the Pellissippi Parkway?"

Judging by the surprising number of longtime locals with whom I've spoken that made their first trip to Market Square for Sundown in the City this season, the answer is probably the latter.

Even before our recent Downtown Renaissance, the majority of concerts, theatre productions and other forms of entertainment took place in the Old City or on Gay Street. It seemed as though West Knoxvillians were destined to spend the rest of their days without a cultural outlet.

Enter Brent Thompson--one of the brains behind the Bluefoot Arts collective, and also General Manager of Stir Fry Turkey Creek.

Brent has sought from the beginning of his reign as West Knoxville's Entertainment Guru to create at Stir Fry Cafe a melange of artistic expression. Not only can one enjoy some kick-ass tofu pad thai, but one can also marvel at (and purchase) locally crafted jewelery, paintings, pottery and other visual art. The live entertainment at this intimate creative oasis has ranged from jazz to folk to bluegrass.

Brent's latest endeavor is a traditional piano bar, featuring some of the most gifted local pianists including Donald Brown, Ben Maney and Jason Day. The piano bar is a delightful opportunity to catch these and other talented musicians au naturale--by that I mean without a band, silly.

The Stir Fry Cafe Piano Bar takes place Wednesday-Friday nights from 6-9pm. Be sure to stop in for some refreshing West Knoxville entertainment. (This might even be cool enough for the Downtowners to head West--and that's saying something!)

All the martinis look this cool at Stir Fry--so will you!

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This Friday night July 6th, British musician Jamie Cullum will be bringing his own brand of jazz-pop to the Bijou Theatre to promote his latest album, Catching Tales.

As with his past albums Pointless Nostalgic (2002) and Twentysomething (2003), his latest release works to bridge the gap between multiple genres of music. With his sultry Sinatra/Connick/Buble-style voice, his takes on the Great American Songbook make you swoon. But Cullum's not simply just another pretty baritone (however he is easy on the eyes!).

He is firmly rooted in jazz, but he tends to blur the lines between pop, hip hop, blues and funk--especially with his original pieces--by combining percussive rhythms, interesting melodies and often gritty lyrics. His ability to create a musical world where all genres play intelligently well with others is an exciting aural treat!

"At first I didn't think certain songs had a place in what I was doing with jazz, but I've realized that everything does, and that reaffirms my belief that jazz is the greatest platform to do whatever you want."

His cover of Jimi Hendrix's "The Wind Cries Mary" proves that perfectly.

"The way I like to approach music is to mix things round and, fortunately, I like to mix it with things that people find a bit more familiar. I love pop music so I mix jazz and pop music. Not because I want to make it accessible but because it’s music that I enjoy. I guess I've just got an angle on it that people find a bit more interesting."

Jamie Cullum is sure to live up to his reputation for witty, high-energy performances this Friday at the Bijou. Get your tickets if you don't have them already and we'll see you at the show!

Click here for more information about Jamie Cullum and his music.

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The truth of the matter is that the wine thing is way out of hand. It must be or else I wouldn’t have witnessed him, whom I took to be a frat boy, swirling and sniffing a goblet of wine late on a Friday night. Maybe he was drunk and trying to look like he wasn’t: I don’t know. Still, I wondered if he really knew what he was doing because though he had most of the right wine tasting moves down, he had his hand on the bowl of the glass and he was sniffing, almost daintily, above the rim of the glass. Tsk Tsk. That simply won’t do.

Tasting wine like a pro can be a wonderful thing especially if you’re in the company of those who will be impressed by your acumen – though, I’m not sure if it has a place in the confines of a weekend watering hole at the witching hour. Still, if you’re gonna do it, do it right.

There 5 basic steps to pro wine tasting – actually there are 7, but I’m omitting color analysis and initial, pre-swirl sniff for another day. Besides, that’s the height of the business, and it won’t help you much if you’re trying to look like a pro in the lovely half-light of a cool bar named after a gemstone.

So here’s a brief guide to the “how” of the tasting ritual and a little reasoning to clarify the “why” of the same.

PICK UP THE GLASS

That’s simple enough, eh? Just make sure that you grasp the glass by the stem, not the bowl. There are two reasons for this: one is that your hand is hot (oh, yeah) and is hotter than the wine; the other is that glass is like a billboard for fingerprints. So if your aim is elegance, smudges won’t help.

SWIRL

Get that wine moving because that helps all the lovely aromas jump outta the glass.

SNIFF

Sure the lovely aromas are jumping outta the glass, but like Pandora, you’ll be better off catching them before they leave – so stick your nose down into the glass (taking care not to inhale the wine – ugly, that). Now you’re supposed to think about what the wine smells like – is it fruit? Leather? Tar? Whatever it is, take note so you can say something clever like, “The apricots would be lovely, but I think they’re a little under ripe here.”

SIP

Don’t get excited and gulp, not yet anyway: take a little of the nectar in your mouth, swish it (silently please) and then let it rest in your mouth while your tongue evaluates the body – I love this part. Is it thin and leaves you wanting more? Is it full and mouth filling? Is it light like water or thick like something creamy? Does it taste like anything familiar?

SWALLOW

Okay - you only swallow if you’re out for a good time. If you’re being a professional – and I know this is counterintuitive – then you spit (subtly, please) into an appropriate receptacle. After you’ve ingested or expelled the fluid, think about how long the flavor lasts. Some folks like a lingering after-taste – a long finish – others want the afterglow to be short and simple. The point is to take note of it so you can make more clever remarks like, “boy, that’s long” or “this one’s a little short for me.”

And that’s just about it – okay, this is way too simple an explanation. Still, it’s a quick way to start understanding the way that wine gives multiple pleasures – and who doesn’t like multiple pleasures?

Posted by Dennis Perkins at 06:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)