Welcome to the new 520 blog, The Monday After. This is our attempt to blast through our Monday morning hangovers and offer up some quickie reviews of all the things we’re pretty sure we got into this past week, including gigs, concerts, movies, plays, and restaurants. Pop a couple of ibuprofens and enjoy.




Just over a week ago, we here at Knoxville520 thought we were at the end times.

Blizzard after blizzard had brought Denver to its quivering knees, while the rest of the country was baking in seventy degree weather, in January. A collective "what the eff?" uttered across the nervous nation as people prepared themselves for the four horsemen, or the rapture, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster, or whatever apocalyptic vision people are buying into these days. And just when half of us were expecting the Second Coming, and the other half was mentally adjusted to the concept of living out an Eternal Summer, Father Winter finally got off his Arctic ass and visited us here in East Tennessee.

This week's The Monday After goes out to you, Old Man Winter, for being so refreshingly chilly, so deliciously freezing, and just so loveably cold. Thank you for once again making January feel like January, even if you did take your sweet ass time. We're glad you're here.

And now for our weekly rankings!

Mirage on Gay Street

Upon reading the Amy Lawless review of Mirage - the Middle Eastern restaurant on Gay Street - I decided to round up some of the ol' pals for an evening of garlic, onions and lamb kabobs.



Ooops! That's right, this is perhaps the only Middle Eastern restaurant I've ever been to that doesn't offer a yummy skewer of spiced lamb. Regardless of this gaping hole in the menu, the overall experience was quite enjoyable. We took heed at Lawless's warning about the long wait between courses, and filled our glasses with wine and the table with conversation while the staff slowly filled our plates. The entrees were not particularly noteworthy, but the appetizers definitely were! The feta and tzatziki dips were unbelieveable, as was the tabouli salad. The pinnacle of the night, however, was the enormous Hookah of Love. Actually, it was a hookah of apricot-flavored tobacco, but it felt like love! Even though there are some bugs to be worked out with this new joint, the ambience and appetizers are good enough to make up for the shortfalls of the newly opened Mirage. (3/5) - K.S.

Angel Falls Overlook at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

This 6 mile roundtrip, much of it easy, pays off splendidly with gorgeous views from atop the overlook. From Oneida, take 297 West on Leatherwood Ford Road, then turn right into the Leatherwood Ford Trail parking lot. This hike begins on the John Muir Trail and there are a few easy, narrow, rock-hopping creek crossings early on. The beginning of this trail ambles along side the Big South Fork River. As the elevation increases, the river becomes obscured as you make your way through a bluff and several rock outcroppings. (If hiking in winter, please be mindful of ice when climbing and walking on rocks. Handhold wires are available for one short section.) We hiked this trail on a beautiful clear January day and saw few people and had beautiful unobstructed views from the top. (5/5) -D.D.

Yo La Tengo at the Bijou Theatre

The phrase "yo la tengo" means "I have it." The band Yo La Tengo, if you see them perform live, means "have a kick-ass time." The Hoboken, New Jersey band gave Knoxville a show at the Bijou Theatre on Saturday night that lived up to every expectation I'd built up. YLT's combination of experimental, cacophonous guitar lashings, timely bassline and drumwork, and sugary/occasionally sad vocals mixed up for pure aural satisfaction. I missed the opening band, but as I made my way in for the second half of the evening's bill, I heard a LOT of people extolling the musical virtues of that band, Nashville-based Lambchop. The Bijou always offers a comfortable seat, amazing acoustics, and a good vibe. By the end of the show, Yo La Tengo gave us two encores, invited members of Lambchop onstage for one of those, and my fellow audience members were leaning on and/or dancing right in front of the stage. This might be a cliché, but it's fair to say that I tengo'd myself a kick-ass time, indeed. (5/5) -B.T.

Pan's Labyrinth

Pan's Labyrinth has been racking up rave reviews and award nominations of late, so I was pretty excited getting to see this movie. I didn't know a whole lot about it going in, other than it was the story of a little girl coping with the war by use of fantasy and fairy tales in 1940s Europe. So I was expecting lots of dragons and fairies and escapism, or at least something warm and fuzzy like Roberto Benigni's Life Is Beautiful.

Well, I got the fairies part right. But I certainly didn't expect the fairies to get their heads bitten off and devoured by a eyeless, bleeding, naked child-eater.

Pan's Labyrinth is horrifyingly beautiful from start to finish. The story is told through the eyes of Ofelia, played by Ivana Baquero, a little girl who moves with her pregnant mother into her new step-father's home, a mill-turned-military encampment. Ofelia is a child who gets lost in her fantasies, fantasies created to help explain and help mitigate the atrocities of the times she lives in. Her father has been killed, her mother's new husband is abusive, and all around her innocent people are struggling to survive. Her waking world is a world of horrors, and her world of fantasy, while very close to being a place of hope and escape, is more reflective of her hellish nightmares. The film is graphic and gruesome, and the usually friendly world of CGI is here no place of refuge. I had to cover my eyes more than once. (4/5) -J.B.

Bruce Pearl at Thompson Boling Arena

The tickets for the Lady Vol vs. Duke basketball game should have come with a disclaimer stating that a naked, screaming Bruce Pearl would be in attendance. Classy, Bruce, real classy. We do like, though, that you're working hard to bring excitement to your counterpart's basketball program. Let's just hope this isn't a trend. (1/5) -J.B.

Go try to put out your mind's eye! See you next week!

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Back Hills Cafe & Picking Parlor

If Alice in Wonderland owned a 150-year old log cabin, it would be the Back Hills Café & Picking Parlor. The interior of the main dining room of this intimate, artsy and whimsical music venue, café and bed and breakfast is painted in a variety of bright colors and sports a red and white checkered floor. The “stage room� is on the ground floor of the actual cabin and is cozy, rustic and small. How small? At a recent LoneTone’s performance, Maria Williams’s upright bass had to be positioned between the low ceiling beams, and while on-stage, drummer Phil Pollard commented that when trying to make eye contact with his wife, he thought he inadvertently made three dates with other women in the audience. (The stage is so small, Pollard was limited to just a snare drum and small glockenspiel.) This intimacy along with the white-clothed tables, mismatched dinner and glassware, and a bathroom that is in a detached building, adds to the charm of this unique smoke-free venue that seats 60 and was sold out on the evening of The LoneTones' performance. The Picking Parlor has already been host to shows by Robinella, Wade Hill, The Steel Drivers, The Bearded, the Tennessee Sheiks, and Roscoe Morgan & Lonely Train. (See upcoming performance schedule below.) Acoustics are good in the cabin and due to the close proximity between the musicians and the crowd, there is the potential for plenty of impromptu interaction. The Back Hills Café & Picking Parlor was originally located on Church Street in Maryville and the building that housed the business fell victim to the City’s imminent domain powers. The business re-opened in this rustic cabin in October 2006, and co-owner, Rose Pierce, says she and business partner Clara Peals, who was decked out in a charming cowgirl outfit, are still learning and apologized to the crowd for running out of food. The Cafe opens at 6:00 p.m. for dinner service and the music begins at approximately 7:00 p.m. and concludes around 9:00 p.m. Dinner is optional, unless otherwise noted, and the menu changes per show. On the night of my visit, dinner included a choice of chicken or pork ($3.50), spring-mix salad ($2.75), vegetables (glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, asparagus, and broccoli casserole for $1.75 each), and dessert (pineapple carrot cake for $2.50). Non-alcoholic beverages are available for $1.00 and patrons may bring their own beverages. (A $5.00 corkage fee covers a party of four.) The tiny “stage room� was heated with a portable fireplace on the staircase landing. The room was a warm and water re-fills were spotty, so packing your own Pelligrino might be a good idea. (Phil Pollard had an adequate stash of PBR onstage.)

Co-owners Rose and Clara met approximately 15 years ago, when Clara booked Rose’s band, The Acony Belles, for a private function. Rose, who sings and plays mandolin, has also played with Wade Hill and Back Porch Soul, and formed a local bluegrass association in the Maryville area. Over time, these ladies became known for their love of music and assisted other establishments, including churches, by decorating, setting up stages and booking bands for special events. Eventually, they decided to go into business for themselves.

They purchased the cabin, which was a private residence, in April 2006, and undertook extensive renovation and decorating of their multiple purpose business. Each bedroom is unique and runs the gamut of a homey old-fashioned parlor, a simple loft, and a 1950’s retro bedroom with twin beds and even a poodle skirt adorning the room. A building detached from the main house contains a modern bedroom with a separate laundry facility and bathroom. The cabin also has a lovely screened in porch and a front porch swing. Sitting on 4-acres, Rose hopes to someday host music festivals and barn dances on the property. Back Hills Café & Picking Parlor is also available for private parties and weddings.

Back Hills Café & Picking Parlor
1559 Middlesettlements Road
Maryville, TN 37801
(865) 982-1010
Reservations are not required, but are recommended
If you get lost, call them, they’ll get you there!

SCHEDULE (Show prices vary. Please call for more information.)

Thursday, February 1 Janette Williams Band

Saturday, February 3 Christabel & the Jons

Saturday, February 10 Carrie Hasler & Hard Rain

Friday, February 16 Mike Cleveland & Flame Keeper featuring Autie Blaylock

Friday, February 23 Jerry Typton with Robinella and Cruz Contrares

Saturday, March 3 Jay Clark

Friday, March 9 James King Band

DIRECTIONS

From Knoxville, you can take Alcoa Highway South and just past the airport, take the Hunt Road Exit and turn left onto W. Hunt Road. Travel 1.2 miles and turn right on Louisville Road and them immediately left onto W. Hunt Road. Go 1.3 miles and turn left on Middlesettlements Road. Cross the railroad track and the Back Hills Café & Picking Parlor will be on your immediate right. (The painted rail road crossing sign is on the pavement opposite the property.) If it’s dark upon your arrival, their sign is not lit, but look to the right and you should see a flashing red light on top of an open wooded gate.

You can also take 321 and turn onto Old Glory Road. Turn toward Maryville when turning onto Middlesettlements Road. Cross the railroad track and the property is on your immediate right.

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Y'all did us proud last night at the Cocktails at the KMA soiree - and on a school night, even!

Why not take a little spin on our merry-go-round of photos (a.k.a. evidence) and see if you were actually as well-behaved as you're claiming today...

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This Thursday night, The Clarence Brown Theatre at the University of Tennessee will present something never before seen on one of their professional stages: an August Wilson play. Fences, Wilson's Tony, Pulitzer, and Drama Desk winning masterpiece, deals with race relations and the African-American experience of 1950s Pittsburgh, as witnessed by the fictional Maxson family.

August Wilson is best known for Fences (1985) and his other popular works, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (1982) and The Piano Lesson (1989), which also won the Tony, Pulitzer, and Drama Desk awards. What audiences may not know is that these works are part of a ten-play cycle that chronicle the social issues of African -Americans in the Unites States over the span of the 20th century. Each play, in fact, takes place in a different decade, and nine of the ten pieces take place in Pittsburgh. Characters in these plays often appear in more than work, as do the specific locations the characters inhabit.

The CBT's new Artistic Director, Calvin MacLean, had a hand in picking this year's selections back last spring when he accepted his job offer here. As I learned when I interviewed him this past fall, MacLean wants to make sure that the Clarence Brown fulfills not only its role as a professional regional theatre, but also its role in supplying quality theatre for different interests, whether they be "a little offbeat or unusual or experimental or student-centered." As for Fences, Maclean thinks that "it's about time that [the play] gets done" here. Read the rest of my interview with Calvin Maclean here.

Fences is directed by Ron Himes, a visiting director who hails from The Black Rep in St. Louis where he is the Producing Director. The cast is comprised wholly of Equity actors, including Horace E. Smith III, who was seen last year as Jim in the CBT's production of Big River. Fences previews this Thursday, and has its opening night Friday at 8 p.m. Check our listings for ticket prices and information. The play will run through Sunday, February 11th.

Ron Himes, Director

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:41 PM | Permalink

Sometimes, you just feel like somebody's watchin' out for ya. In the middle of doing Saturday morning errands, I got a call that Michelle Malone and Garrison Starr would be playing that night at the Corner Lounge. That is like telling someone who likes classic rock that the Eagles would be playing at the Tennessee Theatre, and that the cover charge was $10. Apparently others' guardian angels weren't lookin' after them as closely as mine were, as there were probably only thirty people there. These are musicians that have a strong undercurrent of followers and pack venues like the Grey Eagle in Asheville, and Eddie's Attic in Atlanta. Lucky for us, we live in Knoxville, and we sometimes get front row because everyone else is hunkered down with their gallon of milk and their loaf of bread--just hoping, waiting, and wishing for that storm to hit.

Sometimes, here in Knoxville, we get a little complacent. We get comfortable with our music scene, our football, our market square, and we forget--we forget that a woman, and a guitar, and a cause--or a good story, is missing from our lives. And we got two of them last night. I'd heard of Garrisonn Starr, but I'd never heard her. She (and a drummer named Jesus) filled that room with sound and story-tellin' that just needed to happen. She has a new album, Garrison Starr's Fans' Greatest Hits, Volume 1--selections that her fans chose. And because just picking ten songs was rather impossible, there will be a Volume 2 at some point, so don't you worry. I just kept wondering if that was her real name, and if so, I'd like to meet her parents--even if they apparently give her a hard time about not enough church-going, the red Vans and her jeans that drop just a little too low. Regardless, she's got to be thanking them for the voice she's got and the guitar that she can play.

Michelle Malone. This was the third time I'd seen her. The first was rockin' the you-know-what out of a private party in downtown Knoxville, the second time she was getting some coffee at my favorite grocery store in Atlanta, the third was playing at the Corner Lounge last night. I think she's been out West for a while--the real out West--not West Town Mall. See, if you thought I meant West Town Mall, it's time to get out of Knoxville for a bit.

This woman is both nonchalant and fierce. Michelle Malone probably tops the scales out at about 105. But one look, and though she's beautiful--her eyes tell you that she has chosen her battles. You decide early that you want her on your team--and you want her playin' her guitar. There were a few guys in the back who looked like they just dropped in for a beer after riding their motorcycles across the country collecting tattoos. A few songs in, a few riffs from her collection of electric beauties...and they dropped their jaws in surprise and then joined in the fray of those that appreciated a woman who could sing and play. With influences like the Rolling Stones, Bonnie Rait, Muddy Waters, and Billie Holiday...you want to be at the front table. Fortunately for Knoxville, you could have been--and fortunately for the world, she can also write a song or two, and she has a new album out, "Sugarfoot."

If you're ever feeling sick and tired of being part of the American Idol society--in her observation, that we're become something more of the American Idle society. If you know deep down that families could do better if minimum wage wasn't so minimum, if you're lonely and you think that everybody (but you) has found their someone, if you appreciate a good southern river and a good southern whiskey--then you would be in good company with Michelle Malone. And although the Corner Lounge doesn't serve liquor, they can certainly bring in women and guitars that can hold their own.

Garrison Starr photos by Jeffry Fasano

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Strut, Corleone & artvandalay at Wall Street Murfreesboro TN

Friday night in Murfreesboro continued the Strut and artvandalay party started last week at the World Grotto. The line-up also included the hometown favorites Corleone, a five piece with elements of reggae, hip-hop
and trance.

Next time you're in Murfreesboro check out Wall Street, which is
comparable to Patrick Sullivan's, with a restaurant on the bottom floor and
the concert venue upstairs. We (artvandalay) took the stage first at something
like 10:30 and there were a good fifty or so people in the room. We played a solid
hour set (which is like 15 minutes stage time). The lights were so blinding that
all I could see was a cluster of dancers in front of the stage, but when the
set ended and those horrible things stopped burning my retinas, I squinted
through the smoke to find that the crowd had filled into a solid block from
the stage to the back wall - which was totally awesome except for one thing:
like Patrick Sullivan's the back of the stage is the back of the building so you
have to load out of the front, and with three bands we had to haul ass on the
change-over.

Luckily the crowd was full of characters willing to help. In fact, a highly intoxicated guy who called himself Mouse tried to part the seas like Moses for our drummer Chris Peck. We turned over fast and Corleone got the crowd going with some dub reggae grooves. They played an energetic yet short set and turned the stage over to the main event, Asheville's Strut. Regrettably, at that point it was about 2 a.m. Knoxville time, and I had to consider the drive home. I only stayed for about thirty minutes of Strut but man did they shake the place. And I mean literally, the building's not so good and you could feel the floor buckle to the beat as over 200 kids danced in the sea of smoke and laser lights.

Damn that was a fun show.

Thanks to artvandalay for sharing Dustin with us!

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:12 PM | Permalink

It's almost time to tip some 'tinis and shake your tassles at the hottest party to hit Knoxville in a long time.

Cocktails at the KMA: Burlesque shimmies into the great hall of the museum this Wednesday, Jan. 24th from 6 - 9pm and will feature the artful naughtiness of some of the area's most creative folks. Local photographer, Tovah Greenwood, will have her much-talked-about Pin-up Girl collection on display, as well as a few other saucy pieces.

The talented ladies of the White Lightnin' Burlesque will tempt and tease you with a performance of some of their favorite numbers. Believe us, this is a show not to be missed, so get it while it's hot! (And speaking of hot...you'll be able to pick up some WLB merchandise - check their stuff out here.)

As if these weren't enough reasons to be at the KMA this Wednesday, you'll also be able to tour through the museum's permanent and visiting collections. They've agreed to keep the exhibits open during the Burlesque party, so be sure to take advantage of this rare opportunity.

Finally, to compliment the decadent entertainment, Chef Holly Forbes & the Gourmet's Market will be serving up some delicious hors d'oeuvres made with only the finest and richest ingredients - ooo, how naughty!

The giant cherry on top of this sassy little tart of a party, is that it's free to KMA members and only five smack-a-roos for non-members. We're all on a budget, but, come on...everyone needs a little bit of zest in their lives.

Cocktails at the KMA: Burlesque is just the right amount of spice!

Untitled by Tovah Greenwood

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:07 PM | Permalink

As we walked into Mirage, the new Middle Eastern restaurant on Gay Street, I felt like we stepped into another world. I was struck by the warm golden glow of the lights and deep red walls, combined with the tinkly jingle of the waitresses’ skirts draped with belts of coins. We walked through striped curtains hung from the high, gold-painted ceiling towards the back of the restaurant where we were seated on soft pillows around a small table on a carpeted dais. The exposed duct work on the ceiling and the modern-looking bar give Mirage a distinctly urban feel, while the pillows and robed waiters recall a more exotic locale than our familiar Gay Street.

I have to admit I’m no expert on Middle Eastern food. So while I pictured hummus and pita bread and baklava on the menu, my imagination ended there. But I like culinary adventures, so my mind was wide open as I read through the offerings.

For an appetizer, I chose the feta dip served with pita bread. This smooth, creamy concoction was tangy and salty with bits of green pepper, onion, and tomato. The white pita was nice while warm, but quickly became dry and hard, making it difficult to eat too much of the appetizer (not an entirely bad thing).

Next came the salads: I ordered the classic tabouli, and my dining partner ordered toomya, a garlicky potato salad. The tabouli was a delightful shock to my palate with its pungent fresh herbs (mint and parsley), tomato, cracked wheat, and perky lemon juice kick. Of the two salads, however, I have to say I liked the toomya better. I’m a sucker for olive oil, garlic, and potatoes, and the hint of lemon juice enhanced the flavor of the dish.

For my main course, I chose Shish-Tawook, chicken skewers marinated in garlic and spices with onions and green and red peppers. The side items included mixed veggies (carrots, broccoli, zucchini) and deliciously seasoned rice. The Shish-Tawook was superb—the chicken was grilled to perfection, coated in a delicate yet satisfying garlic sauce. The crisp onions and peppers sumptuously complemented the tender chicken, and the portion was generous with two full skewers.

By the time I finished the Shish-Tawook, we had been lounging on pillows for over an hour and, lazily, I felt no inclination to leave just yet—not until I’d tried dessert. I ordered the dessert platter, which consists of konafa, a square of shredded dough filled with sweet cheese and honey; baklava; and basboosa, a semolina square covered in honey and lemon syrup. Of the three desserts, I preferred the honey-soaked, nutty baklava. The konofa reminded me of shredded wheat, only sweeter, and the basboosa looked like a blondie, but did not quite melt in the mouth.

Mirage has only been opened for a couple of weeks, and as such, they are not quite at full speed. Much to my dismay, they do not currently offer a wine selection, though they do serve beer while they await their liquor license and allow BYOW for a $5 corking fee. Service was a bit on the slow side, and our waitress whisked off to the kitchen for answers to our few simple questions. Thanks to the comfy seating arrangement and kitschy Middle Eastern soap opera playing on the wall-mounted TV, however, we were in no hurry to leave this little oasis on Gay Street. And with the promise of a full bar and belly dancing in the not-too-distant future, we’re sure to return.

Editor's note: Mirage doesn't appear to have a website, yet, but their phone number is
(865)521-5588, if you'd like more info.

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Theologians Under Hitler

“If I were raised in an evil social system, would I be able to recognize it and condemn it, or would I be a well-adjusted citizen happy with the status quo?�

That is the question raised in the film “Theologians Under Hitler,� based on the 1985 book by Robert P. Ericksen. The film’s director, Steven D. Martin, will be part of a panel discussion following a showing of his film on Tuesday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Church of the Savior at 934 Weisgarber Road.

According to film critic Cliff Vaughn of www.Ethicsdaily.com, this 64 minute documentary “focuses on three prominent men of faith who come to ally themselves with the Nazi party, and how these respected German theologians of the day embraced Adolf Hilter’s ideology and spun it for the German people.�

Author Robert P. Ericksen states that “if you looked around the university community, you almost could not find real resistance to the Nazi state. If you looked in the church, you didn’t find much resistance.� Ericksen’s book and Martin’s film also will give readers/viewers a reason to question whether current theologians would do any better when faced with a similar crisis.�

This even is sponsored by the Knoxville Ministerial Association. For more information, please contact Chris Buice at 281-9759.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Decemberists make Knoxville debut at the Tennessee Theatre

Who: The Decemberists
When: Wednesday, April 4, 8 p.m.
Where: Tennessee Theatre
How: Tickets are $25, plus applicable services fees, on sale Friday, February 2 at 10 a.m. at the Tennessee Theatre box office, all Tickets Unlimited outles, by phone at 656-4444 or online at TennesseeTheatre.com.

KNOXVILLE A.C. Entertainment is honored to present The Decemberists in intimate theatre performance at the historic Tennessee Theatre on Wednesday, April 4 at 8 p.m.

One of the more inspiring success stories in today's popular music scene is a group doing all the right things: exploring uncharted combinations of modern and ancient instrumentation, engaging its listeners' minds with carefully crafted lyrics and maintaining its artistic integrity upon signing to a major label.

We speak of Capitol Records' recording artists The Decemberists, who are touring in support of their critically acclaimed 2006 release, The Crane
Wife.

The Decemberists have done some amazing work in the world of indie/folk and fusion rock over the years--blending hyper-literate lyrics about Irish
folklore, life on the sea, Japanese legends and more with beautifully nuanced instrumentation. Their newest release The Crane Wife (2006) may be their
strongest effort yet. Mournful dirges like "Shankhill Butchers" recall to mind a more brutal and austere time, as does the title track "The Crane Wife."
Many of the songs detail murder, heartbreak and loss, but a vibrant warmth towards life and the rich fabric that holds it together make up much of The
Decemberists' musical tone.

Surviving the rigors of low-budget touring, even the theft of all their instruments days before a show in Hollywood in 2005, The Decemberists have come out swinging with a rabidly growing fan base. They've been the talk of countless magazine articles and even made an appearance on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report to challenge the comedian to a highly-touted guitar battle. The future looks bright for Colin Meloy and Co., and it's hard to think of a better place to
see them than the historic Tennessee Theatre on April 4.

-A.C. Entertainment

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:42 PM | Permalink

The Producers is the winningest (is that really a word) show to hit the Great White Way - ever. Seriously! It's snatched up more awards than any other Broadway behemoth including Phantom, Les Mis, Wicked or Cats (ffft, ffft).

And now, with a bellyful of Tonys, this Mel Brooks moster of a show has hit the road and is headed straight for us. Look out, citizens of Knoxville! If you are in the presence of a live performance of The Producers, you could easily laugh yourselves to death - or at least pee your pants!

With songs like "Springtime for Hitler" and "Keep It Gay", this madcap production is sort of like the Borat of the theatre world - nothing is sacred. Carl Thompson, General Manager of Broadway in Knoxville explained that Mel Brooks uses the stage as a vehicle to "poke fun at everyone and everything".

According to Thompson, this latest installment in this season's popular series is selling like crazy. The Producers is playing a very limited engagement at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium from January 19th through the 21st, so if you don't have tickets yet, now's the time to get that taken care of. You can contact the Broadway in Knoxville offices at (865)524-5311 or you can purchase your tickets online here.

Dont' miss your opportunity to see what Time magazine has hailed, "a gift from the show-biz gods"... and be sure to wear your Depends!

For more show history and sound clips, visit The Producers website.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:06 AM | Permalink

This Saturday night Preservation Pub is gonna be a little warmer than any other venue in town and it’s all thanks to the return of The Incredible Heat Machine.

This quintet from Murfreesboro, TN has been making routine stops in Knoxville for the last year gaining a small but loyal following for their brand of progressive rock. With influences ranging from the old school (Yes, King Crimson, Rush…) to the new school (moe., Umphrey’s McGee…) the boys have truly developed a sound of their own. To go along with the grit and complex rhythms that come with the prog rock territory The Heat adds in their love of the jamband scene utilizing genre fusion and improvisational segues that might send you on a Bonnaroo flashback. Check out their myspace page for a glimpse at their freshly released self-titled debut. Consisting of Ray Dunham (drums, vox), Jeremy Pinell (guitar, vox), Keegan Pavlovic (bass), Rob Knugg (keys), and John Turner (guitar) the Incredible Heat Machine’s five members all carry important roles uniting each layer of sound into a true musical democracy. A must see for all music lovers in town. Saturday’s show kicks off a 10 p.m. so come early, stay late and dress lightly as it’s sure to be a hot one.

Posted by the 520 gang at 9:26 AM | Permalink

REMEMBERING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Exhibit January 5 - March 31, 2007
Beck Cultural Exchange Center

“The purpose of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday is to reflect on his life and all those students, preachers, teachers, janitors, doctors, lawyers, cooks and maids who gave so much in the attempt to bring equality and social change in this country and the world,� so says Avon W. Rollins, Director of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center (Beck).

Beck is hosting an exhibit of artifacts relating to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at its main location at 1927 Dandridge Avenue, until March 31, 2007. All artifacts on display are from Beck’s permanent collection, and include several posters, banners, artwork and various memorabilia.

New to the Beck permanent collection and the Dr. King exhibit is a series of 6 large, striking and interesting panels documenting Dr. King’s life from the time of his childhood in Atlanta, George until his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee. The panels are entitled, “The Genesis of Martin Luther King, Jr.,“A Movement is Born in Montgomery, Alabama,� “Atlanta, Georgia Homecoming,� “I Have a Dream,� “Legal & Economic Empowerment,� and “I Have Been to the Mountaintop.� Curator of Exhibitions/Museum Planner for Knox County Libraries, Adam H. Alfrey, says these panels “progressed through a series of phases, beginning with research, writing, and image selection culminating with the final design and production. A conscious effort was made to effectively communicate the nuances of Dr. King’s personal life and career in a succinct and readable manner.�

Beck will display this exhibition yearly and will continue to add new artifacts to offer a fresh perspective on the life of Dr. King. Mr. Alfrey says that “when this exhibit is not on view, other institutions may borrow the panels in accordance with the Beck Cultural Exchange Center’s policy for outgoing loans. The Center has set a precedent of developing and lending panel exhibitions with its first series, “Stony the Road� - 7 panels that investigate the integration of area educational institutions such as Clinton City Schools and the University of Tennessee.�

In addition to his duties with the Knox County Library system, Mr. Alfrey also serves on the boards of the Frank H. McClung Museum and the Fountain City Art Center. While a student at the University of Tennessee, he won numerous awards and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History. Mr. Alfrey worked with Beck Director Avon Rollins and Beck Archivists Sue Ann Reese and Phillip Smith in the preparation of the Dr. King exhibit.

Beck Cultural Exchange Center
1927 Dandridge Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee 37915
Phone: (865) 524-8461
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:03 PM | Permalink

Welcome to the new 520 blog, The Monday After. This is our attempt to blast through our Monday morning hangovers and offer up some quickie reviews of all the things we’re pretty sure we got into this past week, including gigs, concerts, movies, plays, and restaurants. Pop a couple of ibuprofens and enjoy.

Are you waking up miserably alone every cold, weekday morning, wishing upon your pillow for a hottie by your side? My friend, there's hope for you yet. Simply turn on WBIR for Today at 7 a.m., where you can watch the sassy Meredith Vieira and the sultry Matt Lauer take one flirtatious step closer each day to playing hardcore tonsil hockey. Less likely to make out, but just as hot, is WBIR's morning news team, comprised of the studly stud Ben Senger and the purr-tastic sex kitten Abby Ham. In the time it takes to hit the snooze button twice, feed your face, and comb your hair, you can enjoy a smorgasbord of sexy NBC news anchors: Lauer, Vieira, Ham, and Singer, with the alluring Ann Curry and the squeezable Mike Witcher thrown in for good measure. (There's even the more-to-love Al Roker, if you're into that.) This week we dedicate The Monday After to Ms. Abby Ham, the creme de la creme of newscast hotness. Ms. Ham, every morning you tell us the good and bad of East Tennessee, and every morning we dreamily listen, our minds drunk with thoughts of pork, bacon, and you. Thanks, you smoking sexpot, for giving us all the opportunity to say, "I wake up with Abby Ham."




For more on Knoxville's Abby Ham obsession, click here or here.



And now for our weekly rankings!

The Gondolier Restaurant in Halls

I was very skeptical of Gondolier after hearing several of my friends rave about this place. They said the Italian food was really, really good, but also really, really cheap. We all know how cheap Italian places are. Fazoli's, just about every pizza joint in town, Oscar's...the list of mediocrity goes on.

Well shut me up and color me impressed. I ordered a Gyro Platter for $6.99 that came with a giant amount of lamb, tzatziki, and pita; a big ole Greek salad with pepperoncinis and kalamata olives; and a large side of sphaghetti (in case your bowels weren't quite packed). My dinner guest had a similarly priced House Calzone, which was big enough for two. And it all was pretty tasty. The best part was that I put have my meal in a doggy bag and enjoyed it again for dinner. Two good meals for under ten bucks is quite a steal. (4/5) -J.B.

A Cool Weekend on the Square

As everyone in attendance would surely agree, back-to-school weekend on Market Square kicked ass. Friday night's line-up of Jescoe, The Billings Band, and Mac Comer packed out the Grotto and everyone was diggin' the PBR and Whiskey combo meal. Saturday's crowd was a little more evenly dispersed with Nova Delinquents at The Preservation Pub, Sara Schwabe and Her Yankee Jass Band at Oodles and artvandalay and Strut at the Grotto. Special thanks to everyone who came to see artvandalay (I was the guitarist with the mullet wig, not the afro). I do have to say that the best part of the weekend for me was the surprise of seeing Laith Keilany back in town and having a good time. Let's all keep him in our thoughts as he is still fighting down the road to recovery. And let's all keep supporting local music, especially on Market Square. (4/5) -D.M.

The Red Stick Ramblers and The Wilders at the Bijou Theatre

The Red Stick Ramblers kicked off the show with a wonderful and expertly executed set of Cajun, boogie, western swing, country and jazz. The Wilders were absolutely delightful. Playing an energetic set of vintage country/bluegrass originals and covers, their enthusiasm was infectious and each member of this quartet laid down some killer licks. All string bands should watch, listen and learn from The Wilders. They are the real deal. SOAPBOX: Why did so many WDVX fans stay home Thursday night? Tickets to this show only cost $13.50, parking was free, and the show began early in a beautiful, smoke free, pitch perfect auditorium. And, it wasn’t raining! If we don’t support the local scene, we are going to lose shows like this amazing double-bill. (5/5) -D.D.

Sara Schwabe and Her Yankee Jass Band at Oodles

I knew when I walked in and heard the band playing a medley of the 80s pop song "Tainted Love" and Van Morrison’s "Moondance," that the band was in a particularly sassy and playful mood. That mood never ceased as keyboardist Geol Greenlee whipped out his accordion and jammed on "Mambo Italiano," "Roll Out the Barrel," "These Boots are Made for Walkin’," and Tom Wait’s "Tango ‘Til Their Sore." On Tom Wait’s "New Coat of Paint," Pollard ad-libbed a truly inspired spoken word interlude about a hygiene-challenged-dulcimer-making-man-looking-to-hookup-with-a-woman-with-a-stackable-washer-and-dryer. The return of the band’s saxophonist, Barry Reilly, also added excitement, flair and variety to the show and upright bassist Chris Zuhr held things together and punctuated the music with some high fiber sounds. Mistress Sara blinded us all with her cleavage and devilish smile as she sang and scatted through the most wonderfully eclectic set I’ve ever heard the band play. (5/5) -D.D.

Moving

I'm shipping out of Knoxville at the end of this week and heading to New York City to pursue fame, glory, and delicious bagels. This past week (from hell) has included sorting, filing, packing, cleaning, buying, selling, hair pulling, and exhaustion. (What on earth convinced me that I needed to save every scrap of paper from the last five years?) I don't recommend moving to anyone, especially moving away from a city that you've really grown to love over the past seven years. I'm looking forward to the big city, but I am sad to leave Knoxville and all of the great people I've met here. Come back to the site where I'll soon write a proper good-bye, but in the meantime, thanks for reading the site and making Knoxville such a great place to live! (1/5) -J.B.




See you next week!

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 1:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

There is something really cool about dreams – especially when they are fought for, and worked at, and they materialize into reality. Cool isn’t really the right word for it, amazing perhaps? Miraculous? Certainly rare, and definitely inspiring. Jodie Manross is living her dream, and it’s been an honor to watch her grow. Now, I will say that there is something to her being gifted in making her dream a reality, her voice is truly a gift. But she has also worked long and hard not only in practicing her singing, and teaching herself guitar, (with Laith’s help of course) but also in all things business. And that’s no easy task. I had the privilege of working with her and the Jodie Manross Band back in the day and her hard work; theirs actually, is still inspiring to me. It’s no easy task being on the road, living out of cars and crappy motels, performing for 3 hours and making $150, getting lost, driving through snow storms, and always having to have your ‘game face’ on. I know many people say they’d love to be a rock star – but those are mostly people that have no idea how hard it is. The only reason I can see for all the sacrificing it takes to become a rock star is because performing your music is like breathing for the rest of us, it makes you feel alive.

If you haven’t heard yet, Jodie is moving to the Big Apple, something she has been dreaming about for years! She did a farewell show at the World Grotto a week or so ago. It was already packed with familiar faces when I got there, and plenty of new ones as well. Jodie has such a great mix of fans; swing dancers and those that could be our parents, to the intellectuals and the folkies. There are families and couples, hippies and musicians from any genre. Everyone may look different or come from different places but they all agree that Jodie can sing. I remember the first time I ever heard her, I was at Barley’s picking up food, and I heard her doing sound check crystal clear. But, Jodie was at Blue Cats, across the street, and she was facing the other direction! It is amazing the power and depth in the voice that comes out of Jodie. She will be missed here in the south-east and Knoxville especially. However, I know there are tons like me who are also cheering her and Laith on, to go for it. To take their dreams one step further. They’ve been touring there a few times a year for at least a couple years now? ‘Little by little’ they say in Tijuana in reference to building a house or most anything. And Jodie has truly hung in there, and continued to do ‘little by little’. All the while building on what she has already laid done.

The show was awesome, she did some old classics, can they even be considered classics yet? Some new ones, some solo, some with Nate and Dre from the band, and some with Greg. She did some covers, and performed them all with the consistent grace and appreciation that have become hall marks of her shows. If you go hear Jodie live, you are sure to be made to feel welcome, and sure to be soothed with her voice. I was doing merch. for her and all the CD’s I sold were to one guy. Everyone else there already had them. He’d never heard her before, so he bought both of her CD’s on the spot. That’s another amazing thing about Jodie; her ratio of listeners to sales is incredible! If they played a gig in a new town and only 50 people were there, you could count on them selling at least 20 CD’s usually more. I’ve worked for and with a ton of bands and that’s rare!

The only ‘off’ thing about the show, was that Laith wasn’t there. Well physically, he was there in spirit though. I miss him, I know many people do. But, I can’t WAIT, as in I’ll gladly go to New York, to see him perform again, and I’m already looking forward to it! Road trip anyone? Something about being friends with people that have a passion, a passion that they sacrifice and work for, that gets the fire in me burning that much more fiercely. I am beyond happy for Jodie and this big move. Even if the dream isn’t yours, even if you don’t know Jodie, you gotta admit it’s encouraging when someone makes their dream come true. You can say, ‘If she did it, maybe I can _______’ fill in the blank with whatever your dream is. Not that this is the pinnacle of the dream, by no means. They aren’t done, they aren’t stopping, there is much more to do. Man I love seeing faith in action!

Editor's note: 520 wishes Jodie, as well as her future NYC roommate, 520 staffer Joe Beuerlein, the best of luck! Give 'em hell, Rydell!

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:19 PM | Permalink

You have already set aside January 24th at 6PM in your calendar for Cocktails at the KMA, right? Now we’ll letcha know what you’re signing up for…

First, and this is really cool on behalf of the KMA, all galleries will be open for the night. In the past, it’s been kinda weird to have everyone sipping drinks but you can’t see the amazing stuff they have on display, but no longer. Check out the KMA website to see what’s exhibiting now. And come on, the main ballroom where we’ll be cocktailing is hands down one of the most beautiful spaces in Knoxville, in my humble. And the night is free for members, $5 otherwise.

The rest is the cherry on top! Please note, though, that we’re still confirming this stuff, so things are subject to change, blah blah. (I’m just going to start calling everything “beta� like Google does, and it covers your ass for any changes you make along the way. Brilliant.) We’ve already put the “burlesque� theme out there: White Lightenin’ Burlesque has just this very moment confirmed a steamy performance. Tovah Greenwood will be showcasing a 50s pin-up photography series. And Gourmet’s Market is putting together cocktail finger foods that are appropriate to the 50s era. And on top of it all, delicious drinks. With alcohol. (Gotta be 21 with ID to drink, natch, but all ages can attend.) Our friends at knoxville520.com are working towards live blogging and a podcast from the night, which is freakin’ cool. And leading up to the event, we’ll have all the latest here first. ‘Cause that’s what Knoxville 520 does.

Taking it back to where this started: seems like it’s going to be a kick ass night at the KMA. See you on the 24th.

Matthew Newell

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It was a dark and stormy night during the best of times and the worst of times when you called me Ishmael. You know you have always daydreamed about writing fiction. Now here is your chance to attend a FREE 3-part workshop called “The Art of the Short Story.�

The Knox County Public Library System and its writer-in-residence, Brian Griffin, will be hosting this workshop at Lawson McGhee Library at 6:00 p.m. on January 11, 18 and 25. Brian holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing (fiction) from the University of Virginia, and has won several awards for his short fiction and has worked closely with several novelists, including Pulitzer Prize winner Peter Taylor (A Summons to Memphis).

The workshop will cover:

Origins of literary creativity
Process of writing
Discovering stories
Creating place in short fiction
How conflict works in short stories

This workshop is designed for avid readers, beginning and experienced writers and writing teachers. That’s you! It’s open to all ages. Attendees who participate in all three sessions and complete the suggested exercises will come away with a critiqued short story, but participation is not mandatory, and Griffin states “the lectures will stand on their own.�

For more information, please contact Nelda Hill at 215-8729.

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

We caught up with Knoxville band Garage Deluxe last weekend to do a little give and take - they gave us some juicy info on their history, now, and what's in store for the band's future, and we took notes. The band, comprised of members Stevie Jones (lead vox, guitar), John Montgomery (lead guitar), Andrew Bryant (drums), and Chad Farmer (bass), sat down with us at one of the coziest venues in the Old City.

Starting out with various beverages on the table, we asked what's new with Garage Deluxe. To give you a little background, they originated as a 6-piece jam band, of sorts, which pretty much promised them a big fanbase to start out with. John told us that after doing that for awhile, some of the band members realized they wanted to focus more on what each individual person had to contribute, musically. Paring down their headcount to four meant being able to do that, and with their current configuration, they've been working toward a more comfortable, intelligent sound. That's not to say that they're veering from their rock roots, no sirree. To talk to each of them, you can see the satisfaction they have from being the opener for last year's Sundown in the City that featured Little Feat. Discussing the event, Andrew said it was amazing to see Little Feat come off of their tourbus one minute, and the next have the band ask them to stick around after the show to "hang out and talk a little." Inspired by bands like Little Feat, as well as the Allman Brothers and Widespread Panic, it's easy to hear those influences when listening to Garage Deluxe's self-titled release.

Digging a little deeper, we asked the band's principal lyricist, Stevie, about the meaning behind some of the songs. "Stanky," for example, is basically about being paranoid, he said. He went on to say that in the writing process, the words and music combine to generate more of a feeling for listeners, rather than simply a story. As involved as each bandmember is in creating the Garage Deluxe sound, songs like "Axe In My Ratchet" and "Left Me With A Smile" take on a new meaningfulness - rest assured, though, your toe-tapping and interpretive dancing is a more than welcome reaction for the band.

Their debut CD, released in May 2006, was recorded on a tight schedule. Both Chad and Andrew had a lot to say on this, particularly the difficulties in having so little time to do it all the way the band knew they wanted. With obvious enthusiasm, Chad revealed that the bandmates get along with each other pretty easily "..most of the time," and even under duress of having to record all of the album material in a short amount of time, they stuck it out and remain friends. That cohesiveness, Chad said, is reflected even moreso in the new material the band has been working on. Andrew mentioned that the next album is due for recording in February, this time in a borrowed house where the band can be both comfortable and productive, and not rushed. After that, John added, they want to do as much touring as possible. Garage Deluxe played at the 2006 Bonnaroo festival in Manchester, Tennessee, and that proved to be another event that brought them closer together as a band. "We went on right after Radiohead," said Chad, "and when we got there, the field in front of the stage was just empty. We were thinking, 'Man, how is THIS gonna go?' Then while we were setting up, people started appearing." Added John, "By the time we started playing, our area was packed with people!"

It was at Bonnaroo that the band sold the most CDs at one time, too. Their manager/roadie/merch man, known as "Coach," is integral to the band's success, as are each member's family and friends, and the fans. In their first year performing as a quartet, Garage Deluxe has done shows many times in Knoxville, as well as the Bonnaroo festival, and shows in Asheville, Chattanooga, and Birmingham. For out-of-town shows, they really dug playing at The Orange Peel in Asheville (particularly Andrew, who nearly jumped out of his booth in his excitement while revealing that fact!). In town, they think of Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria as home, having played there numerous times. They also enjoy The Corner Lounge, and think of it as "a place where people go to hear music." This goes beyond the obvious, as The Corner is known by many folks for its laid-back atmosphere and wide variety of bands and performers, a truism not lost on the bands themselves, either.

When asked what's in store for the band, they each gave us input - they want to be "on the radar," touring, avoiding static as a band and continually moving forward, and they want to do their music full-time. With their emphasis on music and the art of making it, rather than on image, they can bet they'll stay on the radar in this town.

The next Garage Deluxe show is Friday, January 12 at Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria, in the Old City. Show starts at 9pm, and it's a double-set for the band as they welcome everyone to the show, and especially UT students back to Knoxville for the Spring 2007 semester.

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:20 PM | Permalink

Yes, the holidays are over. It’s time to face those credit card bills, revise those slipping New Year’s resolutions and for many of us it’s time to go back to school. Uggghhh….I don’t feel so good.

But hey, what better way to gear up for your impending responsibilities than by taking one last chance to completely ignore them. This weekend the World Grotto is serving up the perfect menu of music and drinks for a back to school celebration; starting with Friday’s triple threat of Jescoe, The Billings Band and Mac Comer and culminating with Saturday night’s “Dirty Thirty Birthday Bash� featuring artvandalay and Strut. To fuel the weekend parties the Grotto is offering a variety of drink specials. For the adventurous there will be a shooters bar filled with exotic concoctions and for the purists you can get a $6 shot o' whiskey and a PBR. (a true Tennessee combo meal)

Come down Friday for a great mix of local talent. The eclectic sounds of Jescoe have been echoing around Knoxville for the last few years, evolving into a huge resonance that is part soul, part funk and part rock. Propelled by dead on vocals, harmonized horn lines and lead guitar; this six-piece group has been working hard and playing harder, steadily making a name for themselves in the Knoxville scene. Come early, as they will be backed by the pop-rock quartet The Billings Band and everyone’s favorite hippie dude Mac Comer.

Saturday’s “Dirty Thirty Birthday Bash� will be in honor of our friend, local photographer, Caleb Wilson. Spurred on by two energetic jam-fusion bands, Knoxville’s artvandalay and Asheville’s Strut, the all night party includes a costume contest in which Caleb will award prizes for the “dirtiest� and the “cleanest� getups. Artvandalay and Strut are two diverse jambands whose sounds definitely compliment each other. Local boys artvandalay pull in elements of funk, latin, jazz, and prog rock to make music punctuated by wide open improvisation while Strut blends ska, hip-hop, rock and reggae into an all out dance party. Both bands are Bonnaroo Music Festival veterans and have shared a stage together in the recent past. So whether you know Caleb, know the bands, or are just looking for an excuse to get out your favorite disguise and dance the night away; the World Grotto is where it’s at this Saturday night.

Both night events will get started at 10 p.m. and go late. So spend your final weekend of freedom on Market Square at the World Grotto. With school closed on Monday you’ll have plenty of time to nurse that hangover. No excuses. I’ll see you there.

Posted by the 520 gang at 9:36 AM | Permalink

The Actors Co-op presents a timeless children’s fairy-tale with a modern day twist in their upcoming production of Cinderella Confidential.

Cinderella Confidential weaves the well-known tale of Cinderella into the all-too-real world of media frenzy. As two investigative reporters compete for the scoop of the century, they encounter many of our favorite fairy-tale characters: Jack and his cow, Pinocchio, two mean & ugly stepsisters, and, of course, a Fairy Godmother. Together with the help of their new friends, the reporters prowl thru the enchanted kingdom in search of the Prince’s one true love and the owner of the mysterious single glass slipper. While on their journey, they learn all sorts of lessons that fairy-tales were designed to teach.

Cinderella Confidential is smart, imaginative and uses the ever-popular "fractured fairy tale" approach to the familiar story. The quick witted jokes and the emergence of one fairy-tale character after another is sure to delight both children and adults alike. Playwright, Eric Coble, stated that creating his children’s plays is like “watching my own children play: they’re going along and-suddenly there’s a volcano! How are we going to get around that? I know, I’ll grow fairy wings!�. The cleverness in his writing has earned him fans all across the world.

Coble was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, then moved to the American Southwest, where was raised on the Navajo and Ute reservations. He received a BA in English from Fort Lewis College in Colorado, and a MFA in acting from Ohio University. Coble’s plays have been produced throughout the United States and on four continents including productions at The Kennedy center, Actors Studio, Alliance Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and Actors Theatre of Louisville. Some of Coble’s awards include the AT&T Onstage Award, National Theatre Conference Playwriting Award, and NEA Playwright in Residence Grant. Coble was a member of the Cleveland Play House Playwrights Unit. Some of his plays include Natural Selection, The Dead Guy, and Pinocchio 3.5. Recently his play, Bright Ideas, played Off-Broadway at the Manhattan Class Company.

Cinderella Confidential is filled with talent of all ages. Staring as the two cut throat and gutless reporters are Actors Co-op Apprentice Company members – Breeland Donahoo and Lizzie Wouters. Donahoo is an Oak Ridge Junior Playhouse favorite. She has appeared in such plays as James and the Giant Peach, Five Chinese Brothers, and Fiddler on the Roof at Cumberland County Playhouse. Wouters is making her Co-op debut. Recently she started in A Midsummer Nights Dream as Titania and Crazy For You as Irene at Bearden High School. Other apprentice members in the cast include: Sarah Jordan Stout as the lovable and kind Cinderella, Evangaline Mee as the ditzy, yet good hearted Fairy Godmother, Kelli Dockter as the mysterious Shoe Maker, and Stephanie Shultz & Jessica Santrock as the evil Stepsisters. Former apprentice Evan Biller heads up the cast as the gentle Prince. Biller recently graduated from Bearden High School where he appeared in such plays as Kiss Me Kate, A Midsummer Nights Dream, and Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat. Rounding out the cast are Eli Collins as Pinocchio, Callie Stelter as the Elf, and Paul Brandt as Jack.

The Actors Co-op is proud to have company member Sarah Campbell leading such a talented cast of young adults and children. Campbell is no stranger to the Co-op stage. Previous directing credits include: The Hobbit and The Little Princess. Campbell has appeared in many Actors Co-op and Tennessee Stage Company Productions. Most recently she appeared as Gerri in Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love. Campbell not only directs this fantastical tale, but she is also the Costume Designer. Kyle Biery returns to the Actors Co-op after designing one of the most complex sets in the Co-op history for Absurd Person Singular as the Set Designer. Rounding out the artistic staff are: Mike Margle – Sound Designer, Jamie Armistead – Light Designer, and Elizabeth Hendrich – Hair & Make-up Designer.

Kids of all ages will sit on the edge of their seats waiting to see if Cinderella will find her true love and to see who will be the first to break the story of the century. And only when the world of fairy-tale fascination and tabloid truth collide will a timeless love story emerge and the truth of Cinderella will be revealed.

Opening night for Cinderella Confidential is Friday January 12th. There will be an opening night party with cookies and milk following the performance. Shows are Friday/Saturday at 7pm and Saturday/Sunday at 2pm from January 13th - 28th. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students under 12. Tickets are currently on sale through KnoxTix. Call KnoxTix at 523-7521 or visit them at www.knoxtix.com.

For group rates please call the Co-op office. For any other questions regarding the show or the Actors Co-op please call 909-9300 or visit their (mostly updated) website.

production photo credits: Shannon Stanfield

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:16 PM | Permalink

Welcome to the new 520 blog, The Monday After. This is our attempt to blast through our Monday morning hangovers and offer up some quickie reviews of all the things we’re pretty sure we got into this past week, including gigs, concerts, movies, plays, and restaurants. Pop a couple of ibuprofens and enjoy.

This week marks an important yearly turning point in the lives of us Knoxvillians. It is the same week every year that we realize how silly it was to get all worked up over the Volunteer's football season when all it gave us was disappointment, headaches, and another damn loss to the Gators. It is the week that we come to our senses, notice our families again for the first time since August, and realize that what's really important in our lives can be found not at Neyland Stadium (duh!) but instead at Thompson-Boling Arena, where our happiness was surely hiding all along.

This is the first week of SEC play for both the men's and women's teams, so we'd like to dedicate this week of The Monday After to Pat and Bruce, the two dynamic basket-Vol coaches. Ms. Summitt and Mr. Pearl: Woman and Man, Veteran and Newbie, Christian and Jew; you really are the Yin and Yang of our basketball-loving souls. Give balance to our lives, give peace to our hearts, and give us a big fat W everytime we play Florida, goddammit.





And now for our weekly rankings!

The Lady Vols Vs. Alabama at Thompson-Boling Arena

Wednesday night, the basketball Lady Vols mopped the floor with outmatched opponent Alabama. Due to the disparaging talent of the teams, the game was not exciting, but did provide wholesome and fun entertainment. The University of Tennessee Pep Band enthusiastically performed a wide variety of snippets of tunes, including Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train." Time-out and half-time activities were humourous and fast paced. (Watching little kids earnestly work together to try to dunk an oversized soft basketball into an over-sized net, and repeatedly fail, was laugh-out-loud funny.) Reserved tickets are $15 and General Admission tickets are $10. I found paying to park at the lot at the corner of Volunteer and Lake Loudon Blvd., an easy and quick in and out, compared to the mammoth G10 parking lot near the Arena. (3/5) -D.D.

Donald Brown and Friends at Cha Cha

Every Friday and Saturday night, world renowned jazz pianist Donald Brown along with Will Boyd (saxophone), Keith L. Brown (keys), and Kenneth Brown (drums) begin a FREE early show, at approximately 8:40 p.m. during the dinner rush hour at Spanish tapas restaurant and bar, Cha Cha's. This past Friday, the band was joined by special guests: drummer Donald Roby from Memphis, electrifying local jazz and soul singer Kelle Jolly, local trumpet player Pee Jay Alexander, and saxophonist Patrick Langham, the Director of Jazz at the University of Pacific Convervatory and instructor at The Brubeck Institute. While the band's first set was marred by crowd and bar noise, there were delightful moments, like when Boyd and Langham alternated gorgeous solos and played in union on the jazz samba classic "Corcovado." Once the dinner and after work crowd cleared, at approximately 9:45, and was replaced by off-duty restaurant staff and jazz enthusiasts, the dynamic of the venue dramatically changed into a lively and exciting jazz club atmosphere. While not a perfect venue for music, Donald Brown and Friends' are so amazing, you are bound to become a weekend regular at Cha Cha's. (5/5) -D.D.

Slim Movie Pickin's

When you catch yourself frantically trying to decide whether The Holiday or Night at the Museum would be more disappointing to go see, then you know it's time to ditch the movie idea and instead call up some friends, open some wine, and play a drunken game of Scene It.

Drunken Game of Scene It

Drunken Game of Scene It was followed by a Falling Over Schnockered Round of Catchphrase which in turn evolved into See If We Can Make the Passed Out Guy Eat a Dog Biscuit. Sure as hell beat paying $10 to see a crappy movie. (5/5) -J.B.




The Vibraslaps at Preservation Pub

I have a new favorite cover band in Knoxville - The Vibraslaps. Made up of members of The French Broads, Angel & the Love Mongers and another group I can't remember, this little band has a very mature sound, considering they were just recently formed. Last Friday, their extensive and somewhat obscure punk-pop, glam-rock song list had the whole crowd at the Preservation Pub singing and dancing along. As I waited in the long line for the restroom, I was kept occupied by animated (a.k.a. drunken) discussions of, "who sang this originally" and "what the hell's the name of this song, again?". I will definitely be making room in my schedule for a little more Vibra-love. (5/5) -K.S.

Dragons 1976 at Pilot Light

You never quite know what your gonna get at the Pilot Light. You could walk
into anything from gothic-indie-grunge-rock to electronic DJ spins. But
jazz?? Yes, last week I checked out Dragons 1976 an avant-garde jazz trio
from Chicago playing right in our beloved Old City. It was a cold and dead
night in downtown so I was a little surprised to find a good-sized crowd
waiting for the Dragons to come on. Led by alto saxophone, this trio turned
out to be more than the just the honking and squeaking that can characterize
free-jazz - they could actually play. The shrieking balls-out nonsense was
utilized when it was needed, but they exercised great dynamics and seemed to
always to listening to one another. And most importantly I could tell they
were versed in the jazz tradition. Echoes of John Coltrane and Ornette
Coleman told everyone that the Dragons knew where they were coming from.
While I couldn't listen to their type of music everyday, it was a cool and unexpected scene for Knoxville. (3/5) - D.M.




We here at Knoxville520 take both alcohol and basketball addictions seriously. Use caution and moderation. See you next week!

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

This just in from the folks over at Disc Exchange, who definitely know what they're talking about:

The Shins

Wincing The Night Way

Wincing The Night Away is The Shins’ third full-length album, is the sound of a band growing up and out – get ready to experience everything from a loping hip-hop beat with lush melody and searing guitars; tweaked-out, liquid piano steeped in kaleidoscopic strings; gauzy, arpeggiated keyboards cloaking thunderous anthems; and, taking cues from early Jesus and Mary Chain albums, sweeping, fuzz-toned epics. Consider yourself surprised.

Check out a few tracks in our pop-up jukebox at discexchange.com.

(Editor's note) You can also check out some killer videos at the band's site.

-The Disc Exchange

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Knoxville blues legend, Detroit Dave Meers, suffered a massive heart attack a couple of weeks ago and now requires surgery to replace a faulty heart valve. As if the heart attack wasn't bad enough, like many hard working musicians, Detroit Dave has no insurance to cover his mounting medical expenses.

Enter your trusty, neighborhood Corner Lounge...

The good folks at this North Knox bar are going rustle up some emergency funds for Detroit Dave - one of their regular performers - by way of a series of benefit events. The first fundraiser is this very evening at 8 p.m.

Tonight's show will be an impromptu jam session, so this is an official call to all you musician-types to grab an instrument and join in the charitable fun. The music world is a tight-knit community and this will be an opportunity to see artists of different genres and backgrounds making brand new and exciting music in the name of helping one of their own. There will drink specials and no cover charge. Donations will be accepted and all collected money will go directly to Detroit Dave's family.

Although the gathering tonight will be informal, there will be more large-scale festivals in Detroit Dave's honor in the weeks to come. The main event is tentatively being planned for the weekend of March 10. Stay tuned!

Oh! And in case you were wondering, Greg and Ed will be covering for Detroit Dave on his regular Wednesday night gigs until he's well enough to return. Greg (Horne) will still be playing his solo set beforehand, so come early for both fantastic shows!

Viva Detroit!

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Welcome to the brand-new 520 blog, The Monday After. This blog is our attempt to blast through our Monday morning hangovers to offer up quickie reviews of all the things we’re pretty sure we got into this past week, including gigs, concerts, movies, plays, and restaurants. Pop a couple of ibuprofens and enjoy.

Jeez, what a week.

It's gonna take more than a couple ibuprofens to shake off a holiday week of parties, traveling, in-laws, and a giant bottle of Woodford Reserve (great gift!). As rough a New Year's morning as many of us had (which is why this is a Tuesday edition of The Monday After), it wasn't as excrutiatingly painful as that of UT student Charity Pritchard. According to WVLT, at 12:37 a.m. this single sophomore sax player became the first new mom of Knoxville 2007 when she gave birth to Christian Rocco Touseull, a healthy baby mouthful. The delirious mom announced that she plans to call her child, I shit you not, "Rocky T." This Tuesday edition of The Monday After is dedicated to Christian "Rocky T" Pritchard (whom we hope for the sake of Charity doesn't grow up to be an atheist Gator (not that there's anything wrong with that)) and to all the children of Earth who came into the world ridiculously named. And by the way, the identity of Rocky T's father was not announced.

Empty Bottle of Paringa Sparkling Shiraz

My new favorite holiday tradition is having a cool glass of Paringa Sparkling Shiraz with my Thanksgiving turkey. And also a glass or two with my Christmas dinner. And also a few glasses with my New Year's filet.

Now the holidays are over and all my wine is drunk. Boo. (1/5) -J.B.

Soccer Taco

I really like nachos. I’ve had them everywhere in town: Downtown Grill, Salsarita’s, Senior Taco, Soccer Taco, you name it. And the winner is, without a doubt, Salsarita’s. But I still really, really like Soccer Taco, mostly because everyone there pretends to like soccer, which I also pretend to like. And the soccer theme is everywhere, hanging on the walls and broadcast on the plentiful televisions planted at every possible viewing angle.

This past Friday as I sat munching on some very tasty chimichangas, I couldn’t help but overhear my restaurant neighbors’ very-bigoted, very un-classy conversation. That’s when I took notice of all the patrons of the packed restaurant. There were people of every age, race, and, class, all happily eating some Soccer Taco. A good Mexican place is a great equalizer, a microcosmic American melting pot. Thanks, Soccer Taco, for bringing us all together, serving us good food, and switching over to football when the game’s really important. (3/5) -J.B.

Dreamgirls

I have to say that I’ve been looking forward to this one for awhile, mostly because I’ve needed a good movie musical to help my brain scrub out memories of the recent movie-musical travesties of Rent and The Producers. And with the buzz on Dreamgirls being very positive this holiday season, my expectations for the film were high.

Meh. The film itself will razzle-dazzle you, but none of the performances, save one, will blow you away. Danny Glover and Eddie Murphy are predictably adequate, and Jamie Foxx, whose character is supposed to ooze snake-oil charisma that all the girls fall for, seems not to have read the script. And then there’s America’s favorite size 16, Ms. Beyoncé Knowles. Beyoncé: Your destiny, child, is to be bootylicious, not to be taken seriously as an actress. But you sure do look pretty on the big screen.

The stand-out, as you’ve likely heard, is Jennifer Hudson. I scrutinized her performance from the first minute, looking for the reason every critic in the country was raving about her Oscar-worthy acting. For the first thirty minutes, I thought those critics were crazy. And then it happened. By the time she finished what’s probably the show-stoppingest number in musical history, “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going,� my critical self was reduced to a quivering heap of emotional Jello. You can have all the Oscars you want, Ms. Hudson. (4/5) -J.B.

Umphrey's McGee at The Aragon Ballroom, Chicago

This year I once again made the trek to Chicago for New Years's with Umphrey's McGee. For four out of the last five years I've traveled to see what I consider to be one of the best bands of our time put on their biggest and best show of the year. Three sold out nights at the beautiful Aragon Ballroom confirmed that they are practically the only link of the jamband scene that has doubled their fanbase in the last five years. No over-the-top theatrics year, the past has included a circus theme with acrocbats and Mini-Kiss ( dwarf-sized cover band), instead this year focused on raw musical power with all star guests including North Mississippi All-stars, Los Lobos, Taj Mahal, and Jeff Coffin of The Flecktones. Their music, a very progressive blend of fusion, was accented by the greatest laser light show I have ever witnessed. The highlight was of course the midnight countdown. Packed body to body with thousands of others just as high on everything as I was a chant broke out "F*ck-Oh-Six, F*ck-Oh-Six..." As I stared up at the sea of balloons and confetti drifting down to us it seemed the perfect metaphor of everything that might be in 2007. I strongly urge everyone in Knoxville to go get tickets for Umphrey's at the Bijou on March 2nd. (5/5) -D.M.

New Year's Eve

As far as I'm concerned, 2007 got off to a fantastic start in Downtown Knoxville. The Bijou, Downtown Grill, World Grotto, Oodles/Uncorked and Preservation Pub all had high-brow entertainment with low-brow cover charges. This made braving the drizzle in sparkly party dresses appealing even to those otherwise inclined to ring in the new year at home. The general atmosphere was one of merriment and good will. Hopefully it will continue throught the year - after all, today's world could definitely use a few more I love you, mans and a few less bullets! (5/5) -K.S.




Happy New Year! See you next week!

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 1:00 PM | Permalink

FREDHEADS UNITE!

“Eaglesmith can jump easily from poignant to hilarious, and his stage patter is about as good as his songs…Eaglesmith is the real deal. So are his songs...In the music world, it’s always fun to watch artists come out of the proverbial nowhere and build a large and loyal following not on the strength of hype and massive marketing campaigns but on the strength of chops, talent and pure old fashioned hard work.� - Jim Beal, Jr, San Antonio Express News.

“An uncommon ability to handle difficult topics with such care and candor make Fred a cherished story-teller whose insightful understanding of human foibles brings to mind the mournful sweetness of Doc Watson’s delivery and the potent compassion of Springsteen’s songbook.� - Rutland Herald

“I like the depth [he’s] digging with this songwriting, taking an unusual perspective and debunking dreamy stereotypes.� - Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton Sun

“Eaglesmith still sleeps with his guitar on his bed.� - nucountry.com

During last December’s local Writer’s Block concert, WDVX disc jockey and award winning singer/songwriter, Karen Reynolds, commented that the Writer’s Block series and WDVX’s Blue Plate Special gives musicians a reason to stop in Knoxville. This Thursday, January 4, songwriting extraordinaire, Fred J. Eaglesmith will be making a stop at WDVX’s studio for a live performance at noon.

Eaglesmith has deservedly developed quite a loyal following of fans known as “Fredheads.� A group of “Fredheads� have even released a CD of themselves covering Eaglesmith’s tunes and sales of this tribute CD raised several thousand dollars for a mental health charity in Eaglesmith’s native Ontario, Canada.

His songs, ranging from the existential, to the heartbreaking and the comical, have been covered by Cowboy Junkies, James King and Mary Gauthier, amongst others.

Folks, this Blue Plate is bound to be crowded - please arrive early. If you cannot attend in person, please listen to the live broadcast on WDVX at 89.9 fm, 102.9 fm, or www.wdvx.com.

WDVX Studios
One Vision Plaza - Knoxville Visitor Center
301 South Gay Street (corner of Gay and Summit Hill Drive)
Knoxville, Tennessee 37902
(865) 544-1029