A long, fun, and winding week

Hello everyone.  With the help of more fun events planned and the humidity finally kicking in gear, this coming week will be a hot one for the books.  I won’t beat around the bush or make you sweat any more than you already are right now.  Here is what’s up.

Tuesday night, you know where I’ll be.  I won’t be alone while witnessing another round of East Side Storytellin’ at Fat Bottom Brewing Co. (900 Main Street).  Starting at 7pm sharp, and outside if no sight of rain, you are invited to enjoy a FREE night of amazing readings and original music.  Author Todd Dills will be featuring stories from his most recently published work called “Triumph of the Ape” alongside the musical talent of Mike Willis of the Cumberland Collective.  If you’d like to get a little bit familiar with Todd and Mike before you make plans to meet us all at Fat Bottom on time and have a spectacular evening, you can read Todd’s feature story that was just published this week about music and writing in Music City for Chapter 16 right here-

http://www.chapter16.org/content/what-can-fiction-writer-learn-nashville-recording-session

Then, on Wednesday night, you should skip Broadway or anything pop country (as usual) and just stick to the Backyard Opry instead.  At 6:30pm, at 2134 Acklen Avenue, you can pay a mere $15 to hear the greatest live music going down around with the most endless solo cup going too.  The musical fund raiser will help Operation Stand Down Nashville, and the music lineup will be nothing to sit down on for sure.  As of right now, and growing, the lineup includes The June Brides, Altererd Statesmen, Sweetbriar, Chris Scruggs, and a cast of many many more.  It will be quite a treat.

Thursday, oh Thursday, you have a treat like no other.  You need to visit Ed Nash Art Studio (1015 West Kirkland Avenue, Unit 414) at 7pm to take in a one-night event for the ages.  Jason Brown and his Brehman Collection, in collaboration with East Side Story, will be presenting an extraordinary evening of letter readings.  This is not your mama’s letters either.  Doors will open at 7pm with music from The Gypsy Hombres, followed by a performance piece by Matthew Marcum of Sideshow Fringe.   The famous letters, originally written by the likes of Ernest Tubbs, Patsy Cline, and many others in all sorts of historical backgrounds and highlights, will be read by the likes of Jonathan Marx, Libby Callaway, Dane Cardiel, Ed Nash, Paul Polycarpou, Paul Burch, and many others.  After the letter readings, there will be more music and spirits and an art reception of the original letters and the latest from Ed Nash.  The event is FREE to attend and there will be the food truck “Your Dish Is Our Command” on site as well.  If you don’t have plans for Thursday, mark this event on your calendar.  If you do have plans already, change them and thank me Friday morning (via email of course).

Friday night sparks a fun time at Cheekwood.  May 24th marks the first of continual Fridays thru November 8th where summer musical acts will supply an eclectic Music City soundtrack to the exhibition “Light: Bruce Munro” at Cheekwood. There will be live music in several locations in the Garden, specialty cocktails, cash bars throughout the Grounds, Dining in the Pineapple Room, and everything is open until 11pm.  Go see it for yourself.

Moving along to Saturday, you have another round of fun choices.  One that I recommend is to go to “an Exhibition.”  This Saturday, May 25^th, from 6-10pm, Untitled will play host to another evening of thrilling entertainment, uncensored art, and a variety of carnival desires at a FREE, 18 and up, art event in East Nashville’s East Room (2412 Gallatin Avenue).  Cirque Du Burlesque will titillate with burlesque, thrill and awe with fire eating feats, and endure the classic bed of nails among other things.  Blue Moves will provide modern dance while Blaque Masque will mesmerize with belly dancing galore.  Music will be played by Kirabelle Frabotta, Fable Cry, and DJ Tha Blackheart.  Body painter Tia Adams will be on site and Kiki will be giving tarot readings.  Oh, and there will be some awesome art to see and buy as well.  Talk about a fun night to be had by all!

And with that, I’ll let you celebrate this week and holiday weekend as you wish.  Just around the corner, immediately after the holiday ends, on Tuesday, May 28^th, from 4:30-7:30pm, at 101 Lea Avenue, you can enjoy a reception for Sher Fick’s exhibit “Coping Skills.”  There will be an artist talk at 6pm, and you are all welcome.  The only thing is that you need to RSVP at alumni@frnmail.com.

And like that, I’m out.

Hope to see you tomorrow night at Fat Bottom Brewing Co. at 7pm!

much love,

chUck

www.eastsidestorytn.com

www.nashvillesheart.com

A Time for Action and Satisfaction!

The title pretty much always says it all for what is to come and this week it is no different.  Before I get to informing about the fun events and people around town this week and weekend, I’d love to do a very important service announcement of sorts.  The Metro Arts needs YOUR help … NOW!

Take this post as a friendly reminder about something huge going down tomorrow that needs your attention and support.  Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 14^th, at 4:45pm, everyone who works in or around art in Nashville should come to the 2^nd floor of the Metro Courthouse on the Public Square.  Parking is available in the garage under the public square (entrance on James Robertson Parkway).  Metro Arts President, Jen Cole will be presenting a critical Metro Arts budget at 5pm and can use all of the public help we can muster.  This affects everyone going forward.  Other things you can do on top of attending the meeting tomorrow are the following:  Send a handwritten note to the Mayor thanking him for supporting the arts and what it means to you (Mayor Karl Dean, 100 Metro Courthouse, Nashville, TN, 37201).  Send a handwritten note to the Councilperson in your districts (http://www.nashville.gov/Metro-Council/Metro-Council-Members.aspx ).  Get board members and other art enthusiasts to write as well.  Attend the public hearing on the budget in June (date to come).  And get involved in NashvilleNext meetings (www.nashville.gov/Government/NashvilleNext.aspx).  AND, join or renew your membership in the Nashville Arts Coalition (Individual dues are as low as $10 and every penny helps.  For more questions, ask Kathryn Colegrove at 615-252-4656 or kcolegrove@nashvillect.org).

Now, with that out of the way, and knowing you already just mailed 2 letters and made plans for tomorrow evening’s meeting,  here is the rest of your week planned for you for convenience sake.  Wednesday, May 15^th, from 8-11pm, why not attend another DNR Publishing installment of A Night of Free Speech in Café Coco’s back porch (210 Louise Avenue).  A great scene of spoken word, poetry, prose, rants, raves, and rambles, everyone is welcome to participate on stage no matter what style you carve your words into.  Come early to sign up for open mic slots, but it will be a packed, attentive, festive crowd.

This Thursday, May 16^th, you have two choices that will equally rock your socks off (or flip flops if that’s what you prefer in the summer heat, but please don’t ever EVER do socks and flip flops- another service announcement impromptu).  First, at 7pm, come early for another packed show for the one and only quintessential music man of music city, Craig Havighurst.  Fresh off his appearance last week with Don Gallardo and How Far West at East Side Storytellin’ (recap to be posted soon), Craig is back at it as one of the most dedicated, hardest working men in music city for music’s sake.  His show at The Basement (1604 8^th Avenue South) this Thursday at 7pm is called String Theory: A One Man Show about Music.  Craig distils lessons about his journey as an amateur musician, professional music documentarian, and everything else he does around town into a 90-minute, two-act multi-media event.  Craig is a fan of all music and I’ve yet to find a person who hasn’t instantly become a fan of everything he does and is about.  Do yourself a favor and attend this show if nothing else this week.

And speaking of another show that same night, not to be outdone across the river to the East, there will be another round of UnBound Arts at The Building.  At 7pm, at 1008C Woodland Street, for a mere $10, you will be able to experience the visual art of Jacqueline Saporiti and J. Kelly Thomas, music by Jeff Jacob and Leticia Wolf, and a ton of creative patrons in the neighborhood and city at large.  There’s no telling when the fun ends because the party is from 7-until.

Skipping over Friday for a fresh day of rest, Saturday will bring you a treat for the road.  You might want to get in your car and head to No Egrets for Clarkesville’s Art Walk and exhibit opening this Saturday, May 18^th, from 6-10pm.  Located at 1128 College Street, Clarkesville, TN, No Egrets is proud to announce the opening reception for the show “Little Deaths.”  The art exhibition will feature the tremendous talents of several artists featured at East Side Story as well in that of Brandt Hardin, Jeff Bertrand, and Charles Bennett!  For this exhibit, each of this fine lowbrow trio of artists will bring you original portraits of figures in the profession of literature, film, music, sub-pop culture, etc.  It is FREE to attend and meeting the artists of this art will be priceless indeed.

BUT, if you want to stay in town, and you’re not already at The Avett Brothers’ concert, YOU REALLY NEED TO GET DOWN WITH THE CLASSICS!  What am I talking about?  The Eastwood Ensemble is presenting “Chamber Music Underground: Top O’Woodland.”  Saturday, May 18th, at 7pm, at Top O’Woodland Historic Bed and Breakfast/Wedding Chapel, The Eastwood Ensemble is holding a unique fundraiser and celebration concert where 100% of the ticket funds will help to convert East Nashville’s community collaborative chamber ensemble into an OFFICIAL non-profit organization!  All of the skilled musicians are volunteer and work with local artists and businesses of all sorts to enhance the neighborhood.  This concert will be sponsored by Lockeland Table, Kismet Candy, and Top O’Woodland B&B and Wedding Chapel.  Your tickets will include the special music performance, food, light fare, kismet candies, and a special drinkn made by Lockeland Table.  You can get your tickets HERE- http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/385572.  Get it now while you still can!

Then, on Sunday, May 19^th, you’re invited to That Time of the Month’s “Prom Stories” back at Café Coco (210 Louise Avenue).  This will be a LIVE podcast recording with audience participation alongside the likes of Melanie Vare, Pam Nelson, Emily Sandberg, Christopher Pilny, and YOU!  If you haven’t been a part of this show, you should.  Don’t miss it at 5pm.

Also on Sunday, from 8-10pm, you need to get your behind over to Octane gallery at 1000 Main Street in East Nashville for a one of a kind art reception from a visiting artist.  Shaunna Peterson, a So-Cal based artist and illustrator, is going to open her show called “Pleasure Island.”  From booze-slurping sock monkeys to the House Band from Hell, she takes a look at the vices of this life and beyond.  Her work is inspired by vintage advertising, humor, toys, and pretty ladies.  Shaunna will be in attendance and you won’t want to miss it!

Well, that’s pretty much enough to keep you busy and those creative juices flowing.  Speaking of head’s up and not missing out on something next week, you should go ahead and mark your calendars for next Tuesday, May 21^st, at 7pm, at Fat Bottom Brewing Co. (900 Main Street), for the next great round of East Side Storytellin’.  This next show, the 14^th so far, will feature writing by Todd Dills and music by Mike Willis of the Cumberland Collective.  It is FREE to attend as well so you really have no excuse.  I’ll be there if that helps, obviously.

Have a superb week ahead and be nice to one another.

much love,

chUck

www.eastsidestorytn.com

www.nashvillesheart.com

Rain by morning and sun all day for Don Evans

I don’t always equate the weather of the day with the mood and other-worldly acts, but today was too much for me to avoid the similarity.  If you don’t already know, Nashville lost its most creative artist ever in that of the legendary Don Evans.  If you never met him or saw his art, I feel sorry for you.  I’m not in the right state of mind to clearly write everything I came to know and love about this man, but here are 3 great things for you to read and see to show your respects and learn a little thing or two about an amazing, creative soul to help you become a better person.

 

1- Artist Joseph Whitt wrote the following a few years back about Don.

http://peripherus-max.livejournal.com/107405.html

 

2- “Don’s Farm” – a short film about a few friends with Don at his home studio.

 

3- “The Little Marrowbone Repair Corp.”-  a compilation of videos and projects in the early 2000’s with Don and friends.

With that as an introduction to the creative scene in Nashville as it stands today, there’s only one thing I’m doing this week before the visual arts kickoff the entire weekend all over the place.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 7th, at 7pm, you can visit Fat Bottom Brewing Co. at 900 Main Street to witness another extraordinary East Side Storytellin’ show with me and East Side Story.  This week, again FREE to attend and starting promptly on time, I’m honored to have author and co-host of Music City Roots, Craig Havighurst reading about and from his book and then Don Gallardo & How Far West playing some original tunes.  There will be some unforgettable, unscripted moments of fun so please don’t miss out on this while you can.  It’s a one-night deal.

Fast forward to Friday and you can do several of the following.  At 11:30am-1:30pm, at 800 2nd Avenue South, 4th Floor, you can visit the Metro Arts (Metro Nashville Arts Commission) and their Artist Directory Showcase for an opening reception and light lunch.  Metro Arts is presenting an exhibit a 3-D works by Nashville artists exclusively from the Artist Directory and NowPlayingNashville.com.

From 6-8pm on Friday, you can be a part of art yourself if you want to be a sassy lady.  At Fear No Art Nashville, 2905 12th Avenue South, Suite 103, you can email Kelly@fearnoartnashville.com to reserve a spot at Sassy Ladies Mixed Media Art Workshop with Jodi Reeves.  It will be a night of creative fun as Jodi will lead you in how to paint one of her popular Shemics.  See more of Jodi’s work at http://www.jodireeves.com.

Then, also on Friday, you can drive over to 427 Chestnut and have a ball at 2 places in one spot.  First, from 6-8pm, experience Skitter Flutter at seed space.  Seed Space will turn into a sentient space of wonder with invisible yet audible reactive objects.  Intrigued?  Walk right next door to threesquared, studio 223, from 5:30-9pm for Dane Carder’s open studio and Ghosts and Hopes preview.  He will have 9 of his 36 paintings hanging up to share with anyone who wants to see the beginning of his series

Down the road, at 516 Hagan Street, Suite 100, artist Greg Pond’s show “I’d Leave the Whole World Round” will be up and running for Mary Halvorson’s Indeterminacies performance.  It all goes down at 7pm and it will include NYC jazz guitar impresario Mary Halvorson and bassist Stephan Crump’s Secret Keeper project with local writer Veronica Kavass for a night of amazing music and conversation.

Saturday, everything is lining up again for one heck of a fiesta day all day long.  To kick things off right, head to the East Side and stay there.  At noon, at 1006 Fatherland Street at the East-Centric Pavilion, American Craft Beer Week is jumpstarting with the Eastside Brew Ha Ha Craft Brew Festival.  There will be local food truck fare, America’s finest breweries, and musical performances by the Granny Whites, Josh Farrow, and the Shelby Bottom String Band.

As the sun begins to fade, the fun will jump to an even bigger level.  The 2nd Saturday Art Crawl at 5 Points will hit full steam ahead again.  At Bryant Gallery, there will be a group show by Duran Bunch, Bill Brimm, Donna Rizzo, Timothy Weber, Lydia Wilson, and Solomon Behnke.  At Art & Invention, you can see the opening reception for painter and storyteller, Elizabeth Foster in her latest exhibition called “Characters & Curiosities.”  At East Side Story, I’ve partnered with Metro Arts and Southern Word to present East Side Storytellin’ on May 11, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Located at the Idea Hatchery at 1108 Woodland Street, this free, family-friendly, public event will feature short story readings, live poetry by the winners of Metro Arts’ 2013 Poetry in Motion contest, special appearances from Southern Word youth, food trucks and music by DJ VU. Talk about a good time and way to wrap up the weekend.

That pretty much does it.  I hope this above makes you feel a little better about your life and future than before you read it.  Have fun and be nice to one another.  Maybe I’ll see you at one or more of the things above too.

much love,

chUck

http://www.eastsidestorytn.com

http://www.nashvillesheart.com