To properly jumpstart this post and this week/weekend, I'd like to let you in on something that isn't a secret and you should already know about going on in East Nashville. I'm talking about the over-weeklong Valentines Making Workshops going on from now until February 12th at Art & Invention Gallery. It's that time of year again to decorate your card or wooden heart for your loved one. You supply the time and Meg and Bret will supply the materials and proper instructions to totally make your Valentine special. Reservations are a must for groups over 5 people, but you can always drop by on the whim and check to see if they are open and come see me at my East Side Story bookstore or call Meg ahead at 615-226-2070 if you want.
Speaking of spreading the love here and everywhere, we had another spectacular East Side Storytellin' show last night (that will air on WAMB radio- 1200 am/ 99.3 fm- at 2 pm this Saturday and then on a blog I'll post next week) that involved the brilliance of Alice Randall reading from her book "Rebel Yell" and the new music of Jonathan Sexton. One of the faces in the crowd that I had a chance to meet was the multitalented Sage Galesi. A wonderful actress and singer/songwriter in her own right, she is apparently not wasting any time making her mark on Music City. If you don't have plans tonight, you should show her your support by attending her latest show at The Basement. It starts at 8pm, is only $5 to attend, and she puts the Sage in Sage and the Saints w/ Jack and Jillie and Mallorie Haley. It will be a good show to see.
If it's a road trip that you want to partake in, you can always take a drive this Thursday, February 7th, from 5-7pm, for a reflective journey of sorts. Specifically, you can check out Miranda Herrick's latest work in "Reflective" in an art reception being the first time that the Custom's House has had a reception that is part of the Downtown Clarksville Art Crawl! The show will be on display through March 3, but this will be a golden chance to hit the road and meet a Nashville artist on the go in Clarksville, TN.
On Thursday, you can drop your books and paintbrushes and get your butt on over to Communion Nashville. What and where is it? Communion Nashville is at The Basement and is some of the best music you'll experience on the fly. There will be a DJ Set by Wells & Lt. Dan from Lightning 100 beginning at 8pm, with advanced tickets at Grimey's, and then the real fun begins. The bands for this show will be St. Paul & The Broken Bones, White Violet, The Farewell Drifters, Neulore, but the all-time greatest of all and will be on billboards everywhere sooner than later (my humble opinion of course) will be the group Eastern Block (http://easternblockmusic.com). Yeah, I said it. Go to the Basement on Thursday night because you want to and because you read it here.
On Friday, i have a Call for Teachers of sorts to let you know about. At 5pm, at Belle H. Bennett House at Scarritt-Bennett Center (1807 Grand Avenue), you can come out and learn more about the Nashville Folk + Free Skool. In fact, you might be able to talk someone into letting you lead your own workshop and take another during the spring term upcoming (May-March). Come out, meet some wonderful people in the process, and learn more what Nashville Folk + Free Skool is all about - http://nashvillefolkandfree.com.
Saturday, there are two great opportunities for you to enjoy the day to the fullest. First, Regions Bank and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts present "Regions Free Day at the Frist." It coincides with the debut of "Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Age: Highlights from the Detroit Institute of Arts." Also showing during Regions Free DAy at the Frist, guests can enjoy "German Expressionism from the Detroit Institute of Arts" one more time this weekend before it moves out, as well as "Young Tennessee Artists: 2012 Statewide Upper-Level Studio Art" and more. Regions Free Day at the Frist, which is from 10am-5:30pm February 9th only, is the bank's February installment in the 2013 "Regions Free Days" program- an annual initiative offering free access to one area blockbuster attraction or event each month.
Secondly on Saturday, your second choice can turn into two other things. I'm splitting events so you don't have to split hairs. First, the Boheme Collectif (www.bohemecollectif.com) will present "Into the Night: A Twin Peaks Themed Art Show and Prom." Starting at 7pm, this will be a celebration like no other for the 25th anniversary of Twin Peaks and approaching rumors of a 3 season abound. To celebrate everything Twin Peaks, the Boheme Collectif has amassed a number of Nashville's finest artists to present themed works- paintings, pictures, sculptures, and more. Also, in addition to the art show, there will also be a Twin Peaks costume prom in the performance space upstairs. You can dance the night away with electronic music, witness the David Lynch themed burlesque performance, and then close the night with a local quartet playing swing-blues and early rock and roll sounds. There will also be coffee, doughnuts, and cherry pie in case you were wondering. But before you go to bed that night, you might want to get over to The Row at 1108 Woodland in East Nashville. Despite seeing me to buy the latest and greatest all-Nashville book at East Side Story, you should help celebrate the 3rd birthday for Goodbuy Girls! From 6-9pm, as part of the 2nd Saturday revival now that the weather is warming up, Kim and Miss T are having a major sale from 50-75% off of their coolest items with snacks and refreshments to boot on the side. I'm just saying … it's a party y'all! The 5 points party also just so happens to coincide with the monthly Second Saturday @ 5 points from 6-9:30 that has Bryant Gallery (featuring work by Solomon Behnke), Art & Invention Gallery, John Cannon Gallery, and more staying open later to show off their best festivities and art. Don't miss it!
Then, with Sunday approaching your world without any football to watch, I'll give you two other events to close your weekend and keep your eyes on. First, at 5pm, YOU should come to Cafe Coco to see "Make Ups, Break Ups, and Match.com." Melanie Vare and the rest of the "That Time of the Month" club is putting together a dating show like no other. You can find more information and ticket stuff for the event at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/323784. It is amazingly funny women storytelling and 1 token man, but this month they are coming out with TWO token men for an added plus for everyone. In all seriousness, it will be a blast for all that come out. Secondly for Sunday, and back to the visual arts to close this weekend out, YOU NEED to come see the show called "Peculiar Citizens" at 7pm at Octane! Art Gallery. Located at 1000 Main Street in East Nashville, this show is a new body of work by Ryan M. McCauley (who was featured in Native magazine in a story and the cover of the January 2013 issue- a GREAT issue by the way- see here- http://issuu.com/nativenashville/docs/issue7?mode=window). In Ryan's artwork, he tries to approach the idea of people being naturally robotic, conforming to modern society, and rarely thinking outside of the box while living in patterns. You know, exactly the opposite of how most of my friends try not to be like. That said, Ryan's art is very thought provoking and visually dynamic. If you are well rested from visiting all of the above, you should close your week by visiting Octane!
With that written, I'm tired. See you next week or somewhere up above (better than seeing you down below).
Enjoy your day and week and be nice to each other.
much love,
chUck
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