Lines at Rivera Movie Theater and Outdoor Diners at Nama, Gay Street, Knoxville, July 2012
I have to say it’s been so hot lately that it’s hard to get motivated to pick up the camera and hit the streets. A few of the mornings have been bearable and that was the case last Sunday morning. Given a bit of coolness, Urban Woman and I decided to have coffee and split a chocolate chip scone in front of Just Ripe. Nice breeze, a few people passing on the street. We fell into conversation with Kristen and Jeff and had a great hour or so solving all the problems of downtown. Those kinds of moments, no one in a hurry, good coffee and conversation at a sidewalk table make living in the city worthwhile.
Motorcycles just off Market Square, Knoxville, July 2012
Then the day heated up and we retreated into our home. Somewhere along the way a nap entered the picture. Finally around 7:30 I decided I had to take a walk to at least see what was going on around town. Obviously the temperature would have mellowed by that time, right? Right: a mellow 96 degrees. Still, for the sake of you, my readers, I pushed forward into the waves of heat rising from the pavement.
Child on Tricycle in 96 degree heat, Market Square, Knoxville, July 2012
OK, so that’s a little dramatic. I just needed to get out of the house. Amazingly, there was plenty of movement afoot. I’m convinced I turned into a wimp along the way. People enjoyed dinner at outside tables all over the square and up and down Gay Street. The most surprising of the outside diners to me was at Nama. I mean the fish is raw, already, and I’m thinking raw fish in the 96 degree temperatures. How fast would you need to eat that.
Vintage Motorcycles outside Coffee and Chocolate, Knoxville, July 2012
The theater lines meandered in several directions and didn’t diminish the entire time I walked around the city. It probably shows how old I am that I can’t quite imagine seeing any movie showing there. They seem to know their demographic really well, but I just wonder if one lonely screen couldn’t show something besides superheros, pop culture flavors-of-the-moment and movies with soundtracks so loud they would even hurt my old-man deaf ears? The same company shows great movies at Downtown West. I don’t get it – which is what I’m sure they would tell me. Anyway, the line was long and the temperature wasn’t dropping.
I found cool motorcycles at a couple of stops and most impressively found a little tyke following his mother through the square on a human-powered tricycle. Who said kids just stay indoors and play computer games or watch television?
Martial Arts in Krutch Park, Knoxville, July 2012
Martial Arts in Krutch Park, Knoxville, July 2012
Martial Arts in Krutch Park, Knoxville, July 2012
Two guys worked out to music in Krutch Park doing some sort of martial arts. I couldn’t understand exactly the point of their choreographed moves, but I broke a sweat just watching them. They seemed to be equally as comfortable on the hands as on their feet.
Meanwhile, on the Market Square Stage where the basic set has been in place for a few days, actors practiced movements and lines to the upcoming productions mounted by the Tennessee Stage Company. Shakespeare on the Square returns to downtown Knoxville starting tomorrow (July 12) with the usual line-up of two plays, one comedy and one tragedy. This year’s comedy is “As You Like It” and the tragedy is “Julius Caesar. The comedy will be set in the post American Civil War era, while “Julius Caesar” will be performed in the era in which it was originally set.
Rehearsal for As You Like It, Market Square Stage, Knoxville, July 2012
While performances are free, donations are encouraged and $5 is a suggested amount. In the tenth season on the square (and 23rd overall), other options are also being provided. A VIP section for $15 will include seating under a tarp and a bottle of water. Otherwise, bring your own chair or blanket. Also new this year, two matinee performances will be offered inside the Square Room. “As You Like It” starts the series, but for schedules and other details, follow the link above.
I’m setting out a challenge to my readers: Why not try to read each of the plays (again, if you have already but it’s been a million years) and then go see them live? That’s what I’m going to try to do. It’s been so long I couldn’t tell you the plot of either, though I think I remember Julius doesn’t really come out very well in his play. Who’s up for it? Aren’t you guys the literatzi of Knoxville?
So, after an hour of watching more energetic people seem to shrug off the heat, I wandered home. I checked my phone and the temperature at 8:30 had cooled off to – wait, it hadn’t cooled off at all. Still 96 degrees. I’m glad my conservative friends have assured me this is just a fluke, that there’s no such thing as global warming. I kept telling myself that as I straggled back to the air-conditioning.
I’m too old for most of the movies too. I did see Avengers at our downtown theater, but had to go out to Downtown West (stupid name) to see Safety Not Guaranteed (good, funny).
I forgot to add … I wish some of the Shakespeare performances were at the amphitheater in Worlds Fair Park. That place looks like it would be perfect for a play.
They’ve bounced around a bit and there are arguments for other spots. I love sitting outside to eat on Market Square, for instance, and sometimes the stage entertainment adds to the experience (jazz on Tuesdays) and sometimes it doesn’t so much (free movies in the fall are the worst). Shakespeare falls somewhere in between. The long run gives people from outside the city several good chances to catch it, but it also means that it dominates the square for a long time for those of us who are there most nights. I really enjoy shows in the amphitheater, but they tend to be much lighter in attendance.
It seems like the stage company used to do all of their performances in the ampitheater until the then mayor ordered the removal of all of the seating. The company moved to the square and, even though the seating was put back in the ampitheater, stayed there. I think that is the same stage company though I could be mistaken.
From the photos, it looks like your martial artists are practicing Capoeira. That would explain the seemingly choreographed moves.
I used to be on the board for the Tennessee Stage Company, and I can vouch for John in Knoxville’s explanation. Shakespeare in the Park really was in the amphitheatre until Ashe decimated the seating, citing a crack in the foundation which was presumably prohibitively expensive to fix. We reeled from the disaster, and the Market Square District Association stepped in and lured Shakespeare to their fair locale, despite the fact that the first season was in the construction zone. It was like doing Shakespeare in battle. I knew it would be a success, though, because no one was downtown back then, and yet drunk people stumbled out of MacLeod’s, and upon finding a play in the dust and gravel, would stop to see a minute… and they would stay… and they would linger… and they would find a place to light… and the next thing we knew, they had stayed for the whole performance. Free professional Shakespeare, man. That’s what it’s all about. And it speaks to people who aren’t even signing up to listen.
Go, Tennessee Stage Company. Go, Shakespeare. Go, Market Square. Go!
Thanks for this enthusiastic comment. Victor doesn’t get much love these days. I agree about the power of the written word. I’m happy to share space with others who feel the same way. As for John, if you keep reading this site, you’ll get used to the fact that he knows more than most of us in the house. “Capoeira,” John, really? How can I not feel intimidated to ever write another post you’ll read?
Is this why I don’t get invited to many parties?
UG: [short for Urban Guy also my reaction to the heat]
Beautiful building behind the first set of cycles. No wonder I did not see you in church Sunday [jesting sarcasm]. The real message is that the Shakespeare actors are totally dedicated to their acting and do a fantastic job. I was on the second floor sitting with ice cold water and a huge fan cooling me and watched these dedicated poor souls building the set in the sweltering heat. Naturally, I offered to loan them our space heater which they politely declined.
When the winds blew the set down, I had to check damages on the building[none] They were cheerfully rebuilding-no complaining. they obviously love to perform and love their acting! We enjoy watching them and sometimes marvel at all this talent presented to the public for free. I wish more people would recognize this and attend more often. As usual, you have great insite!!!!!
The WFP amphitheater is definitely under-utilized, and in ways that are typically Knoxville, under-marketed. Despite the repairs that were made during the Haslam administration, the space still has some issues as a usable venue: 1) it’s too small for big audiences and too large for small audiences, 2) natural (non-amplified) performances require an acoustic shell which isn’t there, 3) currently no gate-control for paid admission performances, 4) although it is a warm-weather venue, I was told the design traps heat and can be uncomfortably hot with no ventilation. That said, the idea and location is fabulous and it is a shame the city isn’t taking advantage of it. The city should find a way to use it or replace it with something that will be used by performing arts.