KnoxvilleUrbanGuy

RB Morris, Hector Qirko, The Short Bus and the Listening Room

Posted on June 19, 2013 Written by KnoxvilleUrbanGuy 1 Comment

RB Morris, Hector Qirko, Greg Horne and Daniel Kimbro, Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Knoxville, May 2013

This post carries a large amount of freight, so hang on. For those of you new to the Knoxville music scene, the photographs you are viewing with this post are of two Knoxville icons. In fact, they are two icons who seem, to me, to do some of their very best work together. In the past it was easy to catch them together, but not so much, anymore. These days Hector rarely makes it to Knoxville because he is now an assistant professor of anthropology at the College of Charleston. Yes, our musicians are smarter than your musicians.

RB Morris, Hector Qirko, Greg Horne and Daniel Kimbro, Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Knoxville, May 2013

The occasion for these photographs constitutes my first plug: Boyd’s Jig and Reel and their Wednesday Night Listening Room series which typically features Americana Music which is sometimes acoustic and sometimes electric. The RB Morris, Hector Qirko, Greg Horne and Daniel Kimbro played two excellent sets and if they had gathered any rust from their time apart, it wasn’t apparent. Hector played his best eccentric leads and RB was spot on while Greg played off RB, adding his own nice licks and Daniel kept the train on track.

RB Morris, Hector Qirko, Greg Horne and Daniel Kimbro, Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Knoxville, May 2013

Hector Qirko, Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Knoxville, May 2013

Hosted by Scott McMahan, the series features some excellent music with a great atmosphere and very good food, if you want it, every other Wednesday night. The concerts are free and, depending on the artist, you might want to arrive considerably early. “Standing room only” doesn’t quite cover the crowd assembled the night I took these photographs. The show tonight promises to have the same kind of electric atmosphere when The Wild Ponies (formerly Doug and Telisha – well they still are, technically, but they use a new name for the band) come to town.

Featuring Doug’s excellent guitar work and Telisha’s powerful vocals, their country-blues mix is intoxicating. Their performance on Music City Roots is featured below to give you a sample of their sound. Check them out if you can and, if not, try to catch other great performances on Wednesday nights at Boyd’s. It’s free and the music starts at 7:00 PM.

The second plug brings us back to RB and Hector: They play this Saturday night at The Shed in Maryville in a show will Scott Miller, another Knoxville musical icon who no longer lives here but seems to often find his way back. This promises to be a very special show featuring two of the finest songwriters to ever come out of Knoxville – which is saying a lot, I realize. The show starts at 8:00 PM and the tickets are $20.

RB Morris, Hector Qirko, Greg Horne and Daniel Kimbro, Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Knoxville, May 2013

“But wait,” you say, “you only focus on downtown Knoxville! Isn’t this cheating?” Well, I have an out and that brings up the third plug: the short bus. An interesting experiment in public/private transportation has emerged. Dubbed the K-Town Short Bus, it offers transportation to and from certain events that in the promo’s words, “might be a little too far to drive safely.”

The cost is $12.50 for a round trip and the bus leaves at 6:45 from Broadway Baptist Church, which is just north of downtown. You can bring your favorite beverages for the trip out and the trip back and you don’t have to drive – or even know where Maryville is, for that matter. The RB/ Scott Miller show will be the inaugural excursion.

RB Morris, Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Knoxville, May 2013

RB Morris, Hector Qirko, Greg Horne and Daniel Kimbro, Boyd’s Jig and Reel, Knoxville, May 2013

So catch a show by walking to Boyd’s downtown tonight or another Wednesday night or by catching the short bus from near downtown. It’s just another easy way to enjoy great music in the city (and outside the city) while helping the environment, having fun and being just a little bit more safe should you choose to imbibe a bit along the way.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: Boyd's Jig and Reel, Doug and Telisha, Hector Qirko, K-Town Short Bus, R.B. Morris, Scott McMahan, Scott Miller, The Shed, Wednesday NIght Listening Room, Wild Ponies

Protest Set to Oppose St. John’s Episcopal’s Demolition of 710 and 712 Walnut Street

Posted on June 18, 2013 Written by KnoxvilleUrbanGuy Leave a Comment

Protest in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Knoxville, June 16, 2013

Last Sunday morning a group of about a dozen participated in a quiet protest. A few passersby asked questions, some gave a thumbs-up and at least one gave a thumbs-down as she walked into church. Others honked as they passed, and I took that as supportive. Most walked past while avoiding eye-contact. The priests smiled and spoke in friendly fashion as they entered the 10:30 service at St. John’s Episcopal Church.

If you follow downtown Knoxville news at all you know the purpose of the small, last-minute event: St. John’s Episcopal Church owns two buildings adjacent to the church which have stood at their address on Walnut Street for ninety years. They’ve served as businesses and residences, often at the same time. It’s a quiet street, the buildings bounded by a Federal Building, the church another office building and the library across the street.

Behind the building sits just over fifty surface parking lots which were created by the destruction of buildings a generation ago. Now these two buildings are endangered because the church desires about five more parking spaces and a drop off which they feel will be better than the one they have. The congregation consists primarily of commuters, though I did notice one neighbor entering who had walked about four blocks to church.

Volvo Parked Illegally in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Knoxville, June 2013

In fact, I watched as parishioners parked in the U.S. Postal Service parking lot, in front of no-parking signs on Walnut and in the pay lot across Church Street from their own lot. I didn’t notice if they paid. I didn’t see anyone walking from the Locust Street Garage located two blocks to the north which is free on weekends. It was nearly empty when I passed by.

The fact that parking, legal and otherwise, sits in every direction from the church is only one reason that this push to destroy these buildings confounds me. It would seem that if the church can’t find a good use for them, such as housing for those in need or office space for organizations helping the poor, or simply can’t afford to repair them, they would allow someone else to take the burden.

Close Up of Sign Recently seen on 710 Walnut Street, Knoxville, June 2013

An offer was made to do just that. They refused to sell the buildings. They refused to allow a local developer to lease the buildings and renovate them at his own expense. They refuse to wait until they are prepared to create the drop-off and spaces. They simply want the buildings down.

What confounds me even more about the decision is the short-sighted view they seem to be taking of the future of their church. The congregation is aging. Most of them likely drive in to this particular church because that’s where they’ve always attended. But what happens when that generation is gone? Will others really drive in from surrounding areas? Where would those future parishioners likely be found?

710 and 712 Walnut with Sign, Knoxville, June 2013

The answer, of course, is that they will be found living all around the church. Downtown has a booming population that the church seems resolutely determined to ignore. The vast majority of people who live downtown choose to do so because, among other reasons, it is old. We could live in new homes out west, but we don’t want to. People don’t move to or visit downtown to marvel at the excellent surface parking lots, but they often comment on the charm of the old buildings. Take them away and everything good happening downtown may well drift away with them.

So, we are calling on the leadership or membership of St. John’s to display a little grace. To love their neighbors and do the right thing. Yes, they have the power and the legal right to destroy these buildings, but why not give that next generation of potential members a reason to feel good about your church rather than remembering it as the last in a long line of churches that destroyed another piece of the community?

710 and 712 Walnut Street, Knoxville, June 2013

A gathering will be held on Sunday morning at 9:45. It will end by 10:45 and it promises to be much bigger than the hardy dozen that gathered last week. Steven Horton from the 100 Block will be in charge of the event as I will not be able to attend this weekend. Please make signs, invite your neighbors and join the Facebook Event. And most of all, gather on the sidewalk at the appointed time across from the church.

If you haven’t signed the online petition, please do so; over 300 people have made that statement. There will likely be petition signatures gathered on Market Square and in Krutch Park this Saturday. If you want to help with that contact Andrea Monk at abmonk@gmail.com. She could easily use several people. Write letters to the church, to Metro Pulse and to the News Sentinel. Talk to any members you know.

Will this work? I don’t know. Odds are against it, but if we keep the right attitude and simply ask for grace, maybe our prayers will be answered. It’s all we’ve got.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: 710 Walnut Street, 712 Walnut Street, Demolition, preservation, protest, St. John's Episcopal Church

Coffee and Chocolate’s Second Location is Open

Posted on June 17, 2013 Written by KnoxvilleUrbanGuy 1 Comment

Chocolate Case at Coffee and Chocolate’s Second Location, 416 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, June 2013

Sharif Harb is an unassuming guy who can flash a great smile. He’s a quiet presence downtown and always ready with a friendly word. He also has a great thing going at Coffee and Chocolate on Union Avenue, just off Market Square. For some, it might come as a surprise that he’s decided to grow the business by opening a second location just three blocks from the first. But then, a visit to the second location reveals a very different feel and set of offerings.

Coffee and Chocolate’s Second Location Opens, 416 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, June 2013

Front Porch, Coffee and Chocolate’s Second Location, 416 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, June 2013

Long-term downtown residents will remember Le Parigo, a high-end French restaurant with excellent food. Despite the excellent food, and likely related to the high price-points for the downtown Knoxville market, it closed earlier this year after a brief incarnation as icafe. Its departure leaves a gap in downtown dining at the higher end.

Chelsea runs the show at Coffee and Chocolate’s Second Location, 416 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, June 2013

Chelsea at Coffee and Chocolate’s Second Location, 416 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, June 2013

Sharif has taken the old location and transformed it into a new look for a Coffee and Chocolate location. A large porch beckons as you approach the restaurant, which is on Clinch Avenue within sight of Krutch Park – it’s just around the corner. Wicker chairs and iron tables with a great awning and a slight elevation from the sidewalk make for a perfect place to sip some coffee and pass some time. Of course, if you have to stay connected, wi-fi is available. I was surprised at the foot-traffic on a street I consider just off most people’s beaten path.

Interior of Coffee and Chocolate’s Second Location, 416 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, June 2013

Soft Seating at Coffee and Chocolate’s Second Location, 416 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, June 2013

Inside is warm and inviting, with seating for several times the capacity of the other store. Soft seating is provided along with tables and chairs. Therein lies another story: Sharif ordered tables and chairs for the restaurant from an online vendor who decided take the money and not send any furniture. Determined to open on schedule, Sharif had to scramble to find the furniture currently in the restaurant. All but the soft-seating will likely be changed in the near future. I actually like what he came up with as a substitute.

Menu at Coffee and Chocolate’s Second Location, 416 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, June 2013

Beverage Menu at Coffee and Chocolate’s Second Location, 416 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, June 2013

A smaller version of the chocolate counter from the other store sits to the back of the room and the beautiful chocolates sparkle like marbles. Nearly a dozen different types of chocolate are offered and Sharif prepares it all himself. I’d thought his chocolate was provided through the Chocolate Factory, but this is no longer true. Sharif attended the Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy in Chicago and is justifiably proud of his confections. My early favorite is a coffee-flavored variety, though Urban Woman preferred her nutella and chocolate.

Coffee and Chocolate’s Second Location Opens4, 416 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, June 2013

Coffee Machines and Flavored Syrups, Coffee and Chocolate’s Second Location, 416 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, June 2013

In a dramatic departure from the Union Avenue location, the new restaurant includes a beautiful bar running alongside one end of the space and several craft beers on tap and available by the bottle. Wines should be available next week after a final inspection by the ABC and a selection of teas are also offered. And there is food! The menu includes paninis, salads and a cheese plate. My near future includes the dip plate which features olive oil, french bread, a whipped feta, baba ganoush and hummus.

Chelsea, Sharif and Jared share a light moment at Coffee and Chocolate’s Second Location, 416 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, June 2013

Chelsea, Sharif and Jared (the second customer ever – I missed the first) endured my photographs for a bit on Friday afternoon and then Urban Woman and I returned later that evening for coffee and decided we definitely love the porch. It has just enough foot-traffic to keep the people-watching interesting, but it’s a much more laid-back place than the sidewalk in front of the other location. While the suburban tourists will likely continue to flock to the other location, I can easily see the second location becoming more of a neighborhood spot. I know it will be that for us.

Coffee and Chocolate’s Second Location, 416 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, June 2013

Saturday we couldn’t help ourselves. Faced with a choice of returning home after the Farmers’ Market to plunge into house cleaning or taking a detour to that same front porch and a little coffee, we couldn’t resist. Our flowers purchased at the market gave our table just a little extra splash of color to set the scene perfectly. I’m not sure this place is going to be good for my productivity. Join me there sometime soon – but remember to bring your own flowers.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: Baba Ganoush, Chelsea, Coffee and Chocolate, Coffee and Chocolate new restaurant, Coffee and Chocolate Second Location, Sharif Harb

The Week Ahead (June 16 – 22)

Posted on June 16, 2013 Written by KnoxvilleUrbanGuy 3 Comments

If you see an event I’ve missed and you’d like to plug, please comment below or e-mail me (knoxvilleurbanguy@gmail.com) and I’ll try to add it. The list may, accordingly, be expanded through the week. Staying true to the scope of the blog, I’ll only list downtown or near-downtown events. The Well and The Shed have some great events, for example, but I have to draw a line somewhere. If you want to add those in a comment, that’s fine.

Let me encourage you to “friend” me on Facebook and invite me to your events. That’s my best source for great things to do. While you are at it, look over to the right of this post and not only “friend” me, but “like” Stuck Inside of Knoxville.” You can also subscribe (to the right) to make sure you catch all the posts.

What I’ve Got My Eye On:

June 17 – East Tennessee Families for Immigrant Rights – 10:30, Krutch Park
June 17: Blue Plate Special, Noon, Visitor’s Center, The Folk You Buddies (Folk/Rock) / B. Sterling (Folk/Rock)
June 17: Hillbilly Fever’s Goin’ Round – 20% of pub sales and collection Jar for Nita Dunn – 3:00 – 10:00 PM, Jay Clark, Greg Horne, Sarah Pirkle, Jeff Barbara, Jack Rentfro and the Apocalypso Quartet, Naughty Knots, RB Morris, Tim Lee 3, Barstool Romeos
June 17: Leah Gardner + Jamie Cook + Steve Dean (creator & producer of WBIR TV Channel 10′sThe Heartland Series)
June 18: Commute for Coffee – Mast General Store, 7:30 – 8:15, Coffee and Snacks for Bike Commuters
June 18: Blue Plate Special, Noon, Visitor’s Center, Rich Sheldon and Friends (Roots/Rock)
June 18: Homegoings Documentary – Screening at Public TV studios, 1611 Magnolia, 7:00
June 18: Jazz on the Square, Market Square, Free, 8:00 – 10:00 PM
June 19: Market Square Farmers’ Market, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
June 19: Blue Plate Special, Noon, Visitor’s Center, Sky Smeed (Singer-Songwriter) / Rebecca Rego and the Trainmen (Folk)
June 19: Frog and Toad’s Dixie Quartet: Crown and Goose, 6:30 PM (Traditional Jazz)
June 19: Doug and Telisha Williams – Boyd’s Jig and Reel, 7:00, free (Americana)
June 19: Blues Caravan 2013: Tomorrow’s Guitar Heroes - Relix Theater, 7:30
June 19: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – Bijou Theater, 8:00 PM, $30
June 19: Attack of the 50 Foot Drag Queen (Movie), Tennessee Theatre, 9:00 PM
June 20: Blue Plate Special, Noon, Visitor’s Center, The Carper Family (Country/Swing) / The Grand Ole Uproar (Country/Rock)
June 20: Free Thursday Night Concerts on the Square – Knoxville Community Band, 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Free
June 20: Community Design Center Tour of Market Square - 5:00 – 8:30 – Begins at 500 S. Gay Street at the Downtown Design Studio (Note: if you want to attend the core of this event and can’t commit 3 1/2 hours, 6:00 – 8:00 will be fine), $50
June 20: Preservation Pub – Grand Ole Uproar, 10:00 PM, $3
June 21: Blue Plate Special, Noon, Visitor’s Center, Jim Avett (Singer-Songwriter) / The Green Boys (Country)
June 21: Alive After Five (KMA) – Carib Sounds Steel Band, 6:00 PM, $10
June 21: Jonny Sexton with Jamie Cook and Anderson East – Pilot Light, 8:00 PM, $12
June 21: Carolina Story with Guy Marshal – Barley’s, 8:00 PM
June 21: Norwegian Wood, Bistro at the Bijou, 9:00 PM
June 21: The Coveralls, Preservation Pub, 10:00, $5
June 22: Market Square Farmers’ Market, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
June 22: Gay Pride Parade - Gay Street 11:00
June 22: Blue Plate Special, Noon, Visitor’s Center, Gray Sartin / Mike Cullison & the Regulars (Americana)
June 22: Knoxville Pridefest – World’s Fair Park, South Lawn, 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
June 22: The Blackfoot Gypsies – Preservation Pub, 10:00 PM, $5
June 22: Jonathan Richman – Pilot Light, 10:00, $12

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Quiet (Educational) Protest: Sunday Morning (6/16), 10:00 AM

Posted on June 15, 2013 Written by KnoxvilleUrbanGuy 2 Comments

Walnut Street Sign, June 2013

I’m thinking about 710 and 712 Walnut Street and the impending demolition of the two ninety-year-old buildings. Nearly two hundred fifty people have signed a petition asking that it be stopped. If you haven’t done so already, you can do so here:

http://www.change.org/petitions/st-john-s-cathedral-stop-the-destruction-of-710-and-712-walnut-street

But those of us who wish to see this destruction of downtown stopped, really need to gain the support of the members of that congregation. I’m wondering if they even know what is being planned by their leaders. It has been established that St. John’s has the legal right to do this, but perhaps they could be convinced to change course given that their neighbors and neighborhood are opposed, given that old buildings make downtown charming and parking lots do not and given that their desire to make bridges with people around them will be damaged for a generation by this action.

So, how to gain that support or educate the congregation to the fact that this move is opposed by many and will taint their church in those people’s view? One obvious suggestion is a gentle educational activity as they arrive at church tomorrow. The primary service begins at 10:30, so being in place by 10:00 would be important.

Now if this were to happen,

I would also think signs like the one in the photograph would be useful,
that anyone showing up in an educational capacity should remain on the public sidewalk across from the church,
that no one should be accosted and
that anger or attacks will not change hearts.
So, to educate and encourage to change, yes,
to scream angrily and call names, no.

If you agree, perhaps you could make a sign and arrive at 10:00. You might even want to repost this notice and/or contact people you feel might be supportive. It’s one thing to make comments on a blog, but are you willing to put your feet in motion for the cause?

Just sayin’.

Walnut Street Sign, Knoxville, June 2013

Filed Under: Uncategorized

RB Morris, Hector Qirko, The Short Bus and the Listening Room

Protest Set to Oppose St. John’s Episcopal’s Demolition of 710 and 712 Walnut Street

Coffee and Chocolate’s Second Location is Open

The Week Ahead (June 16 – 22)

Quiet (Educational) Protest: Sunday Morning (6/16), 10:00 AM

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RB Morris, Hector Qirko, The Short Bus and the Listening Room

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Protest Set to Oppose St. John’s Episcopal’s Demolition of 710 and 712 Walnut Street

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The Week Ahead (June 16 – 22)

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