Nashville for Free

Dear Whole Foods Market of Nashville,

I just wanted to tell you that even though I can’t afford to buy all of my food at your wonderful establishment I love you. I love you dearly. I love you the most when you have dime cookies on the first Tuesday of every month, and when you do things like you are going to do tomorrow.

You are making Halloween wonderful with free reusable shopping bags from the Bag Lady, awesome free tunes all afternoon, and a costume party with prizes. Now, I don’t know if you’re the only store in your shopping center involved in this, but you are where the music will be, so you are obviously the most important.

At noon the masses will flock to your store in their cleverist costumes. We might see balloon boy, Michael Jackson, and even The Ticket Master in your midst. Those who prefer goulish costumes and those who want the world to know what big pop culture nerds they are will compete in the most GRAND of Halloween costume contests (though perhaps not as grand as the Peanuts look-a-like contest from a few weekends ago). The most fantastic costumes will win REAL prizes, such as a $50 Billy Reid gift certificate, a $25 Two Elle gift certificate, 2 gift bags from the Cosmetic Market, a frame from West Elm, toys from PoPo, a $25 gift certificate to JMcLaughlin, cookware from Le Creuset, and gift cards from Whole Foods Market.

AND IT IS FREE TO ENTER!!!

But that is not all. No no no, not by a long shot. The Green Bag Lady will be there at 9am to give away some free one-of-a-kind reusable shopping bags. FRIGHTFULLY FUN!

Then the MUSIC! Derek Hoke will be there at 2pm, Tristen will be there at 3pm, and our former Artist of the Week Paul Burch will be there at 4pm. Whole Foods Market of Nashville, I am so joyous that you have given Paul Burch a stage. He is so fantastic, and it makes my heart a-flutter to know that you appreciate him as I do.

In addition to the costumes, prizes, bags, and music, Whole Foods Market of Nashville, I see that it is also local vendor demo day! You have provided me with the MAJESTIC opportunity to meet and sample food from Partners Tea Company, Essence Tree, Willow Farms, Toney’s Salsa, Thistle Farms, Paige’s Premium Toffee, Monkey Bars, GrowAgra Wheatgrass, Lucy’s Cheesecakes and Muhammara, Stoke’s Purple Sweet Potatoes & Purple Sweet Potato Butter, Twin Forks Farms Breads, and Hillsboro Chocolate. How I love you, Whole Foods Market of Nashville, how I love you so…

Yours sincerely,
Emily

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I know it’s a little late in the week for an Artist of the Week feature, but I think that this needs to be brought to your attention.

Do you know who Jim Lauderdale is? Well, he’s a country singer who has the best hair in Nashville, tells the 3 most hilarious jokes on-stage (I’m sweating more than Dick Cheney at an Ani Difranco concert, excuse me, I have a piece of crystal meth stuck in my teeth, etc), has recently toured with Elvis Costello (AKA my BFF), is a super snazzy dresser, and oh yeah, has had his songs recorded by Patty Loveless, the Dixie Chicks, and George Jones, among others. Also, I met him once or twice and spoke to him on the phone once, so I can tell you firsthand that he is a really nice guy.

Why do I bring all of this up? Well, this Halloween at midnight Jim is going to host/perform at the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree!!!!

What? You don’t know what that is? Well, to quote the press release..

The prestigious show started by the legendary Ernest Tubb in 1947 has always immediately followed the Grand Ole Opry and is the second oldest live radio show in the country, next to the Opry itself. Past hosts list like a virtual “who’s who” of country music royalty! Some of these include: Tex Ritter, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Loretta Lynn, Porter Wagoner, Dr. Ralph Stanley,
Jim Ed Brown, Alan Jackson, Ronnie Milsap, Rhonda Vincent, Marty Stuart, Connie Smith, and of course Ernest Tubb himself!

This fantastic event is, of course, free, and is held at the Troubadour Theater. If you can’t make it out to see Jim you can listen live here or watch it live here. Again, it starts at midnight.

Don’t forget to check out Jim’s site and bask in the glory of his glory.

-Emily

Before the term politically incorrect was coined, the world had Tom Lehrer. The Harvard mathematician savaged showtunes on his piano to make playfully sardonic satire like “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park” and “The Masochism Tango.” By the late fifties, Lehrer had earned himself an east coast cult following, and was able to release several albums on the Harvard label, the most effective being 1959′s An Evening Wasted With Tom Lehrer.

Recently, I was pleased to find, in The Groove‘s 99 cent bin, 1965′s That Was The Year That Was. It’s a live set of songs Lehrer wrote for ABC’s weekly program That Was The Week That Was, more or less the Daily Show of its (brief) era. The googling I’ve done to better know the objects of Lehrer’s topical satire has made me a more fascinating guest at cocktail parties, for sure. Among the targets: New Math, actor George Murphy‘s senatorial candidacy, the popularity of folk music, and Germany’s inclusion in NATO’s Multilateral Force.

You’d think dated subject matter like this would make TWTYTW a lesser work, but Lehrer’s sharp comic timing and brutal irreverence make it timeless. A genius of material and delivery, Dr. Lehrer, long retired from performing, deserves to be talked about in the same breath as Lenny Bruce and Woody Allen; his sixties work appears to have aged better than that of either man.

In other news, my love affair with the bearded trolls of Bachman-Turner Overdrive continues with the recent acquisition of 1974′s Not Fragile (what a name!), also purchased from The Groove’s delicious 99 cent bin. It’s a slab of grandiose stupidity, smothered in legit 70′s rock chops, stuffed into a footlong meatball sub of pop hooks. If BTO’s catalog consists exclusively of concept albums about playing and touring in a rock and roll band, consider that members of BTO are actually all guys who play and tour in a rock and roll band! Holy META! Anyway, this really is great heavy-ish rock for people who don’t care to rock any heavier. No shame in that.

Creepy as WHOA!

Hello you spooky cheapskates! As you may have figured by now, I’m a big supporter of Vanderbilt’s International Film Series. They pick some pretty interesting movies that you might not have ever had the chance to see before. Well, Halloween will be no different. This time the film is Nosferatu a movie that was filmed in Germany in 1922 as an unauthorized adaptation of Dracula.

This is a classic movie that you’ve probably never seen but have, without a doubt, seen bits of (that is, if you watch The History of Vampires on the History Channel late at night like I’m known to do). Unlike pretty much every vampire in a movie ever, including Blacula (which you can pay to see at the Belcourt at 11pm on Halloween) Nosferatu is freaking hideous, the Elephant Man of vampires. I mean, just look at that picture. The Crypt Keeper is sexier than that dude. I know that people usually like their vampires to be all debonair and crap, like that pretty-boy from Twilight, but I think that this is more nightmare-inducing, and isn’t that what Halloween is all about?

Anyway, the movie is at 7pm in the Sarratt Cinema, which is located on the first floor of the Sarratt Student Center at Vanderbilt University.Also, it’s a silent film, and the original musical score will be performed live by the Rats and People Motion Picture Orchestra.

P.S.
Bring your costumes. It’s gonna be a paaarrrtay!

-Emily

Monday

8 off 8th at the Mercy Lounge – 9pm
This week’s 8 off 8th isn’t themed, but it’s hosted by Ryan Zumwalt. It features Jim Stapley (London rocker), Ben Deignan (soul rocker), Sage (gypsy rocker),  Jordan Hull (Dayton folker), Tesla Rossa (Anthem-y vintage Brit throwback, may or may not be experts in alternating current), Mike Manigone (you may have heard his stuff on Road Rules, Human Giant, My Super Sweet 16, and The Hills), Brother Young & Shotgun (cow punkers), Lee Harvey (high-octane country). What an…eclectic mix.

Film Screening: The Way We Get By at Vanderbilt’s Sarratt Cinema – 7pm
Presented as part of The Southern Circuit Film Tour of Independent Filmmakers.  Beginning as a seemingly idiosyncratic story about troop greeters, a group of senior citizens who gather daily at a small airport to thank American soldiers departing to and returning from Iraq, the film quickly turns into a moving, unsettling, and compassionate story about aging, loneliness, war and mortality. Reception and Q&A with filmmakers following screening.

Garth Stein reads and signs The Art of Racing in the Rain at the Green Hills Public Library – 1pm
A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life…as only a dog could tell it.

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I was totally pumped when I heard about this. Elliott Smith was a great songwriter who has inspired many people, and tomorrow, Sunday the 18th, the Mercy Lounge is putting on a tribute show for him. The sixth anniversary of his death is the 21st, in case you were curious.

This show will be set up sort of like 8 off 8th, but all of the acts will get to play 5 songs, 2 originals and 3 Elliott Smith covers. You’ll get to hear Josh Foster, Caitlin Rose, Don Gallardo & How Far West, Angel Snow with Korby Lenker, Clap for Daylight, Brian Ritchey, Matthew Solberg, Kory Murphy (w/ Kristen Michelle). I hope Caitlin Rose covers “Twilight,” which is my favorite Elliott Smith song.

Now, the show is 21 and up, and it is free, but just in case you’re feeling charitable Elliott Smith Memorial Fund will be accepted (100% of the money will be donated via the memorial fund to Outside In, a not-for-profit organization that helps homeless youths in Portland, Oregon, where Elliott lived for a significant portion of his life). If you want to bring a check, please make it out to “Outside In” and put “Elliott Smith Memorial Fund” on the memo line on the check.

As you can see from the picture, the show starts at 8pm. Even if you’ve never heard of Elliott Smith or maybe didn’t like his stuff that much, you should check out this show. Maybe you’ll be converted.

So, what’s your favorite Elliott Smith song? Let us know in the comment section.

In case you were wondering how to lure in owls at the owl prowl to get a better look, I have some advice for you…

It’s that wonderful time of the month again! Yes, it’s 3rd Thursday in Edgehill Village, and even though I once got a little ill after eating food that had been sitting out all night in an art gallery I still love Edgehill Village and their sweet events.

This week the wonderful people in Edgehill Village bring us their Halloween Block Party with a cause. There are two causes: a blood drive and donations for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The blood drive goes from 2-7:30pm, and I don’t think you get anything other than juice and cookies and that lightheaded/warm fuzzy feeling. As for the NBCF, if you donate $10 the lovely people at EyeCandy Salon will give you pink extensions. Niiiice.

Anyway, it’s not all about charity, it’s also about getting down with the get down! Bring your costume, get some free wine/beer/cheese/fajitas/whatever they’re giving out for free that night, and enter to win some EV specialized prizes! Music this evening will be brought to you by The Young Republic.

Also, the poster is pretty awesome and extremely informative. And Edgehill Village is one of my favorite places. Do the Oblio boys still work at that coffee shop?

-Emily

Monday

Indelible Grace CD Release Party at the Mercy Lounge – 6pm
Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean that there will be no 8 off 8th, this simply comes before it, which means more bang for your invisible bucks! Rock on. This event will feature Emily Deloach, Jeremy Casella, Chelsey Scott, Jason Feller, and othersIndelible Grace Music is made up of a group of local indie artists, under the leadership of Kevin Twit, who are dedicated to preserving old hymn texts by setting them to new music. By Thy Mercy: Indelible Grace Acoustic is their 6th release.

8 off 8th at the Mercy Lounge – 9pm
You know the drill, 8 bands will play 3 song sets. There will be beer specials, etc. This week it’s hosted by Matt Urmy, and along with him you’ll see Sweet Eastern Saint, Peter Barbee, The Nim Nims, Moonlight Bride, Jonathan Sexton and the Big Love Choir, Taylor Bates, and Leticia Wolf.

Stephen Mansfield discusses and signs The Search for God and Guinness at Davis-Kidd Books – 7pm
Bestselling Author Stephen Mansfield discusses and signs The Search for God and Guinness. In the 1700s, Christians like Arthur Guinness brewed beer to offer a healthier alternative to the poisonous waters and liquors of the times. Mansfield examines the generational drama, business adventure, industrial and social reforms, deep-felt faith and the beer itself.

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Monday

Local Author Robert Blake reads and signs Little Devils at Davis-Kidd Books – 7pm
Burnie, Winnie, and Big Stanley are three Tasmanian devil pups growing up in the wild. Along with their mother, they make one happy family. With lifelike illustrations, Blake shines a light on a little-known animal in a heartwarming tale of adventure.

Belmont University Faculty Woodwind Quintet at the Belmont Mansion – 7:30pm
Say what you will about Belmont, but the bottom line is it’s a music school, and a good one. All of the professors in the Faculty Woodwind Quintet are current or former members of the Nashville Symphony, so they know what they’re doing. Come on down and check them out.

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