Nashville for Free

Earlier this week I decided to hold a contest where the person who wrote the best Scene Report would win a Vampire Weekend 7″ for the song “Cousins”. I had a few entries and the winner is Katie Chow, a student at Belmont University. Congratulations Katie! If you want to submit a Scene Report just for the hell of it then email it to me at nashvilleforfree@gmail.com

The Nashville flea market is a huge indoor sprawl at the fairgrounds, held at the fourth weekend of every month.  With over 1300 vendors, you could easily spend an entire day here and still not clear the entire selection.  In the hour I had to educate myself about this particular Nashville establishment, there were three recurring observations.

#1:  Anything goes

Some booths specialize in just one type of merchandise, such as vintage furniture, murderous-looking dolls, or handmade scrunchies that only a grandma could love.  Other vendors scrounge up whatever they can find, whether that be books, old photographs, or spare parts for machinery that hasn’t been in production for decades.  No matter what’s being sold, the vendor is likely to either be a grey-haired, turtleneck-wearing man or a grey-haired woman in a pastel sweatshirt.

#2:  Jewelry is a form of self-expression

While browsing some of the jewelry-focused booths, I couldn’t help but notice the personal nature of some of the items for sale.  At one, I found a bracelet engraved with the name Lyle, presumably purchased to commemorate a boyfriend, only to be discarded later.  What happened?  “Sorry, Lyle, you have the name of a tobacco-chewing truck driver, we’re over.”  It’s too bad, Lyle apparently deserved to have his name surrounded by blue rhinestones.

More mysterious was a gold pendant engraved with a portrait of a young boy.  Did a mother want a picture of her child that wouldn’t get wrinkled in her wallet, only to disown him later in life?  Is this the less permanent equivalent of getting a tattoo of a dead loved one’s face?  Does the kid actually have Mick Jagger lip syndrome, or did his face just not translate well in metal?

#3:  The conversations are the best part

For no apparent reason, one vendor (red turtleneck) decided to tell me a story about a former frequent customer who went on to become a professional fashion designer in New York.  Apparently her signature style involved sewing fringe onto jeans.  I can only hope that this was a sign from the powers that be, telling me that I will someday get a real job.

While contemplating the creepiness of the aforementioned necklace, I overheard one grandmotherly type saying to another, “There are t-shirts that say, ‘I’ve found Prince Charming, and his name is Daddy.’  Isn’t that precious?”  Isn’t that a Freudian field day?

The point of going to the flea market is to buy things, but what you get for free is much more entertaining.

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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Written under the influence of Guided by Voices and Drakkar Sauna.

Monday

8 off 8th at the Mercy Lounge – 9pm
While there might not be any special name for this particular 8 off 8th it’s still gonna be pretty awesome. Just look at these names: Re-Up Band, Greg Bates
Stephanie Lambring, Marie Hines, Clark Richard, Lindsey Highlander, Honey Honey, Westbound Rangers, The Hollywood Ten. Those last two are especially awesome, so don’t miss them!

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Let’s hope that the temperatures stay cool and bring some cool events for us.

Monday

8 off 8th at the Mercy Lounge – 9pm, 21+
The Nashville Cream continues to treat us to great tunes by the decade for this month’s 8 off 8th. The theme this week is 80s night, so dress accordingly. Of course, since 90% of what’s hip today is straight out of 1985 that should be pretty easy.

Valentiger, Ikak, and Seth Wood at Edgehill Studio Cafe – 7pm
I have never heard of any of these bands, but I love the Edgehill Studio Cafe and I trust their taste.

Mike Freeland discusses and signs Blood River to Berlin: The World War II Journal of an Army Medic at Davis-Kidd Books – 7pm
Mike Freeland is a Tennessee native who found himself witnessing the horrors of WWII, including a Nazi death camp. Come and hear him talk about his experience and get him to sign a copy of his book.

Tuesday

Lunch and Learn with Martha Stamps at the Nashville Farmers’ Market – 11am
This week’s topic is titled “Feeding the Sheep.” It’s about what we put in our bodies from a spiritual perspective. Sounds like it could lead to a great discussion.

2 events at The Basement – always a 21+ venue
Carnival Music Presents:
Come and check out some Carnival Music artists for free. Performers include Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, Skip Matheny (of Roman Candle), and Daniel Tashian. Starts at 7pm
New Faces Nite:
Come see nine (yes, nine) new acts rock the Basement’s Stage after Carnival Music’s show. Acts include Antiverse, Avery Set, Average Girl, and Loose Cougar. Starts at 8pm.

Starbuck’s – opening -10:30am
Purchase any beverage before 10:30am and present this coupon (printed out or on the screen on a mobile device) and get a free pastry! Wasn’t that easy? Well, not as easy as Arby’s freebies, but much easier than free grilled chicken from KFC via Oprah.

Wednesday

Arby’s
Free Roastburger with any soft drink purchase…I don’t know how I feel about that.

Knot Tying 101 at South Cumberland State Park – 2pm
I know, I know, it’s an hour and a half away, but who knows when you’ll need to learn how to tie a sweet knot? Meet at the visitor’s center.

Local Author Lydia Peelle reads and signs Reasons for and Advantages of Breathing: Stories at Davis-Kidd Books – 7pm
8 stories that “explore lives derailed by a loss of the vital connection to the land.” You support local restaurants, local food, and local music, so why not support local authors?

Yoga in Centennial Park, presented by Team Green – 5:30-6:30pm
This is the first day of the to-be-weekly yoga classes presented by Team Green. What better way to relax from mid-week stress than yoga? Meet at the west corner of Parthenon Field, closest to West End. A spot will be chosen there, probably in the shade.
*Note: this is free, but donations are welcome and encouraged.

Thursday

Home Renovation Series: The House of Ill Repair at the Green Hills branch of the public library – 6:30-7:45 pm
Any house can easily fall into disrepair if you don’t know maintenance. Learn some basic tips about keeping your own house in top shape as well as some info about what to look at when buying a house.

Skate of the Union at the Sommet Center – 5-9pm
If you’re a hockey fan this is something you can’t miss. A used equipment sale goes from 5-7, then Skate of the Union town hall discussion picks up. Expect to see some bright new faces there, as well as Steve Sullivan, who will be there with his Masterton trophy.

Friday

Poolapalooza featuring Brother Trouble at Cascades Pool in Gaylord Opryland – 6pm
Cool drinks, hot party, good tunes, and it’s free. Seriously, what’s not to love? Parking is even free in selected lots.

Love (as it turns out) is a Battlefield at Downtown Presbyterian Church – 7pm (show at 9:30)
An evening of performances and conversations with musicians and authors including Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz, a popular book, so I’ve been told), Matthew Perryman Jones, Sandra McCracken, Sarah Masen, Justin Caldwell, and film shorts by Tom Willis. It’s hosted by David Dark for Blood:Water, which is a grassroots organization that works to help the HIV/AIDS and water crisis in Africa. Donations are accepted, so please consider giving.

Flea Market at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds – starts Friday at 8am
Come and check out the wonderful world of the flea market! It starts Friday at 8am and goes until 5pm, goes Saturday 7am-6pm, and Sunday 7am-4pm. I wonder if I could buy a chase-lounge there…

Saturday

Kingbilly is Your Friend Night at 12th& Porter – 8pm
Kingbilly seems like a really fun band (though I’ve never seen them I’ve heard great things), and they want to be your friend, so leave your wallet at home and check them out at 12th & Porter. You can’t beat free friendship, some people have to buy love.

Cold War Film Festival: Dr. Strangelove at Customs House Museum and Cultural Center in Clarksville – 2pm
There’s a catch to this, and that is that you have to buy admission to the exhibit. The tickets are cheap, though, $5 for adults, $4 for seniors 55+, $2 for college with picture ID, and $1 for anyone 1-18 years of age. That’s pretty cheap.

Ice Day at the Nashville Zoo – 9am-4pm
It’ll cost you regular admission to get into the zoo, but once you do there’s a lot of fun to be had. Today all the animals get an icy treat, and you’ll get some as well! Bluebell will be giving out free ice cream throughout the park. One of my roommates works at the zoo, and she says it’s going to be a lot of fun. Too bad they couldn’t hack off some of the price of getting in…

Sunday

Mayor’s Nashville Housing Fair at the Sommet Center – 1-5pm
At this free and open event you can learn learn about new homes, how to obtain a mortgage, and how to increase your credit score and available tax credits. There will also be some freebies, but I imagine that only means ink pens and pads of paper, but hey, it’s all about learning something.