Vol. 3, Issue 14 May 25, 2017

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MAY 25, 2017 knoxmercury.com V.

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O AND MM O C S T IS N IO CONSERVAT red lants endange sp n a tr d a u q S em nt Rescue essee’s ecosyst The Native Pla n n e T st a E e flora to preserv S H EATH ER DUNCAN BY

Tennessee’s Campus Free-Speech Law Actually Protects Free Speech

Jack Neely Searches for Cal Johnson’s First Racetrack—in South Knoxville

Merchants of Beer Promises to Push the Local Bar-Food Envelope

BONUS GUIDE INSIDE!

Bike Boat Brew & Bark Festival Map and Schedule!

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BARLEY’S

200 East Jackson  10 PM Live music by The Barstool Romeos

THE BASEMENT COMMUNITY AR T STUDIO 105 West Jackson  6 – 8 PM Nasty Woman Art Exhibition & Workshop

BOYD'S JIG & REEL

101 South Central  10 PM – 1 AM Live music by Joshua Powell & The Great Train Robbery (no cover)

THE CROWN & GOOSE

129 South Central  7 PM Live music by Frog & Toad Dixie Quartet

DOGWOOD AR TS

123 West Jackson  5:30 – 8 PM Regional Fine Art Exhibition, Lite bites, drinks & entertainment

GOOD GOLLY TAMALE

112 South Central  All Day Nasty Woman Art Exhibition & Workshop

GRATITUDE BAR

111 North Central #100  5 – 9 PM $4 Grati-tinis, Old City Photography Project

LONESOME DOVE

100 North Central  4:30 – 8 PM Restoration of the Historic Train Mural

by Artist Walt Fieldsa, Bubbles & Troubles: oyster & champagne specials DR

125 West Jackson  6 – 10 PM Buy 2 drinks get a $1 off, Plight of the Maya CD release, Art by Gwynn

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PICK UP AN OLD CITY FIRST FRIDAY PASSPORT AT ANY LOCATION  VISIT 6 PLACES FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE

LOVE SHACK

100 North Central 5 – 11 PM $3 Pork sandwiches, $5 moscow mules

LOX SALON

103 West Jackson  6 – 8 PM Nasty Woman Art Exhibition & Workshop

THE MELTING POT

111 North Central  5 – 8 PM Complimentary chocolate fondue tasting, $15 off any $75 purchase

MERCHANTS OF BEER

137 South Central  6 – 9 PM Grand Opening festivities highlighting beer & beverage partners, cigars, snacks

OLD CITY WINE BAR

108 West Jackson  4 PM–12 AM National Cheese Day specials: red dragon mac & cheese, pimento cheese & toasted naan, 4 layer grilled cheese

PRETENTIOUS GLASS

133 South Central  6 – 9 PM Artwork by Curtis Glover with Live Painting & music Poutine by Oli Bea

RALA

112 West Jackson  6 – 9 PM Modern jewelry & framekeepers from Smart + Becker by Ryan-Ashley Anderson

oldcit yknox ville.org  downtown’s independent alternative 2 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

May 25, 2017 | Volume 03: Issue 14 | knoxmercury.com “Quote me as saying I was mis-quoted.” —Groucho Marx

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HOWDY The Laundromats of Knoxville

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OPINION Scruffy Citizen

by Jessica Tezak

Jack Neely goes in search of Cal Johnson’s original racetrack.

10 Perspectives

Joe Sullivan assesses our gridlocked health care reform.

12 Possum City

Eleanor Scott learns an important lesson from a would-be crabapple tree.

A&E

24 Program Notes

The organizers behind the Knoxville Horror Film Festival have a microcinema on their minds.

25 Inside the Vault

Eric Dawson traces the many careers of the True Tones.

26 Classical Music

Alan Sherrod sees signs of change at the KSO’s season finale.

31 Movies

April Snellings dodges acid with Alien: Covenant.

COVER STORY

18 Commando Conservationists The nonprofit Native Plant Rescue Squad preserves indigenous plants that would otherwise be destroyed by construction, development, or logging projects, then sells them at modest prices to home gardeners, educating folks in the process about the value of these “locals” for wildlife. S. Heather Duncan follows the squad deep into the weeds.

NEWS 14 Dialogue Unleashed

A campus “free speech” law that quietly passed with broad support in the state Legislature a few weeks ago is now garnering national attention–­ and even some praise for being “politically neutral.” S. Heather Duncan finds out how it happened.

PRESS FORWARD 16 Work Matters

Burke Brewer once worked for the state as a job-placement counselor.

But then she decided to start her own agency with a unique approach to helping those with disabilities.

SPECIAL INSERT Bike Boat Brew & Bark Guide

How many things can you do at one festival? Find out at this weekend’s BBB&B festival. Check out the official guide inside this issue!

CALENDAR

32 Spotlights

Beach House

FOOD 48 Home Palate

Dennis Perkins anticipates the wonder of crunchy crickets at Merchants of Beer.

OUTDOORS 50 Voice in the Wilderness

Kim Trevathan bids farewell to faithful Norm.

52

’BYE News of the Weird

by Chuck Shepherd

54 At This Point

by Stephanie Piper

54 Spirit of the Staircase

by Matthew Foltz-Gray

55 Crooked Street Crossword

by Ian Blackburn and Jack Neely

55 Mulberry Place Cryptoquote

by Joan Keuper

May 25, 2017 knoxville mercury 3

From the Editor

Do You Give a Buck?

Y

ou’ll have to forgive us the pun, but we need your attention: It’s time for our annual reader fundraising campaign to keep the Knoxville Mercury going. So, for us, this existential question is immediately relevant: Do you care enough about the services this paper provides to actually pay for them?

A generation or two ago, we wouldn’t have had to ask—one could make a viable business out of selling enough print ads to literally give away tens of thousands of papers and their stories. An entire staff could be hired purely through ad revenue, and they could make a decent living. Those days are fading fast. There are thousands of articles about the state of newspaper publishing in the digital age, offering a myriad of theories about how the industry can rescue itself, but the short answer is: find other sources of revenue to augment traditional ad sales.

When we started the Mercury two years ago, this inevitable fact was definitely on our minds. That’s why we formulated a most unusual ownership structure: a weekly paper governed by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Knoxville History Project, directed by Jack Neely. As part of its educational mission to research and promote the

history of Knoxville, the KHP buys a full-page ad in each issue to promote local historical events and projects and to relate historical stories about Knoxville. It raises money for that ad contract through tax-deductible donations, which you can make though its website at: knoxvillehistoryproject.org/donate.

But a vitally important source of funding for our effort has always been readers who want to directly support the paper because they find value in it.

As daily papers become ever more centralized by national ownership, we have aimed to be local first and always.

Although our staff is very small and our budget is smaller, I believe we’ve delivered on a lot of the goals we set for ourselves when we launched the Mercury’s start-up campaign in December 2014. We promised to deliver a paper devoted to in-depth reporting, incisive arts and entertainment writing, the most comprehensive calendar of events in town, and a local crossword puzzle. Our efforts have been honored with two years’ worth of first-place awards for investigative reporting, feature writing, and design by the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists—all in competition with the daily paper.

We’re often told we’re far too polite when it comes to asking for help. As writers, artists, and editors, fundraising is not something we were used to doing—but this is a new era for local

“Loving it more every week. Local, relevant, and broad-minded.”

—Eric J. Moore

“The last of the great papers in Knoxville.

I urge everyone to support this paper.”

—Dan Andrews

“Fantastic local paper filled with history and fun doin’s.”

—Ash McDaniel

“Great LOCAL paper and current events!

Knox Mercury rocks!”

—Jay Brandon

journalism and we must make a stronger effort. To truly survive, papers like the Mercury must become community efforts, not unlike public television or radio, which require the support of listeners and viewers. To some, that just doesn’t make sense since newspapers have historically been about making a profit for their owners. In our case, we just want to be able to put out unique stories that otherwise wouldn’t be told.

And we’d like to eventually make a living doing it that doesn’t require a constant sense of financial anxiety, which we’re still working on.

So, if you’ve ever felt informed by our news features, brought closer to an important issue by our cover stories, met new personalities in our profiles, learned about a cool new band or restaurant in our A&E section, felt personally engaged by our columnists, or just used our calendar to find out what’s going on this weekend, consider whether the Mercury is worth your financial support.

If so, you can find options for donating on a one-time, monthly, or tax-deductible basis at: knoxmercury.com/donate Thank you, —Coury Turczyn, editor

Your support makes it possible for us to bring you stories that wouldn’t otherwise be told about Knoxville’s critical issues, vital personalities, and unique cultural heritage.

4 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

DELIVERING FINE JOURNALISM SINCE 2015 The Knoxville Mercury is an initiative of the Knoxville History Project, a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit whose mission is to research and promote the history of Knoxville.

EDITORIAL EDITOR Coury Turczyn coury@knoxmercury.com SENIOR EDITOR Matthew Everett matthew@knoxmercury.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Jack Neely jack@knoxhistoryproject.org STAFF WRITERS S. Heather Duncan heather@knoxmercury.com CONTRIBUTORS Chris Barrett Joan Keuper Ian Blackburn Catherine Landis Hayley Brundige Dennis Perkins Patrice Cole Stephanie Piper Eric Dawson Ryan Reed George Dodds Eleanor Scott Thomas Fraser Alan Sherrod Lee Gardner Nathan Smith Mike Gibson April Snellings Carey Hodges Denise Stewart-Sanabria Nick Huinker Joe Sullivan Donna Johnson Kim Trevathan Tracy Jones Chris Wohlwend Rose Kennedy Angie Vicars Carol Z. Shane INTERNS Joanna Brooker Thomas Stubbs

JUNE 17 17, 2017 2017

DESIGN ART DIRECTOR Tricia Bateman tricia@knoxmercury.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Charlie Finch CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David Luttrell Shawn Poynter Justin Fee Tyler Oxendine CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS Matthew Foltz-Gray PHOTOGRAPHY INTERN Marissa Highfill ADVERTISING PUBLISHER & DIRECTOR OF SALES Charlie Vogel charlie@knoxmercury.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Scott Hamstead scott@knoxmercury.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Michael Tremoulis michael@knoxmercury.com BUSINESS BUSINESS MANAGER Scott Dickey scott.dickey@knoxmercury.com KNOXVILLE MERCURY 618 South Gay St., Suite L2, Knoxville, TN 37902 knoxmercury.com • 865-313-2059 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR & PRESS RELEASES editor@knoxmercury.com CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS calendar@knoxmercury.com SALES QUERIES sales@knoxmercury.com DISTRIBUTION distribution@knoxmercury.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robin Easter Tommy Smith Melanie Faizer Joe Sullivan Jack Neely Coury Turczyn Charlie Vogel The Knoxville Mercury is an independent weekly news magazine devoted to informing and connecting Knoxville’s many different communities. It publishes 25,000 copies per issue, available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. © 2017 The Knoxville Mercury May 25, 2017 knoxville mercury 5

DUMPSTER highlights DIVE Weekly from our blog RELICS AT RISK Each May, in recognition of National Preservation Month, Knox Heritage releases a list of the “Fragile Fifteen,” those historic buildings and sites in the Knoxville area that are in the most urgent need of attention. This year’s list includes Estabrook Hall on the UT campus, Rule High School, First Friends Church, and the Lucky Inn, among others.

LOCAL ROAD PROJECTS BOOSTED BY ‘IMPROVE ACT’ High-profile projects that will receive additional funding through the IMPROVE Act include reconstruction of the ramps that join Jackson Avenue to Gay Street, road widening and interchange improvements along Alcoa Highway, and road widening and the installation of paved shoulders along Chapman Highway from Blount Avenue to Boyd’s Creek Highway.

THE LAUNDROMATS OF KNOXVILLE Photo Series by Jessica Tezak, jesstezak.com.

The Laundry Room, South Knoxville, May 18, 2017: Chelsea Voelker takes a seat on a laundry table while her clothes dry.

Voelker says she is due to have a baby girl next week.

BE THE CHEST-BURSTER! This month, patrons of a select few theaters across the county (including Knoxville) will have the opportunity to experience more than just seeing Alien: Covenant. Regal Entertainment Group has concocted a way for the more courageous souls among us to walk a mile in one of the titular aliens’ claw-footed shoes via VR technology. So we sent intern Thomas Stubbs into the belly of the—um, human, actually. (Yuck.)

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

5/26 MEETING:

FRIDAY

TENNESSEE PROMISE 8 a.m., Pellissippi State Community College, Hardin Valley Campus. Free. tnAchieves, which administers the Tennessee Promise community college scholarship program in 84 counties, is going on a state-wide tour to provide stakeholders with county-level student data in an effort to increase student completion. Learn how it’s been working out by registering at tnachieves.org/tour.

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6/1 MEETING: BROWNFIELD CLEANUP PROJECTS THURSDAY

6 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church (544 N. Broadway.). Free.

Two big brownfield cleanup projects are up for discussion: the city-owned McClung Warehouses and Sanitary Laundry sites. The EPA has awarded $350,000 for the cleanups, and the City of Knoxville is pitching in $70,000. Once the sites are cleaned of contaminants, the city will put the properties up for mixed-use RFPs.

6/2 FUNDRAISER: “NASTY WOMEN MAKE ART’ 6/3 FESTIVAL: BIKE, BOAT, BREW & BARK FRIDAY

6-11 p.m., Lox Salon & Basement Community Art Studio (103 W. Jackson Ave).

Over 40 artists from the Southeast will be featured in this show—all proceeds from artist submissions and sales will be donated to the Knoxville Family Justice Center, which provides support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Meanwhile, proceeds from a Self Empowerment Collage Workshop will go to Knoxville Girls Rock Camp.

SATURDAY

10 a.m.-5 p.m., Volunteer Landing. Free.

The mother of all Knoxville festivals focuses on multiple local obsessions, just as the name implies.

Visit Knoxville will be gathering these tribes in this second-annual event that combines events that celebrate all of the above. See the official guide in this issue, or go to visitknoxville.com.

SATURDAY

JUNE 17, 2017 UNLIMITED SAMPLING OF

OVER 300 BEERS AT KNOXVILLE’S PREMIER SAMPLING EVENT

LIVE MUSIC

PRESENTED BY SMOKY MOUNTAIN BREWERY

FEATURING PAPERWORK & NIGHT COLORS ENJOY AN OVERNIGHT STAY FOR 6 ABOARD THE KOKOASIS (75' HOUSEBOAT)

DOCKED AT VOLUNTEER LANDING MARINA

PLUS, A 90-MINUTE CRUISE ABOARD THE QUEEN PRISCILLA (26' U.S. NAVY WHALE BOAT)

AND DINNER FOR 6 AT CALHOUN'S

OVER $650 VALUE! RAFFLE TICKETS ARE $1 EACH, AND CAN BE PURCHASED WITH YOUR BREWFEST TICKET OR AT THE FEST.

4-8 PM

DOWNTOWN KNOXVILLE

EARLY BIRD TICKETS

$45

ON SALE NOW CURE DUCHENNE ENDS 5/31!

DESIGNATED DRIVER TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE FOOD TRUCKS ALL NET PROCEEDS BENEFIT

PROVIDED BY CALHOUN’S • FARM TO GRIDDLE CREPES FORKS ON THE ROAD • SWEET & SAVORY

ALWAYS SELLS OUT DON’T MISS IT!

KNOXVILLEBREWFEST.COM

May 25, 2017 knoxville mercury 7

Scruffy Citizen | Perspectives | Possum City

Cal’s First Speedway Suttree Landing isn’t the first park on its riverfront site

BY JACK NEELY

S

uttree Landing Park looks nautical, with little pocket lookouts for picnics or contemplation almost like jetties. Stand at one of these promontories on a Saturday afternoon and you can hear beery-sounding laughter from half a mile away, across the river, from the marina or the apartments on the bluff.

It says something about Knoxville that we’re willing to celebrate a book that few Chambers of Commerce would countenance. A lesser city’s Chamber would review three paragraphs of Suttree and respond, “Well!

I never!”

If Cormac McCarthy’s sometimes harrowing novel Suttree is not flattering in any conventional sense, with its descriptions of ratty scavengers, desperate sexual practices, revolting flotsam, awful whiskey, rabid bats, and suicide, with a subtle wash of typhoid, it’s perhaps the longest description of Knoxville ever published, and it accomplishes something that few Chambers of Commerce do. It makes the city sound pretty interesting.

I can’t speak for everybody, but journalists prefer cities that are interesting, and I think Suttree is fine.

And Suttree Landing Park is interesting, itself. It’s approximately where the possibly fictional character

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Suttree, in an impulsive act of targeted civil disobedience, disposed of a stolen police car.

Maybe, if that car is no more fictional than most of Suttree is, it still abides in the opaque, inscrutable river. Divers assure me there are indeed cars down there.

From here you can see, across the river, that one old round stone tower that has puzzled boaters for decades.

It looks almost medieval, with apertures that suggest gun placements. It’s not surprising people have taken it for an ancient fort.

In fact it’s the old intake tower for Knoxville’s ambitious water system.

After a century of drinking whatever the river had handy, a private water company installed a state-of-the-art pumping and filtration system, modern for 1894. That Norman fort is all that remains of a much-larger network of water facilities. It’s more than twice as old as it needs to be to qualify for the National Register of Historic Places, but I’ve never heard that suggested.

The intake tower is much taller than what you see now, with the river at deep summer levels. Most of it’s underwater. When the men were building that intake tower, perhaps they took a break with a wienerwurst

sandwich, and looked over at this side.

What they saw over here might have been a horse race.

Today, even many who aren’t history scholars know that Cal Johnson, the astonishingly ambitious slave turned business tycoon, built a horse-racing track in East Knoxville, and that it’s now a residential cul-desac known as Speedway Circle. It’s less well known that before he opened that racetrack in 1897, he had another one, and it was on south bank of the river.

I occasionally see references to “Johnson’s Racetrack” on the south side. I found some clues to its location from the late antiquarian Ron Allen, whose research indicated that it was between Sevier Avenue and the river, “east of the slaughterhouse.”

In his book Knox-Stalgia, Allen wrote that the racetrack first hosted events in 1881, when the site hosted a fair whose main attraction was horse racing. One such race was a setting for the escalating disagreement that led to the triply fatal Mabry-O’Conner gunfight on Gay Street the following day.

According to Allen, Johnson didn’t build this racetrack, but acquired it sometime during its first decade. An owner of racehorses, and a sometime jockey himself, Johnson had a natural interest. Johnson’s Racetrack welcomed horse races, footraces, and bicycle races. In 1894, it hosted the opening of the horse-racing season, but also bicycle races sponsored by the Knoxville Racing Wheelmen. Some races drew as many as 2,000 spectators.

Johnson made his racetrack available to everybody, and for a few years it was central to entertainments attracting the white majority. Champion athlete and future war hero U.S. Brig. Gen. Cary Spence won a footrace there in 1891. But the riverside amenity seems to have been especially valued by the black community. A group of “colored bicyclists” known as the Marble City Wheelmen had meets there. An Emancipation Day festival was held at Johnson’s Racetrack on Aug. 8, 1895.

It stayed lively, at least occasionally, for some years after Johnson opened his better-remembered new track in East Knoxville in 1897. The

university, which lacked its own track, was still using the South Side Track for track meets as late as 1917.

Allen refers vaguely to finding the racetrack on an 1895 map. I assumed he referred to the giant, intricately detailed 1895 map of Knox County that’s framed on the wall at the McClung Collection. The slaughterhouse is noted thereon, but not a racetrack. However, with the help of librarians at McClung, I found the map Allen referred to, a city map, that happens to include some suburban areas, as this was then.

On the south side of the river, right there, is a long, neat oval, and very clearly noted, RACE TRACK. It looks like a precise half-mile circuit.

Everything else has changed, but the water intake is indicated on the map, directly across the river.

As it still is today. Suttree Landing is on the same patch of flat floodplain. A month ago, the mayor held her annual budget luncheon at Suttree Landing Park in early May, and hundreds of big shots attended.

But Knoxville hasn’t discovered Suttree Landing yet. Last Saturday afternoon, most of the parking places were empty. But a few daddies were playing with their kids on the playground. Walkers in recreational togs strolled with determination. A couple of very young men were exploring the jetties, wearing ties like the Hardy Boys in the 1920s. I first took them for Jehovah’s Witnesses, but then concluded they were freshly minted high-school graduates.

Not long ago, this was a spooky post-industrial wasteland. But Saturday, I’m happy to say, I was the sketchiest person on the South Knoxville waterfront. I’ll likely be even sketchier next time, because I may be running laps trying to sketch the route of an ancient oval.

Jack Neely is the director of the Knoxville History Project, a nonprofit devoted to exploring, disseminating, and celebrating Knoxville’s cultural heritage—not to mention publishing the Knoxville Mercury. The Scruffy Citizen surveys the city of Knoxville’s life and culture in the context of its history, with emphasis on what makes it unique and how its past continues to affect and inform its future.

2017 FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

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May 25, 2017 knoxville mercury 9

Scruffy Citizen | Perspectives | Possum City

Seeking Stability Gridlocked healthcare legislation needs a bypass

BY JOE SULLIVAN

I

t’s abundantly clear the Trumpcare bill that was hooked or crooked through the House earlier this month is going nowhere in the Senate.

It’s also pretty clear that if, and when, the Senate approves a health care bill, it won’t—nay, can’t—include key provisions that were tacked onto the House bill at the eleventh hour in order to corral just enough votes to squeak it through.

Foremost among these are waivers of two cornerstones of the Affordable Care Act. One is its prohibition against denying coverage or hiking premiums of people with preexisting conditions. The other is its prescription of Essential Health Benefits that all insurance plans must provide (except those that were grandfathered by the act).

To understand why the Housepassed bill’s allowance for states to waive these standards doesn’t pass muster in the Senate requires delving into arcane Senate rules. Under these rules, provisions that qualify as budget “reconciliation” measures can be adopted by a simple majority vote rather than the 60 votes otherwise needed to overcome almost certain opposition by the Senate’s 48 Democrats. Any provision of a bill fails to qualify “if it does not produce a change in outlays or revenues… {or a change} which is merely incidental to the non-budgetary components of the provision.”

While the Senate parliamentarian who is the arbiter of these determinations has yet to rule, it seems clear to

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most observers that the preexisting condition and EHP waivers won’t qualify. And if the Senate were to approve a bill that excludes them, it’s deemed unlikely that the House would go along. So the probable result for the foreseeable future is legislative gridlock.

Yet time is of the essence in fixing the problems that have led to an erosion of insurer participation on the exchanges that provide coverage to more than 10 million individuals. Most of them are at income levels that qualify for premium tax credits and the majority for outright subsidization of deductibles, both of which can only be obtained via the exchanges.

By September at the latest, insurers must give notice whether they intend to offer exchange coverage in 2018 and submit their premiums for state approval prior to an annual enrollment period that begins in November. In all too many places, there’s doubt whether any coverage, let alone a competitive choice of carriers will remain. (With Blue Cross’ recent announcement of its intent to resume coverage here, Knoxville is fortunately no longer on the prospective void list.)

Instead of acting to avert a debacle, most Republicans from Donald Trump on down have been gloating over the plight of the exchanges as proof of the “failure of Obamacare.” There’s no denying that the exchanges have attracted an older, sicker, and hence costlier mix of enrollees than anticipated as droves

of younger, healthier people have spurned the law’s mandate to get insured. Even with double-digit increases in premiums in each of the past two years, many of the dwindling number of insurers have continued to lose money. And, along with adverse selection, uncertainty about the future of the ground rules has also contributed to the exodus. Tennessee’s insurance commissioner, Julie Mix McPeak, has expressed extreme frustration over her inability to get any clarity from anyone in Washington in this regard.

Yet for all its dark clouds, Trumpcare also contains some silver linings. The House-passed bill provides for creation of a “Patient and State Stability Fund,” which would allocate $15 billion to the states in each of 2018 and 2019 and then $10 billion a year through 2026. States could deploy the money in a variety of ways, but the imperatives are “to help stabilize premiums for health insurance coverage in the individual market” and “reducing the cost of health insurance coverage … to individuals who have or are projected to have a high rate of utilization of health services.”

The word “reinsurance” doesn’t appear as such, but the implementation could bear a lot of resemblance to the reinsurance provisions of the ACA that the Republican-controlled Congress allowed to lapse after 2016.

These provided for federal reimbursement to insurers of a portion of the

amount by which any individual’s claims in a year exceeded $90,000.

The lapse of these reimbursements is yet another reason why insurers have been pulling out of the exchanges. (In Iowa, where the exodus of the last remaining carrier appears imminent, it’s been widely reported that a single claimant’s cost of care has been running $1,000,000 a month for an extended period.)

Topping a list of health care legislative goals recently espoused by Sen. Lamar Alexander is “rescuing thousands of Tennesseans and millions of Americans who will be trapped in collapsing Affordable Care Act exchanges with few or even zero options for health insurance in 2018 unless Congress acts.”

About the only form of action I can imagine that seems realistic in this time frame is enactment of the Patient and State Stability Fund, which should get bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House.

Joe Sullivan is the former owner and publisher of Metro Pulse (1992-2003) as well as a longtime columnist covering local politics, education, development, health care, and tennis.

DO YOU GIVE A BUCK? Your $20 donation makes this story possible. knoxmercury.com/donate

HISTOR IC J U N E C e l e b r at e t h e 1 5 0 t h b i r t h d ay o f K n o x v i l l e ’ s f i r s t f e m a l e j o u r n a l i s t !

June 5 is the 150th birthday of Pattie Boyd (18671947). Although a woman named Elizabeth Roulsone became publisher of the Knoxville Gazette after her husband’s death in 1804, and ran Tennessee’s first newspaper for four years, Boyd is remembered as Knoxville’s first career female journalist. She was also Tennessee’s first society-page editor.

Be sure to see “Gathering Light,” the Beauford Delaney exhibit at the Knoxville Museum of Art. Delaney (1901-1979) grew up in Knoxville, where he had his first training in art, in the studio of Lloyd Branson. He moved to New York and later Paris, and is now remembered as one of the greatest African-American abstract expressionists. (See our History Page last year, http://www.knoxmercury. com/2016/02/18/t he-l ife-k nox v i l le-ar t istbeauford-delaney-1901-1979/)

Her parents, who owned a farm in the Boyd’s Bridge area of East Knoxville, named her Sallie.

She was a strong-willed young woman, though, and preferred the name Pattie.

She was just 18, in early 1886, when she told the editor of the Knoxville Tribune that his newspaper was tiresome. “All you write about is politics,” she complained. “Why don’t you have something about what people are doing and saying?” He gave her a newspaper column.

The Tribune eventually combined with the Journal, and she kept writing society columns for 51 years.

Pattie Boyd, Knoxville’s first female journalist, and Tennessee’s first societypage editor, from a drawing made by Edward Hurst in 1936, for a celebration of her 50 years in newspapers.

In her early days, women were not allowed in the Gay Street newsroom, where men smoked cigars and cursed. She worked at home, and sent her handwritten stories in by way of a male messenger. She had two rules: no mean gossip—she was proud that she could keep secrets—and no slang.

The exhibit includes a few of his luminous abstracts, like “Peinture” (1958), “Scattered Light” (1964), and “Moving Sunlight” (1965), all in thick oil. But equally interesting are his rarely seen sketches, including playful self-portraits, and a couple of rarely seen landscapes of his home town, apparently made during a visit here in 1969. One depicts Knoxville in a characteristic lush green.

Also on display are some personal photographs.

They’re not identified, but several show his close friend, the groundbreaking black writer James Baldwin. Another shows Delaney with controversial author Henry Miller, whose novels were banned in America for decades. (He’s the bald white man.)

The exhibit runs until July 23.

She finally got her own office at the paper in 1911. She became a familiar figure downtown, known for her large, flowery hats. However, she did not permit men to wear hats into her office.

She turned in stories seven days a week. In 51 years, she took only 36 days of vacation. She covered the visits of four presidents, and described at least 30,000 weddings.

She never married, herself, but enjoyed an unconventional friendship with a younger violinist and showman named Ole Bull Jones (pronounced “Olee,” like the Norwegian violinist). For some years they lived together, along with Pattie’s brother, Robert. Upon Jones’ sudden death in 1928, he left his estate to Pattie, including a large farm and his rare Stradivarius violin.

Saturday, June 3, is an unusual festival called Bike, Boat, Brew, & Bark, which celebrates Knoxville’s well-developed cultures of bicycling, boating, beer—and dogs. Much of it’s centered on Volunteer Landing. At 10:00 AM, the Knoxville History Project’s Jack Neely will lead a walking tour of the riverfront, highlighting the historical and literary markers. Reservations are required, and tickets are $7. See https://www.visitknoxville.com/events/ festivals-events/bike-boat-brew-bark/ for more.

Like the Mercury? Interested in new research into Knoxville history? You can help sustain both with a gift to the Knoxville History Project, by helping us renew this educational page for another year. See knoxvillehistoryproject.org, or send tax-deductible donations to KHP at 516 West Vine Ave., #8, Knoxville, TN 37902.

She finally learned to type in 1935, at age 68. When she retired two years later, Sallie Boyd was believed to have enjoyed the longest career of any female journalist in America.

Source The Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection, Lawson McGhee Library Image courtesy of Lawson McGhee Library • knoxlib.org

T h e K n ox v i l l e H i s to ry P r o j ec t, a n o n p r o fi t o r g a n iz at i o n d e vot e d to t h e p r o m ot i o n o f a n d ed u c at i o n a b o u t t h e h i s to ry o f K n ox v i l l e , p r e s en t s t h i s pag e e ac h w e e k to r a i s e awa r en e s s o f t h e t h em e s , p er s o n a l i t i e s , a n d s to r i e s o f o u r u n i q u e c i t y.

L e a r n m o r e at

knoxvillehistoryproject.org

o r em a i l

jack@knoxhistoryproject.org

May 25, 2017 knoxville mercury 11

Scruffy Citizen | Perspectives | Possum City

from my finger tip.

What kind of crabapple has thorns? I thought.

There it was, a long cruel spike, growing from the limb I held in my hand. I turned to look at my tree. The sky was very blue that day, and the limbs were bare. They emerged from the trunk like a bouquet—a classic shape, but not for a crabapple.

“Oh my God,” I said, “It’s a damn Callery pear.”

Since my first botany classes in college I’ve made it my business to pull up, dig out, and exterminate invasive plants that strangle and smother: English ivy, bush honeysuckle, privet, and Callery pear, or its more wellknown cultivar, the Bradford pear, a total garbage tree that any respectable conservationist wages undying war upon. These plants, imported from the Old World, have no natural predators here and so they metastasize and create monocultures, out-competing other varieties of plants on which wildlife depend, disrupting the ecosystem.

For eight years I looked at this tree every day. I nurtured it and prized it, and only saw it for what it was when it broke my skin and drew blood.

“You know, the Arbor Day Foundation is not the be-all, end-all for native trees,” said an arborist who heard my story. No, I did not know that.

Isn’t it true: You see what you want to see. You trust labels. You expect the promised thing to manifest.

In the Lacnunga is another famous charm, “Against a sudden

Bitter Medicine Lessons learned from crabapples

BY ELEANOR SCOTT

“This is the herb called wergulu a seal sent this forth across the sea’s spine for the harm of poison…” (translated by Benjamin Slade, 2002).

The “Nine Herbs Charm,” written anonymously and collected in the 10th Century anthology Lacnunga [Remedies], includes instructions to sing it into the mouth of one afflicted while applying a salve made of the listed herbs. The most famous passage describes the pagan god Woden using the nine herbs to slay a dragon, a metaphor for disease.

“A worm came creeping, he tore a man in two.

Then Woden took 9 Glory-Twigs struck the adder then, that it flew apart into 9 bits” (Slade)

Wouldn’t it be lovely to grow a witchy medieval garden with a 12 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

crabapple tree in the center, the other eight herbs: mugwort, plantain, lamb’s cress, nettle, betony, chamomile, chervil and fennel, growing at its base inside a circle of stones?

I planted my tiny crabapple in the backyard of my 4th and Gill apartment, and when I moved, I dug it up and took it with me. The tree thrived in the sunny corner where I replanted it. I sat on my porch and watched it through the seasons. The gray trunk grew thick, the shiny green leaves provided a buffer between the house and the busy intersection. The tree grew much taller than the listed height. Because the leaves were a bright green, and it was a shapely tree, I took family photos in front of it.

One warm winter day I pruned my crabapple tree. I lopped off a lower limb and began dragging it to the curb for organic waste pickup, and a thorn pricked me. I peeled off my glove and looked at the drop of blood welling

You see what you want to see.

You trust labels.

You expect the promised thing to manifest.

Photo by Eleanor Scott

E

ight years ago I received a tiny bare-rooted sapling from the Arbor Day Foundation.

“Crabapple,” the tag read, “Beneficial to birds and wildlife.”

The small, sour, wild apple has a legacy as beneficial to humans too, a traditional medicine. Called wergulu in Old English, crabapple is listed among the nine sacred remedies for illness and infection in the ancient Anglo-Saxon incantation “Nine Herbs Charm.”

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stabbing pain,” poignant in its plea for the return of health and wholeness: “Out, spear! Be not in, spear!”

I once spoke to a farmer who had killed hundreds of chickens with her own hands, slipping the bird headfirst into the killing cone, and slitting its throat with a knife. No big deal, they were raised to be meat. She also raised laying hens for eggs. She could not bring herself to dispatch one of “her girls,” a hen she had nurtured and protected, even when the hen’s laying days were done.

I should have gotten out my saw and gotten rid of the tree right then, without thinking about it too much, and poured poison on the stump so it wouldn’t come back. (Callery pears are known to re-sprout many shoots from a severed trunk, hydra-like.)

But I hesitated, and, months later, remain paralyzed.

It is hard to kill a thing you have loved, even when the thing is evil and deserves to die.

Eleanor Scott’s Possum City explores our urban forests, gardens, and wild places, celebrating the small lives thriving there.

A freelance writer and columnist, she also maintains the Parkridge Butterfly Meadow in East Knoxville.

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Dialogue Unleashed Tennessee legislators craft a campus free-speech law that actually protects free speech

BY S. HEATHER DUNCAN

W

hile campus “free speech” bills have become fodder for state legislatures reacting to campus violence and protests against conservative speakers this year, the law that quietly passed with broad support in Tennessee a few weeks ago is now garnering national attention–­and even some praise for being “politically neutral.”

The “Campus Free Speech Protection Act,” sponsored by two Knoxville-area legislators, forbids public colleges from corralling student demonstrators into a “free speech zone;” disinviting a controversial speaker scheduled by a student or faculty member (or charging a student group unusual security fees to host one); denying funding to student groups based on the viewpoints they promote; or firing professors for controversial statements made in class.

Noting the inflammatory tone of free-speech debates nationwide, with speakers canceled and student athletes harangued for taking a knee during the national anthem, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee praises Tennessee’s approach. The law “will protect robust dialogue from a variety of perspectives and ensure that Tennessee students learn how to be informed, engaged, and critical thinkers—the kind of future leaders our state needs for continued growth and innovation,” states Hedy Weinberg in an email.

The law states that the campus is “a marketplace of ideas for all students and all faculty, in which the free exchange of ideas is not to be suppressed because the ideas put forth are thought by some—or even by most—members of the institution’s

14 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

law is “kind of redundant” because the First Amendment guarantees free speech to everyone already, she adds.

The UT administration helped draft the law and supported it. Anthony Haynes, UT vice president for government relations and advocacy, states in an email that the law “clarifies and protects free speech on college campuses as provided by the First Amendment, and it appears to be the nation’s first state law to recognize faculty members’ academic freedom in the classroom.”

A NATIONAL TREND community to be offensive, unwise, immoral, indecent, disagreeable, conservative, liberal, traditional, radical, or wrong-headed.”

The Senate passed the bill unanimously and only seven representatives voted against it in the House.

“I may have been the most surprised person, given how sensitive this is,” says Senate sponsor Doug Overbey, a Republican from Maryville, adding that he thinks it might become a national model. “No matter your political persuasion or point of view, I think it’s equal treatment for all who wish to exercise their First Amendment rights, faculty as well as students.”

The broad legislative support is particularly notable given that the law flies in the face of the Legislature’s own recent track record of defunding the University of Tennessee’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion after conservative legislators objected to statements on its website and yanking funding for UT’s Sex Week because of legislators’ objections.

The Campus Free Speech Protection Act would forbid the university itself from denying money to student organizations like Sex Week but wouldn’t prevent the Legislature from doing so, says Lucy Jewel, UT associate law professor and secretary of the UT chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

“That’s the sort of hypocritical weirdness with this law,” she says.

Overall, Jewel says she thinks the new law is politically neutral and provides a good statement of academic freedom. While many professors agree, Jewel says some think the Legislature is meddling in affairs the university should manage. Plus, the

Texas, Colorado, Virginia, and Utah also passed laws related to free speech on campus this session, although they are mostly narrower in scope. Two of these, authored by The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), primarily forbid campus “free speech zones” (which imply that free speech isn’t allowed in any other public spaces).

Utah’s law allows students whose free-speech rights were violated to sue in state court, and for the court to provide compensation to the victim and to assign specific fines to the university.

At least six more state legislatures are considering new campus freespeech laws. Many borrow heavily from a model created by the conservative think tank the Goldwater Institute, as did a bill floated earlier in the Tennessee Legislature this session. Sponsored in the House by Rep. Martin Daniel of Knoxville, that bill developed on a parallel but separate track from the one that passed, says Rep. Eddie Smith, R-Knoxville. Smith sponsored the successful bill in the House.

The Daniel bill would have included penalties for students whose actions infringe on the free-speech rights of others—a key provision in the Goldwater Institute model, which prescribes suspension as long as a year.

Daniel and other sponsors initially nicknamed this Tennessee legislation “the Milo bill” after an incident at the

University of California, Berkeley, where a speech by alt-right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos was canceled after violent protests. But soon afterward, Yiannopoulos resigned his job as a senior editor at Breitbart News in response to controversy over his comments that seemed to condone pedophilia, and the “Milo bill” languished in committee.

The Yiannopoulos incident was not the only one this year that led conservatives to complain that their views were being suppressed on American campuses. Author Heather MacDonald, a police booster who has criticized the Black Lives Matter movement, was blocked from entering the building where she had been invited to speak at Claremont McKenna College in California. At Middlebury College in Vermont, students disrupted a speech by American Enterprise Institute author Charles Murray, then a mob attacked his car as he left and injured a professor escorting him.

Alex Swisher, president of the Campus Republicans at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, says the UT campus “is definitely a tough environment for conservatives.” She says an “extremely liberally biased” professor yelled at her in front of the class last year when Swisher asked the professor to cite proof for one of her statements.

Swisher says she doesn’t think UT offers a good platform for encouraging discourse that is civil on either side.

Events on other campuses weren’t the primary motivator behind the Tennessee law, Smiths says. “We were already spit-balling this idea around before all this happened,” Smith says.

FIRE, a national group that advocates for free-speech rights on campus, rates U.S. colleges’ free-speech policies annually. In 2016, out of 449 schools, UT was one of only 27 that received a “green light” rating. Joe Cohn, FIRE’s legislative and policy director, says FIRE does not favor conservative over

“[The law] will protect robust dialogue from a variety of perspectives and ensure that Tennessee students learn how to be informed, engaged, and critical thinkers.”

—HEDY WEINBERG, executive director, ACLU-TN

liberal agendas and represents student groups of both viewpoints in freespeech lawsuits. But it was founded by attorneys critical of political correctness who wrote The Shadow University: The Betrayal of Liberty on America’s Campuses, and the cases listed on its website mostly defend conservative student groups.

FIRE, which openly criticized the Tennessee Legislature’s response to Sex Week, has helped states write campus free-speech laws, Cohn says.

It laid the groundwork in Tennessee by working on a bill that didn’t quite make it last year, Smith says.

This time, Smith approached UT general counsel Matthew Scoggins, as well as officials at East Tennessee State University, the University of Memphis, Middle Tennessee State University, and others for help crafting a law. He and Overbey say they have been contacted by national media and people from other states asking how they put it together.

“I don’t want to take a FIRE or Goldwater Institute off-the-shelf policy,” Smith says. “I am a firm believer we can find a Tennessee solution.”

He says many UT faculty in his district had contacted him feeling the university has been under attack from the Legislature. “When you look around the country, conservatives feel liberals are trying to suppress free speech and liberals feel that conservatives are trying to use legislation and laws to suppress their free speech,” Smith says. “So this was meant to protect everyone’s free speech.”

“What they came up with was the best piece of free-speech legislation that’s ever passed,” Cohn says.

HOMEGROWN ELEMENTS The Tennessee law is the only one that addresses academic freedom for professors. It says “faculty shall be cautious in expressing personal views in the classroom” but still bars adverse affects on their employment except in cases when classroom comments are both broadly unrelated to the subject of their expertise and take up “significant” class time.

Although it could have gone even further by protecting faculty speech outside the classroom, Cohn says, “This is by far the most extensive

protection of academic freedom that any faculty anywhere have ever enjoyed. FIRE has a long list of cases of faculty that have been fired for fleeting speech that would have been protected by this.”

The law was hailed on the online blog of Academe Magazine, a publication of the AAUP, which had previously attacked the “Milo bill.”

The Tennessee law mentions discipline only to lay out a definition of “student-on-student harassment.” To qualify, it has to be consistent with definitions of discrimination in established law, plus be “so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively bars the victim’s access to an educational opportunity or benefit.”

Cohn calls this a huge step.

“Over-broad anti-harassment codes are the single most common form of censorship on college campuses today,” he says. “You shouldn’t be able to punish people for being rude.”

Jewel expressed concern that, under this definition, the incident last fall at ETSU when a student was arrested for wearing a gorilla mask while handing out bananas at a Black Lives Matter event would have qualified as protected speech. “If that wouldn’t be considered harassment, it’s a little perturbing,” she says.

Cohn says it wouldn’t. “The gorilla suit thing is protected conduct, and it should be. We need to get out of the idea that we overcome things like racism through censorship,” he says.

“We overcome racism by bringing issues into the light, discussing them, and making a persuasive case against them.” (The Mercury attempted to speak with representatives of UT’s Black Student Union and the Black Law Students Association but was unable to reach anyone during summer break.)

Smith says writing specific punishments into the law would leave “faculty or administration determining whose free speech trumps whose.”

“We just don’t want freedom of speech on college campuses being shut down any more than we want the free press or religion shut down,” he says. “The one thing I think we need more of in the country is a little more civility. There’s just a little too much hatred right now.”

May 25, 2017 knoxville mercury 15

PRESS FORWARD

Focus: Business & Tech Innovation

Work Matters

Burke Brewer founder & CEO

A disability employment agency that provides a more personal approach

B

urke Brewer says that she learned at an early age—volunteering at Lakeshore Mental Health Institute—that those with disabilities are often segregated and treated differently. The realization spurred her to graduate from the University of Tennessee with a master’s degree in counseling and to pursue a career in disability advocacy, eventually working in Tennessee’s Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services program as a job-placement counselor. But that exposure to bureaucracy almost made her leave human services altogether—until she decided to start her own agency with a unique approach to helping those with disabilities find jobs.

Work Matters launched in January 2016 as a solo business; now it has a staff of 13, nine being counselors or special-education teachers licensed in the state of Tennessee. As a for-profit vendor with the VR program, Work Matters receives referrals through the state and is currently serving 50 adult clients. But this summer, armed with a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act grant, the agency will soon be launching free “camps” for students with disabilities, age 14-22, to receive job-skills training; parents can apply on the Work Matters website. It’s the first step in the agency’s quest to bring its free training directly to East Tennessee school systems, helping prepare students for life after high school.

How is what you do now different than what you were doing as a state job-placement counselor?

16 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

I think the biggest thing is that there’s a partnership between me and every client—they have my cell phone number because I’m not a state employee. I have more time for them, there’s more of a bond that happens that makes the process a lot easier.

Before, [working] with all of these rules set in place, you’re not really able to help people in the way that sometimes you have to. Often times, getting a job is not the big issue. It’s all the other life pieces around it, but as a state employee you’re being looked at for how many people you’ve helped get a job. Well, you have to help the person first, and then the job works out. And so, the change in the service model of not being so numbers-driven and more being people-driven is probably the biggest difference.

How does Work Matters avoid becoming “numbers-driven”?

I think it’s more being counselors and advocates. It’s saying that these folks deserve to have their stories told and be heard and known in the community, and that we’re there to help them achieve all of their goals rather than just plug them through a system or put them in a job where they won’t be happy just to get our numbers. We also don’t have placement goals, so we want happy, successful clients. I don’t impose [quotas]: “Oh, you have to have 10 successful placements by the end of the year,” because that never worked for anybody. It’s really been a matter of seeing how things are done and then saying, “That’s stupid; we should do it this way,” but never being in a position

Photos courtesy of Burke Brewer

BY COURY TURCZYN

to do it the other way until now.

Sometimes you have to create your own thing to be able to do that.

Unlike other agencies, Work Matters markets itself via social media even though it gets its clients through state referrals—why?

The model is so antiquated that if you help folks with disabilities, you do that sort of in a shroud of darkness and no one knows about it until a Facebook video pops up that gets two million likes: “Wow! These people can get jobs.” Historically, people with disabilities who are looking for work have been sort of kept in the dark—we don’t see them, and we don’t know where they are; the agencies [that help them] are nonprofits, so they’re not really marketing their efforts. It’s kind of this weird, hidden thing that has existed for decades, and part of what we’re trying to do is bring more light to it and more dignity to it. Not

WORK MATTERS 109 W. Anderson Ave. 865-323-2425 workmatterstn.org PROGRAMS • Work Matters provides Vocational Rehabilitation services to youth and adults with disabilities in East Tennessee.

• Adult Services include job readiness training, job coaching, and job placement & retention services.

• P re-employment transition services for students ages 14-22 include: vocational assessments, job shadowing, work-based learning, self-advocacy training, workplace readiness training, and post-secondary training.

• Work Matters’ free Career Exploration Camp for students starts June 5 with two tracks (Mondays & Wednesdays or Tuesdays & Thursdays) from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. each week. Apply on its website.

everyone with a disability wants to roll silverware and wash toilets. These individuals have goals and dreams and families—or want to have families and want to buy houses and want to have lives just like the rest of us. We need to show the public who we work with and, you know, that they exist.

What’s an example of how Work Matters placed a client?

I had a client in Union County who was actually trained as a phlebotomist. There’s not a lot of opportunity out there, so she was driving to Knoxville. She also had some physical disability issues; the shifts were long, and she was having a lot of pain due to her disability. We ended up finding something just next to her house: working in the library. She had been volunteering in the library and teaching adults reading, and a position came open through a sixty-plus program out there. She can now walk to work. She loves her co-workers. She is teaching classes.

She’s doing all sorts of things with children and adults out there. That was one where, originally, the model would have been, “She’s trained as this. This is what she’s always done.

This is what we should find.” We did that, maybe for the first six months, and then there was a pivot of, “Okay, is this actually going to work for her long-term? Instead of going with the job goal that’s on paper, why don’t we look at something more holistic?”

How do you go about engaging prospective employers?

Usually what we do is we empower our clients to do that for themselves.

If I go into a business and say, “Hey, I’m working with somebody,” it automatically discloses that they can’t do that for themselves, which discloses that there’s something that’s keeping them from being able to do that. Oftentimes, it discloses a disability right off the bat, and some of our clients don’t want their disability disclosed or they don’t need an accommodation, and so they don’t need to mention it right then and there. So usually our approach is to basically work with the client and say, “Okay, where are you interested in working? Which employers have

sort of stuck out to you? Do you have any contacts there?” Oftentimes, we will find the contact for them, but we will coach them how to go in and do that for themselves because it’s not realistic that we’re going to be able to do that for them all the time, especially after they’re hired somewhere.

Once they leave us, we have prepared them fully, so once they leave that job, they can just replicate what we taught them how to do.

Your next goal is to bring job-skills seminars to high schools via federal grants—but you’ll probably have to revisit some unavoidable bureaucracy…

It [WIOA] is a federal mandate and we’re ready to go. State, county, the bureaucracy will not stop us from reaching these kids. They’ve been [an] underserved and underrepresented population for a long time, and we’re kind of all fed up with the red tape and all the nonsense. It’s available, and parents were just shocked that they hadn’t heard about it, which is good, because if they go back in the fall and are talking about it, that’ll do more than me getting huffy and puffy about it!

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May 25, 2017 knoxville mercury 17

O AND MM CO S T IS N IO AT V ER S ON C d nts endangere la p s n a tr d a u nt Rescue Sq e’s ecosystem e s s e The Native Pla n n e T t s a ve E flora to preser AN TH ER D U N C

BY S H EA

Photo by Tricia Bateman

18 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

Photos by S. Heather Duncan

G

erry Moll trudges uphill over uneven ground, leaning forward to drag a large wagon behind him. He’s on a rescue mission.

He needs to save small, stranded lives.

But he’s not in a hurry.

His patients aren’t going anywhere. They are both literally and figuratively rooted in this place, a farm gone to seed in the Appalachian foothills.

Moll and his friend Joy Grissom are salvaging plants. Not just any plants—these are special, even though they are neither rare nor exotic. Many of them have names that end in “wort,” “weed,” or “bane.” But these are native plants that evolved right here in East Tennessee, along with the insects and birds that rely on them.

East Tennessee has an incredibly diverse ecosystem, supporting many rare plant and animal populations— but it’s a package deal.

Moll and Grissom are the founders of the nonprofit Native Plant Rescue Squad, one of the only organizations of its kind in the Southeast: It preserves plants that would otherwise be destroyed by construction, development, or logging projects, then sells them at modest

prices to home gardeners, educating folks in the process about the value of these “locals” for wildlife.

By their own calculations, the rescue squad—which consists of Moll, Grissom, and a handful of reliable volunteers—has saved more than 10,500 plants in the last two years, spreading them through the suburban landscape.

“All habitat can’t be bought and preserved,” Moll says. “This is a different model for conservation: A call for gardeners to be part of the movement.”

IN SEARCH OF A DOLL’S EYE On this hot spring evening, Grissom and Moll are rescuing plants at Brian Melton’s 11-acre farm in Mascot.

Melton met Moll at a plant swap and invited the rescue squad to dig up perennials and small trees before Melton bush-hogs the old fields. The Bearden High School English teacher bought the farm recently and is slowly trying to convert the overgrown, dense young trees and vines back to farmland or more natural habitat. He’s already planted 300 feet of muscadine vines.

When Moll and Grissom pull up,

Joy Grissom and Gerry Moll (opposite page, from left) rescue young perennials and trees from a Mascot farm gone to seed.

Melton emerges from the house flashing a blinding smile circled by close-cropped red hair and beard.

Practically bouncing with enthusiasm, he shows off his many projects—the plywood for making bat houses is hanging from his truck bed and he is shaping a giant bowl from a tree burl.

Grissom asks if he likes mushrooms, telling him she has spotted some morels on his property.

He almost jumps forward.

“Where?” he asks.

“I’ll show you sometime, up that way,” Grissom points.

“Take me there now!” he demands, and starts walking.

“It’s really great having a land owner like him who’s really into it,” Moll says.

They agree to drive—Moll and Grissom in a truck, Melton on an ATV—closer to the mushroom spot, off an ATV trail where Moll wants to rescue some plants that are bound to get run over. Grissom climbs in the back of the pickup and holds on for

dear life as Moll drives it over the bumpy, grassy hills behind Melton’s house. He gets stuck and the tires spin.

“This happened before,” Moll says, backing up and trying again several times. Grissom hollers from behind, but Moll assumes it’s commentary on the rough ride.

Finally he hears her yell clearly, “Go really fast!”

He backs up and revs it, and they make the hump, Grissom banging into the cart and shovels.

When they reach the base of the ATV trail, they stop and Grissom leads the land owner off to look for mushrooms while Moll carefully digs up about 15 mayapples, their single big leaves like hands with rounded fingers.

“Are there any split ones?”

Grissom asks when she returns.

“People ask for those.” She explains that only those with split stems produce fruit, although it’s more of big lemon-shaped berry than an apple.

May 25, 2017 knoxville mercury 19

Photos by Tricia Bateman

Longtime volunteer Connie Schwaz (left, background) and others help pot rescued plants every Tuesday evening at the Knoxville Botanical Garden.

“You can eat it,” she says. “It’s real sweet.” She and Moll admit they haven’t tried it, but its jelly-like interior reportedly has a tropical taste.

From here the mountains are visible through the trees’ sparse leaves. Little green sprouts poke up around the toes of the trees, seemingly too small to identify, but Moll and Grissom can name most.

Moll asks Grissom to identify one he can’t. “That’s bugbane, or doll’s eye,” she says, two names that are hard to imagine as alternates for each other. The names of native plants often reflect their folk uses—like spleenwort—but also often frank descriptions of their appearance­, like leafy elephant’s foot, turtlehead, hairy skull cap, and hearts-a-bustin’. Here you find none of the garden center monikers invoking fairies or island sunsets.

How do they choose which plants to save? Do they prefer flowering perennials, or those that host special insects, or unusual native grasses?

20 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

“The goal is just to get as much variety into people’s landscape as possible,” Moll says. They have more than 80 kinds of shrubs, trees and plants awaiting sale, usually at the Saturday farmer’s market in Market Square, where Moll and Grissom often talk to 100 visitors a day.

Moll’s favorite native plant?

“I’ve always had a thing for bloodroot,” he says wistfully.

YOUR OWN LITTLE NATIONAL PARK Grissom and Moll became hiking buddies about a decade ago, mourning together when they saw swaths of beautiful mountain forests destroyed by development.

Grissom has a master’s in public

health and nutrition, “but I wasn’t fit for an office job,” she says. It’s tough to imagine her at a desk: She has a relaxed, tanned, grubby-at-the-kneesand-elbows look most of the time, her sun-bleached hair pulled into a loose knot with a few wisps trailing around her face. She always did horticulture and landscaping on the side, and eventually plants became her vocation. She worked at Stanley’s Greenhouse before taking her current job at the Knoxville Botanical Garden.

Moll, a sculptor from Oregon whose work is dominated by nature themes, also looks most comfortable outdoors. He pads around barefoot on hot asphalt when he emerges from his truck, his slightly kinky long hair pulled into a graying ponytail.

Although he’s been involved in landscaping for three decades, he also has a master’s degree in fine art and lives on his commissions.

Moll uses his art to convey a warning about how fast-spreading exotic plants often crowd out natives.

Visitors to his invasive species sculpture workshops, held at places like the botanical garden and the Knoxville Museum of Art, have helped him shape invasive privet, honeysuckle, and other pest plants into animal forms.

Grissom admits the two friends started their native preservation adventure with a few unauthorized “guerrilla rescues,” like planting some river birches that had been left with roots exposed to the cold by government landscapers. Then a friend allowed them to rescue plants in the path of trucks and bulldozers when he conducted selective logging.

In 2015, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture certified them as wild plant collectors and they officially created the rescue squad.

They want to start partnering with developers directly, removing plants from development sites and later landscaping the finished sites with natives, if desired.

Grissom says their best example of this kind of partnership so far was in Fountain City, where Grissom noticed a billboard labeled “Coming Soon: Planet Fitness” over a prairie lot full of milkweed, ironweed, and goldenrod.

Photos by Tricia Bateman

She called the developer, David Fiser, offering to save some plants and consult on the landscaping. Fiser says his child’s class happened to be studying monarch butterflies right then, and has been glad to let the rescue squad remove plants. The field hasn’t been developed because the business moved into an existing building on the parcel, but the rescue squad goes there periodically to save plants before mowing.

Grissom says she has sent a hundred letters to other developers across East Tennessee offering the group’s services, with almost no response. The rescue squad has created a model contract to let land owners set parameters like when and where rescues happen and what can be removed.

The rescue squad has also saved plants from at least 18 smaller building and residential sites as well as large

logging sites in Kodak and Hartford.

They have coordinated with the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club to retrieve plants before bike trails are built, and Moll is talking with officials in Pigeon Forge about rescuing plants in the path of the planned Jake Thomas Extension there. Moll and Leo Lubke, president of the Smoky Mountain Chapter of the native plant advocacy group Wild Ones, say they haven’t heard of any other organization in the Southeast doing what the rescue squad does.

Grissom and Moll sell their harvests at farmer’s markets, festivals, neighborhood plant swaps, and Stanley’s Greenhouse, which gives them pots. The botanical garden has provided them space to pot and store plants. A handful of volunteers gather there on Tuesday nights, flitting among waist-high wooden frame beds.

Grissom instructs two new

volunteers, Sam Kernan and Becca Novello, in making labels for pots of yellow trillium. The spring ephemeral flowers have gone dormant, so they look like pots of dirt.

Kernan, who works at Stanley’s Greenhouse, and Novello, who works on ecological modeling at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, had attended a rescue squad workshop about native plants at the botanical garden the previous weekend.

Kernan says he felt drawn to help because “I love the mission and vision of taking your own yard, and saving work and saving time by using native plants to make it into your own little national park. Good habitat doesn’t have to be off in the mountains.”

Moll is securing netting over half the plant boxes to create denser shade, with the help of 7-year-old “G” Lozano. “I found a yellow plant I have a little time to save,” he says. He

Becca Novello and Sam Kernan label plants to be sold at the Native Plant Rescue Squad booth at the Market Square Farmers’ Market, while Connie Schwaz separates plants and re-pots them.

learned from Moll and Grissom that if he scratches the bark and it’s green underneath, the plant is healthy, but if it’s yellow, there’s only a short time remaining to intervene. “And I found two worms in a pot today!”

WHY NATIVES, WHY NOW? Incorporating native plants is a growing trend in landscaping and home gardening. As climate change leads to more frequent droughts and weather extremes, homeowners have become more interested in choosing plants with fewer watering needs, and many natives fit the bill. But what else makes native plants so great?

The answer lies in the larger May 25, 2017 knoxville mercury 21

Photo by Jason Scott/Knoxville CAC AmeriCorps

land disturbance permits.

“We love their ideas of bringing not only plant diversity into people’s yards, but supporting native wildlife in these subdivisions where all these plants have been stripped,” Landry says.

A SENSE OF PLACE

Gerry Grissom sculpts animal forms, like this deer made at Earthfest, out of invasive plants like privet and Japanese honeysuckle.

22 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

Photo by Tricia Bateman

ecosystem that depends on them. As bee colonies collapse, monarch butterfly populations wane and other pollinators become more scarce, there is a growing body of evidence that the deliberate exclusion of native plants has played a role.

This also affects song birds, like warblers, that rely on insects as a source of protein and feed larvae to their fledglings, explains Lubke. The Native Plant Rescue Squad and a nursery in Vonore planned to provide plants for Wild Ones to sell at Wilderness Wildlife Week and the Sevier County Fair, says Lubke, who has seen interest in native plants balloon since he became a master gardener 20 years ago.

The mission of the Native Plant Rescue Squad shifted after Moll and Grissom attended a Wild Ones meeting where they heard a presentation by University of Delaware entomologist Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife With Native Plants.

Tallamy explains that native insects have adapted to digest the chemicals in their host’s leaves; in many cases, plants from other continents are inedible to them.

Monarchs evolved to tolerate the chemicals in milkweed, their chief larval food. Those chemicals in turn help them survive by making the caterpillars bitter and toxic to predators. Sometimes multiple specific species are required to get a butterfly through its life cycle.

Galvanized by Tallamy’s approach, Grissom and Moll began to focus half the rescue squad’s energy on educating homeowners about the role of native plants in the food web,

rather than just plant collections. (It’s now licensed by the agriculture department as an educational organization.)

“We almost have to change the culture of gardening,” Moll says.

“Think of it as a habitat instead of a garden.”

Garry Menendez, a professor of plant sciences at the University of Tennessee and local landscape architect, says his approach to landscaping has changed since he began teaching a class on native plant communities. “Sometimes it’s not all about what you go buy and put in but what you preserve, what you don’t touch,” he says. “We don’t always have to conform.”

His students helped Moll and Grissom with a rescue last year at the meadow Fiser was marketing in Fountain City. “It instills in them an appreciation for this natural native vegetation right under their nose that everyone else wants to bushwhack or poison because it’s unsightly,” Menendez says.

He sees the rise of natives as part of a larger movement: “I think the pendulum is kind of swinging to the

side of appreciating what’s local,” Menendez says. “We have such a homogenization of everything in our country, but it’s kind of the terrain and landscape and vegetation that sets you apart. I think people are starting to realize Tennessee has some pretty cool stuff.”

He complains that local road departments are still digging up roadside meadows to plant flower beds. But some government agencies are sowing seeds of change. Knox County Stormwater, which is responsible for regulating development and industry to reduce pollution in stormwater runoff, is exploring ways to work with the Native Plant Rescue Squad. The stormwater department is surveying public properties next to streams and lakes to determine if the stream banks are eroding, overrun with invasive plants, or have other problems. The rescue squad might help improve water quality by planting native plants in restored stream buffers, says stormwater project manager Natalie Landry.

Landry says the stormwater department provides the group’s brochures to developers with their

Back at Melton’s farm, Grissom carefully works a trowel around a comfrey plant. “It’s tricky,” Grissom says. “We didn’t know enough at the beginning… You have to learn how deep or wide the root system is, what conditions they grow in.”

But there are still moments when Grissom just grits her teeth and hangs onto a young tree with both hands, heaving backward until the roots break free with a pop. Dense young trees are interwoven with poison ivy, an occupational hazard. Grissom steps out and sprays herself with a combination of water and alcohol.

“It’s a labor of love,” Moll says.

“But we love being out in the woods.”

Melton zips up with his wife on the ATV to point out trees. Moll reminds him that they’ll bring him plants to swap.

“I like things you can eat,” Melton says.

“You’ll enjoy those elderberries I brought, then,” Moll says.

“Oh, man,” says Melton, licking his lips in anticipation. “My grandfather knew every plant around, every tree. That’s why I want to know what things are.”

“Yeah, just to know what you see when you walk around—it helps you be connected to a place.” Moll looks up from his efforts to dig up a small hickory. His eyes flash out of a face half-hidden in the shadow of his enormous straw hat, the kind that looks like it might be at home in a rice paddy.

“That’s a big part of what we do.

We want people to feel that.”

DO YOU GIVE A BUCK? Your $20 donation makes this story possible. knoxmercury.com/donate

Native Plant Rescue List Here’s a small selection of the native plants often saved and sold by the Native Plant Rescue Squad:

purple coneflower

mayapple

mistflower

meadow rue

Solomon’s seal

paw paw

asters

yarrow

pussytoes

turtlehead

little brown jug

elderberry

trillium

maidenhair fern

butterfly weed

jack in the pulpit

spiderwort

hemlock

little bluestem

christmas fern

milkweed

foamflower

hairy skull cap

redbud

creeping phlox

Joe-Pye weed

passion flower

galax

mulberry

dogwood

black-eyed Susan

lobed coreopsis

Indian hemp

celandine poppy

sassafras

American holly

May 25, 2017 knoxville mercury 23

Program Notes | Inside the Vault | Classical | Movies

Small Cinema Knox Horror Fest organizers plan community ‘microcinema’ for classic films

I

n terms of moviegoing experiences, the Knoxville area has got most of the bases covered: multiplexes galore, an art house, cinema clubs, outdoor screens, film festivals, a movie palace, and a giant honkin’ theater conglomerate to boot. But what it has long lacked is something that was actually predominant back in the mid 20th century: a small neighborhood theater. That could change if the brainiacs behind the Knoxville Horror Film Festival launch their vision for a “microcinema” in the Downtown North district.

The project is a labor of love for KHFF organizers William Mahaffey and Nick Huinker and filmmaker Logan Myers. Temporarily named Central Cinema, the concept is pretty straightforward: Every weekend, the theater’s one screen will show classic films, along with family matinees and midnight movies. The managers also hope to collaborate with local groups for screening events to reflect Knoxville’s multicultural makeup, aiming for a more inclusive, community-minded movie theater. And a bar.

“We think a community microcinema could be a valuable addition to our cultural landscape, and remind

people that a trip to the movies isn’t inherently the wallet/patience-draining experience we’ve become accustomed to,” says Huinker, who is also a Knoxville Mercury contributor. “We’ll have $10 tickets, fairly priced beers, real butter for the popcorn, and a million other corrections to what we find tiresome about corporate film exhibition.”

Furthermore, Mahaffey vows to make the Central Cinema a genuinely pleasant experience—not just a dive-bar version of a movie theater.

“The goal will be to create the best cinematic experience we can,” he says. “Too often do I go to the multiplex and the screen isn’t bright enough or the sound is too low—not to mention the constant chatter and cellphone use. These things will not happen at our theater. We want to create as pure a cinematic experience as possible, and make it more affordable on top of that. We’ll have awesome local beer that’s not crazy expensive.”

But can a small moviegoing experience compete with IMAXequipped multiplexes or the unlimited streaming in most people’s hip pockets? Well, they used to. Even

We want to create as pure a cinematic experience as possible, and make it more affordable on top of that.

—Central Cinema brainiac William Mahaffey 24 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

NICKK HUINKER

when the big, glitzy Tennessee Theatre was pulling in weekly movie crowds, Knoxville’s suburban landscape was dotted with small theaters, such as the Broadway in North Knoxville, the Joy on North Central Street, or the Horne on Chapman Highway. (The movie-theater website Cinema Treasures lists 58 closed theaters for Knoxville.) Huinker sees the appeal of a true movie-theater experience remaining undiminished today, especially if viewed as a retreat from our current digital distractions.

“I’d liken it to ‘why pay $5 a beer at a pub when you can drink six at home for $10?’ The beer is the same, but the context of how you’re enjoying it is worth the premium,” Huinker says. “Films are just better on a huge screen in a dark room, shared with an audience of friends and strangers

WILLIAM MAHAFFEY

responding to the same joke or jump scare or plot twist. Plus, a trip to the movie theater is—or at least should be—a contract with yourself to let everything else go for two hours and surrender yourself to art. As someone who can’t help but dick around on his phone watching movies at home, I’d say that counts as a rare and valuable service these days.”

While the cineastes had been investigating the Hull Dobbs building on North Central, across from Magpies Bakery, for Central Cinema’s location, they say that option has “stalled” and they’re looking for other possibilities nearby. The group plans on launching a crowdfunding campaign at KHFF’s Terror in the Woods event at Ijams Nature Center on June 10.

—Coury Turczyn

Program Notes | Inside the Vault | Classical | Movies

The Right Tone The true story of one 1960s Knoxville band and its offshoots

BY ERIC DAWSON

T

here’s a great single at the Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound by a Knoxville band called the True Tones, released on Johnson City’s Spot Records in 1964. As is so often the case, scratch the surface of a local band and you’ll end up finding connections to multiple others, and digging for information on the True Tones led to some surprising places.

Guitarist Gerald Barber started the True Tones in 1961; his little sister, Ava, occasionally sang with the band before pursuing a successful solo career. They primarily played pop covers of the day, gaining popularity as the house band for WNOX’s Shower of Stars show at the station’s Whittle Springs studio and auditorium. In 1964 they recorded six sides for Spot Records, one of which proved to be more successful than they imagined. Guitarist Lanny Green says when the band finally had a chance to record, they spent all day working on the A side, “Never Had a Chance,” trying to get the harmonies and horns just right for the doo-wop-inspired number. They knocked out the upbeat flip side, “Lovin’ From My Baby,” in

about an hour. That’s the song that would end up being a hit on Knoxville radio and even racking up airtime across the country.

The single’s success prompted a 1965 tour across the South and out west, an event rare enough for Knoxville bands at the time that it merited a notice in the News Sentinel.

On the way back to Knoxville, about 50 miles outside of St. Louis, drummer Richard Way fell asleep behind the wheel of the group’s van. Way was thrown through the windshield in the

ensuing wreck. Green, who was following the band in his Comet convertible, remembers finding Way at the side of the road covered in blood. He recovered, but most of the band’s equipment was damaged in the wreck, and that was the end of the True Tones.

In 1967, Green and Way joined the Sons and Lovers, with Corky McCorkle on vocals and guitar, Wilma Thress on vocals and bass, Nancy Westbrooks on vocals and piano, and Helen Westbrook on vocals and drums. The harmonizing group, which took its name from the D.H. Lawrence novel, owed more than a little bit to the Mamas and the Papas; they were a fairly popular act around town, covering hits like “Satisfaction,” “Remember (Walking in the Sand),” and “Monday, Monday.” They appeared frequently at the University of Tennessee and at country club events, including 1968’s Zodiac Ball at the Senators Club, playing “music of the spheres” alongside the Jerry Collins Orchestra and the Par-40s. The Sons and Lovers recorded a tape that was never officially released but can be heard on the website of Green’s current band, Heart and Soul.

Some members of Sons and Lovers found themselves in other bands that reflected both the folk craze and the Anglophilia so apparent in mid- to late-’60s pop culture. As part of the Oxford Collection, McCorkle and Helen Westbrook played at the House of Cambridge in Gatlinburg (“beside Magic Carpet Fun Slide on Parkway Just Above Stoplight 8,” according to a brochure).

McCorkle, who would open Pick N Grin music store on Kingston Pike in 1975, also joined up with the Town Criers, a folk act originating from Georgia Tech that gigged regularly on the college circuit throughout the 1960s. The Criers also had an annual summer residency in Gatlinburg, at Homespun Valley Mountaineer Village, near the Space Needle. They recorded a trio of singles and two albums; the second one, the live album Let’s Do It!, features McCorkle on guitar. The album has been uploaded to YouTube with the heading “Town Criers Vinyl Rip FUNK Psych FUZZ 70’s Bar Band Live Beatles,” and though most of the album is folky, the band does touch on each of those descriptors during their set. (They also manage covers of three Mason Williams “Them” poems.)

Wilma Thress would go on to co-found the all-woman band Body Shoppe, which seemed to have no trouble bookings shows around town.

Members of the group would later form the 19th Amendment, another all-woman group that didn’t prove to be quite as in-demand. Thress would later lead her three children in Knoxville’s answer to the Partridge Family, the Generation Gap, perhaps best remembered for their Wolfe Dairy commercials. She also played bass for Gene Pike and Clifford Russell and the Martels for a time.

These days she records music in her home studio with her husband, mostly original gospel numbers and songs like the decidedly non-Anglophilic “Make America Great Again.”

May 25, 2017 knoxville mercury 25

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Something Old, Something New KSO’s season finale hints at new directions for the future

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TH E U N I V E R S I T Y O F TENNESSEE PRESS

26 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

he final concert of the season for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra each May is, in may ways, like a commencement ceremony—it always seems to elicit a range of emotions in its audience. Varying degrees of nostalgia, reflection, and expectations for the future combine with anticipation for a concert intended as a musical exclamation point. All of that was noticeable in last weekend’s season finale, but there were also specific indications that change will be a frequent topic for the orchestra in coming years.

Part of that change will be in the audience itself. One had only to look past the expected warm-weather attire of concertgoers traversing the Tennessee Theatre lobby to see deeper changes in the works among KSO’s audience. In addition to a broadening range of ages, one sensed an audience with more diverse musical sensibilities than in the past, some lured to the symphony for the first time, perhaps, by expectations of a fresh but sophisticated musical experience.

KSO music director Aram Demirjian’s program for the evening reflected change and risk-taking, and suggested an eclectic future direction for the orchestra. Building on the

anchoring work, Beethoven’s thrilling Symphony No. 5, Demirjian filled out the bill with a fun and challenging contemporary work by 40-year-old American composer Mason Bates, a tone poem by Richard Strauss, and a work by the famous American film-score composer and conductor John Williams.

It is hyperbole to call Mason Bates a savior of classical music, as some music writers have done. But his blending of electronic sounds with traditional acoustic instruments is undeniably innovative and captivating. Mothership, from 2011, heard on this concert, uses an orchestra with expanded woodwind sections plus soloists and an electronic beat. The work was commissioned for the YouTube Symphony Orchestra under Michael Tilson Thomas, an online-auditioned orchestra of 101 musicians from 30 countries. The work’s opening section features improvised solos by instruments selected by the performing organization. In this KSO performance, the soloists were Christina Horn, of local ensemble Hudson K, on keytar (an electronic keyboard shaped and held like a guitar), and University of Tennessee music professor Jorge Vareigo on bass clarinet—both instruments textured and augmented

by electronics.

One of history’s notable risk-takers was the trickster Till Eulenspiegel of German folklore. Richard Strauss’ tone poem from 1895, Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche (“Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks”), condenses Till’s extensive, often off-color narrative to a relatively brief, musically programmatic description. The work was a sumptuous feast of instrumental textures for the KSO with expanded woodwind sections, all highlighted by several leitmotiv-like solos. Principal horn Jeffery Whaley offered up a velvety Till Eulenspiegel theme, while clarinets expressed the character’s mocking laughter. Guest concertmaster William Shaub gave the violin solo passage a wonderful ear-opening prominence.

Demirjian wrapped up the first half of the program with a delicious performance of John Williams’ Escapades, from his score for the film Catch Me If You Can. The work is, in essence, a concerto for alto saxophone, vibraphone, and bass, in a rhythmically complex jazz idiom that winds in and out as if navigating a labyrinth of dark streets. The saxophonist was Timothy McAllister, joined by KSO members Clark Harrell on percussion and Steve Benne on bass.

Finally, putting that exclamation point on the evening was a reassuring and euphoric performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, a work treasured by serious listeners for its coherent complexity and known to almost everyone else in western civilization by the opening passage’s statement of fate. Like most contemporary conductors, Demirjian took a substantial tempo throughout, knowing full well that Beethoven sings with vitality and timelessness when unburdened by the unnecessary ponderousness that had settled on it for so many years.

So, where is the KSO heading in the future? If this finale concert is any indication, the orchestra is broadening its programming horizons without forgetting the vastness of music history. But change requires both the courage to innovate and the wisdom to understand history. That next chapter begins in September.

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ACTIVITIES

Visit Knoxville Powerboat Classic, TVA Expo & Urban Hike, Smoky Mountain Dock Dogs & Hoyt Flyboard Demos, Pet Photo Contest, Riverwalk Tour with Jack Neely, Brewery Slow Rides, Ingress Mission Day, & GORUCK Scavenger Hunt

Explore Knoxville in a New Way! Bbbb.visitknoxville.com

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Visit Knoxville Info Booth/Vol Landing Towers Young-Williams Animal Center Pet Photo Contest

10:00am – 5:00pm 10:00am – 5:00pm 10:00am 10:00am

**Ingress Mission Day and GORUCK Scavenger Hunt TVA Exhibit Booths at Vol Landing *Guided Bike Ride to Vol Landing from Cherokee Farm Urban Hike Guided by TVA Natural Resources

10:00am 10:00am – Noon 10:00am – 5:00pm 11:00am – 2:00pm Noon – 1:00pm

*Riverwalk with Jack Neely Visit Knoxville Knoxville Powerboat Classic Testing Calhoun’s Celebrates 20 years Smoky Mountain Brewing B97.5 Live Remote Hoyt Flyboard Performance

Noon 1:00pm 1:00pm – 1:30pm 1:30pm

*Brewery Slow Ride with Alliance Brewing Co. *Brewery Slow Ride with Last Days of Autumn Smoky Mountain Dock Dogs Performance *Brewery Slow Ride with Balter Beerworks

1:30pm – 2:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 2:30pm – 3:30pm

Visit Knoxville Powerboat Timed Laps and Qualifying Heats *Brewery Slow Ride with Saw Works Brewing Company *Brewery Slow Ride with Schulz Bräu Brewing Company Hoyt Flyboard Performance

3:00pm – 3:30pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Smoky Mountain Dock Dog Performance *Brewery Slow Ride with Hexagon Brewing Co. *Brewery Slow Ride with Pretentious Beer Co. Visit Knoxville Powerboat Classic Finals

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* Tickets must be purchased at BBBB.VisitKnoxville.com Registration Required. No refunds. ** goruckscavengermissiondayknoxv.splashthat.com NOTE: Schedule subject to change. If lightning occurs on Saturday, Powerboat Races will move to Sunday, June 4th along with Dock Dog Demo and Hoyt Flyboard. Brewery Slow Rides, Guided Cherokee Farm Bike Ride, TVA Walk and Riverwalk with Jack Neely will take place rain or shine on Saturday, June 3rd.

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Franchise Formula Alien: Covenant can’t escape the xenomorphic shadow of its progenitor

BY APRIL SNELLINGS

H

ere’s the unfortunate irony of monster movies: The better we get at realizing the most nightmarish creatures we can imagine, the less frightening they become.

Visual effects are both boon and bane to modern horror films. No longer are our monsters forced to lurk in the shadows, but therein lies the rub: All that shadow-lurking business is part of what makes them scary in the first place. Shine too much light on them, literally or metaphorically, and they begin to lose their power.

The most cited example of this is Jaws, with the legendary technical issues that forced the shark offscreen for most of the movie—and made it immeasurably more terrifying. But director Ridley Scott and screenwriter Dan O’Bannon also benefited from

budgetary and technical constraints with Alien in 1979. The monster’s chittering, gut-busting larval form is on full display, but its even more menacing adult iteration, with hulking, vaguely mechanical body and eyeless, phallic head, is often obscured by shadows and clouds of steam, and where it came from was anyone’s guess. For my money, it’s the most disturbing (non-human) monster ever put on screen.

The story and world-building, too, got mileage from mystery. So much of what is now recognized as the film’s iconography—the dead space jockey, the derelict craft, the egg chamber— was powerful because it existed outside of any attempt at explanation.

But that was almost 40 years ago, and mainstream audiences seem to be

wired differently now, and our need for explanation borders on the pathological. That need has become a plot point in the Alien franchise, which dialed back its own clock in 2012 with the prequel Prometheus and continues to fill in backstory and demystify its monsters with Alien: Covenant. While it represents a return to the basic formula of Scott’s classic, Covenant can’t recapture the visceral thrills or skin-crawling horror of the first outing. But it’s an effective, tightly crafted, and often engaging thriller that should feel corrective to viewers who disliked the metaphysical bent of Prometheus. There’s still a lot of where-did-we-come-from pontification, but it’s firmly eclipsed by running, screaming, and sliding around on blood-slick floors. Oh, and it has a xenomorph.

When you reduce it to its most basic skeleton, Covenant is a pretty straightforward retread of Alien. It begins on a starship, massive by earthly standards but dwarfed by the gaping void of space. The Covenant and its crew are ferrying several thousand colonists, some in cryosleep and some still in embryo form, to Origae-6, a human-friendly planet where they will build outposts and, presumably, shag like crazy so that Origae-6 can one day be just as overpopulated as Earth.

Everything goes as planned until about two minutes after the opening titles, when a catastrophic something-or-other damages the ship and

prompts its resident android, Walter (Michael Fassbender), to wake its crew from stasis. The ship’s captain, played by James Franco, is burned to death before he can utter a single line; this leaves his first mate, Oram (Billy Crudup), in charge, with the crispy captain’s grieving widow, Daniels (Katherine Waterston), as his often defiant second officer. When they decide to respond to a rogue transmission that beckons them to a mysterious planet—I sincerely hope the Weyland Corporation will one day update its employee manual with instructions to stop doing this—they quickly lose two crewmembers to a malevolent life form. What follows is a fast-paced exercise in cinematic chaos as they try to escape the planet, only to freak out, dramatically bungle every attempt, and constantly whittle down their own chances of survival.

Why not? It’s what I would do.

The biggest problem is that Covenant doesn’t expend much effort to sketch out these characters before they make their inevitable, gory exits.

There’s one clever conceit: Since everyone on the ship is a colonist by default, the crew consists entirely of married couples. It’s a shortcut to making us care about them, but it’s often not clear who is paired with whom until one of them becomes an alien dispenser. With the notable exceptions of Waterston’s grief-stricken Ripley stand-in and Danny McBride as redneck pilot Tennessee, none of the crew’s human members stand out. So in terms of character development, it’s robots to the rescue in the form of Fassbender’s dual roles as the loyal, unimaginative Walter and David, a “synthetic” who has bigger ideas about his place in the universe.

How David (a holdover from Prometheus) enters the story is a plot point best left unspoiled.

These days, new installments in long-running franchises aren’t so much continuations of the story as best-of compilations of the entries that came before. Covenant is no different. It loses steam as it turns into a blatant Alien remake, but, largely thanks to the weird relationship that evolves between David and Walter, it takes some interesting detours as it gets there.

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Thursday, May 25 — Sunday, June 11 Spotlight 34 Beach House

MUSIC Thursday, May 25 BRIDGE 19 WITH SAMMI SUGGITT • WDVX • 12PM • Part of

WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE BETH SNAPP • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 6PM • The WDVX 6 O’Clock Swerve is weekly musical trip with talented regional artists featuring live performances and insightful interviews in a living room atmosphere. • FREE SOUNDS OF SPRING CONCERT SERIES • 6PM • Sounds of Spring is taking center stage at the Pinnacle at Turkey Creek each Thursday in May with nationally recognized musicians. All proceeds from the concert series will benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.

The schedule includes Kristian Bush with the Shaun Abbott Band (May 11); Russell Dickerson with K-Town (May 18); and Seth Ennis with Pale Root (May 25). • FREE JONATHAN SEXTON • Market Square • 7PM • Part of the city of Knoxville’s Variety Thursday series of free outdoor summer concerts. • FREE SOUND AND SILENCE: HEART AND BONES CONCERT • Central Collective • 7:30PM • A night of Americana music at Central Collective in North Knoxville. Adeem the Artist, Ira Wolf, and Tyler Lyle of The Midnight will all be performing their unique variety of folk music.

Each artist will be performing one song by Paul Simon as a tribute to the inspired songwriter. • $12 JIMMY AND THE JAWBONES WITH DOMESTIC DISPUTE, DR. TERROR, AND COVALENCE • Open Chord Music • 8PM • All

ages. • $5 JOE THE SHOW • Wild Wing Cafe • 9PM • FREE JOSHUA POWELL AND THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY • Barley’s

Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • FREE DECEPTION PAST • Preservation Pub • 10PM JUBAL WITH GUY MARSHALL • Pretentious Beer Co. • 8PM • The folk band celebrates the release of its second album. • $10

Friday, May 26 MARTHA BASSETT WITH MIPSO • WDVX • 12PM • Part of

WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE ROSCOE MORGAN • Vienna Coffee House ( Maryville) • 32 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

Photo by poprockphotography

SARAH SHOOK

6PM • FREE BLACKBERRY SMOKE WITH THE STEEL WOODS • The Shed

at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson (Maryville) • 7:30PM • The songs on Blackberry Smoke’s sixth album, Like an Arrow show just how far this authentic American rock band has come as the accomplished group of musicians tackles a diverse set of new ideas, sounds and territories, long after most bands with half the success might have settled into a well-worn groove. • $35 THE DELTAS • Open Chord Music • 7:30PM • The Deltas were a Clinton-based band that formed in 1960, a stereotypical “Frat Basement Party Band” that specialized in American garage band classics. The surviving Deltas have so much fun playing at the 2015 Clinton/Oak Ridge 60s Band Reunion that they decide to keep the magic alive as long as possible. • $8 FROG AND TOAD’S DIXIE QUARTET • The Crown and Goose • 8PM • FREE NUTHIN’ FANCY • Two Doors Down ( Maryville) • 9PM THE DIRTY DOUGS • Brackins Blues Club (Maryville) • 9PM THE DEAD RINGERS • Scruffy City Hall • 9PM JEANINE FULLER • The Bistro at the Bijou • 9PM • FREE CORDOVAS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • Cordovas, an American rock band from Nashville, Tennessee can be labeled (if necessary) as Americana Rock and Roll, relying on three and four-part harmony, as well as raucous rock and roll rifts and segues. • FREE JOSIAH ATCHLEY AND THE GREATER GOOD • Wild Wing Cafe • 10PM • FREE LADY D AND SOULJAM WITH THE HALFWAY HEARTS • Preservation Pub • 10PM THE ONLIES • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 10PM • FREE MIDNIGHT VOYAGE LIVE: MAGMABLOOD WITH SPOOKY JONES, CUDDLEFISH, AND P3RIPH3RAL • The Concourse •

10PM • Spooky Jones is a top-notch producer that manages to stand out with his unique style of southern dubstep. Visit internationalknox.com. • FREE

Saturday, May 27 HOPE GRIFFIN WITH THE ONLIES • WDVX • 12PM • Part of

WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE THE BARBRAS • Vienna Coffee House (Maryville) • 6PM • FREE BLACKBERRY SMOKE WITH DIRTY SOUL REVIVAL • The Shed at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson (Maryville) •

Thursday, May 25

JUBAL Pretentious Beer Co. • 8 p.m. • $10 • The local folk duo of Tyler Kress and Bonnie Simmons is celebrating the release of their second album.

Saturday, May 27

70/30 CREATIVES: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

play nothing but the best in vintage soul, funk, disco, boogie, and rare grooves—all on vinyl.

Wednesday, May 31

TODD RUNDGREN Bijou Theatre • 8 p.m. • $40-$55 • The wizard of ’70s power pop released his new album, White Knight, on May 12.

SARAH SHOOK AND THE DISARMERS

Modern Studio • 8 p.m. • 70/30 Creatives’ inaugural full-stage production is an abridged adaptation of William Shakespeare’s comic fantasia.

Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 7 p.m. • $10 • Chapel Hill’s up-and-coming country wailer headlines WDVX’s weekly live-broadcast series.

SOULED OUT!

Saw Works Brewing Company • 7 p.m. • Free • The Knoxville Feminist Action Brigade will test your knowledge of women’s history.

Brickyard Beer and Wine • 8 p.m. • Earl Grae returns to Brickyard to dust off his crates and

7:30PM • The songs on Blackberry Smoke’s sixth album, Like an Arrow show just how far this authentic American rock band has come as the accomplished group of musicians tackles a diverse set of new ideas, sounds and territories, long after most bands with half the success might have settled into a well-worn groove. • $35 SMILE EMPTY SOUL WITH TOY CALLED GOD, ELISIUM, AND INWARD OF EDEN • Open Chord Music • 8PM • All ages. •

$15-$18

FEMINIST TRIVIA

VALLEY QUEEN WITH SAD BAXTER • Pretentious Beer Co. • 8PM • Valley Queen front woman Natalie Carol leads a band reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac and My Morning Jacket with vocals evocative of Florence Welch. In 2016, the band released the singles “In My Place” and “High Expectations” to wide acclaim. • $8-$10 RAT PUNCH • Bar Marley • 9PM • FREE UNSPOKEN TRADITION • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 10PM • FREE

RANDY WOODY AND THE SOUTHBOUND BAND • Two Doors

Sunday, May 28

Down (Maryville) • 9PM MUSCALINE BLOODLINE • Cotton Eyed Joe • 9PM • 18 and up. • $10 MYSTIC RHYTHM TRIBE • Brackins Blues Club (Maryville) • 9PM HANK AND THE CUPCAKES • Preservation Pub • 9PM SOULFINGER • Scruffy City Hall • 9PM PAMELA KLICKA • The Bistro at the Bijou • 9PM • FREE UNSPOKEN TRADITION • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 10PM • FREE BRYAN FOX • Holly’s Corner • 1PM • FREE PERRY BONCK • Floyd’s Antiques • 6PM • FREE

SUNDAY JAZZ BRUNCH • Downtown Grill and Brewery •

11AM • Knoxville’s coolest jazz artists perform every Sunday. • FREE THE BROCKEFELLERS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 8PM • FREE MELODIME WITH STONE BROKE SAINTS • Open Chord Music • 8PM • Melodime’s Americana-flavored songs merge a slight country twang with rock and roll, successfully blending stunning piano melodies with catchy guitar riffs and sing-along choruses. All ages. • $10-$12

Y-12 TOURS YAK STRANGLER WITH TITANOS AND THE FILL-INS • Pilot

Light • 9PM • “Burned Bread Alarm,” the first track on Yak Strangler’s new album, opens with a short, jagged, jazzy guitar riff over a drum roll, followed by a brief guitar solo that suggests, in just a few bars, a blender full of Eddie Van Halen, Frank Zappa, the Butthole Surfers’ Paul Leary, psychedelic mushrooms, and Pat Metheny. 18 and up. • $5 SELWYN BIRCHWOOD • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria (Maryville) • 4PM • Blues guitarist Birchwood performs at a special membership drive concert by the Smoky Mountain Blues Association. Visit smokymountainblues.org for information. • $12.50 HOLLIS BROWN WITH THE HOWLING TONGUES • The Concourse • 8PM • Hollis Brown is an American Rock ‘n’ Roll band. Named after a Bob Dylan song (“The Ballad of Hollis Brown”), the band was formed by Queens-natives and songwriters Mike Montali and Jonathan Bonilla. 18 and up. Visit internationalknox. com. • $10-$12 MISTY MOUNTAIN STRING BAND • Preservation Pub • 10PM

Monday, May 29 SKRIBE WITH THE CASANOVA SISTERS • WDVX • 12PM •

Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE KATIE WOOD WITH TAIVISHI • Pilot Light • 9PM • 18 and up. • $5 THE BLUEPRINT • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • Local pianist Keith Brown’s cool jazz combo.

JASON ELLIS • Wild Wing Cafe • 10PM • FREE THE GARRIT TILLMANN ODYSSEY • Preservation Pub • 10PM

Tuesday, May 30

GRAPHITE REACTOR TOURS HISTORIC DISPLAYS MOVIE IN THE PARK "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"

FREE CONCERTS JUNE 9 & 10 plus a children's stage featuring Sprout host Tim Kubart, a juried arts show by TN Creates, crafts vendors, and fun for the whole family!

JUNE 9

JUNE

2

JUNE 3

CELEBRATE OUR

HEROES WWII Reenactments Speakers History Exhibits USO-style show CEREUS BRIGHT HUDSON K | TEEN SPIRIT HUD J-25 JAZZ QUARTET

Family Movie June 6

JUNE 10

Blankenship Field

THE DARK WATERS PROJECT WITH THE TRAVELIN’ KIND •

WDVX • 12PM • Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE JUST US BLUEGRASS BAND • Wild Wing Cafe • 5:30PM • FREE MARBLE CITY 5 • Market Square • 8PM • Vance Thompson’s small combo, featuring members of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, performs on Market Square May 9-Aug. 29. Visit knoxjazz.org. • FREE CHRISTOPHER PAUL STERLING • Modern Studio • 8PM • $12-$15 STRAHAN AND THE GOOD NEIGHBORS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • Country funk at it’s finest, with touches of Little Feat, JJ Cale, and The Allman Bros. • FREE JONNY GRAVE • Preservation Pub • 10PM

Wednesday, May 31 BEACH HOUSE • The Mill and Mine • 8PM • 18 and up. •

$27-$30 • See Spotlight.

Benefiting United Way

June 7

ELECTRIC DARLING | NORA JANE STRUTHERS THE ACCIDENTALS | DAVE EGGAR | NATTI LOVEJOYS KATHY HILL & THE DELTAS

ADMISSION IS FREE BISSELL PARK, OAK RIDGE CELEBRATEOAKRIDGE.ORG May 25, 2017 knoxville mercury 33

May 25 – June 11

THE CHASE WALKER BAND WITH KRISTEN FORD • WDVX •

• 6:30PM • FREE

12PM • Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE FROG AND TOAD’S DIXIE QUARTET • The Crown and Goose

HAYNES, COKER, AND DEACON • The Bistro at the Bijou •

lacking in much of today’s Americana landscape.

Always passionate, at times profane, Sarah stalks/ walks the line between vulnerable and menacing, her voice strong and uneasy, country classic but with contemporary, earthy tension. Part of WDVX’s weekly Tennessee Shines live-broadcast concert series. • $10 TODD RUNDGREN • Bijou Theatre • 8PM • A Wizard, A True Star—the title of Todd Rundgren’s 1973 solo album aptly sums up the contributions of this multi-faceted artist to state-of-the-art music. As a songwriter, video pioneer, producer, recording artist, computer software developer, conceptualist, and interactive artist (re-designated TR-i), Rundgren has made a lasting impact on both the form and content of popular music. • $40-$55

7PM • FREE TENNESSEE SHINES: SARAH SHOOK AND THE DISARMERS •

Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 7PM • North Carolina’s Sarah Shook sings with a conviction and hard honesty sorely

TRAPT WITH AUTUMN REFLECTION, TEARS TO EMBERS, AND EAST TOWARD MACEDONIA • Open Chord Music • 8PM •

Photo by Shawn Brackbill

Beach House The Mill and Mine (227 W. Depot Ave.) • Wednesday, May 31 • 8 p.m. • $27-$30 • 18 and up • themillandmine.com Digging into a Beach House track is like slipping into a really long, really sappy slow dance.

With woozy songs that sway lazily between bubble-gum bliss and spine-tingling unease, the Baltimore-based duo—vocalist/organist Victoria Legrand and multi-instrumentalist Alex Scally—makes atmospheric music that fits decisively into the dream-pop genre.

Scally and Legrand have released six full-length albums, starting with their 2006 self-titled debut.

Over the past decade, the pair’s recordings have steadily evolved from dark, distorted soundscapes to shimmering pieces of pop. 2010’s Teen Dream was probably the pinnacle of the band’s flirtation with success outside of college radio. Dubbed a “breakout” record by outlets including Rolling Stone and The New York Times, Teen Dream’s glimmering tracks earned the duo sold-out tour dates and prime slots at big-name festivals. At the peak of the pair’s blog buzz, reports surfaced that Beyoncé and Jay-Z were spotted side-stage at their 2010 Coachella set.

Released less than two months apart, the band’s most recent albums, 2015’s Depression Cherry and Thank Your Lucky Stars, are swirling collections of washed-out synths and arpeggiated guitar. The former boasts the same polished production quality as 2012’s Bloom, which debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 chart, while the latter’s darker, more meandering style harks back to the band’s earlier material recorded on warped Casios and vintage organs. Live, the band amps up both albums’ material with booming drums and a gritty garage edge.

A new collection of B-Sides is scheduled for release on June 30 via Sub Pop, with 14 songs spanning back to 2005. The first single, “Chariot,” was recorded during the band’s 2015 sessions, and boasts a warm combo of Thank Your Lucky Stars’ down-beat fuzziness and Depression Cherry’s spacey polish.

With Louie Louie. (Carey Hodges)

Trapt is an American rock band that formed in Los Gatos, California in 1995, best known for their 2002 single “Headstrong”. The group consists of lead vocalist Chris Taylor Brown, bassist Peter “Pete” Charell, drummer Brendan Hengle, and guitarist Ty Fury. They have released seven studio albums to date: Amalgamation, Trapt, Someone in Control, Only Through the Pain, No Apologies, Reborn and DNA. All ages. Visit openchordmusic.com. • $20-$25 MIKE SNODGRASS • Wild Wing Cafe • 8:30PM • FREE FOXTROT AND THE GET DOWN WITH TOMAS GORRIO • Preservation Pub • 10PM

Thursday, June 1 PEOPLE ON THE PORCH WITH CONNOR MUNCIL • WDVX •

12PM • Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE DEROBERT AND THE HALF TRUTHS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 6PM • Part of WDVX’s Six O’Clock Swerve series. • FREE BLUE LINE BLUES • Market Square • 7PM • Part of the city of Knoxville’s Variety Thursday series of free outdoor summer concerts. • FREE FLUX PAVILION WITH KAYZO AND JAYKODE • The International • 9PM • The English DJ and producer Flux Pavilion returns to Knoxville to celebrate the International’s third anniversary. • $15-$45 DROP DEAD DANGEROUS • Wild Wing Cafe • 9PM • FREE MUUY BIIEN WITH PEELING AND BIG BAD OVEN • Pilot Light • 9:30PM • Muuy Biien is a band from Athens, Georgia. Early recordings juxtaposed dreary, lo-fi ambience with intense bits of minimalist post-punk and hardcore fury. In 5 years, the band has evolved to incorporate these two disparate elements into a sound that is both restrained in aesthetic and furious in delivery. 18 and up. • $7 CRANFORD HOLLOW • Preservation Pub • 10PM DEROBERT AND THE HALF TRUTHS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM

Friday, June 2 SAVE OUR CITY BENEFIT CONCERT • Scruffy City Hall • 6PM

34 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

• Benefiting Moms Demand Action and Mothers in Charge. In solidarity with National Gun Volence Awareness Day, the Knoxville community will be gathering to raise funds and awareness by enjoying a concert event featuring live music by three local artists and participating in activities. Featured artists include Michael Davis, Sherri Lavon, and Kelle Jolly. • $15 BOB DYLAN’S BIRTHDAY BASH • Market Square • 5PM • It’s a birthday party—join WDVX as we celebrate one of music’s living legends. Local artist take the stage in downtown Knoxville’s Market Square with the music of Bob Dylan to commemorate his birthday. Performers include R.B. Morris, Four Leaf Peat, Eli Fox, Wendel Werner, Jubal, Jodie Manross, and Crawdaddy Jones. • FREE FROG AND TOAD’S DIXIE QUARTET • The Crown and Goose • 8PM • FREE KINCAID • Two Doors Down (Maryville) • 9PM THE RED DIRT REVELATORS • Brackins Blues Club (Maryville) • 9PM SOUTHERN BELLES • Preservation Pub • 9PM THE BARSTOOL ROMEOS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • The Barstool Romeos play original songs in a honky-tonk style all their own. • FREE THE JAY ERIC BAND • Wild Wing Cafe • 10PM • FREE BIG KITTY • Pilot Light • 10PM • 18 and up. • $5 JOSHUA POWELL AND THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 10PM • FREE

Saturday, June 3 SEAN K. PRESTON WITH CRICKET TELL THE WEATHER • WDVX • 12PM • Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE TODD SNIDER WITH ELIZABETH COOK • The Shed at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson (Maryville) • 7:30PM • Nashville singer-songwriter Todd Snider released his latest album, Eastside Bulldog, in October. Visit The Shed. • $20 DAVID FRANCISCO • Bijou Theatre • 8PM • David Francisco Platillero’s life was permanently changed last April when a distracted driver ran a red light and T-boned him while he was riding his bike home from the world-renowned Blackbird Academy in Nashville, where he was studying music production. Now walking with assistive devices, Francisco has returned to Blackbird and is again realizing his dream of making music. • $18 TUATHA DEA WITH THE NIGHT TRAVELERS AND ZOE NUTT • Open Chord Music • 8PM • Tuatha Dea is pure primal energy with a Celtic and World twist. All ages. Visit openchordmusic.com. • $12-$15 ELECTRIC SOUL PANDEMIC • Preservation Pub • 8PM CYPHER: A HIP-HOP SHOW • The Birdhouse • 9PM • Open mic for the first half of the night, then two featured artists to close out the night. 18 and up.

SOUL REVUE • Brackins Blues Club (Maryville) • 9PM SMOOTH SAILOR • Scruffy City Hall • 9PM MARINA ORCHESTRA WITH PAPERWORK • Pilot Light • 9:30PM • A euphoric brand of rock ‘n’ roll steeped in

May 25 – June 11

Latin American, Caribbean, and African musical styles.

18 and up. • $6 SOUTHERN REBELLION • Wild Wing Cafe • 10PM • FREE OPPOSITE BOX WITH FLORALORIX • Preservation Pub • 10PM

Sunday, June 4 SUNDAY JAZZ BRUNCH • Downtown Grill and Brewery •

11AM • Knoxville’s coolest jazz artists perform every Sunday. • FREE DARRIN BRADBURY • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 8PM EVIL ENGLISH WITH SHRIEK OPERATOR • Pilot Light • 9PM • 18 and up. • $5 BROOMESTIX • Preservation Pub • 10PM

Monday, June 5 MIGHTY MUSICAL MONDAY • Tennessee Theatre • 12PM •

Wurlitzer meister Bill Snyder is joined by a special guest on the first Monday of each month for a music showcase inside Knoxville’s historic Tennessee Theatre. • FREE BRADLEY CARTER WITH GINA SICILIA • WDVX • 12PM • Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE THE HUMMINGBIRDS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • The Hummingbirds are alt-country Americana roots musicians with a load of Southern charm and Detroit grit. • FREE CYBIL STRIPER AND JUNGLE H. GREEN • Preservation Pub • 10PM

Tuesday, June 6 LYNN DRURY WITH THE RESTLESS • WDVX • 12PM • Part of

WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE SAVING ABEL • Open Chord Music • 7PM • Since 2008 Saving Abel has embodied the definition of Southern Rock. All ages. Visit openchordmusic.com. • $15 MARBLE CITY 5 • Market Square • 8PM • Vance Thompson’s small combo, featuring members of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, performs on Market Square May 9-Aug. 29. Visit knoxjazz.org. • FREE KUKULY AND THE GYPSY FUEGO • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM

Wednesday, June 7 CHRIS MILAM WITH EMERALD BUTLER • WDVX • 12PM •

Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE FROG AND TOAD’S DIXIE QUARTET • The Crown and Goose • 6:30PM • FREE TENNESSEE SHINES: WOODY PINES • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 7PM • $10 BOZ SCAGGS • Bijou Theatre • 8PM • “I’m at a point where I’m having a lot of fun with music, more than

ever,” Boz Scaggs says about his spellbinding new album, A Fool to Care. “It’s like I’m just going wherever I want to go with it.” • $57-$77 JENNIFER KNAPP • Open Chord Music • 8PM • Jennifer Knapp’s beautifully intimate new album Set Me Free puts her uncommon honesty front and center, solidifying her return to a music career set on her own terms. All ages. Visit openchordmusic.com. • $12-$15 NEEDLEPOINTS • Preservation Pub • 10PM

Thursday, June 8 EDDY GREEN • WDVX • 12PM • Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE MIKE CRAVER • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 6PM • Part of WDVX’s Six O’Clock Swerve series. • FREE THE BICHO BROTHERS • Market Square • 7PM • Part of the city of Knoxville’s Variety Thursday series of free outdoor summer concerts. • FREE KNOX MUSIC COALITION SONGWRITER SHOWCASE • Pretentious Beer Co. • 8PM • The June Showcase will feature Daniel Fluitt of Thrift Store Cowboys, Taylor Kress of Jubal, Chris Mathien, and Nancy Ann Wilson.

Knox Music Coalition is a community for our city’s music creators and supporters. Our goal is to strengthen and connect Knoxville’s music scene through educational programs, career development resources and music advocacy within the local community. learn more at knoxmusiccoalition.org • $5 JELLY ROLL • The Concourse • 9PM • Checking in at six feet one inches and over 350 pounds, not to mention covered in tattoos, it’s impossible to ignore Jason “Jelly Roll” DeFord in a room. 18 and up. Visit internationalknox.com. • $10-$15 THE JAKOB’S FERRY STRAGGLERS • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • The Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers draw freely from old-time, bluegrass, country, jazz, rockabilly and swing styles to create their tight, high-energy string band music. • FREE MO LOWDA AND THE HUMBLE WITH JIMMY AND THE JAWBONES • Preservation Pub • 10PM

Friday, June 9 THE BIG DAWG SLINGSHOTS WITH MATT WOODS • WDVX •

12PM • Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE FROG AND TOAD’S DIXIE QUARTET • The Crown and Goose • 8PM • FREE DOOM IN THE HILLS • Open Chord Music • 8PM • Keep it loud and evil with local doom metal bands Wampus Cat, Death of Kings, Summoner’s Circle, and Titanos. All ages. Visit openchordmusic.com. • $10 CUSSES • Preservation Pub • 8PM THE PAUL WARREN PROJECT • Brackins Blues Club • 9PM TYSON LEAMON • Two Doors Down • 9PM ROGER ALAN WADE • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10PM • Once upon a time, Wade worked in Nashville May 25, 2017 knoxville mercury 35

May 25 – June 11

writing songs for other folks to record. Hank Williams, Jr. took his song “Country State of Mind” to number one back in 1986 and garnered Wade three gold records and one platinum. Then in 2005, Wade’s All Likkered Up became the first release on the independent label Johnny Knoxville Records.

THE FRITZ WITH THE VOODOO FIX • Scruffy City Hall • 10PM THE HOLLYWOOD KILLS WITH AIRPARK • Preservation Pub • 10PM TIM EASTON • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 10PM • FREE

THE ROYAL HOUNDS • Brackins Blues Club (Maryville) • 9PM EXIT 60 • Two Doors Down (Maryville) • 9PM DEAD PHISH ORCHESTRA • Scruffy City Hall • 9PM BLUE MOTHER TUPELO • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria •

Saturday, June 10

KUNG FU VAMPIRE WITH LOCKSMITH, STITCHY C, SECRET CITY CYPHERS, THE PREACHER, AND ROB MARLEY • Open

MARK RADICE WITH ANNA BELLAMY • WDVX • 12PM •

Part of WDVX’s Blue Plate Special, a six-days-a-week live-broadcast lunchtime concert series featuring local, regional, and national Americana, folk, pop, rock, and everything else. • FREE KNOX COUNTY SECOND SATURDAY CONCERT SERIES • 6PM • FREE DEREK JONES • Last Days of Autumn Brewery • 7:30PM • FREE REBEL SON WITH SOUTHBOUND • The Shed at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson (Maryville)• 7:30PM • $10-$15 CASH UNCHAINED: A TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY CASH • Open Chord Music • 8PM • All ages. Visit openchordmusic. com. • $10-$12

10PM • Southern roots and Appalachian soul. • FREE THE BURNIN’ HERMANS • Preservation Pub • 10PM THE NAUGHTY KNOTS • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 10PM • FREE

Sunday, June 11

Tuesday, May 30

SUNDAY JAZZ BRUNCH • Downtown Grill and Brewery •

PRESERVATION PUB SINGER-SONGWRITER NIGHT •

11AM • Knoxville’s coolest jazz artists perform every Sunday. • FREE

Preservation Pub • 7PM • 21 and up. Visit scruffycity. com.

OLD-TIME JAM SESSION • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 7:15PM • The musicians sit together and pick and strum familiar tunes on fiddles, guitars, and bass. Open to all lovers and players of music. No need to build up the courage to join in. Just grab an instrument off the wall and take a seat. Hosted by Sarah Pirkle. Visit jigandreel.com. • FREE

Chord Music • 8PM • An independent, wildly inventive, rapid -fire MC with a live bandAll ages. Visit openchordmusic.com. • $10-$12 DAN MONTGOMERY WITH BARK • Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 8PM • FREE THE GROOVE ORIENT • Preservation Pub • 10PM

OPEN MIC AND SONGWRITER NIGHTS

Wednesday, May 31 BRACKINS BLUES JAM • Brackins Blues Club (Maryville) •

9PM • A weekly open session hosted by Tommie John.

Visit Facebook.com/BrackinsBlues. • FREE

Thursday, May 25

Thursday, June 1

SCOTTISH MUSIC SESSION • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 7:15PM

IRISH MUSIC SESSION • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 7:15PM • Held on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

• Visit jigandreel.com. • FREE

and Follo FolloW our Social Media For a chance to qualiFy For

From your concert and festival hookup in Knoxville...

a pair oF WeeKend paSSeS

ForecaStle 2017!

Also, you can sign up for the Forecastle Contest at 2 locations:

Streaming 24.7.365 at WUTKRADIO.COM

• BriCkyArd Wine And Beer at the corner of Mohican St. and kingston Pike in the heart of Bearden.

• Fort SAnderS yACht CluB nestled at the corner of 17th Street and the Cumberland Avenue Strip next to the ut Campus.

36 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

OLD-TIME STRING BAND JAM • John T. O’Connor Senior

Center • 1:30PM • An opportunity for local acoustic artists, 50 years or older, to gather and jam. Don’t play?

No worries, come in just to listen and enjoy a good time. Every Friday. For more information call 865-523-1135. • FREE

Stay tuned to WutK

to

Friday, May 26

detailS at WutKradio.coM

Visit jigandreel.com. • FREE BREWHOUSE BLUES JAM • Open Chord Music • 8PM • Join Robert Higginbotham and the Smoking Section for the Brewhouse Blues Jam. Bring your instrument, sign up, and join the jammers. We supply drums and a full backline of amps. Sign-ups begin at 7 p.m.

Friday, June 2 OLD-TIME STRING BAND JAM • John T. O’Connor Senior

Center • 1:30PM • An opportunity for local acoustic artists, 50 years or older, to gather and jam. Don’t play?

No worries, come in just to listen and enjoy a good time. Every Friday. For more information call 865-523-1135. • FREE

Tuesday, June 6 PRESERVATION PUB SINGER-SONGWRITER NIGHT • Preservation Pub • 7PM • 21 and up. Visit scruffycity. com.

OLD-TIME JAM SESSION • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 7:15PM • The musicians sit together and pick and strum familiar tunes on fiddles, guitars, and bass. Open to all lovers and players of music. No need to build up the courage to join in. Just grab an instrument off the wall and take a seat. Hosted by Sarah Pirkle. Visit jigandreel.com. • FREE

Wednesday, June 7 BRACKINS BLUES JAM • Brackins Blues Club (Maryville) •

May 25 – June 11

9PM • A weekly open session hosted by Tommie John.

Visit Facebook.com/BrackinsBlues. • FREE

themselves tangled about an enchanted forest where sprites lurk and fairies rule. • FREE

DJ AND DANCE NIGHTS

Saturday, May 27

Thursday, May 25

Knoxville Civic Auditorium • 5PM • $23

Monday, May 29

WAX ATTACK • Hexagon Brewing Co. • 6PM • DJ Paul

70/30 CREATIVES: ‘A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM’ •

spins old-school dance music—all vinyl, no computers, no CDs, a total digital detox. • FREE

Modern Studio • 8PM • Seventy Thirty Creatives’ inaugural full stage production is an abridged adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where four young lovers find themselves tangled about an enchanted forest where sprites lurk and fairies rule.

FRIENDLYTOWN • Pilot Light • 7:30PM • A weekly comedy night named after the former red-light district near the Old City. Visit facebook.com/friendlytownknoxville. 18 and up. • FREE

Friday, May 26 SWEAT: A DANCE ODDITY AND SKIN-TIGHT APPRECIATION NIGHT • Pilot Light • 9PM • With DJ sets by Persona La

Ave, Djonnaise, and Orb Wielder. 18 and up. • $5

Saturday, May 27 SOULED OUT! • Brickyard Beer and Wine • 8PM • Earl

Grae returns to Brickyard to dust off his crates and play nothing but the best in vintage soul, funk, disco, boogie, and rare grooves—all on vinyl.

Thursday, June 1 WAX ATTACK • Hexagon Brewing Co. • 6PM • DJ Paul

spins old-school dance music—all vinyl, no computers, no CDs, a total digital detox. • FREE

ANGELA FLOYD DANCE SCHOOLS SPRING CONCERT •

Sunday, May 28 70/30 CREATIVES: ‘A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM’ •

Ijams Nature Center • 2PM • Seventy Thirty Creatives’ inaugural full stage production is an abridged adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where four young lovers find themselves tangled about an enchanted forest where sprites lurk and fairies rule. • $15

Friday, June 2

COMEDY AND SPOKEN WORD

Tuesday, May 30 EINSTEIN SIMPLIFIED • Scruffy City Hall • 8PM • Einstein

Simplified Comedy performs live comedy improv at Scruffy City Hall. It’s just like Whose Line Is It Anyway, but you get to make the suggestions. Show starts at 8:15, get there early for the best seats. No cover. Visit einsteinsimplified.com. • FREE

Monday, June 5 FRIENDLYTOWN • Pilot Light • 7:30PM • A weekly comedy night named after the former red-light district near the Old City. Visit facebook.com/friendlytownknoxville. 18 and up. • FREE

CLASSICAL MUSIC

BROADWAY AT THE TENNESSEE: ‘DIRTY DANCING’ • Tennessee Theatre • 8PM • Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage is the record-breaking live sensation, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance, and sensational dancing. Featuring the hit songs, “Hungry Eyes,” “Hey Baby,” “Do You Love Me?” and the heart-stopping “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life,” you’ll truly have the time of your life. • $38-$78

Monday, May 29

Saturday, June 3

Saturday, June 10

OAK RIDGE COMMUNITY BAND MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT •

OAK RIDGE ACADEMY OF DANCE AFTERNOON REVUE • Knoxville Civic Auditorium • 1PM • The performance is the 41st Annual Spring Performance for the Academy. It is a varied dance production which encompasses all forms of dance; Classical Ballet and Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap and HipHop. Visit knoxvillcoliseum.com. • $18 OAK RIDGE ACADEMY OF DANCE EVENING EXTRAVAGANZA • Knoxville Civic Auditorium • 7PM • The performance is the 41st Annual Spring Performance for the Academy.

It is a varied dance production which encompasses all forms of dance; Classical Ballet and Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap and HipHop. • $18 BROADWAY AT THE TENNESSEE: ‘DIRTY DANCING’ • Tennessee Theatre • 8PM • $38-$78

HENRY CHO • Bijou Theatre • 8PM • Henry Cho’s TV and film credits include appearances on NBC’s The Tonight Show, CBS’s The Late, Late, Show, and NBC’s Young Comedians Special. He served two years as host of NBC’s Friday Night Videos and had many guest roles on various network sitcoms. • $27.50-$31

Saturday, June 3 REWIND RETRO DANCE NIGHT • The Concourse • 9PM •

Dance to hits from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. 18 and up. • $5

Alvin K. Bissell Park • 7PM • Concert program includes patriotic tunes, swing, marches; guest vocalists are Lettie Andrade De La Torre and Deidre Ford, accompanied by the Community Band Choral Ensemble. For more info: www.orcb.org or 865-4823568. • FREE

Thursday, June 1 ULTUS • Modern Studio • 8PM • ULTUS is an acoustic

cello/percussion/vocal duo out of Oberlin, OH. Classical training meets earthy, contemporary folk and jazz grooves drawing from world music influences as far reaching as Iceland and India. Aliya Ultan from Brooklyn and Knoxville native Carson Fratus combine their cosmic energies for performances that leave listeners spellbound and wanting more. • $7-$10

THEATRE AND DANCE Friday, May 26 70/30 CREATIVES: ‘A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM’ •

Market Square • 9PM • Seventy Thirty Creatives’ inaugural full stage production is an abridged adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where four young lovers find

Sunday, June 4 OAK RIDGE ACADEMY OF DANCE CONTEMPORARY DANCE ENSEMBLE • Knoxville Civic Auditorium • 7PM • The

Ensemble highlights the performance with solos from their graduating seniors. This year’s performance is a collage of different modes and emotions.

The evening swirls with a mixture of all genres of dance, classical ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop are all represented. • $18 BROADWAY AT THE TENNESSEE: ‘DIRTY DANCING’ • Tennessee Theatre • 8PM • $38-$78

Tuesday, June 6 EINSTEIN SIMPLIFIED • Scruffy City Hall • 8PM • Einstein

Simplified Comedy performs live comedy improv at Scruffy City Hall. It’s just like Whose Line Is It Anyway, but you get to make the suggestions. Show starts at 8:15, get there early for the best seats. No cover. Visit einsteinsimplified.com. • FREE

FESTIVALS Saturday, May 27 BLOUNT MANSION STATEHOOD OPEN HOUSE • Blount Mansion • 10AM • We will have interpreters on site to tell visitors all about life on the frontier. This event is free to the public though donations are gladly accepted. • FREE STATEHOOD DAY LIVING HISTORY • Marble Springs State Historic Site • 10AM • Experience 18th century demonstrations such as wood carving, spinning and weaving, 18th century style militia drills, weapons demonstrations that will showcase period appropriate firearms, and much more. For more information please visit www.marblesprings.net, emailinfo@marblesprings.net, or call (865) 573 - 5508. • FREE

Thursday, June 1 MUSLIM COMMUNITY OF KNOXVILLE RAMADAN COMMUNITY May 25, 2017 knoxville mercury 37

May 25 – June 11

IFTAR • The Mill and Mine • 8PM • The Muslim

Tuesday, June 6

FLEET FEET GROUP RUN/WALK • Fleet Feet Sports

CRUISE • Howard Pinkston Branch Library • 9AM • Join

Smoky Mountain Wheelmen cyclists for a weekly, recreational, no-drop club ride. The routes and distances vary depending upon group experience. Check facebook. com/groups/smwbikeclub for ride details and information on the upcoming Cherohala Challenge for registration and volunteer positions. • FREE CYCOLOGY BICYCLES TUESDAY MORNING RIDE • Cycology Bicycles • 10AM • Visit cycologybicycles.com. • FREE CYCOLOGY BICYCLES TUESDAY MORNING RIDE • Cycology Bicycles • 10:30AM • JVisit cycologybicycles.com. • FREE WEST HILLS FUN RUN • West Hills Flats and Taps • 6PM • Every Tuesday all runners are welcome to come join us on a quick 2.3 mile fun run from West Hills Flats and Taps through Jean Teague Park and back, starting at 6pm. All runners of age receive a free Blackhorse Brewing pint of their choice and $1 off any more Blackhorse brews. • FREE ECHELON BICYCLES TUESDAY ROAD RIDE • Echelon Bicycles • 6:15 PM • Join Echelon Bicycles every Tuesday evening at 6:15 pm for a 30+ mile road ride at an average pace of 18 mph, with regrouping. • FREE CEDAR BLUFF CYCLES TUESDAY ROAD RIDE • Cedar Bluff Cycles • 6:20 PM • Join Cedar Bluff Cycles every Tuesday evening at 6:20 pm for a road ride. Visit cedarbluffcycles.net. • FREE BIKETOPIA TUESDAY ROAD RIDE • Biketopia • 6:30PM • Visit biketopia.com. • FREE

5PM • Festival fundraiser with beer, wine, burgers, barbecue, corn hole, live music, and more. Benefitting the Emory Valley Center and other area nonprofit organizations. • FREE

SECRET CITY FESTIVAL • 2PM • The new Secret City Festival, brought to you by Celebrate Oak Ridge, will be bookended by two special weekends.

Saturday, June 3

Saturday, June 10

BIKE BOAT BREW AND BARK • Volunteer Landing • 10AM •

SECRET CITY FESTIVAL • 10AM • The new Secret City

Knoxville • 6PM • Visit fleetfeetknoxville.com. • FREE NORTH KNOXVILLE BEER RUNNERS • Central Flats and Taps • 6PM • Meet us at Central Flats and Taps every Thursday night for a fun and easy run leading us right through Saw Works for a midway beer. • FREE RIVER SPORTS GREENWAY SOCIAL RIDE • River Sports Outfitters • 6PM • Visit riversportsoutfitters.com. • FREE ECHELON BICYCLES THURSDAY ROAD RIDE • Echelon Bicycles • 6:15 PM • Join Echelon Bicycles every Thursday evening at 6:15 pm for a 30+ mile road ride at an average pace of 18 mph, with regrouping. • FREE CEDAR BLUFF CYCLES THURSDAY ROAD RIDE • Cedar Bluff Cycles • 6:20 PM • Join us every Thursday evening for our weekly road ride. Visit cedarbluffcycles.com. • FREE BEARDEN BEER MARKET FUN RUN • Bearden Beer Market • 6:30PM • Visit beardenbeermarket.com. • FREE

Bike Boat Brew and Bark celebrates outdoor adventurers, dog lovers, craft beer enthusiasts, local and the tourist looking to discover a secret in Knoxville’s urban wilderness. It’s a place where you can ride your bike, take your boat, bring your dog and grab a great local brew. Explore Knoxville in a new way on this special day. Then live it, experience it, and continue to explore it all year long. The day will be filled with Knoxville Powerboat Classic races, Pet Photo Contest by Young–Williams, an Urban Hike with TVA, Slow Ride Bike Tours by KABA, Dock Dog Demos, Hoyt Flyboard demos, Jack Neely Riverwalk tour and Urban Bike Ride with Bike Walk Knox. Visit visitknoxville.com. • FREE SECRET CITY FESTIVAL • 9AM • The new Secret City Festival, brought to you by Celebrate Oak Ridge, will be bookended by two special weekends. The first weekend will celebrate Oak Ridge and World War II history. A free family movie will be shown on Tuesday, June 6; the arts will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 7; and music and art are the focus of the second weekend, June 9-10. The music lineup on June 9-10 includes Dr. Dog, the Black Lillies, Hudson K, Cereus Bright, Electric Darling, and more.

APPALACHIAN BEAR FEST • 2PM • Hosted by Appalachian Bear Rescue at the Trillium Cove Shopping Center in Townsend. The festival will have live entertainment, local artists, wildlife experts, dunking booth, kid’s games, adult and kids wildlife classes and Gatlinburg wildfire survivor Charles the Pig will have his first book signing.Visit appalachianbearrescue.org or call 865 738 3683. • FREE

Festival, brought to you by Celebrate Oak Ridge, will be bookended by two special weekends.

Saturday, May 27

Community of Knoxville requests the honor of your presence at our 7th Annual Ramadan Community Iftar, a traditional fast-breaking dinner, with honored guests including Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero. Please join us to share food & fellowship with your friends of the Greater Knoxville and Muslim community. • FREE

Friday, June 2 OAK RIDGE FLATWATER FESTIVAL • Melton Lake Park •

Sunday, June 4 SECRET CITY FESTIVAL • 5PM • The new Secret City

Festival, brought to you by Celebrate Oak Ridge, will be bookended by two special weekends.

KNOSHVILLE JEWISH FOOD FESTIVAL • Arnstein Jewish Community Center • 11AM • Enjoy traditional foods associated with Jewish culture crafted by some of the area’s best cooks. Knoshville features bagels and lox, parve matzah ball soup, kugel, mandelbrodt, black and white cookies, Bundt cakes, challah, potato latkes, shakshuka, and more. All food dairy or parve (no meat).

Pre-packaged foods available for purchase. • $10 38 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

SECRET CITY FESTIVAL • 6PM • The new Secret City Festival, brought to you by Celebrate Oak Ridge, will be bookended by two special weekends.

Wednesday, June 7 SECRET CITY FESTIVAL • 5:30PM • The new Secret City

Festival, brought to you by Celebrate Oak Ridge, will be bookended by two special weekends.

Friday, June 9

FILM SCREENINGS Monday, May 29 BIRDHOUSE WALK-IN THEATER • The Birdhouse • 8:15PM •

The Birdhouse Walk-In Theater hosts free movies every Monday night. Each month carries a different theme and provides free popcorn. Contact us about screening ideas: birdhousewalkin[at]gmail.com. • FREE

Monday, June 5 BIRDHOUSE WALK-IN THEATER • The Birdhouse • 8:15PM •

The Birdhouse Walk-In Theater hosts free movies every Monday night. Each month carries a different theme and provides free popcorn. Contact us about screening ideas: birdhousewalkin[at]gmail.com. • FREE

Tuesday, June 6 BIKE-IN MOVIE SERIES: ‘JAWS’ • The Mill and Mine • 8PM • The original summer blockbuster, presented by Tennessee Valley Bikes and Yee Haw Brewing. • $9

Saturday, June 10 EAST TENNESSEE PBS: ‘REAL BOY’ • The Birdhouse • 9PM •

Real Boy is the coming-of-age story of Bennett, a trans teenager with dreams of musical stardom. During the first two years of his gender transition, as Bennett works to repair a strained relationship with his family, he is taken under the wing of his friend and musical hero, celebrated trans folk singer Joe Stevens. Presented by Independent Lens /PBS and East Tennessee PBS in partnership with the birdhouse Walk-In Theater.

Followed by a town-hall style discussion. • FREE

SPORTS AND RECREATION Thursday, May 25

DREAMBIKES COMMUNITY BIKE RIDE • DreamBikes • 4PM

• The community ride is an inclusive bike ride designed for bicyclists of all ages. Family friendly, slow pace, and usually about 5 miles. • FREE KTC EXPO 10K AND 5K • Downtown Knoxville • 8AM • The it Company EXPO 10K/5k is more than a race: It is Knoxville’s oldest and most beloved community running event. In its’ 40th year, it is truly a tradition. It is the only race that celebrates the family by having mother/son, mother/daughter, father/son, father/ daughter, wife/husband, and three generations categories. Visit ktc.org.

WWE LIVE • Knoxville Civic Coliseum • 7:30PM • With AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Baron Carbin, USOs, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Xavier Woods, Big E, Kofi Kingston, and more. Visit knoxvillecoliseum.com. • $19-$107 WEST BICYCLES SATURDAY ROAD RIDE • West Bicycles • 9AM • Visit westbikes.com. • FREE BIKE ZOO SATURDAY ROAD RIDE • The Bike Zoo • 9AM • Visit bikezoo.com. • FREE KNOXVILLE BICYCLE COMPANY SATURDAY RIDE • Knoxville Bicycle Company • 9AM • Visit Facebook.com/ KnoxvilleBicycleCo. • FREE CYCOLOGY WOMEN’S RIDE SERIES • Cycology Bicycles • 9:30AM • The Women’s Road Series includes hour-long clinics on maintenance, local bike routes, training, advocacy, and more followed by a group road ride.

Visit cycologybicycles.com. Registration for the full series is $30. • $30

Monday, May 29 KTC GROUP RUN • Balter Beerworks • 6PM • Visit ktc.org.

• FREE TVB MONDAY NIGHT ROAD RIDE • Tennessee Valley Bikes

• 6PM • Visit tnvalleybikes.com. • FREE BEARDEN BEER MARKET FUN RUN • Bearden Beer Market • 6:30PM • Visit beardenbeermarket.com. • FREE

CYCOLOGY BICYCLES THURSDAY MORNING RIDE • Cycology

Tuesday, May 30

Bicycles • 10AM • Visit cycologybicycles.com. • FREE

SMOKY MOUNTAIN WHEELMEN TUESDAY MORNING COUNTRY

Wednesday, May 31 FLEET FEET WEDNESDAY LUNCH BREAK RUN • Fleet Feet

Sports Knoxville • 12PM • Visit fleetfeetknoxville.com. • FREE KTC GROUP RUN • Runner’s Market • 5:30PM • Visit ktc. org. • FREE TVB EASY RIDER MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE • Ijams Nature Center • 6PM • Call 865-540-9979 or visit tnvalleybikes.com. • FREE WEST BICYCLES WEDNESDAY ROAD RIDE • West Bicycles • 6:10 PM • Visit westbikes.com. • FREE

Thursday, June 1 CYCOLOGY BICYCLES THURSDAY MORNING RIDE • Cycology

Bicycles • 10AM • Visit cycologybicycles.com. • FREE FLEET FEET GROUP RUN/WALK • Fleet Feet Sports Knoxville • 6PM • Visit fleetfeetknoxville.com. • FREE NORTH KNOXVILLE BEER RUNNERS • Central Flats and Taps • 6PM • Meet us at Central Flats and Taps every Thursday night for a fun and easy run leading us right through Saw Works for a midway beer. • FREE RIVER SPORTS GREENWAY SOCIAL RIDE • River Sports Outfitters • 6PM • Visit riversportsoutfitters.com. • FREE CYCOLOGY BICYCLES INTERMEDIATE GROUP MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE • I.C. King Park • 6PM • The first and third

Thursday of each month. Visit cycologybicycles.com. • FREE ECHELON BICYCLES THURSDAY ROAD RIDE • Echelon Bicycles • 6:15 PM • Join Echelon Bicycles every Thursday evening at 6:15 pm for a 30+ mile road ride at an average pace of 18 mph, with regrouping. • FREE

May 25 – June 11

CEDAR BLUFF CYCLES THURSDAY ROAD RIDE • Cedar Bluff

Cycles • 6:20 PM • Visit cedarbluffcycles.com. • FREE BEARDEN BEER MARKET FUN RUN • Bearden Beer Market • 6:30PM • Come run with us. Every Monday and Thursday year round we do a group fun run through the neighborhood. Open to all levels of walkers and runners. Everyone who participates earns $1 off their beer. Visit beardenbeermarket.com. • FREE

Friday, June 2 TENNESSEE RIVER RUNOFF 5K AND CHEERS TO CLEAN WATER CELEBRATION • University of Tennessee • 6PM •

evening at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. Water-based instruction will be at the Clark Center Park in Oak Ridge Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. River outings include a trip to the Nemo rapid on the Emory river on Thursday evening, and a full-day trip down the Hiwassee river on Saturday, followed by a picnic.

For questions, contact Francis Ruppel at 865-332-7725, fruppel@knology.net, or follow the links to the summer clinic at club’s web page at etwcweb.com.

The cost of the clinic is $75. Equipment is available for rent for an extra $15 plus deposit. • $75

Join the Tennessee Stormwater Association, the University of Tennessee, and Knox County Stormwater for the inaugural Tennessee River Runoff 5K and Cheers to Clean Water Celebration, an event showcasing the ways that we can help to protect our local streams and rivers with green infrastructure. The certified 5K chip-timed race will begin and end at the UT Gardens, where the Cheers to Clean Water Celebration will recognize the importance of clean water for happy and healthy communities. All proceeds go to TNSA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for protecting and improving the quality of the waters of Tennessee. Register at runsignup.com/ Race/TN/Knoxville/TNRiverRunoff5K/.

Tuesday, June 6

Saturday, June 3

Wednesday, June 7

DREAMBIKES COMMUNITY BIKE RIDE • DreamBikes • 4PM

EAST TENNESSEE WHITEWATER CLUB SUMMER INSTRUCTION CLINIC • East Tennessee Whitewater Club

• The community ride is an inclusive bike ride designed for bicyclists of all ages. Family friendly, slow pace, and usually about 5 miles. • FREE RUNNER’S MARKET SATURDAY GROUP RUN • Runner’s Market • 9AM • Visit runnersmarket.com. • FREE WEST BICYCLES SATURDAY ROAD RIDE • West Bicycles • 9AM • Visit westbikes.com. • FREE BIKE ZOO SATURDAY ROAD RIDE • The Bike Zoo • 9AM • Visit bikezoo.com. • FREE KNOXVILLE BICYCLE COMPANY SATURDAY RIDE • Knoxville Bicycle Company • 9AM • Visit Facebook.com/ KnoxvilleBicycleCo. • FREE CYCOLOGY WOMEN’S RIDE SERIES • Cycology Bicycles • 9:30AM • The Women’s Road Series includes hour-long clinics on maintenance, local bike routes, training, advocacy, and more followed by a group road ride.

Visit cycologybicycles.com. Registration for the full series is $30. • $30 CATALYST ADAPTIVE CLIMB • River Sports Outfitters • 10AM • Join us the first Saturday of every month as we climb with Catalyst Sports. This event is for anyone with physical disabilities. All ages are welcome to come and climb our rock wall. • $10 TENNESSEE ASSOCIATION OF VINTAGE BASE BALL • Historic Ramsey House • 12PM and 2:30PM • FREE

Monday, June 5 EAST TENNESSEE WHITEWATER CLUB SUMMER INSTRUCTION CLINIC • East Tennessee Whitewater Club

announces its summer whitewater instruction clinic June 5-10. An orientation session will occur Monday

EAST TENNESSEE WHITEWATER CLUB SUMMER INSTRUCTION CLINIC • East Tennessee Whitewater Club

announces its summer whitewater instruction clinic June 5-10. • $75 SMOKY MOUNTAIN WHEELMEN TUESDAY MORNING COUNTRY CRUISE • Howard Pinkston Branch Library •

9AM • Join Smoky Mountain Wheelmen cyclists for a weekly, recreational, no-drop club ride. The routes and distances vary depending upon group experience.

Check facebook.com/groups/smwbikeclub for ride details and information on the upcoming Cherohala Challenge for registration and volunteer positions. • FREE

June 2 - 4

announces its summer whitewater instruction clinic June 5-10. • $75

Thursday, June 8 EAST TENNESSEE WHITEWATER CLUB SUMMER INSTRUCTION CLINIC • East Tennessee Whitewater Club

announces its summer whitewater instruction clinic June 5-10. • $75

Friday, June 9 EAST TENNESSEE WHITEWATER CLUB SUMMER INSTRUCTION CLINIC • East Tennessee Whitewater Club

announces its summer whitewater instruction clinic June 5-10. • $75

Saturday, June 10 EAST TENNESSEE WHITEWATER CLUB SUMMER INSTRUCTION CLINIC • East Tennessee Whitewater Club

announces its summer whitewater instruction clinic June 5-10. • $75 DREAMBIKES COMMUNITY BIKE RIDE • DreamBikes • 4PM • The community ride is an inclusive bike ride designed for bicyclists of all ages. Family friendly, slow pace, and usually about 5 miles. • FREE CYCOLOGY WOMEN’S RIDE SERIES • Cycology Bicycles • 9:30AM • The Women’s Road Series includes hour-long clinics on maintenance, local bike routes, training, advocacy, and more followed by a group road ride.

Visit cycologybicycles.com. Registration for the full series is $30. • $30

www.TennesseeTheatre.com

May 25, 2017 knoxville mercury 39

May 25 – June 11

ART Friday, June 2 ASHLEY ADAIR: A HOWLING RESPECT • 7PM-10PM •

thecentralcollective.com NASTY WOMEN ART EXHIBIT • The Old City • 6PM • The

Knoxville Nasty Women Art Exhibit is hosting an exhibit that will serve as a fundraiser for the Knoxville Family Justice Center and Girls Rock Camp of Knoxville.

100 percent of the profits from the sale of artwork and submission fees will go to these charities that support and empower women. The opening reception will be held at the Basement Community Arts Studio, Lox Salon, Good Golly Tamale and the Body Mind Realign and Gratitude Bar. • FREE

Sunday, June 4 JODY SIMS: COMPASSIONATE ART • Sanctuary Vegan Cafe

• 3PM • Knoxville resident and artist/author/survivor Jody Sims will present her story and new art on National Cancer Survivors Day. Jody will showcase her new series of paintings called “Compassionate Art” which were inspired by her visits to the Gentle Barn Tennessee, a sanctuary for abused and neglected farm animals. Each of Jody’s paintings includes an inspirational message, as if each animal is thinking or saying it. • FREE

Art Market Gallery artmarketgallery.net MAY 2-28: Artwork by Dennis Sabo and Larry Gabbard.

Broadway Studios and Gallery broadwaystudiosandgallery.com MAY 5-27: Artwork by Candee Barbee and Synthia Clark.

Downtown Gallery downtown.utk.edu MAY 5-31: Artsource 2017.

East Tennessee History Center easttnhistory.org NOV. 19-MAY 14: Rock of Ages: East Tennessee’s Marble Industry.

Emporium Center for Arts and Culture knoxalliance.com MAY 5-26: 6 to 96: The Stevens Family; Luis Velázquez: Retrospective 1937-2016 and Family Continuity; Embodiment: A Search for Serenity by Julie Fawn Boisseau-Craig; artwork by Heather Heubner; and Iterations of Movement by Stephen Spidell. JUNE 2-30: Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild: Traditional Craft - Modern Perspective; 17th Street Studios: Amalgam Vol. 4; Anne Freels: Planted; Susanne Tanner: Australian Walkabout; and Christian Branson: A Veil of Abstractions. An opening reception will be held on Friday, June 2, from 5-9 p.m.

40 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

Fountain City Art Center fountaincityartcenter.com APRIL 28-JUNE 1: Knoxville Watercolor Society Exhibition.

Knoxville Museum of Art knoxart.org MAY 5-JULY 23: Gathering Light: Works by Beauford Delaney From the KMA Collection. FEB 3-JULY 16: Virtual Views: Digital Art From the Thoma Foundation. ONGOING:

Higher Ground: A Century of the Visual Arts in Tennessee; Currents: Recent Art From East Tennessee and Beyond; and Facets of Modern and Contemporary Glass.

McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture mcclungmuseum.utk.edu MAY 25-AUG. 27: The Finer Things: Consumer Culture in the Gilded Age. Ongoing: The Flora and Fauna of Catesby, Mason, and Audubon and Life on the Roman Frontier.

Westminster Presbyterian Church wpcknox.org THROUGH JUNE 25: Artwork by Daniel Taylor and Mary Saylor.

FAMILY AND KIDS’ EVENTS Saturday, May 27 IJAMS CREATURE FEATURE • Ijams Nature Center • 10AM

and 2PM • Have you met all the animals that call the Ijams Visitor Center home? If not, be sure to stop by every Saturday for a chance to get nose-to-beak with some of our resident furred and feathered ambassadors. This program is free, but donations to support animal care are welcome. • FREE

Sunday, May 28 IJAMS CREATURE FEATURE • Ijams Nature Center • 1PM •

Have you met all the animals that call the Ijams Visitor Center home? If not, be sure to stop by every Saturday for a chance to get nose-to-beak with some of our resident furred and feathered ambassadors. This program is free, but donations to support animal care are welcome. • FREE

Saturday, June 3 BLOUNT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY MINICON • Blount County Public Library • 9AM • All ages are invited to dress in costume, play trivia, watch a movie, do crafts, learn skills, play games and meet award-winning author Vince Vawter – and much more. • FREE

CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS Thursday, May 25

GENTLE YOGA AND MEDITATION • Balanced You Studios •

12PM • Call 865-577-2021 or email yogaway249@ gmail.com. Donations accepted.

LIFE DRAWING AND PORTRAIT PRACTICE SESSIONS • Historic Candoro Marble Company • 12:30PM • Portrait and life drawing practice at Candoro Art and Heritage Center. Call Brad Selph for more information at 865-573-0709. • $10 CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY: HEALING THROUGH ART • Cancer Support Community • 1PM • No experience necessary. RSVP. Call 865-546-4661 for more info. All Cancer Support Community programs are offered at no cost to individuals affected by cancer.

KNOX COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS • Humana Guidance Center • 2:45 PM • If you have hydrangeas, then you need to know that there are two distinct types-- which are pruned very differently. Join Master Gardener Carolyn Kiser to learn the difference between “old wood” and “new wood” bloomers, as well as when and how to prune each of these types. • FREE KNOXVILLE CAPOEIRA CLASS • Emporium Center for Arts and Culture • 6PM • Visit capoeiraknoxville.org. • $10 KNOXVILLE PERSONAL TRAINING PILATES • Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church • 6:30PM • Every Tuesday and Thursday. First class is free. Call (865) 622-3103 or visit knoxvillepersonaltraining.com. • $4 BEGINNER BELLY DANCE • Mirage • 6:30PM • Call (865) 898-2126 or email alexia@alexia-dance.com. • $12

Friday, May 26 NARROW RIDGE YOGA • Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center • 9AM • For more information call 865-497-3603 or emailcommunity@narrowridge.org. • FREE

Saturday, May 27 KNOX COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS: CELEBRATE SUMMER •

Bearden Branch Public Library • 1:30PM • Join Master Gardener Lynn Carlson to talk about making your outdoor containers a rainbow of color. Design, color balance, proportion—there is no one perfect design, so think outside the pot for this one. Learn the basics of putting together colorful summer containers of your favorite flowers. Call 865- 588-8813 or visit knoxlib.org.

• FREE

Sunday, May 28 IJAMS FAMILY DRUM CYRCLE • Ijams Nature Center • 3:30PM • Please call (865) 577-4717, ext. 110 to register.

• FREE

Monday, May 29 GENTLE YOGA AND MEDITATION • Balanced You Studios •

6PM • Call 865-577-2021 or email yogaway249@gmail. com. Donations accepted.

KNOXVILLE PERSONAL TRAINING BOOT CAMP • Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church • 6:30PM • First class is free. Call (865) 622-3103 or visit knoxvillepersonaltraining.com. • $15 MONDAY NIGHT YOGA • Church Street United Methodist Church • 7PM • Cost is $5, with first class free. Bring a

mat and strap. In the class we stretch, bend and relax with low light and music. It is suitable for beginners and all levels. No advance registration required.

Contact Micarooni@aol.com with questions. • $5

Tuesday, May 30 NARROW RIDGE YOGA • Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy

Center • 9AM • For more information call 865-497-3603 or emailcommunity@narrowridge.org. • FREE GENTLE YOGA AND MEDITATION • Balanced You Studios • 12PM • Call 865-577-2021 or email yogaway249@ gmail.com. Donations accepted.

KNOXVILLE CAPOEIRA CLASS • Emporium Center for Arts and Culture • 6PM • Visit capoeiraknoxville.org. • $10 KNOXVILLE PERSONAL TRAINING PILATES • Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church • 6:30PM • Every Tuesday and Thursday. First class is free. Call (865) 622-3103 or visit knoxvillepersonaltraining.com. • $4

Wednesday, May 31 CIRCLE MODERN DANCE OPEN LEVEL BALLET CLASS • Emporium Center for Arts and Culture • 6:30PM • Visit circlemoderndance.com. • $10 INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED MODERN DANCE • Tennessee Conservatory of Fine Arts • 7PM • We are a local 501(c) (3) non-profit dance company that strives for excellence in dance through artistic exploration, professional training and original performances. We offer opportunities in most aspects of dance production and arts administration, and create outreach programs in and around our community. We offer adult modern dance classes in Knoxville every Wednesday evening, with some exceptions during the summer months. • $10 TENNESSEE VALLEY BIKES YOGA • Tennessee Valley Bikes • 6:15 AM • Join us Wednesday mornings for an hour and 15 minutes of yoga. Cost for each class is $12 but if you ride your bike in the cost is reduced to $10.

There is no subscription or membership required. • $10-$15

Thursday, June 1 GENTLE YOGA AND MEDITATION • Balanced You Studios •

12PM • Call 865-577-2021 or email yogaway249@ gmail.com. Donations accepted.

KNOXVILLE CAPOEIRA CLASS • Emporium Center for Arts and Culture • 6PM • This class is an hour of student-led training and review of Capoeira skills and exercises. Come prepared to sweat. Visit capoeiraknoxville.org. • $10 KNOXVILLE PERSONAL TRAINING PILATES • Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church • 6:30PM • Every Tuesday and Thursday. First class is free. Call (865) 622-3103 or visit knoxvillepersonaltraining.com. • $4 BEGINNER BELLY DANCE • Mirage • 6:30PM • Call (865) 898-2126 or email alexia@alexia-dance.com. • $12

Friday, June 2 NARROW RIDGE YOGA • Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy

Center • 9AM • For more information call 865-497-3603

May 25 – June 11

or emailcommunity@narrowridge.org. • FREE

Sunday, June 4 CIRCLE MODERN DANCE BALLET BARRE CLASS • Emporium

Center for Arts and Culture • 1PM • Visit circlemoderndance.com. • $10 CIRCLE MODERN DANCE: MODERN DANCE FOUNDATIONS CLASS • Emporium Center for Arts and Culture • 2PM •

Visit circlemoderndance.com. • $10 IJAMS FAMILY DRUM CYRCLE • Ijams Nature Center • 3:30PM • They say everyone marches to the beat of their own drummer, and this program will help you do just that. Gather your family and friends and get outdoors with a family-friendly drum circle. Led by local artist, writer, foodie, herbalist, and crafter Jackie Hardin, this program will allow participants to get in rhythm with themselves, others, and nature. There will be extra instruments available, but participants are encouraged to bring their own. Please call (865) 577-4717, ext. 110 to register. • FREE FULL DISCLOSURE COMEDY WORKSHOP • Modern Studio • 7PM • Come on out and learn about the basics of improv comedy. Everyone is welcome- no matter how much improv experience you have (or don’t have). You can learn how to get more laughs, meet some new people, and maybe even become a more convincing liar. • $15

Monday, June 5 GENTLE YOGA AND MEDITATION • Balanced You Studios •

6PM • Call 865-577-2021 or email yogaway249@gmail. com. Donations accepted.

KNOXVILLE PERSONAL TRAINING BOOT CAMP • Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church • 6:30PM • First class is free. Call (865) 622-3103 or visit knoxvillepersonaltraining.com. • $15 MONDAY NIGHT YOGA • Church Street United Methodist Church • 7PM • Cost is $5, with first class free. Bring a mat and strap. In the class we stretch, bend and relax with low light and music. It is suitable for beginners and all levels. No advance registration required.

Contact Micarooni@aol.com with questions. • $5

Tuesday, June 6 NARROW RIDGE YOGA • Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy

Center • 9AM • For more information call 865-497-3603 or emailcommunity@narrowridge.org. • FREE GENTLE YOGA AND MEDITATION • Balanced You Studios • 12PM • Call 865-577-2021 or email yogaway249@ gmail.com. Donations accepted.

KNOXVILLE CAPOEIRA CLASS • Emporium Center for Arts and Culture • 6PM • Visit capoeiraknoxville.org. • $10 KNOXVILLE PERSONAL TRAINING PILATES • Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church • 6:30PM • Every Tuesday and Thursday. First class is free. Call (865) 622-3103 or visit knoxvillepersonaltraining.com. • $4

Wednesday, June 7 CIRCLE MODERN DANCE OPEN LEVEL BALLET CLASS •

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Conservatory of Fine Arts • 7PM • We are a local 501(c) (3) non-profit dance company that strives for excellence in dance through artistic exploration, professional training and original performances. We offer opportunities in most aspects of dance production and arts administration, and create outreach programs in and around our community. We offer adult modern dance classes in Knoxville every Wednesday evening, with some exceptions during the summer months. • $10 TENNESSEE VALLEY BIKES YOGA • Tennessee Valley Bikes • 6:15 AM • Join us Wednesday mornings for an hour and 15 minutes of yoga. Cost for each class is $12 but if you ride your bike in the cost is reduced to $10.

There is no subscription or membership required. • $10-$15

Your music, your choice.

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Thursday, June 8 AARP DRIVER SAFETY CLASS • Buckingham Retirement

Center • 9AM • Call 865-675-0694.

GENTLE YOGA AND MEDITATION • Balanced You Studios • 12PM • Call 865-577-2021 or email yogaway249@ gmail.com. Donations accepted.

KNOXVILLE CAPOEIRA CLASS • Emporium Center for Arts and Culture • 6PM • Visit capoeiraknoxville.org. • $10 KNOXVILLE PERSONAL TRAINING PILATES • Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church • 6:30PM • Every Tuesday and Thursday. First class is free. Call (865) WUOT_Ad_4.625x5.25_ClassicalJazz_KnoxMerc.indd 622-3103 or visit knoxvillepersonaltraining.com. • $4 BEGINNER BELLY DANCE • Mirage • 6:30PM • Call (865) 898-2126 or email alexia@alexia-dance.com. • $12

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Friday, June 9 NARROW RIDGE YOGA • Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center • 9AM • For more information call 865-497-3603 or emailcommunity@narrowridge.org. • FREE AARP DRIVER SAFETY CLASS • Farragut Town Hall • 9AM

Saturday, June 10 KNOX HERITAGE PRESERVATION NETWORK • Knox Heritage

• 10AM • Preservation Network is a series of free workshops held once every month on the second Saturday. The monthly workshops feature guest speakers who are specialists in windows, flooring, roofing, stained glass, tile, plumbing, electrical, and more. For more information visit knoxheritage.org. • FREE

Sunday, June 11 CIRCLE MODERN DANCE BALLET BARRE CLASS • Emporium

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outdoors with a family-friendly drum circle. Led by local artist, writer, foodie, herbalist, and crafter Jackie Hardin, this program will allow participants to get in rhythm with themselves, others, and nature. There will be extra instruments available, but participants are encouraged to bring their own. Please call (865) 577-4717, ext. 110 to register. • FREE

MEETINGS Thursday, May 25 AL-ANON • Faith Lutheran Church • 11AM • Visit

farragutalanon.org or email FindHope@Farragutalanon.org. • FREE ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS/DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES • The Birdhouse • 6PM • Contact Laura at

706-621-2238 or lamohendricksll@gmail.com for more information or visit the international ACA website at adultchildren.org. • FREE

Saturday, May 27 AL-ANON • Faith Lutheran Church • 11AM • Visit

farragutalanon.org or email FindHope@Farragutalanon.org. • FREE NARROW RIDGE SILENT MEDITATION GATHERING • Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center • 11AM • For more information call 865-497-3603 or emailcommunity@ narrowridge.org. • FREE

Sunday, May 28 SUNDAY ASSEMBLY • The Concourse • 10:30AM • Sunday Assembly is a secular congregation without deity, dogma, or doctrine. Our motto: Live Better, Help Often, Wonder More. Our monthly celebrations feature a different theme every month, with inspiring speakers and lively sing-alongs. To find out more, visit knoxville-tn.sundayassembly.com or email saknoxville.info@gmail.com. • FREE AL-ANON • Faith Lutheran Church • 11AM • Visit farragutalanon.org or email FindHope@Farragutalanon.org. • FREE OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS • Sacred Heart Cathedral • 4PM • For more info call or text (865) 313-0480 or email OASundayknoxville@gmail.com. • FREE

Monday, May 29 GAY MEN’S DISCUSSION GROUP • Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church • 7:30PM • We hold facilitated discussions on topics and issues relevant to local gay men in a safe and open environment.

Visit gaygroupknoxville.org.

Tuesday, May 30 AL-ANON • Faith Lutheran Church • 11AM • Visit farragutalanon.org or email FindHope@Farragutalanon.org. • FREE ATHEISTS SOCIETY OF KNOXVILLE • West Hills Flats and

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Wednesday, May 31 AL-ANON • Faith Lutheran Church • 11AM • Visit farragutalanon.org or email FindHope@Farragutalanon.org. • FREE THE BOOKAHOLICS BOOK GROUP • Union Ave Books • 12PM • Union Ave Books’ monthly book discussion group. Visit unionavebooks.com. • FREE

Thursday, June 1 AL-ANON • Faith Lutheran Church • 11AM • Visit farragutalanon.org or email FindHope@Farragutalanon.org. • FREE ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS/DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES • The Birdhouse • 6PM • Contact Laura at

706-621-2238 or lamohendricksll@gmail.com for more information or visit the international ACA website at adultchildren.org. • FREE KNOXVILLE WRITERS’ GUILD • Central United Methodist Church • 7PM • The Knoxville Writers’ Guild exists to facilitate a broad and inclusive community for area writers, provide a forum for information, support and sharing among writers, help members improve and market their writing skills and promote writing and

MELINDA GRIMAC AFFILIATE BROKER

creativity. A $2 donation is requested. Additional information about KWG can be found at KnoxvilleWritersGuild.org.

BLACK LIVES MATTER • The Birdhouse • 7:30PM • #BlackLivesMatter is working for a world where Black lives are no longer systematically and intentionally targeted for demise. Visit blacklivesmatterknoxville.org. • FREE

Saturday, June 3 SEEKERS OF SILENCE • Church of the Savior United

Church of Christ • 9AM • Seekers of Silence is an ecumenical and interfaith gathering of men and women who come together to listen. Visit sosknoxville.org. • FREE AL-ANON • Faith Lutheran Church • 11AM • Visit farragutalanon.org or email FindHope@Farragutalanon.org. • FREE NARROW RIDGE SILENT MEDITATION GATHERING • Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center • 11AM • For more information call 865-497-3603 or emailcommunity@ narrowridge.org. • FREE

Sunday, June 4 AL-ANON • Faith Lutheran Church • 11AM • Visit farragutalanon.org or email FindHope@Farragutalanon.org. • FREE OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS • Sacred Heart Cathedral •

GET OUT AND PLAY!

2017 EDITION NOW AVAILABLE Is your copy of last year’s guide to area greenways, parks, and trails as tattered as ours? Need a new copy to keep in your car for quick reference? We’ve updated it for 2017 and made it available for purchase in our online store for only $3.95 + shipping. buy yours now!

859 Ebenezer Road, Knoxville, TN 37923 o. 865.357.3232 | c. 865.356.4178 Melinda.Grimac@SothebysRealty.com

Taps • 5:30PM • Weekly atheists meetup and happy hour. Come join us for food, drink and great conversation. Everyone welcome. Visit meetup.com/ KnoxvilleAtheists. • FREE

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May 25 – June 11

4PM • For more info call or text (865) 313-0480 or email OASundayknoxville@gmail.com. • FREE

Monday, June 5 GAY MEN’S DISCUSSION GROUP • Tennessee Valley

Unitarian Universalist Church • 7:30PM • We hold facilitated discussions on topics and issues relevant to local gay men in a safe and open environment.

Visit gaygroupknoxville.org.

Tuesday, June 6 AL-ANON • Faith Lutheran Church • 11AM • Visit

farragutalanon.org or email FindHope@Farragutalanon.org. • FREE ATHEISTS SOCIETY OF KNOXVILLE • West Hills Flats and Taps • 5:30PM • Weekly atheists meetup and happy hour. Come join us for food, drink and great conversation. Everyone welcome. Visit meetup.com/ KnoxvilleAtheists. • FREE

Wednesday, June 7 AL-ANON • Faith Lutheran Church • 11AM •Visit

farragutalanon.org or email FindHope@Farragutalanon.org. • FREE

CENTRAL COLLECTIVE GOOD SPORT NIGHT • Central Collective • 5PM • Calling all good sports. Here’s the deal. You purchase a ticket to a mystery event. Show up to The Central Collective at the specified date and time, and be ready for anything. Visit thecentralcollective.com. • $20

Sunday, May 28 TENNESSEE MEDIEVAL FAIRE • Tennessee Medieval Faire • 10AM • For more information, please visit www.TMFaire.com, sign up for their newsletter, like them on Facebook, email TMFaire@comcast.net or call 865-248-8414. • $17 MODERN STUDIO CRAFT FAIR • Modern Studio • 12PM • Join us for our montly craft fair and shop for local goods in the comfort of our space. • FREE BEER AND HYMNS • Scruffy City Hall • 7PM • FREE

NEW HARVEST PARK FARMERS MARKET • New Harvest

Park • 3PM • Visit facebook.com/newharvestfm. • FREE

Wednesday, May 31

OAK RIDGE FARMERS MARKET • Historic Jackson Square

• 8AM • Visit easttnfarmmarkets.org. • FREE MARKET SQUARE FARMERS’ MARKET • Market Square • 9AM • Visit nourishknoxville.org. • FREE MARYVILLE FARMERS MARKET • Founders Park • 9AM • FREE TENNESSEE MEDIEVAL FAIRE • Tennessee Medieval Faire • 10AM • For more information, please visit www.TMFaire.com, sign up for their newsletter, like them on Facebook, email TMFaire@comcast.net or call 865-248-8414. • $17 EAST TENNESSEE MUSIC COLLECTORS SHOW • Rothchild Conference and Catering Center • 10AM • This event features music dealers from all over the South selling vintage vinyl LPs and 45s, plus CDs, music DVDs, music memorabilia, and more. • $2

• Breezeway Yoga Studio invites the public to breeze into summer with holistic health. Visit our open house and meet local holistic healers, including experts in massage therapy, nutrition, sports medicine, yoga, botanicals, and more. A raffle will benefit Interfaith Health Clinic. • FREE

EBENEZER ROAD FARMERS MARKET • Ebenezer United

Methodist Church • 3PM • Visit easttnfarmmarkets. org. • FREE

Saturday, May 27

HOLISTIC HEALTH FAIR • Breezeway Yoga Studio • 10AM

TENNESSEE MEDIEVAL FAIRE • Tennessee Medieval Faire • 10AM • For more information, please visit www.TMFaire.com, sign up for their newsletter, like them on Facebook, email TMFaire@comcast.net or call 865-248-8414. • $17

Thursday, May 25

environmental education center located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Townsend, will host an open house for Citizen Science Day (#CitSciDay2017), a national celebration of citizen science. • FREE LAKESHORE PARK FARMERS MARKET • Lakeshore Park • 3PM • Visit easttnfarmmarkets.org. • FREE

Sunday, June 4

Tuesday, June 6

Tuesday, May 30

TREMONT INSTITUTE NATIONAL CITIZEN SCIENCE DAY OPEN HOUSE • 9AM • Tremont Institute, the

• Dancing is just as important as music in the Scottish tradition, and upbeat rhythms make for great foot stomping. Those that are more experienced can even present a well-practiced jig or reel.

Led by Cynthia West on the first Saturday of every month. Visit jigandreel.com. • FREE

Monday, May 29

ETC.

Friday, May 26

FREE SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE • Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 4PM

EBENEZER ROAD FARMERS MARKET • Ebenezer United

MARKET SQUARE FARMERS’ MARKET • Market Square •

11AM • Visit nourishknoxville.org. • FREE FEMINIST TRIVIA • Saw Works Brewing Company • 7PM • The Knoxville Feminist Action Brigade will be at Saw Works Brewing Company with a new set of Feminist Trivia questions. Please consider having some extra cash on hand for a donation to KFAB so we can continue to make our events and actions exemplary.

OLIVER ROYALE POP-UP DINNER • Central Collective • 7PM • Join Oliver Royale Executive Chef Jonathan Gatlin for a five-course spring pop-up dinner. BYOB. • $75

Thursday, June 1 NEW HARVEST PARK FARMERS MARKET • New Harvest Park • 3PM • Visit facebook.com/newharvestfm. • FREE

Friday, June 2 LAKESHORE PARK FARMERS MARKET • Lakeshore Park •

3PM • Visit easttnfarmmarkets.org. • FREE

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Methodist Church • 3PM • Visit easttnfarmmarkets. org. • FREE

Wednesday, June 7 MARKET SQUARE FARMERS’ MARKET • Market Square • 11AM • Visit nourishknoxville.org. • FREE OAK RIDGE FARMERS MARKET • Historic Jackson Square • 3PM • Visit easttnfarmmarkets.org. • FREE

Thursday, June 8 IN THE SHADOWS OF 40: THE 15TH ANNUAL ETCDC SUMMER PARTY FUNDRAISER • 5PM • Drinks, hor

d’oeuvres, and a silent auction, plus exclusive tours of businesses and residences in the Depot Avenue area, within walking distance from the historic Jewel Building (UT’s Architecture Fab Lab) where the event begins. Tours will include the Trestle of Fifth, previously First Christian Church, Knoxville High Senior Living in Old Knoxville High School, and several businesses and private residences. Tickets can be purchased online at www.communitydc.org or by calling 865-525-9945. • $60 “WINES AND CHEESES AND CHOCOLATE, OH MY!” • 6:30PM • The Pilot Club of Lenoir City will host a reception and silent auction at the Venue at Lenoir City, the city’s new event center. Featured at the event will be a variety of local wines and cheeses, as well as chocolate confections. The Pilot Club is focused on brain-related injuries and diseases. . • $30-$50 NEW HARVEST PARK FARMERS MARKET • New Harvest Park • 3PM • Visit facebook.com/newharvestfm. • FREE SEND YOUR EVENTS TO CALENDAR@KNOXMERCURY.COM

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Home Palate

Photos by Tricia Bateman

Hot Nosh Merchants of Beer promises to push the local bar-food envelope—with spice and crickets

BY DENNIS PERKINS

I

f you’ve passed by the corner of Central and Summit Hill in the last several months, you will have noticed that there are changes in the making at the shiny little building that looks more like a refugee spaceship from David Lynch’s Dune than any of its intended purposes. Empty for the past year, the artifact of a long-gone retro diner has been an unproductive parcel that acted as a subliminal barricade to the Old City.

You may have wondered when (if?) the new occupant, Merchants of Beer (or M.O.B. as the teaser banners would have it), was going to officially throw open its doors. Take comfort in the fact that its ribbon-cutting is nigh, and the beer, and more, will flow very, very soon. M.O.B.’s grand opening is set for Wednesday, May 31 and will thus commence its ongoing mission to seek out new beers and make them an essential part of your frothy life.

48 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

But there’s more than just coolers of beer and clerks with their heads in the suds here. The owners, an informal conglomerate of business-folk who prefer not to be named, have in mind an experience that’s about more than just chugging a cold one or grabbing a six-pack for the loft party.

Roy McKinnon, founder of the Red Booth Group, a hospitality consulting company, helped advise the new undertaking and promises it will be a fresh experience.

“Obviously tap houses are not unique—they’re popping up everywhere. The difference is that we’re really trying to push our 48-50 taps to be uniquely different,” McKinnon says. “You’re not going to see any of the usual suspects—we’re meeting with all the Eastern breweries and East Tennessee breweries to create unique things. And the 270 beers that are going to be in the refrigerator and

in the walk-in grab-and-go are going to be uniquely different.”

They also mean to make it easy for you to design remotely your personal selection of take-home beers: When you submit your order from your preferred device, it will be ready for pick-up when you arrive. Someday, they’d like even to deliver those six-packs or cases directly to you.

There will also be a limited by-the-glass selection of wine from kegs—bold stuff, they promise—along with some cocktails, and, joy of joys, locally made sodas from the happily mad scientists at Honey Bee Coffee, who are also providing nitro cold brew.

Even better, at least from the eater’s point of view, M.O.B. will also put out some well-considered nosh.

Naturally, the snacks were created with the idea that they’d be washed down with heady selections from those specially curated taps, but—if the menu plays out as well it reads—it’ll be reason enough to stop by the beer store with or without hoppy intent.

The Food Fare, as the menu is called, consists of nibbles or, as McKinnon calls them, “scoopable snacks”—all of which, he says, “can all be pushed out of a kitchen probably the size of most people’s pantry,” much like you might find behind the curtain at traditional tapas or pinchos restaurants. And just like those snack and booze experiences, the food at M.O.B. is well seasoned, flavorful stuff you can mostly eat with your hands and share with your squad.

There are platters of jerky-like meats paired with nuts and berries,

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pretzels with dip, and handful of hand pies, and more. At first glance, it looks like many of these snacks could be easily produced from microwave-ready blister-packs and plastic bags, but that’s not the case and almost everything has a home-grown connection.

The jerky isn’t your average fare—it’s a fresher product from bison, elk, and wild boar according to M.O.B. specs, including, McKinnon says, some inspired by South Africa’s famed air-dried, cured meat, biltong.

“We started with the African dried meats when we sat down with a local group and said here’s what we like and let’s see what we create. We couldn’t do biltong proper, but what we have is a spin on that,” he says.

And the pretzels on the menu won’t come from a bag either—they’re soft sticks, dusted with ghost-pepper salt and served with a smoky blue cheese dipping sauce that isn’t made for shy violets. And that ghost pepper shows up on the pan-roasted chickpeas, too.

Truth be told, there’s plenty of heat and some salt to be found here.

Both recall a passage from Graham Green’s The Power and the Glory: “You have heard of rich men in the north who eat salted foods, so that they can be thirsty—for what they call the cocktail.” Though while M.O.B. hopes

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to make you thirsty for any number of their libations, these combinations of salt and heat seem particularly designed to create a longing best assuaged by crafty beer that you don’t have to be wildly rich to afford.

Forward-thinking foodies will appreciate the nature of the heat.

Although sriracha may still be the popular king of warm condiments, M.O.B. intentionally left it out of their pantry to concentrate on what they see as the coming heatwave.

Ghost pepper, perhaps the most well-known of these heaters, rates at about 1 million Scoville heat units (or anywhere between 100 and 400 times hotter than the tame jalapeño and four times hotter than the habanero).

It shows up on the menu mixed with salt in a balanced equation that McKinnon says won’t burn your lips off, but will certainly raise your palate’s temperature and cause delightful head-sweats.

The Chimayo pepper isn’t nearly as hot—it’s just a little ahead of the jalapeño—but its charm comes from its smoky, earthy flavor and its direct connection to its home in Chimayo, N.M. Some chili aficionados describe the flavor as a kind of terroir, which loosely means a taste unique to the specific place of origin. (Site-specific wines and cheeses are often described as having terroir, as are many Grainger County tomatoes.)

Gochujang also makes an appearance in an eponymous nibble called confetti. A Korean red-chili paste, gochujang is of that spicy/ savory/sour ilk of hot sauces with its flavors coming from an alchemy of chili, fermentation, and, believe it or not, glutinous rice.

The confetti itself is really just an Asian-inspired trail mix. In fact, McKinnon opines that “many of these are things that people will perceive as trail mixes, but they’re complementing beers very well. What this is about is spices and oils and flavors and I think Knoxville is ready for it. The spices, the salts, the flavors have this ability to really bring an oatmeal stout right up front of you.”

But the menu also includes a few hand pies including beef harissa, sweet potato curry, and pimiento cheese with Benton’s bacon. McKinnon promises that they’re actually made in Knoxville, and that they’ll arrive at your table hot, brown, and crisp thanks for to the same flashbake oven technology that allows Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas to cook pizzas in 90 seconds.

But for my money, the most exciting addition is a very important milestone in Knoxville’s regular food scene: M.O.B. will serve chapulines, aka grasshoppers. Specifically, they’re roasted grasshoppers. They’ll be served on platters of butter lettuce, and tossed in sesame oil and some chili lime seasoning.

“We really wanted to do something that was outside the envelope for Knoxville, but actually, at the end of the day, I think they’re kind of cool,” McKinnon says. “They were served at the Mariners game at the opening season and really got a huge [good] reaction.”

So, maybe we’ll all meet for a beer, a lavender-ginger soda, or even a cup of coffee as we chomp on crickets and sweat through some innovative trail mix. It all looks pretty tasty even without beer goggles.

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OUTDOORS

Voice in the Wilderness

Photos by Kim Trevathan

Norm Stories A final trek with a faithful outdoors companion

BY KIM TREVATHAN

N

ot until we lose a pet do we fully realize how intimately they connect us to nature and the wild animal part that we share with them.

Norm, my dog, died just as he had lived: with dignity, grace, and an uncanny sensitivity to human foibles.

He’d been gradually debilitated from neurological problems for the last couple of years but stoically endured the loss of mobility and control that came with it. He had a ramp on the front steps that he would scramble down (but not up), and he graciously accepted my help getting around.

Recently he stopped eating for a

50 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

couple of days and lay on his side, refusing to get up. His eyes had lost their shine and focus, his breathing was labored, and it was clear he was ready to cross over, so I scheduled an appointment with the vet, who couldn’t come by until the next morning. The guilt that comes with the decision to euthanize a pet is agonizing, and I knew that last night with Norm would be a hard one for both of us.

That afternoon, I stayed with him out in the yard as much as I could, but I had to go into work for a couple of hours. When I returned, he’d died on his own, on his bed under the shade

of a dogwood, relieving me of the next morning’s hard decision.

I’ve spent the last few days thinking of Norm stories. He’s made some appearances in this column and in much of my other writing about the outdoors.

Like me, he loved being on the water, but he didn’t like being in the water. He canoed with me in lakes and rivers all over the region, most notably at night a couple of times, once on Tellico up Four Mile Creek and another time on the cold deep waters of Calderwood Lake.

Norm didn’t bark a lot, but he would vocalize with clear urgency when he needed out of the boat and onto the bank for a break. Preferring not to swim gave him extra incentive for remaining calm and not tipping us over, which would have been an easy sabotage for a more anxious 80-pound German shepherd.

Norm came from humble, uncertain beginnings. My wife at the time, Julie, brought him home about eight years ago from an animal shelter.

He was fully grown but malnourished and skittish. Having just lost a dog, Jasper, I let Julie know I wasn’t happy about the appearance of the coyote-like shepherd who wasted no time marking his territory indoors. Then I gave him some water, he licked my hand, and that was it.

He was gentle and loved people.

When I walked him, he would always receive compliments about how pretty

he was. He aged well and received these compliments with great humility right up until the end.

Other dogs he did not like. Once, while he was running up and down along the perimeter of our fenced-in yard, haranguing a Labradoodle that its owner held on a leash, seemingly taunting him, Norm knocked over a concrete dove statue onto one of his front feet and howled as if he had broken multiple bones. He limped on three legs and wouldn’t let us touch the injured foot.

Then, when he realized we had pulled into the pet emergency clinic parking lot, he jumped out of the car, putting full weight on the foot. We promptly put him back into the car and drove home.

Like the greatest dogs, Norm possessed an odd combination of civilized restraint and the wildness that he would indulge without inhibition or fear of reprimand.

Once, in Kentucky, at my family’s farm, I drew his attention to a deer, and he leapt out of the car and into a cornfield after it. The swaying corn tassels marked the path of his convoluted pursuit, which lasted a few hours. He would also chase cats into the corn, but as he grew older, he became indifferent to them and tolerant of most other dogs.

Norm had a late-life romance with my girlfriend Catherine’s dog, Shelly, a black Labrador. Once, Catherine brought over her daughter,

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Anna, 10, and 8-year-old son, Sam. Shelly accompanied them, and Norm, overcome with passion in spite of having been neutered long ago, became demonstrably amorous with Shelly in the brightly lit kitchen.

“What’s Norm doing to Shelly?” asked Anna.

Catherine said that Norm was “doing what boy dogs do to girl dogs when they want to make baby dogs.”

They were “grossed out” and didn’t want to hear any more.

Norm never did that sort of thing to humans, but he did have a unique way of showing his affection. He’d lean against your leg with the side of his head and wait there for a few seconds until you acknowledged his affection with a scratch behind his ear or a treat.

The wilder side of Norm didn’t like for humans to hug him and certainly not to pick him up. I think this was somehow beneath his dignity.

In spite of being in touch with his inner wildness, Norm was not immune to the temptations of technology.

Once I came home at mid-morning, at an hour when he didn’t expect me, and he was on the couch (off limits) watching television on a channel I never watch. It could have been a question of his having sat down on the remote’s power button in a certain way. Or not. He looked surprised and somewhat annoyed at me for the interruption.

In his golden years, he helped me

Norm made me retrieve his beloved Zoinks ball from frigid Calderwood Lake because he hated being in the water.

do a story on area dog parks, and surprised me by enjoying the company of other canines. When I left him for long periods out in the yard, untethered, he would toddle over to the neighbors’ and graze their mulch pile. One evening he drove me nuts crunching bits of egg shells for hours.

Until those last couple of days, he loved tennis balls, and he would catch them from 30 feet away or more if I launched a decent throw. He would puncture them after a short time.

I’d give anything to have that last night back to tempt him with a sirloin and roll a ball to him, but that wasn’t my decision to make, and I like to think that he went out on his own terms under the shade of the dogwood in the front yard on a brilliant May afternoon.

A writing instructor at Maryville College, Kim Trevathan is the author of Paddling the Tennessee River: A Voyage on East Water and Coldhearted River: A Canoe Odyssey Down the Cumberland.

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News of the Weird | At This Point | Cartoon | Puzzle

Internet Socks!

And all the other odd news that’s mostly fit to print

BY CHUCK SHEPHERD

ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT A San Francisco startup recently introduced a countertop gadget to squeeze fruit and vegetables for you so that your hands don’t get sore. However, the Juicero (a) requires that the fruit and veggies be pre-sliced in precise sections conveniently available for purchase from the Juicero company, (b) has, for some reason, a Wi-Fi connection, and (c) sells for $399. (Bonus: Creator Jeff Dunn originally priced it at $699, but had to discount it after brutal shopper feedback. Double Bonus: Venture capitalists actually invested $120 million to develop the Juicero, anticipating frenzied consumer love.)

GREAT ART! • Monument to Flossing: Russian artist Mariana Shumkova is certainly doing her part for oral hygiene, publicly unveiling her St. Petersburg statuette of a frightening, malformed head displaying actual extracted human teeth, misaligned and populating holes in the face that represent the mouth and eyes. She told Pravda in April that “only (something with) a strong emotional impact” would make people think about tooth care.

• Artist Lucy Gafford of Mobile, Ala., has a flourishing audience of fans (exact numbers not revealed), reported AL.com in March, but lacking a formal “brick and mortar” gallery show, she must exhibit her estimated 400 pieces online only.

Gafford, who has long hair, periodically flings loose, wet strands onto her shower wall and arranges them into designs, which she photographs and posts, at a rate of about one new creation a week since 2014.

BRIGHT IDEAS • Though complete details were not available in news reports of the case, it 52 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

is nonetheless clear that magistrates in Llandudno, Wales, had ordered several punishments in April for David Roberts, 50, including probation, a curfew, paying court costs, and, in the magistrates’ words, that Roberts attend a “thinking skills” course. Roberts had overreacted to a speeding motorcyclist on a footpath by later installing a chesthigh, barbed-wire line across the path that almost slashed another cyclist. (A search did not turn up “thinking skills” courses in Wales—or in America, where they are certainly badly needed, even though successful classes of that type would surely make News of the Weird’s job harder.)

• Raising a Hardy Generation: Preschoolers at the Elves and Fairies Woodland Nursery in Edmondsham, England, rough it all day long outside, using tools (even a saw!), burning wood, planting crops. Climbing ropes and rolling in the mud are also encouraged. Kids as young as age 2 grow and cook herbs and vegetables (incidentally absorbing “arithmetic” by measuring ingredients). In its most recent accreditation inspection, the nursery was judged “outstanding.”

COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS Criminal Defenses Unlikely to Succeed: (1) To protest a disorderly conduct charge in Sebastian, Fla., in March, Kristen Morrow, 37, and George Harris, 25 (who were so “active” under a blanket that bystanders complained), began screaming at a sheriff’s deputy—that Morrow is a “famous music talent” and that the couple are “with” the Illuminati. (The shadowy “Illuminati,” if it exists, reputedly forbids associates to acknowledge that it exists.) Morrow and Harris were arrested. (2) Wesley Pettis, 24, charged with damaging 60 trees in West Jordan, Utah, in 2016,

was ordered to probation and counseling in March, stemming from his defense that, well, the trees had hurt him “first.”

LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS • Legendary German Engineering: The state-of-the-art Berlin Brandenburg Airport, originally scheduled to open in 2012, has largely been “completed,” but ubiquitous malfunctions have moved the opening back to at least 2020. Among the problems: cabling wrongly laid out; escalators too short; 4,000 doors incorrectly numbered; a chief planner who turned out to be an impostor; complete failure of the “futuristic” fire safety system, e.g., no smoke exhaust and no working alarms (provoking a suggested alternative to just hire 800 low-paid staff to walk around the airport and watch for fires). The initial $2.2 billion price tag is now $6.5 billion (and counting).

• Rich Numbers in the News: (1) A one-bedroom, rotting-wood bungalow (built in 1905) in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, Calif., sold in April for $755,000 ($260,000 over the asking price). (2) Business Week reported in April that Wins Finance Holdings (part of the Russell 2000 small-company index) has reported stock price fluctuations since its 2015 startup—of as much as 4,555 percent (and that no one knows why). (3) New Zealand officials reported in March that Apple had earned more than NZ$4.2 billion ($2.88 billion in U.S. dollars) in sales last year, but according to the country’s rules, did not owe a penny in income tax.

NEW WORLD ORDER Why? Just … Because: (1) The AquaGenie, subject of a current crowdfunding campaign, would be a $70 water bottle with Wi-Fi. Fill the bottle and enter your “water goals”; the app will alert you to various courses of action if you’ve insufficiently hydrated yourself. (2) Already on the market: A company called Blacksocks has introduced Calf Socks Classic With Plus—a pair of socks with an Internet connection. The smartphone app can help you color-match your socks and tell you, among other things, whether it’s time to wash them. (Ten pairs, $189)

UNDIGNIFIED DEATHS Dark Day for Competitive Eating: A 42-year-old man choked to death on April 2 at a Voodoo Doughnut shop in Denver as he accepted the store’s “Tex-Ass Challenge” to eat a half-pounder (equivalent of six regular donuts) in 80 seconds. Later the same day, in Fairfield, Conn., a 21-year-old college student died, three days after collapsing, choking, at a pancake-eating contest at the Sacred Heart University student center.

RECURRING THEMES Prominent tax avoider Winston Shrout, 69, was convicted in April on 13 fraud counts and six of “willful” failure to file federal returns during 2009 to 2014— despite his clever defense, which jurors in Portland, Ore., apparently ignored.

Shrout, through seminars and publications, had created a cottage industry teaching ways to beat the tax code, but had managed always to slyly mention that his tips were “void where prohibited by law” (to show that he lacked the requisite “intent” to commit crimes).

Among Shrout’s schemes: He once sent homemade “International Bills of Exchange” to a small community bank in Chicago apparently hoping the bank would carelessly launder them into legal currency, but (in violation of the “keep a low profile” rule) he had given each IBE a face value of $1 trillion.

READERS’ CHOICE (1) A successful business in Austin, Texas, collapsed recently with the arrests of the husband and wife owners of a “massage parlor,” who had come to police attention when sewer workers fixing a backedup pipe noticed that the problem was caused by “hundreds of condoms” jamming the connection to the couple’s Jade Massage Therapy. (2) Scott Dion, who has a sometimes-contentious relationship with the Hill County (Montana) tax office, complained in April that he had paid his property bill with a check, but, as before, had written a snarky message on the “memo” line. He told reporters that the treasurer had delayed cashing the check (potentially creating a “late fee” for Dion), apparently because Dion had written “sexual favors” on the memo line.

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News of the Weird | At This Point | Cartoon | Puzzle

Age Appropriate Seeing is believing

BY STEPHANIE PIPER

I

have now reached an age about which it is impossible to be casual.

It’s not like 36 or 42, numbers you toss out nonchalantly while signaling the waiter for more champagne or retying your shoe laces for the 5k. It’s not even like the big 5-0, when friends present you with black balloons and needlepoint cushions that say Over the Hill and everyone laughs about how old you are, and where did the time go?

No, this is different. April marked a watershed birthday for me, the candles on the cake measuring decades instead of years. If I lived in the 19th century, I would almost certainly have been six feet under at this age, or at least a local legend: That Very Old (but still spry) Woman.

Instead, I live in the 21st century, where my prospects for longevity are vastly improved. There’s a trade-off,

though. The longer I live, the more invisible I become.

Or so it seems, in our youth-obsessed, media-driven culture. I’m nobody’s target audience, a contemporary of mine remarked recently. A quick look at current advertising confirms this, unless you count the nonstop ads for geriatric medications on cable TV. There are notable exceptions to the invisibility rule, of course, starting with the current occupant of the White House and his recent rival for that job. Mick Jagger is still touring; Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize a few months ago. Bette Midler is crushing it on Broadway. Mostly, though, baby boomers of my vintage are moving out of the spotlight and into supporting roles. For the generation that was never going to trust anyone over 30, it’s an odd kind of karma.

BY MATTHEW FOLTZ-GRAY www.thespiritofthestaircase.com

54 knoxville mercury May 25, 2017

But maybe high visibility is overrated. It’s not as if I really want to be 25 again, although I’d like to have that limitless energy. I don’t miss the big, yawning caverns of inexperience, the rookie mistakes that shape the learning curve. I can summon up a certain nostalgia for 30, even remember the birthday party my New York friends threw for me in Chinatown and the many glasses of screw-top chardonnay raised to bid farewell to my youth.

The 40s passed in a blur of balancing a newspaper career with a houseful of teenagers. By 50, my nest was empty and my mailbox full of AARP newsletters. I wasn’t over the hill, but I was taking a long, hard look at life in the fast lane. At 60, I was starting to cultivate my matriarch persona.

My birthday celebration this year brought the family together at an inn in the Smokies. Three generations strong, we posed for pictures in a mountain meadow ringed with dogwood and admired the stunning views and watched the preteens invent raucous new games for the toddlers. We took gentle nature walks and ate huge meals.

On the evening of my birthday, we gathered for gift giving and homegrown entertainment. I received a photo montage of images old and new charting the decades and the

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very latest digital picture viewing device, thoughtfully preprogrammed by the tech-savvy millennials. The 7-year-old granddaughters presented a skit in which I was described as the roast chicken main course at the banquet of life, the single most extravagant compliment I have ever been paid.

There were toasts that made us all laugh and toasts that made us all cry and finally, a chocolate cake ablaze with candles. In their flickering light, time slowed to a halt and I saw the faces around the table, summing up the best parts of my story.

And then I thought of something I read once about love, that it comes down to seeing and being seen. I took a deep breath and made my wish: clear eyes, and a quiet heart.

Stephanie Piper’s At This Point examines the mystery, absurdity, and persistent beauty of daily life. She has been a newspaper reporter, editor, and award-winning columnist for more than 30 years.

My prospects for longevity are vastly improved.

There’s a trade-off, though.

The longer I live, the more invisible I become.

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