The East Nashvillian 9.6 July-Aug 2019

1 6 T H A N N U A L T O M AT O A RT F E S T S P E C I A L E D I T I O N

JULY | AUGUST VOL. IX ISSUE 6

Lillie Mae With family, or on her own, Lillie Mae is here to play

Tomato Art Fest Event & Activities G O -T O G U I D E + M A P

Judah & The Lion Prying light from the shadows

Wood, Wheels & Wonders

Dickie Soloperto puts wheels on a dream

2019 METRO ELECTIONS

Voter’s Guide

Mayoral & Council candidates weigh in on the topics that affect us most

ORTHOPEDIC CARE COMING TO EAST NASHVILLE! Opening in August

7 SPRINGS ORTHOPEDICS IS EAST NASHVILLE’S NEIGHBORHOOD MUSCLE, BONE, AND JOINT CARE PROVIDER-

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All Health Plans Accepted

7 Springs Orthopedics is committed to exhausting all non-surgical measures to ensure that no one is rushed into a treathment plan that they are not comfortable with pursuing.

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East Nashville’s High-Quality Muscle, Bone, and Joint Care Provider

Make a same day or next day appointment today!

(615) 375-3079 www.7springsortho.com 1214 Gallatin Ave # 105, Nashville, TN 37206

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“TODD SNIDER SLINGS WIT, TARGETS HYPOCRISY, INTERROGATES THE BLUES” & “SUMMONS THE GHOST OF JOHNNY CASH IN ONE OF HIS BEST ALBUMS.” July | August 2019 theeastnashvillian.com

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500 COWAN STREET • NASHVILLE, TN 37207 LOCATED AT TOPGOLF

theeastnashvillian.com Founder & Publisher Lisa McCauley

UPCOMING EVENTS 7/6

Berlin with Olivia Jones, Harpooner

7/11

Lightning 100 Presents: The Weeks

editor@theeastnashvillian.com Managing Editor

7/12

Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters

randy@theeastnashvillian.com Copy Editor

7/13

Guilty Pleasures

7/21

Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers

Emma Alford

7/23

My So-Called Band with The Ultimate ‘90s Experience

Contributing Writers

7/27

Long Beach Dub Allstars with The Aggrolites and Mike Pinto

7/30

Cinderella’s Tom Keifer with The Great Affairs

8/8

Lightning 100 Presents: The Weeks

Editor-in-Chief

Chuck Allen Randy Fox

Leslie LaChance

Calendar Editor calendar@theeastnashvillian.com

Dana Delworth, James Haggerty, Joelle Herr, Andrew Leahey, Brittney McKenna, Tommy Womack Creative Director

Chuck Allen

Layout & Design

Benjamin Rumble Photo Editing

Travis Commeau

8/16

Fit For A King with Norma Jean, Afterlife, Left Behind

8/21

Protoje

8/23

EarthGang: Official Deep Tropics Pre-Party

9/20

Minnesota with Pigeon Hole

9/24

half•alive

9/27

Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute

11/13

Todrick Hall: Haus Party Tour

Illustrations

Benjamin Rumble, Dean Tomasek Contributing Photographers

Travis Commeau, Chad Crawford Social Media Manager

Liz Foster

liz@theeastnashvillian.com Advertising sales@theeastnashvillian.com Marketing Consultant

Coral Sherwood Ad Design

Benjamin Rumble

The East Nashvillian is a bimonthly magazine published by Kitchen Table Media. All editorial content and photographic materials contained herein are “works for hire” and are the exclusive property of Kitchen Table Media, LLC unless otherwise noted. This publication is offered freely, limited to one per reader. The removal of more than one copy by an individual from any of our distribution points constitutes theft and will be subject to prosecution.

Reprints or any other usage without the express written permission of the publisher is a violation of copyright.

©2019 Kitchen Table Media

TICKETS ON SALE AT THECOWAN.COM

P.O. Box 60157, Nashville, TN 37206

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COVER STORY

NO family, OTHER GIRL 44 With or on her own, Lillie Mae is here to play

By Randy Fox

SPECIAL SECTION

57 TOMATO ART FEST 59 Map

+ Booklet Insert:

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES GUIDE

COVER SHOT

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Citizens, Kind

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Tomato Friends and Tomato Futures

By Dana Delworth

By Randy Fox

Lillie Mae Photographed by Travis Commeau

Visit theeastnashvillian.com for updates, news, events, and more!

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FEATURES

METRO ELECTIONS VOTER’S GUIDE 31 2019 Q&As with the candidates on education, transit, and more 33 Mayoral Candidates 39 Candidates for Metro Council Districts 5, 6, 7 & 8

WOOD, WHEELS & WONDERS 64 Dickie Soloperto puts wheels on a dream

LIVING THE BRIGHT SIDE 72 Judah & The Lion’s Pep Talks pries light

By Randy Fox

from the shadows

By Andrew Leahey

CONTINUED ON 10

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COMMENTARY EAST SIDE BUZZ

15 Matters of Development Hotels Are Trending on the East Side 20 Boutique 23 Envision Cayce Updates South Corridor Study Envisions Redevelopment 23 Dickerson Civic Design Center Proposes Park Spanning the 25 Nashville Cumberland

By Leslie LaChance

By Leslie LaChance

By Leslie LaChance

By Leslie LaChance

By Leslie LaChance

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Community Development Plans Announced for River North

By Randy Fox

12 Editor’s Letter 26 Astute Observations 105 East of Normal

By Chuck Allen

By Tommy Womack

IN THE KNOW Your Neighbor 29 Know Emily Harper Beard

By Brittney McKenna

79 Bookish In Da Club

By Joelle Herr

83 East Side Calendar

By Emma Alford

Visit theeastnashvillian.com for updates, news, events, and more!

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PARTING SHOT

By James “Hags” Haggerty

Closing Day Photograph by Chuck Allen

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Enjoy a special glimpse into one of the world’s finest collections

of Mexican art, featuring iconic works by Frida Kahlo, her

husband Diego Rivera, and their contemporaries. Among the

more than 150 works on view are self-portraits by Kahlo, Rivera’s

Calla Lily Vendor, and photographs that illuminate Kahlo and Rivera’s passionate love affair and show how the couple lived, worked, and dressed.

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2

919 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee FristArtMuseum.org #FristMexMod

Organized by the Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL)

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Hospitality Sponsor

Education and Community Engagement Sponsor

THE SANDRA SCHATTEN FOUNDATION

Supported in part by Friends of the Mexican Renaissance and

Nickolas Muray (American, 1892–1965). Frida on a White Bench (detail), 1939. Carbon print, 15 3/4 x 10 3/4 in. The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection of 20th Century Mexican Art and the Vergel Foundation. © Nickolas Muray Photo Archives

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Editor’s

L E T T E R

O

Space Race

n July 20, 1969 at 20:17 UTC, the Apollo 11 Lunar Module Eagle touched down in The Sea of Tranquility. Six hours later, on July 21 at 02:56:16 UTC (9:56 p.m., July 20, CDT), Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the moon.

From the launch at Kennedy Space Center four days earlier to the splashdown and recovery in the North Pacific Ocean on July 24, I followed the proceedings with wonder and amazement. Nothing in my imagination could compete with the true-life magnificence of rocketing three humans to the moon, two of whom actually walked on its surface, and bringing them safely home.

It was a breathtaking endeavor, sparked by the words of John F. Kennedy eight years earlier when he delivered a speech before a Joint Session of Congress: ... I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth.

The US already had a space program when he spoke those words; for that matter, there were plans in place to put a man on the moon, under the auspices of the Apollo project. But it was JFK who galvanized the collective American imagination and pried the money from Congress to realize such an audacious goal.

It took, in a word, leadership. The astronauts at the time all had military backgrounds. Many of them had leadership qualities; so, too, did the top echelon of NASA administrators and contractors involved in what was by any metric a formidable, Herculean effort. Nevertheless, without JFK’s unique ability to harness the nation’s imagination and set a shared goal, it’s unlikely the United States would’ve achieved putting a man on the moon before the Soviet Union did so, which was, after all, the crux of the urgency.

That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.

—Neil Armstrong, upon setting foot on the moon Even though everyone was fully aware at the time that the “Space Race” was a Cold War contest between two superpowers possessed of diametrically opposed ideologies, when the US succeeded there was global jubilation. An estimated 400 million people witnessed the event, identifying with this achievement as something uniquely human and existing above country, race, or creed. It truly was for all mankind.

Less than 12 years later came another phrase, from another president that shaped another generation.

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In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.

So spoke President Ronald Reagan during his first inaugural address on Jan. 20, 1981. Context brings meaning to all presidential pronouncements, to be sure, but this phrase came as a clarion call to those who wished for diminished Federal power and unfettered free markets. Ever since, the nation has marched away from long-term stakeholder value towards short-term shareholder profits. The social safety net has been chipped away, while income inequality has exploded and ushered in a new Gilded Age. We’ve become slaves to technologies that once seemed to promise empowerment. Our post-Cold War hubris led us into military misadventures abroad as cities lay dying at home.

It would be easy to blame our current president for the present state of affairs; instead, one could argue we all suffer under the malaise of victimhood, which, by brutal and strange irony, is not actually our fault, individually speaking. What’s more, this victimhood is but a symptom of powerlessness in the face of market forces tearing our society to shreds. As President Bill Clinton’s brilliant advisor James Carville quipped, “It’s the economy, stupid.”

Everyone knows it. The .00001 percent know it. The homeless know it. You and I know it. Something’s just not right. And, to put it in so many words, our society has inexorably moved from a shared sense of purpose into the individualism of winner-takeall capitalism. The fact is, private concerns can’t fix the problem simply because they are the problem. The challenges we face can only be overcome through our collective action; this implies, of course, that we must participate in our own governance by choosing effective leaders.

Our Federal Republic was designed to function, ideally at least, from the ground up. Note that our opponent in the Space Race used a top-down approach towards government. So does it not then behoove us to pay attention to and participate in what’s happening at the local level of governance? How can we expect to have visionary leaders if there is no incubator at the local level?

JFK wasn’t perfect and neither were the ’60s. Reagan wasn’t evil, either. He truly believed in the economic policies that guided his administration. Even so, it doesn’t matter because here we are. So what are we going to do about it? If you’re concerned about the direction this community — this city, state, and country — is moving, then vote.

The only way to reach for the stars is the same way we put a man on the moon.

Together.

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FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON EVENTS, AS WELL AS LINKS, PLEASE VISIT US AT: THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM

Matters of Development NEW & NOTEWORTHY The new boutique hotel The Russell is now accepting reservations for its 23 guest rooms at 819 Russell St. (at the intersection of Russell and Ninth Streets).“The outside looks like the original church building did in 1904, but inside, guests will discover inviting, modern accommodations with subtle nods to the building’s religious roots,” says Micah Lacher of Anchor Investments, which developed the property.

Built in 1904, and opened in 1905, the iconic neighborhood church was the home to the Russell Street Presbyterian congregation for 96 years. After the building suffered extensive damage from the 1998 tornado, the dwindling congregation struggled to repair

the historic structure, eventually selling the property in 2001. Since then, the building has changed ownership several times with Anchor Investments acquiring it last year.

A portion of the auditorium, now the lobby of newly renovated building, features several preserved architectural elements including two massive stained-glass windows, exposed beams, and a sweeping 40-foot-tall ceiling. The remainder of the auditorium and classrooms were converted into 23 guestrooms and suites, painted with colors drawn from the palette of the stained glass. The church’s pews were upcycled to form contemporary headboards, and local artists were employed to craft oneof-a-kind touches like brightly colored tile, arched bathroom mirrors, and painted banners paying tribute to such Nashville music legends as Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Tammy Wynette.

“Here at The Russell we emphasize experiencing the local culture and, in doing so, giving back to the community,” Lacher says. “Each night’s stay supports local non-profit organizations that provide resources to Nashvillians experiencing homelessness.” The Russell is projected to donate more than $100,000 toward non-profits in its first year of operation. For more information or to make reservations visit russellnashville.com.

A new Indian restaurant has taken up residence on the East Side in the former Woodland Street home of eDESIa, which was previously Rumors. Calling their new digs a “truckstaurant,” 615 Chutney, which began rolling as a food truck in late 2018, now serves up South Indian street-food to the Five Points neighborhood from more permanent digs at 1112 Woodland St. They will continue to operate a food truck as well, which is available

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East Side B U Z Z for catering. The cuisine, as described on the restaurant’s Facebook page, is “chutneyfied” — sweet and savory, and authentically spiced. As a truckstaurant, 615 Chutney stays true to its street-food spirit with a simple menu of specialties big on a variety of tastes for both vegetarian and carnivorous palates. The menu includes small starter plates like kabobs, masalas, and paneers, along with traditional rice dishes and mains featuring various curries and tamarind sauces and daily specials. 615 Chutney also has live Indian music on selected evenings.

615 Chutney is open Tuesday – Friday 5-10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. To see the menu, find the food truck, or check out the schedule for live Indian music, visit their website at nashvillechutney.com, or follow @615Chutney on Instagram.

Juicy Seafood opened recently at 2616 Gallatin Ave., not far from the Margaret Maddox YMCA. The restaurant, which also operates an eatery by the same name in Hermitage, specializes in shellfish dishes, including oysters, shrimp, crab, and crawfish. A menu featuring lots of fried dishes is available at juicyseafoodhermitage.com.

Setsun Pop-up Wine Bar has opened at 700 Fatherland St. in the Sky Blue Café building. Former Tree House Chef Jason Zygmont will be serving up a small menu of petite plates such as oysters with black vinegar and other cold shellfish dishes, beef tartare, squid noodles, and ricotta agnolotti, along with a festive selection of wine and bubblies. The new restaurant is owned by Zygmont and partner Ray Melendi, and is open Fridays through Mondays, 5:30–10 p.m. Check out the menu and wine list at setsuneast.com, or follow them @setsun.east on Instagram.

Chopper, a new Tiki bar, is now open in the space formerly occupied by Bar Luca at 1100B Stratton Ave. A collaboration between Barista Parlor owner and founder Andy Mumma, Isle of Printing founder Bryce McCloud, and Husk Nashville bar manager Mike Wolf, the new watering hole features riffs on classic Tiki bar cocktails — mai tais, daiquiris, coolers, and punches— along with some light bar fare like Asian-inspired sandos and rice bowls. Open Sunday–Thursday 4 p.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Check them out on Instagram @choppertiki or online at choppertiki.com.

CLOSINGS & MOVES East Nashville lost some iconic cultural venues in the past two months, including a beloved art gallery and a music venue.

This year’s Tomato Art Festival will be the first without founders Bret and Meg MacFadyen and their Art & Invention

Gallery at the center of it. The birthplace of the Tomato Art Fest and considered by many to be the “Heart of Five Points” closed its doors at 1108 Woodland St. for good at the end of May, after a 19-year run.

“When we opened our doors there was maybe five retail shops and one or two restaurants [in the Five Points area],” Meg MacFadyen told The East Nashvillian. “The people of East

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Nashville were so welcoming. They knocked themselves out to support us, and the love we received will be cherished in my heart forever.

Our goal was to become part of the community and build a family of friends, and I don’t think we could have gotten any luckier. We had a lot of great times and lean times, but people have been there for us through it all, and it has been marvelous.”

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East Side B U Z Z The property and the adjacent shops in the Idea Hatchery were recently purchased for $2.5 million by developer Christian Paro, who also created the co-working spaces at Center 615 on Main Street. The Tomato Art Festival will continue under the management of Jack Davis’ Good Neighbors Festivals. “We both feel like we’re leaving our creations in the best hands imaginable,” Meg MacFadyen said. “Both Christian Paro and Jack Davis care about what we created; they’re our friends, and we love and trust them. We feel like we’re leaving them our children. They both care about the neighborhood and want to see it thrive and grow.” See Dana Delworth’s reflections on the MacFadyens and the gallery in the Tomato Art Fest section of this issue.

A beloved East Side music venue, the Radio Cafe, has officially closed its doors as well.

Owner and manager Mac Hill cancelled all scheduled shows in mid-June and began to pack up and move out of what had been the showroom’s second incarnation a 4150 Gallatin Pike in Inglewood. “The music business is always tough,” Hill says. “We got priced out. My landlord went up on the rent $900 a month, and I couldn’t afford it. That’s really the gist of it.”

Hill says he had known about the rent increase for several months but was hoping to work out an arrangement with the landlord. “He finally said this is the money I want if you want to stay here, so that was it,” Hill says. “It’s a hot piece of property. People were knocking on my door almost every day wanting to buy it. I don’t know what the plans are, but the landlord said they’re going to try and improve it.”

In 1995, Hill opened the original Radio Cafe in the former Hooser’s Pharmacy building at the corner of Woodland and North 14th Streets. One of the first revitalized music venues to open in East Nashville, the Radio Cafe survived the 1998 tornado and several ups and downs before closing in 2007 when Hill sold the building. After almost a decade of retirement from the live music business, Hill opened the new version of the Radio Cafe in 2016 as detailed in the March-April 2018 issue of The East Nashvillian available online at theeastnashvillian.com.

While Hill has no plans for a third incarnation of the Radio Cafe at this time, he has learned from past experiences. “I am keeping the P.A. equipment, so that may tell you something,” he says. “Right now I’m at a crossroads, I can’t say never, but I will say, not now.”

The Getalong collective of shops and gathering space has left former digs in The Shoppes on Fatherland as of June 22 to take up residence just a few blocks down at 700A Fatherland St. in the storefront alongside Sky Blue Cafe and Wildflower Salon. They plan to be open in the new location by July 8. For more, go to thegetalongshop.com or follow on Instagram @thegetalong.

The Redheaded Stranger, a Tex-Mex eatery, is set to open in July at 305 Arrington St. in the McFerrin Park neighborhood. The restaurant is the creation of Butcher and Bee’s restauranteur Michael Shemtov and partner Chef Bryan Lee Weaver. They’ll be serving up eight varieties of Southwest-inspired tacos with twists on classics that include a schmear of Butcher and Bee’s famous whipped feta here and there.

The Metro Nashville Convenience Centers for recycling will be operating under a reduced schedule, with new hours beginning Monday, July 1. The East Convenience Center at 943 Dr. Richard G. Adams Drive, just off of East Trinity Lane will be closed on Wednesdays and Sundays and open all other days from 7:30– 11:30 a.m. and 12:30–4:30 p.m.

OUR SIXTEENTH

THREE EXCLUSIVE EVENINGS SEPTEMBER 11 WITH SPECIAL GUESTS Chris and Morgane Stapleton • Emmylou Harris • Connie Smith Gary Carter • Kristin Wilkinson with her Superlative Strings

SEPTEMBER 18 WITH SPECIAL GUESTS Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman of The Byrds • Connie Smith Old Crow Medicine Show • Buck Trent • Kenny Lovelace • Jim Lauderdale The Grand Ole Opry Square Dancers • The Fabulous Superlatives

SEPTEMBER 25 WITH SPECIAL GUESTS John Prine • Doug Kershaw • Dallas Frazier • Brandy Clark The Fabulous Superlatives

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East Side B U Z Z COMING SOON A favorite East Nashville bar and eatery shuttered this summer will reopen in the fall with new owners and a new name, but it will keep its historic neighborhood bar style. Former Edgefield Sports Bar & Grill owner Charlie “Buzz” Edens announced the establishment’s coming closure back in February after more than two decades of operation at the 921 Woodland St. location, as Edens decided not to renew his lease which expired this summer. A trio of new owners, Michael McIlroy, Sam Ross, and Brandon Bramhall, who launched the craft cocktail bar Attaboy at 8 Mcferrin Ave. in 2017, will take the keys to the Edgefield property.

“Our intention is to stay true to the tradition of the much-loved dive bar with the only changes planned … a light refurbishment and a new name,” Bramhall says in an email.

The new owners say they will keep the no-frills menu, serving up burgers, beer, and whiskey from lunch until late, seven days a week. They’ll also have pool tables, games, music, and lots of sports watching.

Shotgun Willie’s Brisket, which began as a food truck operated in 2016 and 2017 by Bill Laviolette, will take up more permanent digs in the former location of Barnes Produce at 4000

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Gallatin Pike in Inglewood this fall. Known for a slow-smoked Central Texas-style brisket, the new Shotgun Willie’s will offer a somewhat expanded menu, with pulled pork, chicken, and some side dishes. Laviolette, who with now ex-wife Sara brought kolaches to East Nashville with Yeast (which she still manages), says his new venture will open at 11 a.m. for lunch Wednesday through Sunday only, and will serve until the barbecue runs out.

The Metro Housing and Development Authority Design Review Committee recently gave approval to an adaptive redesign of the building at 927 Woodland St., which is located in a designated re-development zone that MHDA oversees. It will soon house Up-Down, an arcade bar chain that originated in Des Moines, Iowa. Named one of The Ten Best Arcade Bars

by Game Informer magazine in 2017, Up-Down will join nearby No Quarter at 922-B Main St. and The Soda Parlor at 966 Woodland St., as well as Hokus Pokus Vapor at 4118 Gallatin Pike in bringing an embarrassment of arcade gaming riches to the East Side. The one-story building’s redesign will include a rooftop outdoor seating area and bar. According to Game Informer in a review of the Minneapolis bar, “Up-Down’s strong lineup of arcade and pinball includes many favorites, but extends to deep

cuts like Mr. Do! and Crystal Castles and modern games like Killer Queen and Black Emperor as well. Pizza slices satiate you between rounds, and the Skee-ball leagues don’t mess around.”

Besides Des Moines, other Up-Down locations include Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis, with another set to open in St. Louis this summer.

—Leslie LaChance

Boutique Hotels Are Trending on the East Side The first half of 2019 brought new boutique hotels Vandyke Bed & Beverage and The Russell to the East Nashville; now more of these establishments are in the works with others set to open this summer.

In addition to its 93 guest rooms with varied designs and layouts, Fieldhouse Jones — located at 811 Main St. — will offer amenities for both guests and Nashville residents.

The lobby, dubbed Assembly Hall, will feature locally-sourced food and drink at an all-day bar and coffee shop in a space full of eccentric antiques, found objects, and original furniture from around the globe and offered for sale by partner Architectural Artifacts. It will also bring a rooftop cocktail bar, Neon Mango to the neighborhood, offering patrons a view of downtown Nashville while they sip their specialty cocktails made with locally-sourced spirits. Games like ping-pong and bocce will also be available. Fieldhouse Jones is the boutique hotel brand of Bedderman Lodging, a Chicago-based company which also operates Fieldhouse Jones Chicago.

Bridal Suites at 931 Main St. is currently under construction. The hotel will offer 21 rooms in 30,000 square feet on a property owned by Robert and Brandon Bubis.

Developers of The Russell in the renovated historic church at the intersection of Russell and South Ninth Streets (see NEW & NOTABLE above) have purchased the Eastside Church of Christ property at 2518 Gallatin Ave. and are planning another hotel for that site. Micah Lacher and Anchor Investments bought the 24,000-square-foot property and intend to renovate the existing structures, creating a small hotel in the church’s Sunday school building along with a food and beverage space in the sanctuary of the as-yet unnamed project. The church was built in 1925, and a renovation in the 1960s added the Sunday school building to the property. The new hotel, which developers estimate will require about $8 million in renovations, will offer 26 rooms ranging from $150-$250 per night. The property is situated between a Walgreens and a CVS, just north of Chester Avenue.

The Dive Motel and Swim Club is set to open this summer at 1414 Dickerson Pike.

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East Side B U Z Z Lyon Porter and Jersey Banks, creators of Urban Cowboy on Woodland Street, have reimagined what was formerly the run-down Key Motel, creating a 1950s-themed boutique destination featuring 23 guest rooms sporting vintage wallpaper, restored 50s-era tiling, along with period kitsch and memorabilia decoration.

The pool will be free for guests and open to the public with day passes or memberships, and the Dive Motel bar will welcome all comers.

Another boutique hotel is slated for 916 Main St., the current site of Holleman Transmission, next door to Molly Green, a regional chain clothing boutique. Oldacre McDonald acquired the .20-acre site just south of McFerrin Avenue in April for $975,000, and plans with M Cubed Developments to build a 5-story structure with 12 four-bedroom units and 12 one-bedroom units along with retail space and a parking area under the building. The plan was to have come before the Metro Development and Housing Agency Design Review Committee Tuesday on June 4, but that hearing has been postponed.

—Leslie LaChance

Have any Matters of Development you'd like us to consider? Send us an email: randy@theeastnashvillian.com

Dickerson South Corridor Study Envisions Redevelopment The “Dickerson South Corridor Study” was on the agenda for discussion at the Metro Planning Commission in June and will make its way to Metro Council for approval this summer if all goes as planned. The study proposes a significant transformation of the corridor and adjacent neighborhoods in a plan that calls for more high-density mixed-use zones, new transit hubs, wider streets, more sidewalks, and new greenways.

Produced by the Planning Department, the study also reflects the input of a community-based steering committee and stake-holder groups which began meeting in January of 2019.

As envisioned by the study, the new Dickerson Pike corridor would be pedestrian-prioritized, allowing people on foot easy and safe access to businesses and amenities along a harmoniously designed, tree-lined street providing plenty of safe pedestrian crossing zones.

This approach to redevelopment, according to the study, represents “Dickerson Pike’s shift in modal priority from moving cars to moving people via walking, cycling, and transit.” In addition to improving pedestrian access, the

new corridor design would emphasize high-capacity transit over use of individual cars.

“Reliable, high-capacity transit provides the backbone necessary for the successful redevelopment of the corridor, offering a mobility option necessary to serve the needs of an intensely developed mixed use corridor,” the study states. A transit hub is proposed for TriStar Skyline Medical Center, with “transit nodes” to be positioned at key intersections along the main thoroughfare, along with dedicated lanes for rapid-transit bus lines. Buses would run more frequently, and a crosstown route could be added along the Trinity Lane corridor, crossing Dickerson and linking Clarksville Pike to Gallatin Pike. Bicycle and micro-mobility (i.e. scooter) routes would be developed on neighboring streets parallel to Dickerson.

The study also calls for an expansion of the greenway system that will connect to the Cumberland River along Pages Branch on the west side of Dickerson. The path would extend “from Lock One Park along the banks of the Cumberland River east to its crossing under Dickerson Pike, and potentially, points east. This will ultimately link with the Riverfront Greenway planned along the Cumberland River’s north bank

Envision Cayce Updates Implementation of the Envision Cayce plan is underway, with 94 units in Phase I of the Kirkpatrick Park development, at Sylvan and Ninth Streets, being leased to tenants, and Phase II, III and IV set to open throughout the summer. The Kirkpatrick Park units are a mix of 2-story townhouses and walk-ups with the units evenly divided between subsidized PBRA (project-based rental assistance) housing, low cost “workforce” housing, and market-rate units. The new home for K-8 Explore! Community School, adjacent to the Kirkpatrick Park development, is also nearing completion. Grades K-5 are expected to move into the new building in July with grades 6-8 to join them in October or November of this year.

Construction is also proceeding on the Boscobel I and II developments with an expected competition date of December 2019.

Construction of the Boscobel III development, now named Red Oaks Flat, is set for completion in November 2020.

Looking forward, the next phase of the Envision Cayce plan will center on construction of the Cayce Community Center, which will house the new East Branch of the Nashville Public Library.

—Leslie LaChance

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East Side B U Z Z with the surrounding neighborhood.” Design also aims at preserving “viewsheds” for public access.

Development of “taller buildings in appropriate locations,” some up to 15-stories is also in the plan, mostly on the west side of Dickerson Pike, away from existing historic residential neighborhoods on the east side. Ideally the buildings would be part of a mixed-use plan, with housing options available for people at various income levels.

While the proposed improvements are welcomed by some in the neighborhood, others express concerns that much of the affordable housing along the corridor will disappear, making way for high-end retail, office complexes, and pricey condominiums with river-views. Many of the proposals would require changes in existing zoning, which require approval by the Metro Council.

The “Dickerson South Corridor Study” proposals are in keeping with the vision articulated in the Planning Commission’s “East Nashville Community Plan,” which Metro adopted in 2015 as part of the NashvilleNext initiative. Both emphasize historic and greenspace preservation, creation of walkable neighborhoods, and housing diversity, along with better design and use of main corridors through emphasis on high-capacity transit.

Planners recognize that such features make healthy cities; whether citizens and Metro Council members will agree on how or even whether to implement these ideas is yet to be determined.

—Leslie LaChance

while viewing the Cumberland River as a destination and not a geographic obstacle. Other cities such as DC are beginning to realize this idea by reimagining the role of pedestrian bridge connectivity.”

The proposed bridge-park would be 1,000 feet long, 350 feet wide, and would incorporate a decking system with room for public gathering spaces below the main park. “Other amenities include a sunken amphitheater, a pet-friendly area, and a hammock grove,” the study says. Parcels at each end would be set up for commercial and residential development, with up to 350 residential units, most offered as affordable housing.

—Leslie LaChance

Community Development Plans Announced for River North Developers MRP Realty and Creek Lane Capital recently announced the acquisition of 13 acres of land in the River North area of Nashville where they plan to develop a 1.3 million-square-foot mixed-use project, according to a story by WKRN News 2.

Located in the Tennessee state-certified River North “Opportunity Zone,” the property runs along the Cumberland River behind

Top Golf and is directly across the river from the Germantown submarket. Phase I of the project will include more than 600 multifamily units, 85,000 square feet of retail, and 50,000 square feet of creative office space, with construction scheduled to begin this year.

The developers noted the project is the first master-planned waterfront community east of the Cumberland River in Nashville, and say it will spark further community development along with expanding greater downtown Nashville.

“This site provides us with the opportunity to celebrate the industrial history of the area by repositioning one of the existing waterfront warehouse buildings, which will become a focal point of the project,” said MRP managing principal Bob Murphy told WKRN. “As we connect the waterfront to downtown Nashville, we will activate the entire area for new residents to enjoy a lifestyle of walkability and access to retail, restaurants, open space, and office.”

Plans also call for a public riverfront park along the length of the property, connecting to the existing Cumberland River Greenway system. Phase II will include an additional 500 units and 50,000 square feet of retail space.

—Randy Fox

Nashville Civic Design Center Proposes Park Spanning the Cumberland The Nashville Civic Design Center recently released an ambitious proposal for a park that would span the Cumberland River from East Nashville to downtown. As conceived by the NCDC study “Victory Memorial Bridge Park: Reimagining the Role of Pedestrian Connectivity and Public Space Over the Cumberland River,” the parallel space between the Woodland Street Bridge and Victory Memorial Bridge would be developed into an elevated bridge park that would extend west from Public Square Park to the East Bank. It’s not the first time such a park has been imagined, and the study points to the example of the 11th Street bridge in Washington, D.C. as a model.

Nashville’s hypothetical bridge-park would create green space and provide additional pedestrian and cycling paths, with the possibility of connecting to existing greenways already established on both sides of the river. “The goal of this bridge park is to promote connectivity

LOCAL E YE CA RE .

I ND E P E ND E NT EY EW E A R.

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Astute O B S E R V A T I O N S

The Electric Koolaid Tomato(e?) Test B Y J A M E S “ H A G S ” H A G G E R T Y

S

Hags is a a full-time bass player, part-time bad influencer©, and goodwill ambassador for The East Nashvillian.

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Illustration by

weet Solanum lycopersicum! Holy tomatoes!

How do you spell tomatos? I’m not sure. I’ll ask Dan Quayle. He doesn’t know either. Is it really July already? Where does the time go!? I trust you are having a good summer and enjoying the sunshine with your nearest and dearest. Or maybe you, like me, wonder if Nashville in July and August is the heretofore under publicized and seldom mentioned 10th circle of hell, which Dante’s publisher cut from “Inferno” for reasons of decorum and because “some terrors are just better left unexamined and unwritten, Mr. Alighieri.”

Whatever your perspective, there is one bright-red, creative, and joyful event on the sun-baked August horizon to get excited about and that is the Tomato Art Festival, or East Nashville’s answer to SXSW. Friends and neighbors, I care about you, and I want you to be informed and loquacious when you are three Bloody Marys in at the contest this year.

I want you to have the tools to talk tomato(e?), as it were.

Grape, Cherry, Red Beefsteak, Green Beefsteak, Cocktail, Roma — these can be found on your grocer’s produce shelf.

Think of it this way, the tomatoes at the local Kroger are working for the man. They put the red suit on, genetically manipulated, modified, and cross-bred for color all the livelong day. These are the telemarketers, the cubicle dwellers, the clock watchers, the corporate shills on the vine, if you will. These are the homogenous, central casting tomatoes, you dig? When Ronald Reagan decreed ketchup a vegetable and a healthy school lunch option, these were the vegetables (or are they?) he was referencing.

Just as we humans are governed by the laws of physics, so too are the tomatoes. If every action has an equal and opposite reaction, what is the opposite of the homogenous, factory farmed, bred for color over flavor, store bought tomato? What will save us from this bland and mealy fate?

Have no fear! The heirloom is here, in all its juicy, plump, sweet, and tangy glory! That’s right, dear reader. The heirloom tomato is the freak-flag flyer, the red-headed step child, the anti-establishment weirdo, the pinko hippie, the beatnik, the rebel, the loner, and the pirate all rolled into one. The names say it all: San Marzano, Three Sisters, Brandywine, Green Zebra, Gardener’s Delight, Marglobe, Lollypop, Yellow Pear, Silvery Fir Tree, Hillbilly, Cherokee Purple, Haggerty’s Technicolor Hallucination In Cinemascope, Mr. Stripey, Mortgage Lifter, Pruden’s Purple, Black Krim, Aunt Ruby’s German Green, Hawaiian Pineapple, Big Rainbow, Chocolate Cherry, Red Currant, and Tomato X. Are these the names of delicious garden edibles or are they the names on the Merry Prankster’s guest list at the Electric Kool Aid Acid Test? It’s a coin toss …

If you read this column from time to time, you most likely realize that it can take this writer a few paragraphs to get to the point. That is part of my charm. (Editor’s note: Yeah, we’re rolling with it.) Well get ready. Here it comes. East Nashville is all of us. We are the Romas, the Beefsteaks, the Cherokee Purples, and the Hillbillies. It takes all kinds to make a vibrant, diverse and colorful community. East Nashville is that community. The Tomato Art Festival is like Christmas in August. Sixty-thousand somewhat inebriated folks walking around Five Points, sunburned and grinning, greeting friends old and new. Live music and laughter fill the air. Art hangs from every available space. Children of all ages parade by in their tomato costumes. Fashion shows, costume contests, revelry, and fellowship are all the order of the day.

Is it fruit or vegetable, this pomme d’amour? Reagan said vegetable. I don’t know. I do know that in the case of the Tomato Art Festival, it is a metaphor. It is a metaphor for the bounty that nature provides. It is a metaphor for artistic inspiration and creation. Plant a seed, add water and sunlight, care and feeding, and you get something beautiful, nourishing and delicious. You get art. You get East Nashville. I’ll see you on the street, folks!

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1000 Rosa L. Parks Blvd.

KNOW your NEIGHBOR

PH OTOGR AP H BY C HAD CR AW FOR D

“I

got very fortunate during the beginning years of Tomato Fest. I actually got an honorable mention for my art and it felt like I got the blue ribbon.” — Emily Harper Beard

Emily

far between, I can overhear my younger brother-in-law, who’s a frat boy from Auburn, telling his friends about the process. I feel like that’s success. That’s really

By Brittney McKenna what I get out of it the most.”

Since beginning her batik Emily Harper Beard is work, Beard has grown her what many call a unicorn: online presence, particularly a Nashville native. (Well, via Instagram. (For clarity, she’s technically a Franklin Beard’s social handles, like native, but given the influx @efharper_creative, read as of out-of-staters moving variations on “Emily Frances to town, we’ll count her Harper,” which was Beard’s as one.) After graduating maiden name.) Her Instagram from MTSU with a degree account shows a wide variety in graphic design in 2001, of colorful batik pieces, while Beard settled in Nashville, her website offers pieces for bouncing around town sale and updates on upcoming projects. before finding her long“My biggest engagement term home on the East is on Instagram,” Beard says.

Side after getting married.

“I’m really learning how to “I’ve lived in every use that as a resource and pocket before it was a grow the process there.” pocket,” she says. “I lived When she’s not making in all of the places before batiks or painting, Beard they became the ‘it’ places. works as a freelance com[My husband & I] bought munications specialist for our house and settled here organizations like the Frist in East Nashville. We love Art Museum, Lockeland the community. … I think Table’s Community Hour, that’s what everyone stays the Tennessee Paddlesports around for. We feel very fortunate to have landed here.”

Association, as well as the Beard is what she previous Tomato Art Shows. describes as a “dabbler.” A She loves that her work trained graphic designer, allows her to channel her she minored in painting, a passion for bringing the part of her education that community together. would later become inteShe’s channeled that same gral to art practice. Beard’s spirit into advocating for primary focus these days is Nashville’s visual art scene, the Indonesian art of batik, and has enjoyed watching a dyeing process utilizing arts in Nashville grow since wax-resistance to create patshe graduated from college terns on fabric and canvas. two decades back.

“My mom, before she “I’m really proud of being able to watch retired, she was an art teacher and [batik] the art scene grow over the last 20 years,” was something that she taught in her class,” Beard says “I really she says. “I’ve seen the players who have had a hand in it, and enjoyed doing it so, when I did graduate from college, I started to that’s been fun because I know how hard we have worked on it and dabble in it a little more. It’s very popular in Asia and Africa.” believed in it.”

Beard has shown her batik work at art shows, festivals (includA particularly fruitful new venture for Beard has been working ing the Tomato Art Festival), and online. Her favorite part about out of Wedgewood-Houston’s maker space, Fort Houston, a move sharing her work with others is being able to teach people about a that has her considering all kinds of new artistic exploration. beautiful art form that isn’t necessarily well-known or understood “A girlfriend of mine talked me into getting a work table with her in this region of the country. at Fort Houston,” she says. “It’s phenomenal what they have going “Here in the South, I thought it would be great if people would on over there. I can’t even believe that it exists. So she and I have just learn about it,” Beard says. “If I could do this and people could been working over there and trying to feed off the energy of all learn about it that would be successful for me. That would be how those other artists. Now I want to learn screen-printing and I want I gauged my success. When I have art shows, which are few and to build things in the workshop. That’s my current excitement.”

HARPER BEARD

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NRT Full

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The East Nashvillian’s

2019 Metro Elections Voter’s Guide

T

he yard signs, robo-calls, TV ads, small handbills wedged into your front door — they’re all back. A sure sign that Metro election season is upon us. On Aug. 1, 2019 the polls will open (early voting began on July 12) to determine the next chapter of Music City history, and if there’s anything the last four years has demonstrated it is this: Your vote does matter and local elections are where it has the most immediate impact.

As battles rage over scooters, budget shortfalls, the state of our schools, runaway development, and more, sound bites rule the airwaves. The desire for a more-informed electorate led us to asking three specific questions for each mayoral candidate along with three different questions for each Metro Council candidate seeking to represent East Side neighborhoods (Districts 5-8).

For the mayoral race, we received responses from incumbent David Briley and challengers Julie Clark-Johnson, John Ray Clemmons, John Cooper, Jon Sewell, and Carol Swain. For the open seat in District 5 we heard from Charles Flowers and Sean Parker. District 6 incumbent Brett Withers (who is running unopposed) also responded. The hotly contested open seat in District 7 brought responses from Emily Benedict, Clint Camp, Stephen Downs, Dan Fitzpatrick, Stephanie Johnson, and Cole Rogers. In District 8, incumbent Nancy VanReece* and challenger Danny Williams both responded. Some responses were edited for length but otherwise appear as received.

At press time, mayoral candidates Jody Ball, Bernie Cox, Jimmy Lawrence, and Nolan Starnes and council candidates Pam Murray (District 5), Jacob Green (District 7), and Randy Reed (District 7) had not replied to The East Nashvillian’s queries.

— RANDY FOX

A special thanks to these Nashville citizens for submitting proposed questions: Paige La Grone Babcock, Christiane Buggs, Stephanie Z. Fox, Jason Freeman, Nora Kern, Amanda Kail, and Omid Yamini. *Full disclosure: Lisa McCauley, The East Nashvillian’s publisher, serves as Treasurer for the Nancy VanReece campaign.

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Voter’s Guide

Mayor Transit The announced budget for WeGo falls $8.7 million short of what they need to maintain current operations. This will mean a 10 percent reduction in service — along with fare hikes, which will directly impact thousands of Nashvillians who rely on the bus to get around our city. How would you propose funding transit in the short term to prevent further cuts, and how would you propose funding transit in the long term, so that we could expand services to make it more useful to more Nashvillians and help address Nashville’s growing transportation needs?

David Briley I applaud WeGo’s hard work to ensure that that nearly 78 percent of existing customers — and those who use WeGo Access — will see no change to their service, and 20 percent will have access to another new or existing route.

We’ve already made steps to address improved transit alternatives. This work includes but is not limited to: expanding bus shelters (particularly along Nolensville Pike); improving speed of service on Murfreesboro Pike by installing priority signals for buses; installing new technology for fare collection; partnering with major employers to increase choice bus-commuters into downtown Nashville; and studying the potential for a true Bus Rapid Transit line along Dickerson Pike. That’s a place where we can build a transit system before the area is overwhelmed by development.

Julia Clark-Johnson In the short term, if the public cannot afford the fare hikes, walking is a good exercise and other sources of transportation are optional as well. As a public servant, it is my major responsibility to listen to the communities, neighborhoods and the metro council. The

majority voted against 26 miles of light rail, four new rapid bus lines, four crosstown bus lines, improved service on existing buses, 19 transit centers, and a suite of improvements to signals, sidewalks and bike infrastructure.

This failure is due to a lack of public education.

In the meantime, an amended/revised transit referendum is necessary.

John Ray Clemmons I recognize the importance of expanding bus services and strongly oppose cuts to WeGo. I would use my experience in the state legislature to work with state and federal officials to generate additional revenue and increase funding. We would overhaul our current transit system to operate more efficiently and work to reduce carbon emissions. In the long-term, we will secure regional buy-in and create new sources of revenue to build a modern, regional transportation system.

John Cooper Unfortunately, Briley’s cuts to WeGo will hurt residents who need our city’s services the most. We can fund WeGo in the short term by practicing good financial management and prioritizing essential services such as transportation, education, and affordable housing above tourists and unnecessary incentive deals. I am committed to putting forth a cost-effective transportation plan — with funding — within my first year as mayor.

Jon Sewell The irony in these service cuts is that they are predicated on an improvement in economic indicia for the affected neighborhoods — riding the nexus between affordable housing and transport, essentially a double-whammy where displacement/gentrification alter the community actually resulting in a LOSS of services. But we can think bigger! Let’s drive the conversation

on transit toward expanded services and Free Public Transit financed by development impact fees and adequate development/facilities taxes.

Carol Swain Short-term, we can install turning lanes at 50 already-identified intersections and also better synchronize traffic lights for smarter flow during peak travel times. This recently helped reduce travel times by 12 percent in Los Angeles. Longer-term, I support innovative ideas like Uber-type vans harnessing the technology of our smartphones to pick up riders specifically where they’re coming from and drop them specifically where they’re going, eliminating the waste of empty bus stops and infrequently used bus routes.

Education What will you do to ensure that Metro Nashville Public Schools are fully-funded every year going forward?

David Briley Moving forward, I intend to play a much bigger role in our public school system. I am working with (MNPS Director) Dr. Battle to form a memorandum of understanding between MNPS and the city that will lay the foundation for a new relationship that involves higher Metro involvement in operations and HR. Through this agreement, I want to work closely with the school board and the Metro Council to ensure that we can continue to increase funding for our public schools and develop a longterm plan for substantial teacher and support staff raises.

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Voter’s Guide

Mayor Julia Clark-Johnson

I will ensure Metro Nashville Public Schools are fully funded and moving in a positive direction. After a review of the proposed budget, a qualified group of council members and public committee team will investigate the public schools’ systems strengths and weakness for allocating funds. Regarding this year’s budget shortfall, it may be necessary to cut spending in other areas that are impacting our public schools constant deficiencies. An overall audit addressing the probability of too much spending in useless areas may be necessary. I ensure that this issue for making proper revisions and amendments to the budget will be top priority.

John Ray Clemmons As a public school parent, I am committed to fully-funding MNPS. As Mayor, public schools will be my budgetary priority. I will utilize reliable data and educator feedback to create a strategic plan to address schools’ needs. I will restore fiscal responsibility to Metro by protecting our property tax base. To better assist our educators, we will ask more of the business, non-profit and faith-based communities to facilitate increased parental engagement, volunteerism, and educational opportunities.

John Cooper It starts with good management and fiscal stewardship. I am focused on ensuring neighborhoods are prioritized, and that starts with

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our education system. City leaders have developed a habit of spending taxpayer dollars to subsidize development and tourism rather than serving the people who actually live and work in Nashville. It’s simply a question of priorities: we can fully fund our schools if we have a mayor who chooses to put them first.

Jon Sewell MNPS receives money from property taxes, which if held artificially low for political reasons, creates a shortfall from municipal and then state funds. Fully funding means increases in property taxes, which I’m actually cool with (I say that as an owner of a commercial property and other real estate), as long as that increase is accompanied by expansion of programs to freeze, subsidize, and mitigate that increase for our more vulnerable populations.

Carol Swain The School Board must be held accountable for their waste and mismanagement that has hurt our students and teachers. As mayor I will immediately get to work to re-prioritize city spending, putting vital activities like public safety and education ahead of corporate welfare for big businesses and the politically connected.

For example, the city recently spent $14 million on a private waterpark Nashville residents can’t use. That’s wrong, and as mayor I will do better.

Metro Budget Please address what many perceive as a disconnect between the explosive commercial development in the Central Business District (CBD) and Metro’s inability to correct its budget woes.

Specifically, why are Tax Increment Financing subsidies still in place and are the tax receipts collected in the CBD making it into the general fund?

David Briley The money spent downtown results in more tax receipts in Nashville’s General Fund, where it’s ultimately used for our schools, public safety, infrastructure and other services. TIF is something we have used in the past to incentivize certain development and revitalization projects in the city. While I believe this has been used wisely to date, moving forward we are going to be more diligent and, frankly, stricter about doing it.

A Metro-led committee formed specifically to assess the merits of TIF recently concluded its findings, and one of its recommendations was that we need a clearer set of rules for TIF. I am supportive of setting up these better guidelines.

Julia Clark-Johnson The public assumptions of disconnect between the CBD and their belief of Metro’s Council’s inability to correct its budget shortfalls requires further research on my behalf. Out of respect

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Voter’s Guide

Mayor for the CBD and the metro council members, my comments on this matter will be beyond premature. This question should handle only by those Metro council leaders and CBD officials directly involved with an aware of the factual importance of this issue.

John Ray Clemmons TIF is intended to spur economic development in blighted areas. This is a well-intended program that is being misused in some areas that are not blighted, and this is costing our city much-needed revenue. All tax receipts in the CBD within the TDZ are not making it into the general fund, because they are being funneled to the convention center.

This can and must be corrected by Metro to adequately fund our budgetary priorities.

John Cooper Metro’s budget is out of balance. We can’t address the costs of growth until we get a return for the growth that we’ve subsidized.

MDHA abused Tax Increment Financing in areas that were no longer “blighted” or in need of subsidies. The Convention Center Authority has a massive surplus from accumulated hotel taxes as well as sales taxes from the tourism development zone (TDZ). Only one-sixth of hotel taxes go to the general fund.

Jon Sewell Downtown- everything’s great when you’re downtown, but not everyone lives or benefits there! The CBD TIFs are certainly an ongoing embarrassment. And what about those up and out in The Hinter County (THC) who don’t have biz or play down there in the CBD? The

CBD and THC must be rolled up together, lest the whole metropolitan enterprise go up in smoke. We must pass the green around for a more equitable, fair, and inclusive Nashville.

Carol Swain This administration has given away tax dollars to big corporations and ignored Metro workers, small businesses, and our local neighborhoods.

We need to stop spending millions to attract out-of-state businesses at the expense of funding local priorities and supporting the businesses that are already here. As mayor, I will audit spending city-wide to make wiser fiscal choices and focus on the many varied neighborhoods with their unique needs all across Davidson County, not just downtown.

Metro Council Voter’s Guide picks up on page 39

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Voter’s Guide

Council Metro Budget While the city desperately needs funding for schools, public safety, and infrastructure to keep up with record growth, Nashville has the lowest property tax rate in the history of Davidson County, which disproportionately benefits commercial property owners and developers. Why aren’t we setting a historically appropriate tax rate so we can make the necessary investments in the city?

DISTRICT 5

Charles Flowers Because we have leaders who are afraid to raise taxes during an election year our public service workers salaries have been stagnate over the last couple years. Our schools have been underfunded and as a result student achievement has suffered. We have a city infrastructure that is in desperate need of upgrades causing our communities to suffer as well. Our city needs to invest more in our people and stop investing in corporate interests.

DISTRICT 7

Emily Benedict Our values are affirmed by the way we educate, compensate, house, and transport our residents. We need to improve our schools, pay our employees a living wage, provide options for attainable housing, and invest in a transportation system that will meet our future needs.

It takes tax dollars to accomplish these things.

We must explore the NCCA reserves, and make sure developers pay their fair share, in addition to a review of a tax increase.

Clint Camp I supported the Second Substitute Budget which would have raised the rate by 52.5 cents.

This rate was still lower than the historic average but would allow for raises to Metro and MNPS employees, funding for transit, and just as important, not result in the sale of any one-time assets to balance our budget. Our employees deserve a good work environment, and we deserve a City that can function to meet our basic needs.

Stephanie Johnson You are stating that low property taxes disproportionately benefit commercial properties.

Many state that if property taxes are raised it will disproportionately affect low-income residents. Right now, we are in a tug-a-war. City leaders, researchers, neighbors, economics, etc. need to come to the table and make a decision, whether it’s creating some type of tax scale, or allowing residents to voice their option on what tax they would consider raising.

Cole Rogers Not enough effective communication has been delivered on the lack of investment in our city.

Nashville currently has as many firehouses as Chattanooga, an obviously much smaller city. I believe that the celebration of victories in the business community have masked the need to substantially invest in Nashville’s services and infrastructure. The development of business is beneficial in the long term, only when we invest in the foundational programs of our city.

DISTRICT 8

Stephen Downs

Nancy VanReece

While it may not be the most politically popular position, I believe some increase in property tax revenue is necessary. It’s critical that a growing city fund basic services and that schools, public safety, and Metro workers can afford to live where they serve. We also must refocus our fiscal priorities on essential services. We must work to prevent low-income homeowners from being burdened by any increase.

First, I have never seen a time where our City was doing so well but our money isn’t, having said that, when elected I plan to have our property taxes re-visited to ensure we are operating fair and equal in terms of commercial property owners and developers who inherently benefit from the formulation versus property owners. The short answer is “Fair and Equal to All,” strong heads prevail in historical minded negotiations.

We need to do our best to ensure District 8 thrives and our city continues to push to have its prosperity extend to the county line and into the neighborhoods. Conversations over the last year lead me to believe that the citizens of District 8 can tolerate a tax rate increase, but ONLY if they clearly understand where the money is going and how it will affect their lives.

DISTRICT 6

Dan Fitzpatrick

Sean Parker

Brett Withers The 2017 property tax rate reduction math caused our property tax bills to increase even though the overall rate was lowered because East Nashville’s property value appreciation is well above the average for the county. While a county-wide rate increase would mean that East Nashville property owners will pay even more, I believe that this rate correction is necessary to fund our schools and services.

I don’t believe our tax rate being historically low, or being lower than neighboring counties is a justification for raising taxes. A budget for each year is just that — a budget for that year.

We need to ensure our budget reflects our morals. Meaning investments in schools, safety, and infrastructure. It also means we need to pay for that. All revenue streams must be considered annually to fund a budget that reflects our values/character.

Danny Williams Raising Property taxes seems to be the ONLY answer everyone comes up with, yes I agree that SCHOOLS and PUBLIC SAFETY are things necessary for more funding. I would like to see an audit of the city’s financial structure and see what our tax dollars are being used for when these above aforementioned should be a priority. I would like to research other funding measures.

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Voter’s Guide

Council Education What measures will you advocate to fully fund MNPS so that high-quality teachers — every student’s most important resource — are recruited and retained?

DISTRICT 5

Charles Flowers If elected as a city council member my plan is to serve on the Education committee to help my colleagues understand the need to make education a priority. I am an educator by occupation. I know firsthand how hard it is to educate students without resources. My main priority will be to fully fund education allocated for teacher’s compensation. Also, work with MNPS to recruit and retain teachers by creating a leadership pipeline.

Sean Parker We should reconsider development incentives that capture MNPS revenue — for example half of every TIF dollar would otherwise go to schools (about $10 million each year).

Even MNPS’s unprecedented FY2020 budget request would not fully fund our schools. That fact makes clear just how far behind we are. We need to deliver enough funding to MNPS that they can support their students and workers.

DISTRICT 6

Brett Withers We need to increase our overall property tax rate to make up for declining State funding for MNPS. The Metro Council does not control the MNPS budget line-items or especially the MNPS pay plan. That is up to School Board, subject to overall available funding from the Metro Council. The MNPS teacher compensation step increment pay plan does have some compression issues for experienced teachers versus entry-level or newer teachers. But Metro

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must provide funding to MNPS to resolve those step increment compression issues as well as pay cost of living adjustments.

DISTRICT 7

be high quality. Achieving that results in a system people want to come teach at. We need to provide MNPS with necessary funding while ensuring Nashville’s an inviting place for educators to live in the neighborhoods they teach.

Emily Benedict

Stephanie Johnson

Our school board decides what to do with their budget; my role on the council will be to provide enough money so they can provide wage increases to our teachers, bus drivers, and support staff, in addition to having enough money for operational supplies like textbooks for all students. We cannot attract and retain talent without a robust compensation package. I support a 10 percent raise for our teachers and at least $15 per hour for staff.

I want to see a “First 5” bill, this bill would ensure MNPS, public safety, public works, and water would be funded at 100 percent, before anything else. It would require a lot of moving parts, but if we don’t start putting some safety nets in place, we are going to keep finding ourselves in the same place year after year. We have to be bold and radical when it comes to ensuring the progress of this city.

Clint Camp

I would fully support the property tax increase recently proposed by Councilman Mendes and Councilman Davis. In addition I would work on creating a long term, incremental increase so that we can properly fund our schools in the long term. I would also explore creating other funding sources that would be designated to MNPS.

I’m proud of my mother — who retired after 38 years teaching with MNPS. It’s powerful to see her students ask her to attend their graduations, weddings and more. In order to recruit and retain teachers, we need to work collaboratively with our counterparts on the School Board to ensure teachers are compensated fairly, and that they have the necessary resources in their classrooms to help teach our students.

Stephen Downs I will work non-stop advocating for our unsung heroes. These educators literally give out of their own pockets to facilitate the growth and development of our children, and for that, we owe a great amount of gratitude. I pledge to develop a three-year phase-in plan that will provide a 12 percent improvement in teacher pay, and I will support a comprehensive incentive plan to help us retain our educator family.

Dan Fitzpatrick I’m running on “Fairness.” With every decision I will ask myself: Is this fair? What’s happening at MNPS is not fair for our children. They deserve all resources — human, supplies, infrastructure in and around the school — to

Cole Rogers

DISTRICT 8

Nancy VanReece As indicated, this is one of several needs that our city must address, and I will advocate to make sure that any additional tax dollars have the policy structure behind the intent for them to succeed.

Danny Williams The cost of education in the county has become a problem that needs to be addressed. I have ideas for funding, but would like to explore the government’s treasury and what is being paid out now. From what I have observed, frivolous spending seems to be the norm for this current council and administration.

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Voter’s Guide

Council Housing

DISTRICT 7

Pro-development policies and activities have ravaged the affordable housing stock in Nashville.

How would you propose we create more reasonable development policies that could help preserve some of the affordable housing?

Emily Benedict

DISTRICT 5

Charles Flowers District Five affordable housing has been ravaged over the last years. This is due to the rezoning properties and the growth in the district. In order to combat this we need to create a policy that require developers to work with non-profits such as Urban Housing Solutions and MDHA to develop a percentage of affordable housing for residents.

Sean Parker Dickerson Pike is slated for a steep increase in density and we need much of that to be residential. We can’t simply “build our way out” of the affordable housing crisis when many new multifamily units are used for hotel activity rather than residential. Cost-burdened families may never be able to afford new luxury-style construction, so it’s important that our community plan preserve some of the modest, older single-family homes that remain.

DISTRICT 6

Brett Withers The affordable housing legislation that the Metro Council worked on this term was almost immediately overturned by the State Legislature. Even in Districts 6 and 7 where there has been relatively little new construction over the last four years compared to other Districts, housing prices have continued to rise because of private market forces. The most effective tools that we have to create and preserve housing affordability are working with MDHA as well as some of our non-profit affordable housing partners.

I’d like density growth mainly along and adjacent to our corridor streets. Currently there is zoning that allows more density in areas that do not have the bandwidth for the type of growth we have seen. The Barnes Fund has been effective, and we must keep funding it so non-profit organizations can continue to build more affordable units. This is a wage issue too. I will fight to increase wages for our public employees.

Clint Camp I would like to revisit our short-term rental policies, potentially requiring all new non-owner occupied STRs be in commercial zoning. We also need to continue to follow NashvilleNext to look at where we can provide density in our housing. Gallatin Pike today is underutilized, and with a real transit-oriented development we could see progress towards both better housing options and transit. Let’s also look at homeowner repair programs with our Barnes Fund to keep our homeowners in place.

Stephen Downs I will develop a plan for vetting purposes that will only bring developers to our great city that will commit in assisting us as a developer/ neighbor in our serious crisis of not having enough affordable housing. I will provide advice that we need 15 units per 100 (built) set aside for affordable housing. The time is now in terms of bringing front line attention to our housing crisis and as your councilman, I will lead that fight for you.

Dan Fitzpatrick For me it’s about focusing our growth on our corridor roads — Gallatin Avenue — and ensuring that we are increasing density there versus our sleepier streets. Nashville is short tens of thousands of housing units. I would much rather have people moving in — who elect to live a walkable, carless lifestyle — and have them land in condos on Gallatin than buying up single family homes in our neighborhoods and displacing those folks.

Stephanie Johnson I would propose we start treating our Civic Design Center as a huge asset to ensure neighborhoods are being revitalized with integrity. Through the Center we can also start to introduce competitiveness when it comes to creating and designing affordable housing. We can also support the research and work from the Historic Preservation Groups and Land Trust. We can also look into creating policy around the first rights of refusal where residents can become owners of the property being sold underneath them by working with MDHA, and other groups.

Cole Rogers The affordable housing crisis in Nashville requires a multi-faceted solution that calls upon all Nashvillians, specifically those who have benefited the most from Nashville’s growth.

While I support Mayor Briley’s recent proposal to upgrade our affordable housing stock, it is not a complete solution. Nashville must use its leverage as a city of growth. Specific results could come from proposing an impact fee for our largest developments so as to replenish our affordable housing stock.

DISTRICT 8

Nancy VanReece I am pleased with Mayor Briley’s Under One Roof initiative. I am already hearing from local developers about how they can participate in the $250 million challenge to the private sector to step forward with matching dollars. We have been able to protect District 8’s neighborhoods

by Neighborhood Maintenance overlays that prohibit over-development. The Dickerson Road Corridor Study is an excellent way to have community input on how moving more mixeduse development to the corridor can succeed in more affordability.

Danny Williams I feel that the government should research along with developers who want the same to help many of our citizens. Scout areas for development, perhaps working with neighboring counties to address this problem. Right now it appears that many developers and investors are in it just for profit, not helping less fortunate residents.

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No Other Girl

With family, or on her own, Lillie Mae is here to play

By Randy Fox Photography by Travis Commeau

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ix years ago, Jack White performed at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles with “The Peacocks,” his all-female backing band. Two thousand miles away, legendary Sun Records alumni, producer, and songwriter “Cowboy” Jack Clement was watching in Nashville, but he wasn’t interested in one of Nashville’s biggest rock stars. He was tuning in to to see White’s fiddle player, Lillie Mae. “Cowboy’s girlfriend, Aleene, told me he watched the awards ceremony and cried because he was so proud me,” Lillie Mae says. “This was just a few months before he passed away, and it touched me so much. Even though it wasn’t me winning the Grammy, he was still proud of me and proud to know the time he invested in me wasn’t a failure.”

If you’re cynically-minded and your only exposure to Lillie Mae and her music is a casual viewing of the video for her new single, “You’ve Got Other Girls for That,” you might assume she’s simply the newest rock star ingénue. The video abounds with punk rock chic, sexy emo detachment, and a generous spicing of alt-country cool, just what one might expect from an indie rock label attempting to grab a slice of the Americana pie. You might also assume there’s no way she could be a torch bearer for authentic Nashville musical traditions.

But you’d be dead wrong.

A careful listen to “You’ve Got Other Girls for That” reveals a young woman standing her ground, refusing to let a man determine her identity and sense of worth. The accompanying songs on her latest album, Other Girls, reveal constant twists, turns, and surprises, demonstrating a depth of musical experience and knowledge uncommon for a 28-year-old. In both her life and recordings, Lillie Mae’s roots run deep, spanning the folk traditions that commercial country music was first built upon in the early 20th century to the stylistic mixmaster of 21st century Americana and indie rock.

“I was born in northern Illinois,” Lillie Mae says. “When I was one year old, my dad got a gig playing bass in Branson, Missouri, and the family moved. He was a bluegrass musician and had been in a band with some of his 13 siblings.”

Lillie Mae’s father, Forrest Carter Rische, was more than just a bass player searching for a gig. A devout but unorthodox Christian minister, he spent time in a series of professions — farrier, carpenter, cowboy, and farmer — before embracing music as his ministry. Along with his wife Linda, he espoused a strict philosophy prohibiting many worldly influences. The couple reared their five children — Amber-Dawn, Scarlett, McKenna Grace, Frank, and Lillie Mae — to live the same philosophy, while drafting each succeeding sibling into the family band as soon as they were old enough to perform.

Lillie Mae received her first fiddle at the age of three, and soon found herself performing gospel and bluegrass classics with her father and siblings on the Texas RV park circuit, along with gigs at flea markets and fairgrounds. The family’s itinerate existence kept them barely one step ahead of poverty, while their religion and lifestyle led to an unusual mix of hippy bohemianism and cloistered fundamentalism.

“We were only allowed to listen to certain music — gospel and bluegrass, and some country, but not everything,” Lillie Mae says. “Certain songs were always excluded. I was maybe seven or eight when I met this girl at a bluegrass festival, and we went back to her motor home. It was a big, nice one and seemed super futuristic to me. She turned on an Eminem song and said, ‘Check this out.’ I’d never heard anything like it. I was very uneasy, thinking about the trouble I’d be in if someone found out. I finally asked her to turn it down because I couldn’t deal with the guilt.” →

Not long after her first brush with the sinful sound of hip-hop, the Rische family band caught the attention of Cowboy Jack Clement, who immediately recognized talent in the rough, just as he had decades earlier when a wildass Louisiana youth with his own religious conflicts, Jerry Lee Lewis, walked through the door of Sun Studios in Memphis.

“Cowboy took us in, and he was so incredibly supportive,” Lillie Mae says.

“He paid to move my family to Nashville, rented us a house to live in, paid for instrument lessons, and recorded us. He invested in the family and believed in me and my talent. I didn’t know who he was or that he’d had this amazing career [working with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Townes Van Zandt, and dozens of other artists]. He was tough and would get on you if he didn’t think you were doing your best, but we loved him so much.”

Creative differences between Clement and Lillie Mae’s parents eventually ended their association, and the Rische’s ended their troubled marriage shortly thereafter. With their father out of the picture, the children found unbridled musical and personal freedom. To support themselves, Lillie Mae and her siblings stuck with the only profession they knew — music.

“Dad left when I was 11,” Lillie Mae says. “We’d been in Nashville three or four years at that point. I was 12 by the time we started playing regularly at Layla’s [Honky Tonk on Lower Broadway].”

Billing themselves initially as “Silk N’ Saddle” and then simply as “The Risches,” Amber-Dawn, Scarlett, Frank, and Lillie Mae (McKenna Grace had dropped out of the band by this point) quickly made a reputation for themselves with astounding, marathon sets of traditional bluegrass and country tunes, and an eye-grabbing stage appearance. Out from under the fundamentalist thumb of their father, the siblings’ repertoire expanded quickly as they began to absorb previously verboten musical influences, and the Rische girls’ clothing became skimpier, hairstyles wilder and more colorful, and piercings and tattoos proliferated.

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ith the explosion of colorful outfits, bare skin, an astounding degree of musical talent, and a seemingly endless catalog of country classics, the Risches quickly attracted attention from Music Row executives, who began calculating how to corral the group into a potential cash cow. Renamed “Jypsi,” the group signed with Arista in 2007. The next year, the single, “I Don’t Love You Like That,” featuring Lillie Mae on lead vocals, scored a No. 38 hit on the country chart.

A digital-only album, along with a string of highly-praised performances followed, including an appearance at Bonnaroo 2008. A second hit single, “Mister Officer” scraped the country chart at No. 52 a year later, but the big label demands of conformity proved too restrictive.

“Frank finally said, ‘What are we doing? This is bullshit,’” Lillie Mae says.

“He had no desire to do anything fake. He quit and the band fell apart. None of us knew what to do next. I was still playing at Layla’s by myself just to make money. I moved to Alabama for a while and then started playing with Jack White a little less than a year after the family band broke up. I’d been doing some session work for Third Man, but I wasn’t looking for a sideman position. People had to talk me into it. I was terrified at first. I’ve always been a singer first, and I’ve never been super confident about my fiddle playing, but suddenly I was playing every night with some incredibly talented people.”

Despite her apprehensions, Lillie Mae quickly caught the groove of playing with non-sibling band members and backed White on both his 2012 Blunderbuss tour and his 2014 Lazaretto tour. →

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“

I’m a fiddle player and I’ll probably always enjoy playing fiddle tunes, but I don’t aim for a particular style or sound like bluegrass. But if I write a song that naturally heads in that direction, I have to follow it.

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“Jack is a rock star for sure,” Lillie Mae says, “but the back stage scene was very laid back, like family. People were always playing music for fun. Even though I wasn’t singing on the tour, he heard me backstage and asked me to make a record.”

Released in April 2017, Lillie Mae’s debut album, Forever and Then Some, was an impressive return to her traditional country roots, demonstrating her years of experience on the road and in honky tonks. Produced by White and recorded at Third Man Records’ in-house studio, the album featured contributions from her brother Frank and her sister Scarlett, as Lillie Mae stepped forward to take the spotlight.

“I’ve always written songs of my own,” she says. “I probably started writing not long after I joined the family band, but I just started finishing my songs when I was about 14.

I never thought, ‘I want to be a solo artist.’ With the family band everyone had their ideas and everyone had their parts, but it’s a completely different thing from going solo. Jack White had to convince me. I was super comfortable recording at Third Man because I had been recording sessions over there for some time. We had a great time recording, and I’ll always be grateful. I don’t think those songs would have been recorded any other way.”

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or her second album, the soon to be released (August 16) Other Girls, a change in producer and recording venue was in order. The decision for a change led to the historic RCA Studio A on Music Row and Grammy-award winning producer Dave Cobb, who’s worked with such boundary-pushing artists as Jason Isbell, Shooter Jennings, Jamey Johnson, John Prine, and Sturgill Simpson.

“My manager, Ian Montone, suggested Dave,” Lillie Mae says. “The experience was totally different from working with Jack White. Dave works really fast and Jack likes to take his time. I played a bunch of demos from my telephone for Dave, and we mutually agreed on the songs. I had worked in Studio A before on some projects and it’s a beautiful studio. It was easy to be myself in there.”

The resulting album reconciles the hardcore country and gospel roots of Lillie Mae’s upbringing with a multitude of musical influences. Whether it’s the ethereal swirling indie rock soundscape of the album’s opener, “You Got Other Girls for That,” the gentle country heartache swing of “Whole Blue Heart,” the moody hillbilly rock of “Some Gamble,” or the sorrowful pych-folk sonic cyclone of “Love Dilly Love,” it’s a showcase for a powerful and singular talent.

“There was no conscious decision to go in different musical directions,” Lillie Mae says of the varied sounds and textures of Other Girls. “I’m a fiddle player and I’ll probably always enjoy playing fiddle tunes, but I don’t aim for a particular style or sound like bluegrass. But if I write a song that naturally heads in that direction, I have to follow it.”

Other Girls also supplies ample evidence of Lillie Mae’s ability to re-fit archetypal heartsong themes for the complicated landscape of relationships in the 21st century. One example is the lilting bluegrass-tinged lament (co-written with her sister, Scarlett), “At Least 3 in This Room,” which calls out a male heartbreaker with the grace and aplomb of a Kitty Wells classic through the realization of a shared bond with other women.

“That song came about because I was sitting talking with two other girls, and I realized we’d all been with the same dude, who was also in the room. It’s rare for any of my songs to come from just one place, so the last verse, ‘How many miles would you drive for a friend?’ was inspired by a good friend who I had just driven to rehab in Pennsylvania.” →

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Consistent with her first record, were contributions from her brother Frank and her sister Scarlett, who play guitar and mandolin respectively, along with several co-writes with Scarlett. The familial collaborations have continued thriving as various configurations of the Rische siblings play regular shifts at Layla’s.

“I’m comfortable playing with my siblings, and my brother Frank is one of the best guitar players out there,” Lillie Mae says. “I’m lucky to have him, and my sister Scarlett and I have a special connection.”

For the immediate future, Lillie Mae will be joining her labelmates the Raconteurs for a two-week run of opening dates through July and then joining Robert Plant’s tour as both an opening act and member of his band through October. As a veteran road warrior, she’s looking forward to the tours, but she also notes the discovery of a new love.

“I love touring, I mean, I grew up in a motor home, but I really love working in the studio. I’m ready to record another album anytime. You start with blank canvas and just seeing where it goes is so cool. I’m more excited about the studio now because my boyfriend, Misael Arriaga has a studio and we can take the time to try things. I’ve gotten to record more music for fun in the last year than ever before.”

Whether working with her boyfriend in his studio, Dave Cobb at the historic RCA Studio A, or with Jack White at the ultra-hip Third Man Records, much of Lillie Mae’s love for studios and the music made in them is influenced by her musical “grandfather,” Cowboy Jack Clement. No matter what the future holds for her career, Lillie Mae will be making music with family — whether the ties are genetic or through the shared musical DNA that has formed ad hoc “family” bands in Nashville for decades.

“When I first signed with Third Man, Jack White gave me a framed check from Sun Studios to Cowboy Jack,” Lillie Mae says. “That meant so much to me. I was at the Country Music Hall of Fame recently. I’ve performed there a few times before, but I’d never toured the museum before. Everything made me cry, but when I got to the exhibit on Cowboy Jack, I just lost it.

His guitar was hanging there, and it’s the same guitar he had hanging above him in his office.”

“The town is not the same since he passed away,” she continues. “He always had an open door at his house. You could go there anytime and be around the coolest and most talented people. I just hope one day I can own a house and create a place where talented people want to hang out and make music.”

Lillie Mae’s upcoming album, Other Girls, drops Aug. 16 on Third Man Records She will be on tour with both The Racounteurs and Robert Plant later this summer.

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Citizens, Kind For Meg and Bret MacFadyen, business was always personal

By Dana Delworth

“If you know me, you know I hate being the center of attention.”

I

Meg MacFadyen, May 31, 2019.

t’s a sunny, late afternoon in Five Points, around dinnertime on the last day of May. A small but very colorful crowd gathers in the walkway along the shops at the Idea Hatchery, queuing quietly with signs, tomato festooned hats, and giggles.

They’re waiting for Meg MacFadyen, whom they want to celebrate in her most natural habitat one more time. It was almost impossible to keep this secret and spread it properly, but they pulled it off. The crowd keeps increasing in number, and they are soon joined by Mayor David Briley, ready to issue a proclamation declaring Meg and her husband Bret MacFadyen as Very Important Persons. As people construct a greeting area, Meg is behind the counter at the Art and Invention Gallery wearing her usual overalls and a smile, helping yet another customer after business hours.

When Bret and Meg MacFadyen purchased the building and property at 1108 Woodland St. in May 2000, Five Points was hardly a bustling center of economic opportunity. There were a few veteran businesses scattered along the row of commercial buildings, but local patrons tried to park as close as possible and then hurried into the front door to do their business. It would be a few months before Shirley’s across the street would become The Slow Bar and the concept of Five Points as a “destination” would begin to blossom.

What Meg and Bret envisioned as a workshop and warehouse for fabricating movie and video sets soon became an art gallery and neighborhood nexus where your freak flag was not only welcome, but encouraged. Four years later, Meg got an idea for a summertime Tomato Art Show that quickly turned into an annual festival. Just as tomato plants have to be nurtured in a special bed before transplanting, Bret applied the same principle to small businesses in 2011 and peeled off a piece of the Woodland property to create the Idea Hatchery. →

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It is almost half past six and the crowd is murmur-buzzing about the delay. Meg is finally dragged out of the Art and Invention Gallery into the sunlight as hundreds of people cheer for her. Although Bret is not present, the celebration and appreciation is for him too. There are tears and many, many hugs, along with Mardi Gras beads that the celebrants heap around Megs’ neck.

For those who have spent many days (and nights) walking around the Art and Invention Gallery in the years since its beginning, it was jarring to learn about the sale of both that property and the adjacent Idea Hatchery. The gallery was as familiar as a daily commute to many, a must-see every August to some, and for many others, the solution to a forgotten birthday/ anniversary scramble. When the announcement of the sale and the MacFadyens’ retirement was made public on April 30, a retail-enhanced wake began as Meg and Bret slowly disassembled, sold, and then gave away pieces of the shop and gallery.

Despite this swift dissipation, the memories made for the neighborhood by Meg and Bret MacFadyen will persist long after the gallery’s closing. Here is an only partial list: When New Orleans native and East Side neighborhood fixture Melissa Duke Mooney passed away suddenly in 2009 she was honored with a Big Easy-style second line parade. The day before, Meg closed her gallery to the public and provided Melissa’s Daisy Girl Scout troop with umbrellas to decorate for the parade while she lovingly fired up the glue guns, filled paint jars, and hugged mommies while the girls prepared their memorials.

While we’re at it, glue guns. Have you ever had one in your home? Unless you are extremely rugged they can function as actual murder weapons. The Gallery had up to a half dozen going at a time on days when the MacFadyens opened up their work areas to children and adults alike to make Valentines, ornaments, or anything you can dream up that will leave an surging glitter vortex in a room. Did they do it for profit? Are you kidding?

Every time you took a peek behind the doors in the garage before it was converted to find that Bret was building some manifestation of a child’s imagination, to order. Neither he nor Meg ever told you about it, or the sometimes famous clients who had contracted them; they were just putting the space to its best use at the time.

The numerous occasions when disasters struck and the MacFadyens opened their space after hours for the storage of relief supplies.

The time you or your friend called Meg up (because everybody knows her) and asked her to throw a party, or perform a wedding, or to ask her to utilize her homeopathic skills to help you figure out what THAT rash was, or to just send good thoughts. Or any of those times that you were drawn to the gallery in times of loss and left felling lighter.

After an almost endless parade of friends (no one is just a customer at the Art and Invention Gallery) placing strands of beads on the petite Meg, her tiny head is peaking out over the top of a beaded rainbow. Longtime neighbor Kimberly Clo leads the crowd in an appreciation. More hugs are distributed and the crowd dances along to “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge and a soundtrack that says, “We are HERE for this!”

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Bret and Meg were both art majors who met while building sets for the 1991 movie, Ernest Scared Stupid. They continued to build in every step of their marriage, building not just for them but for their community. With the opening of the Idea Hatchery in 2011, they took that devotion to building into a new arena. As landlords AND neighbors, the MacFadyens provided small retail units with shared resources and affordable rent to aspiring business owners. The opening played well, with much excitement and several tenants out of the gate, but the row was vandalized and burgled within weeks in the still-transitional neighborhood.

Because the Idea Hatchery operated like a family businesses, such affronts to the property felt personal, and Bret responded with around-the-clock work, welding and sculpting rebar and bells on the gates that created both an art project and a clear statement that surrender to the forces of crime and chaos were not an option in his neighborhood.

Tanya Coe, recording artist and proprietress of Goodbuy Girls, explains the mutual leap of faith between the Idea Hatchery owners and tenants was a mutual trust exercise writ large.

“I was 23 when I started Goodbuy Girls with my best friend,” Coe says. “Our first location was by Sweet 16th Bakery and was nothing short of a hole in the wall, but we made the best of it, doing pop ups around town. Just as we were thinking about throwing in the towel, Bil Breyer of Alegria Nashville, who was our neighbor at the time, told us about a new retail space being built in Five Points. I don’t know why they [Bret and Meg] took a chance on us, but they did and we’ve ended up being one of two shops here since the beginning.

“The platform that Bret and Meg created for us was not just about cheap rent, it was a support system. I remember having a conversation with Bret early on ... I was scared because I was going through a serious breakup, traumatic family stuff, had just signed a lease on my very first apartment, had to buy a new computer and a new car, and we had this new higher rent on the store. It seemed like everything was hitting at the same time, and I was overwhelmed. ... He said ‘Tanya, you’re a smart girl, you have an accounting degree and you’re creative and resourceful, get what you need to do the things that you need/want to do and the money will come.’ That pep talk meant the world to me and little did I know that it was the first of many encouraging talks with Bret.”

That devotion to friendship, trust, and mutual support among neighbors is just one many giant footprints the MacFadyens leave behind. Along with a thriving and continuing business incubator, a world class summer festival, and a stronger community, the countless acts of personal kindness or bits of good advice dispensed freely will continue to resonate.

The sun is setting, and the revelers are making their ways into the rest of the weekend, with a few stragglers staying behind to pick up the party remains and give a hand to Meg with moving items out of the gallery. For every one of these neighbors and friends, no official proclamation was needed; in their hearts and minds, the title of Very Important Person was conferred upon Meg and Bret MacFadyen long before the sun set on the last day of the Art and Invention Gallery.

Tomato Friends & Tomato Futures Just a few months ago, the very idea of a Tomato Art Fest without Meg and Bret MacFadyen and the Art & Invention Gallery seemed inconceivable. The funky neighborhood festival that the MacFadyen’s conceived and birthed at 1106 Woodland St. has been a precocious and boisterous child. It’s grown much larger than they ever imagined when the idea for an art show based on the beauty and personality of the tomato first occurred to them 15 years ago.

But time marches on, and as with every variety of tomato, there is a season. There comes a time to move on, and the art, business, or community that you’ve helped to create will hopefully be nurtured and continue to thrive by others. Of course it helps if you can choose the person you pass your creations to, and the MacFadyens have that luxury.

While the Art & Invention Gallery is now a closed chapter in the history of East Nashville, the property that hosted it, along with the Idea Hatchery, will continue to play an important part in the community. That future was assured when the MacFadyen’s chose to sell their property to Christian Paro.

A longtime East Sider (Paro moved to East Nashville in 2005, just in time for the second Tomato Art Fest) known for his co-working spaces Center 615, Studio 615, and Main Street Gallery, Paro’s business philosophy is right in line with the MacFadyens’. His current properties nurture the growth of small, local businesses and acknowledge the importance of giving back to the community through public-meeting space and support of local music and the arts. While no plans have been announced for the Art & Invention building yet, the Idea Hatchery is expected to continue on, business as usual.

For the MacFadyens’ other creation, the Tomato Art Festival, no better steward could be found than Jack Davis and his Good Neighbor Festivals event management company. As a partner in the Tomato Art Fest, Davis has been getting the ripe ones in a row since 2011, and his Good Neighbor Festivals has spread the concept of fun and efficiently run festivals that unite communities to many other events, including Sevier Park Fest, Light the Nations, and Nashville Pride.

Although the MacFadyens’ may have left their East Side businesses, don’t be surprised if you see them around at this Tomato Art Fest or perhaps a future one.

Checking in on your children from time to time is what good parents do. And be sure to say, “Hello,” because that’s what good neighbors do.

—Randy Fox

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Wood, Wheels& Wonders Dickie Soloperto puts wheels on a dream

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D

ickie Soloperto’s Instagram page (@longboards_by_solo) is filled with photo after photo highlighting his skill and talent at crafting individually numbered one-of-a-kind skateboards from locally sourced Tennessee lumber. But ask him about skateboarding, and his first topic of conversation is not the equipment or woodworking, it’s Ava, his 15-year-old daughter.

“Not long after I started building skateboards, I took Ava to a skate park here in town,” Soloperto says. “There were two boys there — they weren’t really vicious, but I could definitely tell they were picking on her. They were swerving close and trying to scare her. She was really young at the time, but I didn’t say anything to them. I just walked out and stood next to a column where she was skating and they saw me and left immediately. Boys intimidate girls in every skate park in America, and it still goes on.

But Ava and other girls have gotten where they don’t care anymore. They’re there because they have every right to be, and it’s a wonderful thing to see.”

Soloperto’s belief in skateboarding as a source of confidence and empowerment for young people, and particularly girls, is a foundation underlying his chosen means of artistic expression. A native of Miami, Florida, Soloperto discovered skateboarding during the sport’s massive revival in the mid-1970s when improvements in skateboard designs and equipment launched a sidewalk-surfing boom across the U.S. “Where I came from in Miami was almost completely flat,” Soloperto says. “My parents had the only house in the neighborhood that was on a hill. All the kids would come there to skate. I never got good at it. It was more a mode of transportation for me, and when I got my driver’s license, I stopped skating. I came back to it in college for a little while and then left it behind for many years. Once I started skating again, it was like, ‘Wow, why did I stop?’” →

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“

Making boards gave me a vehicle to try to help, and it’s led me to seek different mentors in my life — female mentors

Soloperto’s impetus for returning to skateboarding was his daughter. What started as an outlet for father-daughter time, soon turned into something bigger, thanks to some Morphean inspiration.

“It started in 2014 and it was a literal dream that I had,” Soloperto says. “I had a dream one night that a friend and I started a skateboard company and it did so well we passed it on to my daughter and his son.”

A tile setter by trade — a profession he learned from his father — and a tile mosaic artist on the side, Soloperto had been thinking about alternative professions. “I was stumbling trying to figure what my next career choice would be,” he says. “I knew I couldn’t set tile forever because of my knees and back. The next day I called my friend from the dream and asked him if he wanted to get in on making skateboards. He said his band was getting back together, and he was leaving to go on the road. So I went out and bought $1,200 of woodworking tools and started tinkering around. I had very little experience with woodworking, but the tile setting translates — measurements and cutting. Within three days I had made two or three prototypes, all of which turned out to be boat anchors. I still have them hanging on my wall. I just kept practicing and practicing until I honed in on it and I was happy with what I was doing.”

Soloperto was soon crafting one-of-a-kind longboards from locally sourced Tennessee maple. Longboards vary from the standard “trick boards” used for jumps, flips, and other gravity-defying stunts in their length (commonly 33 to 59 inches as opposed to 28 to 33 inches for standard skateboards), shape, and size of their wheels and trucks. These differences allow for a smoother and easier ride over long distances, and the ability to make quick, lateral moves similar to surfers and snowboarders. He soon discovered an alternative source for wood with a uniquely East Nashvillian aspect.

“Being a tile setter, I have contractor friends who do a lot of demolition work,” Soloperto says. “I mentioned to one of them that I started building skateboards and he suggested using the wood lathe strips from plaster walls.

I glue and press the strips together, and the finished piece is about an inch and half thick.

I then plane it down to a half-inch. The finished wood is phenomenal.”

Made from “heart pine” the densest portion of longleaf pines, and only available from old growth trees, the quality of wood Soloperto

reclaims for his skateboards is not available from modern sources.

“The crosscut grain on some of the wood leads me to believe the trees were 30-40 years old when they were cut,” he says. “If the house was 90 years old when it was demolished, that makes the wood 120-130 years old. The new pine you buy now is maybe five to six years old and there’s no comparison. I love the idea that the wood is back on the streets, skating through the neighborhood where the house once stood.” →

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Lockeland Students Love Tomato Fest!

Emerson Blankenship – 4th Grade

Stop by Lockeland Table to purchase tomato artwork made by our talented kids. Thank you for supporting Lockeland Design Center Elementary.

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Although Soloperto’s laminated boards are extremely popular, he also utilizes new maple wood, with a roughly 50-50 split in the types of boards he manufactures. “I make one design shape, it’s known as the classic 40-inch pintail,” he says. “The maple boards have more flex and ride smoother. The laminated boards are more expensive, so many people buy them as works of art, only taking them out for rides occasionally.”

Marketing proved the biggest challenge for Soloperto. “When I got to number 15, I realized this could be something that might take off down the road,” he says. “Figuring out how to sell them was the hardest part for me. When I do a tile job, I’m used to going to somebody’s house, telling them what they need, how much it’s going to cost, and they hand me a check and I go to work. A cousin of mine came to visit and said, ‘You need an Instagram shop.’ I was like, ‘No, I don’t want to do it!’ But 15 minutes after I set it up, I got an email from a professional downhill longboarder from Russia who was interested in one of my boards.”

Instagram and other social media channels also provide Soloperto with the opportunity to make friends in the skating world and promote the sport to girls, with his daughter Ava a frequent star of his posts. Soloperto’s girl-positive message led to a friendship with Patti McGee, the first woman to be inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame. McGee first came to national attention in May 1965 when she appeared on the cover of Life magazine.

“Patti has been wonderful to my daughter and me,” Soloperto says. “She is still the perfect ambassador for women’s skating worldwide, and Ava and I adore her. When I told her about building a skateboard for a young woman whose mother was murdered in my community, she asked if she could send her a package; it was filled with stickers, pins, and an inspiring love note.”

Soloperto’s devotion to spreading empowerment through skating to young girls has a direct link to the day he witnessed gender-based, skateboard-driven harassment in action.

“When I realized what was going on that day with those two boys and Ava, a bigger awareness just struck me.” Soloperto says.

“Making boards gave me a vehicle to try to help, and it’s led me to seek different mentors in my life — female mentors, because I’ve had mostly male mentors, whether in the tile business, creating mosaics, or whatever else.”

Skateboarding has also affected Ava’s worldview. “Girls can do anything that boys can do when it comes to skating,” she says emphatically. “I think it’s thought of as boy’s sport because more boys skate than girls, but you don’t have to have huge muscles to skateboard, you can just do it.”

Although Soloperto’s dream of building a skateboard empire hasn’t come to pass yet, his true standard of success isn’t measured by profits and losses. “I think having a brick and mortar shop would be pretty awesome,” he says, “but they say nobody opens a skateboard company to get rich; they do it because they love it. Ava and I have been blessed by skateboarding, and I love getting boards into the hands of youngsters, knowing a piece of wood with wheels on it has the power to change

someone’s life forever. I felt it when I was 12, and I’ve seen it in Ava’s face. It’s like nothing can stop you. When we ride together I often drift back behind her. I can see her just floating in the wind, and it’s the most beautiful thing in the world.”

For more Longboards by Solo, check out Soloperto’s Instagram page @longboards_by_solo

The NCT Snuggery Theatre for the Very Young Snuggery Shows are for small audiences, allowing children ages 0-5 to participate in the action of the story with the help of their adult.

Buy Your Tickets: 615-252-4675 or NashvilleCT.org TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR

By Ernie Nolan

Wait a minute... Little Star isn’t in the nighttime sky!

Where can he be? It’s up to the audience to help two devoted starkeepers search the galaxy in this interactive, immersive theatrical experience.

at Lipscomb University

JUNE 4 – AUGUST 14, 2019

THE ITSY BITSY SPIDER

By Ernie Nolan

Follow two green thumbed gardeners as they learn patience & perseverance from an eight-legged hero.

A favorite song comes to life in this theatrical experience for the youngest of theatre goers.

AUGUST 10 – SEPTEMBER 22, 2019

THE TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC

By Ernie Nolan

When complications arise with Mama’s Special Surprise, the Bears needs audience assistance to make things right again. Join the festivities as they dine, dance, and deliver an unforgettable day.

MARCH 7 – APRIL 19, 2020

Tickets: $12 per person for any age adult or child (ticket fees apply) Visit NashvilleCT.org for information about Snuggery 4-Packs.

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Living The Bright Side Judah & The Lion’s Pep Talks prys light from the shadows

By Andrew Leahey Photos by Chad Crawford

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I

t’s a spring morning in Tennessee, but as the temperature climbs above 85 degrees, it already feels like summertime.

“It’s hot!” says Judah Akers, out for a morning walk in his East Nashville neighborhood. Then, a breath later, he softens his tone. “Man, it’s beautiful out here. Nashville feels great right now.”

As the frontman of Judah & The Lion, Akers has built a career upon his willingness to look at the bright side.

The band’s first two albums, 2014’s Kids These Days and 2016’s Folk Hop ‘n’ Roll, are celebrations of a sound and spirit rooted in a Millennial-friendly mix of anthemic pop and hip-hop. Produced by Dave Cobb, the records combine banjos, dance beats, and hooks built for an arena, shot through with lyrics that urge the band’s audience to follow their hearts and pursue their dreams.

“We give [fans] an experience,” Akers told me in 2016, back when Judah & The Lion’s live show — a joyous, larger-than-life spectacle — was the main driver behind the band’s rapidly expanding audience.

“We throw an absolute rager, and all the songs are made with that in mind. They’re fun, carefree, and youthful, and we live our lives that way, too.”

At the time, there was a lot to be happy about.

As 2016 gave way to 2017, bandmates Akers, Brian Macdonald, and Nate Zuercher scored their first chart-topping hit with “Take It All Back.” Less than a week after the song climbed to number one on Billboard’s “US Alternative Songs” chart, the guys performed it on Conan. Five days after that, they kicked off a nationwide arena tour with Twenty One Pilots. The tour ran for two months, with roughly 10,000 fans showing up every night. Fun, carefree, and youthful, indeed.

No good buzz lasts forever, though. While Judah & The Lion remained on the road, things began unraveling back at home. Akers’ parents split up. Several family members passed away. Others began sinking into alcoholism. Sitting in the band’s tour bus after each show, Akers tried to wrap his head around this turn of events. Judah & The Lion’s popularity was soaring, but the gap between his band’s good fortune and his personal struggles had never seemed so wide.

Judah & The Lion’s newest release, Pep Talks, was written during those late-night moments of soul searching, hours after another show’s encore, the sound of the crowd still rattling Akers’ eardrums as he struggled to calm his worried mind. His mom was drinking herself to death. He was fighting — sometimes literally — with his dad. This time, it wasn’t so easy to look on the bright side.

Could Pep Talks be considered a dark album? In some ways, yes.

“Why Did You Run” finds Akers fielding a phone call from his drunk mother, whose bad habits have landed her in jail. Later, he takes a swing at his father during “Don’t Mess With My Mama.”

On paper, this is grim stuff. Even so, the songs still feature the familiar ingredients of Judah & The Lion’s euphoric rush: EDM drops, marching band percussion, banjo riffs, and gauzy keyboards. Some of Akers’ melodies even sound like soccer stadium chants and, just for good measure, there’s also a cameo by Kacey Musgraves, another Nashville-based genre-bender who swept the Grammy Awards with her own album, Golden Hour, less than a month before Pep Talks’ release. This is modern pop music on a massive scale, in other words — a musical pick-me-up, designed to rally festival-sized crowds around the mental struggles that are familiar for many of us.

“Up until this point, the basic narrative of our music was, ‘Go live your best life, because you only have one of them,’” Akers explains.

“And that was authentic, because we were a band that had dropped out of school, made some music, and begun to travel the world. The message on Pep Talks is more specific and more painful, but it’s hopeful, too. It’s not about lingering inside the pain. It’s meant to encourage people to move forward, no matter what season they’re in. →

“

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It’s not about lingering inside the pain. It’s meant to encourage people to move forward, no matter what season they’re in.

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The narrative has shifted a bit, but the overall message is still the same — it’s hope.”

J

udah & The Lion’s narrative isn’t the only thing that’s shifted over the years. The music itself has also evolved and expanded.

Long before Akers and company landed gigs at high-capacity venues like Ascend Amphitheater (where they’ll headline a hometown show — their largest to date — on Aug. 24), they played their first gig together at a Belmont University talent show. The event was sports-themed — a benefit of sorts for the school’s athletic department — and as a member of the Belmont Bruins baseball team, Akers was asked to kick off the evening with a few songs. He’d had a bit of experience fronting a worship band at his uncle’s church back home in Cookeville, Tennessee, but he was still relatively green, having spent far more time on the baseball field than onstage. Joined by music majors Brian Macdonald and Nate Zuercher, Akers serenaded the crowd that night with a sound that was split halfway between worship music and Mumford & Sons-influenced folk.

“Our name at the time was just Judah,” he remembers. “We hadn’t played any real shows yet. I later got made fun of by my baseball team, because I’d named the band after just my name.

So we changed the name.”

Next up was a gig at 12th & Porter, where the band performed a mostly acoustic set that was devoid of the electronic enhancements — synthesizers, dance beats, digital loops — that would eventually fill their music. A slide guitarist even joined them onstage that night. “We were wearing fedoras, suspenders, top hats, and all these folky things,” Akers says with a laugh.

“We were still very much discovering who we were.”

Things changed after the bandmates collectively dropped out of school and hit the road.

The decision to leave Belmont wasn’t an easy one, but Akers’ baseball schedule had prevented the group from doing much touring, as had Macdonald’s part-time job at the Belmont School of Music. Free of the commitments that had kept them close to campus, they began touring the country with songwriters like Andrew Ripp and Mat Kearney, sometimes even sharing a cramped van with the headliner.

Along the way, Judah & The Lion’s music lost its rustic roots and gained an electric edge.

Their live show became their calling card, and their albums — filled with the band‘s “folk-hop” sound — reflected the band’s onstage energy.

Eventually, after traveling the country by van for five years, Judah & The Lion graduated to a bus in 2017.

“I remember Matt Kearney being on a bus when we were still in a van, and he said, ‘Don’t move to a bus until you’re truly ready for it, because once you do, you’ll never want to tour in a van again,’” Akers says. “He’s right. The van comes with amazing perks, because you

really feel like you’re in this thing together. The camaraderie — the brotherhood or sisterhood that comes from that experience — can be great for a younger band. But man, it feels very good to be in a bus. This fall, we’re actually going to have two busses: one for the band and one for the crew.”

Moving from a van to a bus is a milestone for any band. Expanding that fleet to two vehicles is a rarity, especially for an independent act.

Without support from a major label, Judah & The Lion have risen to the same level as their heroes. That growth isn’t the result of a music magnate’s deep pockets; instead, it’s the product of a diverse sound that targets a generation of music fans who are more accustomed to the genre-jumping variety of a Spotify playlist than the homogeny of an album by a single artist.

To put it bluntly, Judah & The Lion sound like 2019 … and 2019 is shaping up to be a damn good year for the band.

Maybe it’s not so hard to look at the bright side, after all.

B

ack in East Nashville, it’s getting too warm for Akers to continue his morning walk.

Before he heads home, though, he takes a minute to recognize the role that this neighborhood — and, more broadly, the city as a whole — has played in his band’s rise from fedora-wearing folk act to international boundary-breakers.

“There’s no other place that feels like home,” he says. “We’re so proud to be from Nashville.

It’s a community-driven place, and Pep Talks was birthed out of that spirit. We worked on it with our local friends, like engineers Logan Matheny and Eddie Spear. Our music video director is Matt DeLisi, who’s another Nashville dude. Matt actually helped us write a song on the record, too, and my wife’s best friend did a lot of the branding for the release.

It’s crazy how blessed we are, just to have so many creative and gifted people right here at our fingertips. We’re proud of the city, with East Nashville being at the heart that creativity and energy. We’re proud to represent what the place means to us. For me, there’s no greater place to live.”

JULY 26

CHELSEA HANDLER AUGUST 11

HERBIE HANCOCK AUGUST 19

BRITTANY HOWARD

OF ALABAMA SHAKES

SEPTEMBER 15

TASH SULTANA SEPTEMBER 22 LIVE AT THE OPRY HOUSE

CHAKA KHAN

with Macy Gray, Victory and Sparkle City Disco

OCTOBER 7

CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN

OCTOBER 8

TOTO

OCTOBER 21

SLEATER-KINNEY

NOVEMBER 4

ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS NOVEMBER 11

Judah & The Lion’s latest album Pep Talks is available at fine record stores or can be streamed at judahandthelion.com.

RYAN BINGHAM

with special guest Jamestown Revival

DECEMBER 30 & 31

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW

with special guest Yola

UPGRADE YOUR NIGHT WITH A RYMAN PREMIUM PASS FOR TICKET INFORMATION AND MORE, VISIT RYMAN.COM Historically Cool Since 1892

FOLLOW US @THERYMAN

116 Fifth Avenue North Nashville, TN 37219

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B Y

J O E L L E

H E R R

In Da Club

I

am always slightly amused when certain (non-bookish) folks come into the shop (usually dragged by bookish friends) and make a big, melodramatic deal about the fact that they’re in a bookstore, as if they’ve stumbled upon some exotic, supposed-to-be-extinct creature. Some are baffled: “People still read real books?” Some are indignant: “Wasn’t the book pronounced ‘dead,’ like, ten years ago?” And some are merely concerned, leaning in with a knit brow and hushed voice: “How’s business?”

Yes, Virginia, people are still reading books. Not everyone, of course, but lots. One side effect — or perhaps it’s a cause — is the proliferation of book clubs. It seems like everyone is in a book club these days, some in more than one, even.

Book clubs go way back, with many historian folk pinpointing version 1.0 as 17th-century bible study groups.

Fast-forward 400 years, and most book clubs involve wine and a bestseller. And while Oprah may have pioneered the whole celebrity-led-book-club thing in the ’90s, these days, it can be difficult to keep up with all of them. Oprah’s still going, of course, but there’s also Reese Witherspoon, Emma Roberts, and Emma Watson. Even Jimmy Fallon got in on the act last year. Collectively, these women (and Jimmy) have millions of social media followers, which means that, when they anoint a book, it’s likely to become a bestseller.

The most recent statistic I could track down is from last year and estimates that five million Americans belong to a book club. That’s a lot of readers — and a lot of Pinot.

At the shop, we host a book club called Better Off Read.

We partner with The Porch Writers’ Collective on it, and yes, we pop open a couple of wine bottles at the meetings.

Drawing upon wisdom gained from our 15 gatherings

so far, I thought I’d share a few book club pointers — whether you’re thinking about starting or joining one, or if your existing club is in a bit of a rut.

Mix it up: Expand beyond fiction. Read a biography of notable writer who lived a fascinating life. Read a historical account of something that happened in your state.

Read poetry. Read a translated work that takes place on a different continent. Reread your favorite book from 4th grade. Explore all of the genres and cultures and places.

Be realistic: Everyone is pretty dang busy these days.

Families, jobs, pets, household chores, errands. To-do lists are never-ending. The point? Skip the Dickens and Tolstoy. Not altogether — read them on your own, if you want. But, unless your book club meets annually, keep your picks under 300 pages.

Venture off the beaten path: This is one of my goals with Better Off Read, to pick lesser-known books. It’s rare that we read something that’s hit any sort of best-seller list. Award and prize lists are another matter — those I pay attention to. There are so many stellar indie presses publishing fantastic books, but most people don’t know about them because, well, they’re from small indie presses with small indie publicity and marketing departments and budgets. Do a little digging, and find a gem.

Stay focused: One of the most common complaints I hear about book clubs is that folks spend precious time discussing things other than the book. Current events, vacations, movies, relationship drama — keep this sort of chatter to a minimum, or ban it altogether so that the book and its themes, characters, plot, and other must-discuss aspects take center stage.

Just remember to have lots of bookish fun. And to keep reading, of course. Happy clubbing. →

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”

— Rainer Maria Rilke

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EAST NASHVILLE

TOMATO5K Saturday, August 10 EAST PARK Kids Fun Run 1K — 7:00 a.m.

5K — 7:30 a.m.

For more information and to register visit YMCAMIDTN.ORG/RACE-SERIES THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS DELTA AIRLINES • WASTE MANAGEMENT OF NASHVILLE • WILSON ART Lockeland Table • Escape Day Spa & Salon • Bootstrap Architecture + Construction Exit Realty • JRH Attorney • Water Stone Mortgage • Midtown Title East Nashville Agent • MW Real Estate Co. • Smokey Mountain Tops The Drimmer Group • Hunt Brothers Pizza • Sunbelt Rentals Our Mission: A worldwide charitable fellowship united by a common loyalty to Jesus Christ for the purpose of helping people grow in spirit, mind and body.

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New &

notable

⟫ ⟫

Let’s Make Ramen Hugh Amano | Sarah Becan It’s a cookbook! It’s a comic book! It’s both! Plus, ramen!

⟫ ⟫ ⟫

The Warehouse Rob Hart

A dystopian thriller about a giant, nefarious corporation that has its hands in just about every aspect of people’s lives? Sounds familiar — and right up my alley.

{August 20}

Supper Club

Lara Williams

{July 16}

The Nickel Boys Colson Whitehead

Whitehead has won just about every literary award out there, so I’m far from the only one counting down the days to the release of his new novel, which is set in a horrific reform school in 1960s Florida.

{July 16}

Williams’ last book — a short story collection — had such a clever title: A Selfie as Big as the Ritz. The stories weren’t bad, either, which is why I’m looking forward to this, her first novel.

{July 9}

Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson If you happen to be reading this al fresco, chances are you’re battling some flying pests at the same time. Learn more about the fascinating lives of insects — and how we wouldn’t be here without them.

{July 2}

⟫

Buzz Sting Bite

Am I Overthinking This?

Michelle Rial

If you ever ask yourself this question (my hand is raised), then this playful, visual representation of 101 life dilemmas is sure to elicit a smile, a nod, and perhaps even a guffaw.

{August 13}

Joelle Herr worked as a book editor and is the author of several books. She owns and curates The Bookshop in East Nashville.

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East Side C A L E N D A R EMMA ALFORD CALENDAR EDITOR

J U L Y | A U G U S T 2019

F O R U P -TO - DAT E I N F O R M AT I O N O N E V E N TS , A S W E L L A S L I N K S , P L E A S E V I S I T U S AT: T H E E A ST N A S H V I L L I A N .C O M

UPCOMING FARM FRESH

East Nashville Farmers Market Tuesdays through October, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Amqui Station Farmers Market Sundays through October, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Looking for something a little more fresh than the usual Kroger haul and far more local than Whole Foods? Make a pit stop at one of these.

Browse the locally grown organic and fresh foods. Sniff, sample, and snag the local cheeses, milk, breads, herbs, fruits, vegetables, jams, and jellies. Usually a few food trucks are in tow as well, so you can even grab a bite on site. Get out and meet the farmers who grow your food. They also accept SNAP (food stamp) benefits. Double down and visit both.

First Church of the Nazarene, 511 Woodland St., & Amqui Station and Visitors Center, 303 Madison Station Blvd, Madison, 37115 ᚔ

PICK TO THE AIRPARK Cornelia Fort Pickin’ Party

Select Saturdays, July through October, 6 p.m., Cornelia Fort Airpark It’s time to start pickin’ with a purpose again.

Running through the first Saturday in October, Cornelia Fort Airpark plays host to a pickin’ party fundraiser. Strumming and grinning will start at 6 p.m., with the bands firing up at 8 p.m. Tickets in advance are $12, or $15 at the gate, $40 will get you a season pass.

Admission gets you one adult beverage of your choice. If you want to bike over, the folks at Shelby Ave. Bicycle Co. plan to have a group to ride over to the park starting at 6 p.m.

All proceeds from the series will go toward supporting the restoration and maintenance of the historic airpark, so put your money where your neighborhood is and scoot. corneliafortpickinparty.org 2640 Airpark Drive July 27: The Farmer and Adele, The Cowpokes, Greg Garing Aug. 24: Michigan Rattlers, Teddy and the Rough Riders Sept. 21: Sierra Ferrell, David Borné Oct. 5: Brazilbilly, King Corduroy ᚔ

COME TOGETHER Patriot Stories

Third Thursday of every month through November, 6:30-8:30 p.m., American Legion Post 82 During a time when turning on the news can spark the next World War in someone’s household, it’s nice to take a moment to

remember we are all cut from the same cloth.

The constant divisive rhetoric is exhausting, and we can’t think of a better way to combat that than a cold beer and fresh tunes. Patriot Stories is a new series on the East Side. It’s bringing military-veteran singer/songwriters together for an opportunity to share their stories. The series will feature veterans from all walks of life — including musicians of all ages, races, physical abilities, and LGBTQ+ identities.

The evenings will also facilitate donations to Tennessee-based veteran nonprofits. See you there at 1830 hours.

3204 Gallatin Pike ᚔ

TOMMOROW’S TOMMOROW, TODAY

Tomorrow Fund’s Red, White & Brew Saturday, July 13, 2-5 p.m., Nashville Urban Winery Don’t throw out your red, white, and blue gear just yet. The Tomorrow Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is hosting their biggest fundraiser of the year: Red, White & Brew. This do-good-day party requires you dress up like your favorite American icon, at least if you want a chance at the costume contest. They’ll have karaoke with everyone’s favorite patriotic songs. (We sure hope this includes “Born in the USA.”) The proceeds go toward The Tomorrow Fund, an organization that provides a training ground for the future of

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East Side C A L E N D A R Middle Tennessee’s philanthropic and outreach efforts — fostering and promoting civic leadership and community awareness. Dust off a powdered wig and get there early, the first 100 receive a complimentary drink ticket. cfmt.org.

715 Main St. ᚔ

WEIRD SCIENCE

Mr. Bond and the Science Guys Summer Camp July 22-26, Riverwood Church

Mr. Bond and his crew are back with their summer camp program, reminding kiddos that science is fun. The young Einsteins of the world can pick their poison: engineering or space. (Or both, if you’re in for a full day!)

Register online for half or full day signups.

1904 McGavock Pike Space! Rocket to Mars: 8:30-11 a.m.

Engineering Camp: Noon to 3 p.m. ᚔ

TALES OF THE TOMATO Tomato Story Time

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 10:30 a.m., Inglewood Library If your family wants to lay their tomato roots before the annual Tomato Arts Festival, the Inglewood Branch Library can color you read. They’ll have an interactive storytime sesh for all the would-be maters. You can expect stories, songs and crafts for the kiddos ages 2 to 5 years old, with our reddest garden pal as the center of attention.

4312 Gallatin Pike. ᚔ

TOMATO CELEBRATION Tomato Art Fest

Friday & Saturday, Aug. 9 - 10, Five Points The 16th Annual Tomato Art Fest hits the East Side this summer bringing a sweltering respite from the gauzy haze. Life gets a little shinier when we come together in celebration of what unites, rather than divides, us. Kid-friendly, adult-friendly and, of course, tomato-friendly goings on will be happening throughout the day on Saturday. For those of you wanting to start the party early, there’s a kick-off concert Friday night. Check out our guide in this issue. THE singular East Nashville event. Not to be missed! tomatoartfest.com ᚔ

GREEN WITH MUSIC Live On The Green

August 15, 22, and Aug.29 - Sept. 1, 5-11 p.m., Public Square Park Free live music? Need we say more? These green gigs won’t cost you a penny. Nashville’s yearly free outdoor concert series Live On The Green is gearing up again this August. A host of national and local acts will take the stage — you can catch their shows every Thursday in August, culminating in a 3-day festival to end the series over Labor Day weekend.

Check out the interactive calendar on their website for showtimes. liveonthegreen.com 408 Second Ave. N. Thursday, Aug. 15

Gary Clark Jr. The Strumbellas Yola Lucie Silvas

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East Side C A L E N D A R Thursday, Aug. 22

JOHNNYSWIM Mat Kearney Amanda Shires Will Hoge Thursday, Aug. 29 Main Stage

O.A.R. Yacht Rock Revue American Authors Morgxn

DEFYING EASTNASTY Defy Film Festival

Aug. 23-24, Center 615 Now back for its fourth installment, the Defy Film Festival has returned. Defy brings cinematic works from around the world, with a pull towards celebrating unconventional filmmaking. “Defying” tradition, if you will. The festival has been crafted by filmmakers, with

filmmakers in mind. More details to come on their website. defyfilmfestival.com 272 Broadmoor Drive ᚔ

Nashville Community Education Courses Nashville Community Education is a program sponsored through Metro’s Nashville

615 Stage

Maggie Rose & Them Vibes The Daybreaks Briston Maroney Friday, Aug. 30 Main Stage

St. Paul & The Broken Bones Guster Robert Randolph & The Family Band Illiterate Light 615 Stage

The Brummies Erin Rae Los Colognes Saturday, Aug. 31 Main Stage

Grace Potter Todd Snider Jukebox the Ghost Grizfolk BAILEN 615 Stage

Aaron Lee Tasjan Creature Comfort Scott Mulvahill Laura Reed Wild Love Kids Fest

[ GRĒN-WAH ]

NEW ORGANIC

GREENS & GRAINS B OWLS

Sunday, Sept. 1 Main Stage

Lake Street Dive Wilder Woods Steve Earle Boy Named Banjo The Marcus King Band Lindsay Ell 615 Stage

Liz Cooper & The Stampede Stephen Day Smooth Hound Smith Airpark Forest Fire Gospel Choir Trella

FIVE POINTS 962 WOODLAND STREET NASHVILLE, TN 37206

ᚔ @CLEANJUICEFIVEPOINTS

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East Side C A L E N D A R Community Education commission that offers classes to enrich the population of Nashville through professional and personal education.

See the full course offering and sign up at nashville.gov/Nashville-Community-Education All events at Inglewood Elementary School, 1700 Riverside Drive, unless otherwise indicated.

Spanish I Tuesdays through July 30, 6-8:30 p.m.

Tuesdays

Understanding Debt Collection Monday, August 5, 6-8:30 p.m.

The SloBeats

6 p.m.

Biking in Nashville Tuesdays, July 16-30, 6-7:30 p.m.

Stretch and Restore Yoga Tuesdays through August 6, 6-7:15 p.m.

(Kenny Vaughan and Dave Roe) 8 p.m.

Eat Smart at Home Mondays through July 29, 6-7:30 p.m.

Patrick Sweany and the Tiger Beats

0

Humpday DLW Hoedown

RESIDENCIES

Songwriter Showdown

Buyer’s Path to Purchasing a Home Monday, July 15, 6-8 p.m.

Six Steps to Managing Your Money Monday, July 15, 6-7:30 p.m.

Jon Byrd

10 p.m. to midnight Wednesdays 6 p.m. (hosted by Andy Beckey) 7:30 p.m.

=

Sam Outlaw

DEE’S COUNTRY COCKTAIL LOUNGE

(July only) 9-11:30 p.m.

deeslounge.com 102 E. Palestine Ave., Madison Sundays

Thursdays

Mark Thornton and the Sidekicks

Qigong Movement Mondays through August 5, 6-7 p.m.

Jonell Mosser Gospel Brunch

6 p.m.

2-5 p.m.

CW Stoneking

Tai Chi Basics Mondays through July 22, 6-7 p.m.

Mondays

(July only) 7:30 p.m.

Allen Thompson

Worldclass Bluegrass with East Nash Grass

8:30-10 p.m.

6-8 p.m.

Mr Jukebox and Friends

Madison Guild

10 p.m. to midnight

American Sign Language I Mondays through August 5, 6-7:15 p.m.,

8:30-11:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 TH PRESENTED BY

GET OUT. BE LOUD.

GREYSON

CHANCE

KIM

PETRAS

GIA

WOODS

KATIE PRUITT • JOHN CYRUS • TAELA • 2'LIVE BRE MIDTOWN NASHVILLE • 4-11 PM TICKETS AT OUTLOUDMUSICFESTIVAL . COM

GIFTED QUEEN • KENNA • RIA MARIE• ABIGAIL DOUGLAS ANITA COXX • TAMMY WHYNOT • HOTMESS HOUSEWIVES • HEATHER SAPPHIRE

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East Side C A L E N D A R Fridays

Sundays

Thursdays

Acoustic Happy Hour

Comedy Open Mic

Funk Night Nashville

5:30-8 p.m.

7-9 p.m.

9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

=

Wednesdays

=

THE COBRA NASHVILLE

thecobranashville.com 2511 Gallatin Ave., 629.800.2518

Another Night, Another Dream DJ Dark Heart & DJ Gravy 10 p.m.

THE 5 SPOT

the5spot.club 1006 Forrest Ave., 615.650.9333 Sundays

Sunday Night Soul Hosted by Jason Eskridge Every second and fourth Sunday, 6 p.m.

Mondays

The Tiger Beats (Blues Music from Nashville’s Finest) 6-8 p.m.

Swing Dancing and Drink Specials 8-10 p.m.

Motown Monday Hosted by Electric Western Mondays, 10 p.m.

Tuesdays

Two Dollar Tuesday Hosted by Derek Hoke 9 p.m. to close Wednesdays

Lydia Luce Residency 6 p.m., through Aug. 7 Fridays

Tim Carroll’s Rock & Roll Happy Hour 6-8:30 p.m.

Strictly ’80s Dance Party First Friday of the month 9 p.m. to close Saturdays

The 5 Spotlight Artists vary First Saturday of the month 6-8:30 p.m.

Funky Good Time First Saturday of the month 9 p.m. to close =

VINYL TAP

vinyltapnashville.com 2038 Greenwood Ave.

Caprice Classics Every other Tuesday beginning July 23

Vinyl Club Friday, July 19 & Saturday, Aug. 3

Friends of Mine Monday, Aug. 19

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East Side C A L E N D A R

3

Museums

ART EXHIBITS

COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM

EAST NASHVILLE ART STUMBLE

5-8 p.m., second Saturday of every month Stumble on into any of our great East Side galleries and shops, which are open late during the East Nashville Art Stumble.

∑

countrymusichalloffame.org 222 Fifth Ave. S.

Outlaws & Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ’70s Ongoing This major exhibition explores the artistic and cultural exchange between Nashville, Tennessee, and Austin, Texas, during the 1970s.

Every Poster Tells a Story: 140 Years of Hatch Show Print Through April 2020

Red Arrow Gallery Michael Weintrob Photography 919 Gallatin Ave.

Raven & Whale Gallery Riveter Defunct Books Black by Maria Silver

Located within The Idea Hatchery 1108 Woodland St.

The Groove

1103 Calvin Ave.

Toro 917 Gallatin Ave. Friendly Arctic

1004 Gallatin Ave.

Galleries ∑

RAVEN AND WHALE GALLERY

ravenandwhalegallery.com 1108 Woodland St. Unit G, 629.777.6965

Ongoing Collection Noon to 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday 6-10 p.m., second Saturday of every month 0

RED ARROW GALLERY

theredarrowgallery.com 919 Gallatin Ave., Ste. 4, 615.236.6575

Julian Rogers Alexander’s Dark Band Opening reception 6 p.m., June 22; through July 28

Jodi Hays Opening reception 6 p.m., Aug. 7; through September 8

A Red Arrow Gallery art talk series Every month—check the website for details

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READY TO ENTER THE HEMP & CBD MARKET?

A P P L I C AT I O N LICENSING

TRADEMARKING COMPLIANCE

(615) 712-6394 | www.schafferlawfirmtn.com 90

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East Side C A L E N D A R This retrospective focuses on pivotal periods in the history of Hatch Show Print, from its founding in 1879 as C.R. & H.H. Hatch, Printers, to its golden age in the 1920s led by Will T. Hatch, to the shop’s continued breadth and scope of work and long-standing dedication to its “preservation through production” mantra, allowing guests to experience and learn about the shop’s 140-year history through a collection of posters, blocks and memorabilia.

Emmylou Harris: Songbird’s Flight Through August 4 This exhibit explores the musical and personal journeys of an artist who has, for nearly fifty years, captivated both her industry peers and her music fans. Johnny Cash called Harris his favorite female vocalist, and Bruce Springsteen hails her as a national treasure.

Still Rings True: The Enduring Voice of Keith Whitley Through April 2020 Keith Whitley’s short life cast a long shadow, influencing his contemporaries and successors, including fellow Country Music Hall of Fame members.

Musician Spotlight:

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Aug. 10 - Sept. 22 Evenings and weekends are open to the public. nashvillechildrenstheatre.org 25 Middleton St. ∂

THE THEATER BUG

NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRE Presents

Urinetown The Musical Sept. 14 - 29

nashvillerep.org 161 Rains Ave.

Presents

6

Thursday, July 25, 7p.m.

Friday, July 26, 7 p.m.

Saturday, July 27, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 1, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 2, 7 p.m.

CONCERTS

Showmance

Dates subject to change thetheaterbug.org 4809 Gallatin Pike ∂

NASHVILLE OPERA

Scheduled performances resume in October.

Check website updates. nashvilleopera.org 505 Deaderick St. ∂

City Winery

Select shows. Full listings at: citywinery.com/nashville 609 Lafayette St., 37203 615.324.1010

Anders Osborne Solo w/ special guest Marc Ford Presented by WMOT/Roots Radio Wednesday, July 17, 8 p.m.

10,000 Maniacs w/ Jude Johnstone Sunday, July 21, 8 p.m.

Clare Bowen w/ Imogen Clark

Kenzie Wetz Sunday, July 14, 1-2 p.m.

0

FRIST ART MUSEUM fristartmuseum.org 919 Broadway

Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection Through Sept. 2

Diana Al-Hadid: Sublimations Through Sept. 2

Connect/Disconnect: Growth in the “It” City Through Aug. 4

(

THEATER/OPERA NASHVILLE CHILDREN’S THEATRE Presents

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Through Aug. 4 Tuesdays - Fridays at 9 am Saturdays and Sundays at 9:30 and 11:30 am Please note: Performances held at David Lipscomb University; see NCT webite for details

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East Side C A L E N D A R Presented by WMOT/Roots Radio Wednesday, Aug. 7, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 14, 7 p.m.

The Verve Pipe Saturday, Aug. 3, 8 p.m.

An Intimate Evening With Dan Penn

Friday, Aug. 2, 8 p.m.

Marcia Ball

John Mayall

Thursday, Aug. 8, 8 p.m.

Presented by WMOT/Roots Radio Wednesday, Aug. 21, 8 p.m.

w/ Tommy Odetto Presented by WMOT/Roots Radio Sunday, Aug. 4, 8 p.m.

Grant-Lee Phillips’ Parlor of Stars Summer Residency in the Lounge

Grant-Lee Phillips’ Parlor of Stars Summer Residency in the Lounge

featuring special guests Robyn Hitchcock, Dawn Landes, and Andrew Combs

featuring special guests Alex Wong, Wild Ponies, and Kevin Gordon Wednesday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m.

An Evening with Squirrel Nut Zippers The Beast Is Loose On The Land Tour

John Sebastian Thursday, Aug. 22, 8 p.m.

Over the Rhine w/ Leigh Nash Presented by WMOT/Roots Radio Saturday, Aug. 24, 8 p.m.

Vertical Horizon Sunday, Aug. 25, 8 p.m.

Valerie June Tuesday, Aug. 27, 8 p.m.

Grant-Lee Phillips’ Parlor of Stars Summer Residency in the Lounge featuring special guests Will Kimbrough, Jarrod Dickenson and Wildeyes Presented by WMOT/Roots Radio Wednesday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m.

The Box Tops Friday, Aug. 30, 8 p.m. ∂

The Cowan At Topgolf

topgolf.com 500 Cowan St., 615.777.3007

Billy Bob Thornton w/ The Boxmasters Friday, July 12, 7 p.m.

Guilty Pleasures Saturday July 13, 7 p.m.

Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers Sunday, July 21, 7 p.m.

Long Beach Dub Allstars w/ The Aggrolites and Mike Pinto Tuesday, July 23, 7 p.m.

My So-Called Band Saturday, July 27, 7 p.m.

Tom Keifer w/ The Great Affairs Tuesday, July 30, 7 p.m.

The Weeks Thursday, Aug. 8, 7 p.m.

Fit For A King w/ Norma Jean, Afterlife, and Left Behind Friday, Aug. 16, 6 p.m.

Protoje w/ The Indiggnation Wednesday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m.

Earthgang Friday, Aug. 23, 9 p.m.

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East Side C A L E N D A R

RYMAN AUDITORIUM ryman.com 116 Fifth Ave. N

EVENTS & CLASSES

Andrew Bird

Sunset Soiree

Friday, July 12, 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 13, 7 p.m.

All ages

Jonny Lang and JJ Grey & Mofro Friday, July 19, 7:30 p.m.

Summer Full Moon Hike Tuesday, July 16, 8:30-9:30 p.m.

All ages, registration required

Slithery Snakes Wednesday, July 17, 2-3 p.m.

All ages

Joe Bonamassa Monday, July 22, 8 p.m.

Vince Gill Thursday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.

Chelsea Handler Friday, July 26, 8 p.m.

REO Speedwagon Monday, July 29, 7:30 p.m.

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Thursday, Aug. 1, 7:30 p.m

Alice Cooper & Halestorm Sunday, Aug. 4, 7 p.m.

Slash Tuesday, Aug. 6, 7:30 p.m.

Ringo Starr Aug. 7-8, 7:30 p.m.

Melissa Ehteridge Friday, Aug. 16, 8 p.m.

Common Thursday, Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m.

Widespread Panic Aug. 23-25, 8 p.m.

The Raconteurs Aug. 29-31, 8 p.m. ∂

NASHVILLE SYMPHONY nashvillesymphony.org One Symphony Place

The Isley Brothers: 60th Anniversary Tour Wednesday, July 17, 7:30 p.m.

The Final Tour of the Legendary Johnny Rivers Wednesday, July 24, 7:30 p.m.

Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin II Friday, July 26, 8 p.m.

1964 “The Tribute” Sunday, Aug. 11, 7:30 p.m.

!

SHELBY BOTTOMS NATURE CENTER 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday Noon to 4 p.m., Wednesday and Friday Closed, Sunday and Monday The Nature Center offers a wide range of nature and environmental education programs and has a Nashville B-Cycle station where residents and visitors can rent a bike to explore Nashville’s greenways.

1900 Davidson St., 615.862.8539 July | August 2019 theeastnashvillian.com

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No matter how you slice it, we’re really into tomatoes.

Enjoy the Fest!

GraffitiIndoorAd.com GraffitiIndoorAd.com 94

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East Side C A L E N D A R Wildlife Walk: Dusk in the Bottomlands

Ice Cream & Tomatoes

Coloring in the Classroom

Thursday, July 18, 7-8:15 p.m.

All ages, registration required

Tuesday, Aug. 6, noon to 6:30 p.m.

All ages, registration required

Saturday, Aug. 31, all day All ages

Slimy Science

Insects: Paradise Lost

Friday, July 19, 10-11:30 a.m.

All ages, registration required

Thursday, Aug. 8, 10-11 a.m.

All ages, registration required

Shelby to Stones Satellite Site!

It is the Balm

Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All ages, no registration

Thursday, Aug. 8, 6-7 p.m.

Ages 21 and up, registration required

Back Porch Ice Cream Social and Pickin’ Party

iDog Days of Summer Full Moon Hike

Saturday, July 20, 1-3 p.m.

All ages, registration required

Thursday, Aug. 15, 8:30-9:30 p.m.

All ages, registration required

The Wildlife Trade

Fossil Hunting in Nashville

Thursday, July 25, 7-8 p.m.

Ages 13 and up, registration required

Saturday, Aug. 17, 10-11 a.m.

All ages, registration required

Trees of Life

Hummingbird Party!

Friday, July 26, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

All ages

Thursday, Aug. 22, 6:30 p.m.

All ages, registration required

A Midsummer Night’s Bats

Shelby to Stones Satellite Site!

Friday, July 26, 7-8 p.m.

All ages, registration required

Saturday, Aug. 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All ages, no registration

Disaster, Travel, Wilderness, First Aid Certification Course Friday/Saturday, July 27-28, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Ages 12 and up, registration required (www.solowfa.com)

Nature BUILD Wednesday, July 31, 9-10 a.m.

Ages 3-10, registration required

SHOP AROUND SUNDAY Sundays at Porter East

Noon to 4 p.m., First Sunday of every month, Shops at Porter East The Shops at Porter East open their doors the first Sunday of every month for a special parking lot party. You can expect to enjoy a selection of rotating food trucks (and usually a flower truck), fix-ups from Ranger Stitch, and often some good tunes, too.

700 Porter Road ᚔ

RINC, Y’ALL

Scott-Ellis School of Irish Dance

You’re never too young — or too old — to kick out the Gaelic jams with some Irish Step dancing. No experience, or partner, required.

Just enthusiasm, a heart of gold, and ScottEllis School of Irish Dance classes, and you’ll be dancing in the clover in no time. danceast.org

2999 ANNUAL

Bike Ride: Nature in the City Thursday, Aug. 1, 7-8:30 p.m.

Ages 12 and up, registration required

Summer Morning Bird Watching Friday, Aug. 2, 7-8 a.m.

All ages, registration required

Shelby Bottoms Poetry Night Friday, Aug. 2, 7-8 p.m.

All ages, registration required

Bird Friendly Coffee Social Saturday, Aug. 3, 9 a.m. to noon All ages

Classroom, Cooldown, (Pickin’ Party and Lemonade) Saturday, Aug. 3, 1-3 p.m.

All ages, registration required

Tennessee at Night

SATURDAY OCTOBER 555 2019 • 9:00AM NASHVILLEAIDSWALK.COM

Saturday, Aug. 3, 7-8 p.m.

All ages, registration required

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East Side C A L E N D A R Sundays: DancEast 2-2:30 p.m., Beginner Class; 2-3 p.m., Intermediate/Advanced Soft Shoe Class; 3-4 p.m., Intermediate/Advanced Hard Shoe Class 805 Woodland St., Ste. 314, 615.601.1897

Mondays: Eastwood Christian Church 5-5:30 p.m., Beginner Class; 5-6 p.m., Intermediate/Advanced Class Eastwood Christian Church, Fellowship Hall 1601 Eastland Ave., 615.300.4388 ᚔ

ANSWER ME THIS Trivia Nights

This shindig, presented by Electric Western, keeps it real with old-school soul, funk, and R&B. If you have two left feet, then snag a seat at the bar. They have two-for-one drink specials, so you can use the money you save on a cover to fill your cup. Get up and get down and go see why their motto is “Monday is the new Friday.” electricwesternrecords.com 1006 Forrest Ave., 615.650.9333 ᚔ

TELL ME A STORY East Side Storytellin’

7 p.m., first and third Tuesdays, The Post East

ᚔ

Looking for something to get your creative juices flowing? East Side Story has partnered with WAMB radio to present an all-out affair with book readings, musical performances, and author/musician interviews in just one evening.

Look for this event twice each month. If you want some adult beverages, feel free to BYOB. Check the website to see who the guests of honor will be for each performance. The event is free, but you may want to reserve a spot by calling ahead of time.

The Post East theposteast.com 1701 Fatherland St., Ste. A, 615.457.2920 East Side Story eastsidestorytn.com 615.915.1808 ᚔ

BRING IT TO THE TABLE

HOME IS WHERE THE MUSIC IS

4-6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, Lockeland Table

5:30-8 p.m., Fourth Tuesday of every month, HOME

Lockeland Table is cooking up family-friendly afternoons to help you break out of the house or away from that desk for a couple of hours.

Throughout the week, they host a community happy hour that includes a special snack and drink menu, as well as a menu just for the kiddies. A portion of all proceeds benefits Lockeland Design Center PTO, so you can feel good about giving back to your neighborhood while schmoozing with your fellow East Nashvillians. lockelandtable.com 1520 Woodland St., 615.228.4864 ᚔ

SHOUT! SHIMMY! SHAKE!

If you haven’t heard of HOME (Helping Our Music Evolve), think of it as a little musical incubator inside Center 615. They provide everything musicians need under one roof: rehearsal, recording studio, event space, industry focused educational workshops, with 24/7 access to the location — a one stop shop for Nashville’s budding musicians. If you’re interested in learning more or becoming a member, Homies Night is where to start. It’s a laid back hang open to all who are interested in learning more. You can meet existing members and get the run down on why they’ve chosen it as their HOME. helpingmusic.org.

615 Main St. Suite G1 ᚔ

9:30 p.m. to close, Mondays, The 5 Spot

BLUEGRASS FED & BRED

8 p.m., each week, various locations East Siders, if you’re one of the sharper tools in the shed (or not), stop by one of these East Side locales to test your wits at trivia. They play a few rounds, with different categories for each question. There might even be some prizes for top-scoring teams. But remember, nobody likes a sore loser.

Monday: Drifters Tuesday: Edley’s BBQ East, Lipstick Lounge (7:30 p.m.)

Wednesday: Nobles Kitchen and Beer Hall, The Mainstay (7 p.m.)

Thursday: 3 Crow Bar

Community Hour at Lockeland Table

Motown Mondays

For those looking to hit the dance floor on Monday nights, The 5 Spot’s Motown Mondays dance party is the place to be.

New Homies Night

Bluegrass Wednesdays 8 p.m., Wednesdays, American Legion 82

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Giancarlo Guerrero, Music Director

music is

For You

Choose Any 3+ Concerts Now

GET EARLY ACCESS • BIG SAVINGS • PERKS GALORE

100+ CONCERTS ON SALE JULY 19 AT 10 AM 98

615.687.6400 | NashvilleSymphony.org

theeastnashvillian.com July | August 2019

East Side C A L E N D A R The Basement East

Been searching for a midweek jam pick-me-up?

Wander no more. Scoot and pick on down to American Legion Post 82 for their bluegrass night. The lineup changes each week, but you can check out their Facebook for the week’s grinners.

Admission is free, but tips for the pickers are encouraged. Don’t forget to sign the mandatory guest log on your way in. Happy strumming.

3202 Gallatin Pike, 615.228.3598 ᚔ

On any given month, the QDP is a mixed bag of fashionably clad attendees (some in the occasional costume) dancing till they can’t dance no mo’. Shake a leg, slurp down some of the drink specials, and let your true rainbow colors show. thebasementnashville.com 917 Woodland St., 615.645.9174 ᚔ

GUFFAWS AT THE GROOVE

PICKIN’ YOUR BRUNCH

6:30 p.m., Every Thursday, The Groove

10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays, The Post East

Open Mic Comedy Night In-Store

The Groove is good for more than just your vinyl needs these days. The needle drops for signups at 6 p.m., first comedian is on at 6:30. Drop by for some local comedy in a low key environment.

Check out the latest releases between laughs.

Anyone and everyone welcome to sign up!

1103 Calvin Ave. 615.227.5570 ᚔ

WALK, EAT, REPEAT Walk Eat Nashville

1:30 p.m., Thursdays; 11 a.m., Fridays, Five Points What better way to indulge in the plethora of East Nashville eateries than a walking tour through the tastiest stops? Walk Eat Nashville tours stroll through East Nashville, kicking off in 5 Points, with six tasting stops over three hours.

You will walk about a mile and a half, so you’ll burn some of those calories you’re consuming in the process. This tour offers the chance to interact with the people and places crafting Nashville’s culinary scene. You even get a little history lesson along the way, learning about landmarks and lore on the East Side. Sign up for your tour online. walkeatnashville.com Corner of South 11th and Woodland Streets 615.587.6138 ᚔ

HONESTLY, OFFICER ...

East Nashville Crime Prevention Meeting 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursdays, Noble’s Kitchen & Beer Hall

Join your neighbors to talk about crime stats, trends, and various other issues with East Precinct’s Commander David Imhof and head of investigation Lt. Greg Blair. If you are new to the East Side, get up to speed on criminal activity in the area.

974 Main St., 629.800.2050 ᚔ

A DANCE PARTY WITH STYLE Queer Dance Party

9 p.m. to 3 a.m., third Friday of every month

Bluegrass Brunch

What could make brunch even better, you might ask? Bluegrass. For a pickin’ and grinnin’ kind of meal, join the folks at The Post East every Saturday. They’ll have a few jammers there to complement the toast (and jam). P.S.: For those just focused on snacking, brunch runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. theposteast.com 1701 Fatherland St., Ste. A, 615.457.2920 ᚔ

ONCE UPON A TIME …

Weekly Storytime

10 a.m., Saturdays, The Bookshop The Bookshop has a story to tell us each and every weekend. On Saturdays, they sit down for a good old-fashioned story time for young East Side bookworms, occasionally welcoming special guests (learn more about that on the shop’s website). One thing is certain: These are solid Saturday plans for wee bibliophiles. thebookshopnashville.com 1043 W. Eastland Ave., 615.484.5420

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NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS HISTORIC EDGEFIELD NEIGHBORS historicedgefieldneighbors.com Board Meeting 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 23 Turnip Truck 701 Woodland St. Neighborhood Meeting 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 25 and June 25 East Park Community Center 700 Woodland St.

LOCKELAND SPRINGS N.A.

8/2

CLARE BOWEN WITH OPENER IMOGEN CLARK

8/3

THE VERVE PIPE

8/4

JOHN MAYALL WITH OPENER TOMMY ODETTO PRESENTED BY WMOT/ROOTS RADIO

8/5

THE LEGENDARY NASHVILLE JAZZ MACHINE REUNION SHOW PRESENTED BY NASHVILLE JAZZ ORCHESTRA

8/7

AN EVENING WITH SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS THE BEAST IS LOOSE ON THE LAND TOUR PRESENTED BY WMOT/ROOTS RADIO

8/8

BETH BOMBARA AND ERICA BLINN IN THE LOUNGE

8/11

GOOD ROCKIN’ TONIGHT - A TRIBUTE TO ELVIS PRESLEY AND 1950S ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

8/13

MINDI ABAIR AND THE BONESHAKERS

8/14

GRANT-LEE PHILLIPS’ PARLOR OF STARS SUMMER RESIDENCY IN THE LOUNGE FEATURING SPECIAL GUESTS ROBYN HITCHCOCK, DAWN LANDES, AND ANDREW COMBS PRESENTED BY WMOT/ROOTS RADIO

8/15

SOUL SACRIFICE SANTANA TRIBUTE WOODSTOCK 50TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW

8/15

JAMISON ROSS IN THE LOUNGE

8/16

MPG - MELISSA POLINAR, JEREMY PASSION AND GABE BONDOC IN THE LOUNGE

8/8

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH DAN PENN

8/9

ERIC GALES & MR. SIPP

8/16

JEFFREY STEELE

8/10

THE ARISTOCRATS WITH TRAVIS LARSON BAND

8/17

SHENANIGOATS YOGA AND WINE PAIRING

Wine delivered right to your doorstep.

JOIN VINOFILE RESERVE.

lockelandsprings.org 1701 Fatherland St.

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East Side C A L E N D A R

SHELBY HILLS N.A.

shelbyhills.org 6:30 p.m., third Monday of every month Shelby Community Center 401 S. 20th St.

MAXWELL HEIGHTS N.A.

6 p.m., second Monday of every month Metro Police East Precinct 936 E. Trinity Lane

10 a.m., first Friday of every month, location varies by group MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club is an international organization of mothers with four branches in the East Nashville area.

It provides a support network for mothers to connect with other EN mothers. The meetings are open to all mothers in the designated area.

Meetings host speakers and cover regular

business items (including upcoming service initiatives and activities), and also allow women to discuss the ins and outs, ups and downs of being a mother. Check their website for the MOMS group in your area.

Would you like to have something included in our East Side Calendar? Reach out to us at:

calendar@theeastnashvillian.com

EASTWOOD NEIGHBORS

eastwoodneighbors.org Check their socials for updates about their next meeting and happy hour.

Eastwood Christian Church 1601 Eastland Ave.

GREENWOOD N.A.

6 p.m., second Tuesday of every month East Precinct 936 E. Trinity Lane

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS N.A.

6 p.m., third Thursday of every month Trinity Community Commons 204 E. Trinity Lane

CLEVELAND PARK N.A.

6:30 p.m., second Thursday of every month Cleveland Park Community Center 610 N. Sixth St.

INGLEWOOD N.A.

inglewood37216.org 7 p.m., first Thursday of every month No August meeting.

Isaac Litton Alumni Center 4500 Gallatin Pike

MCFERRIN N.A.

6:30 p.m., first Thursday of every month (Location may vary though summer) McFerrin Park Community Center 301 Berry St.

ROSEBANK NEIGHBORS

6:30 p.m., third Thursday of every month Memorial Lutheran Church 1211 Riverside Drive

HENMA

eastnashville.org Dates and locations vary Historic East Nashville Merchant’s Association (HENMA) is a cooperative formed among East Nashville business owners to promote collaboration with neighborhood associations and city government. Check the association’s website to learn about the organization and where meetings will be held each quarter.

MOMS Club of East Nashville Monthly business meetings at

K N A C K- FA C T O R Y. C O M I N F O @ K N A C K- FA C T O R Y. C O M NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

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marketplace

Misty Waters Petak M.S., CFPÂŽ, CLUÂŽ Financial Advisor (615) 479-6415 mistypetak.nm.com

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E A S T OF N O R M A L Salvation For Sale

BY TOMMY WOMACK

I’

m fascinated by televangelists. Ninety-nine percent of them are going straight to hell if I have anything to say about it, but I doubt I’ll be consulted. Heck, even if I was, I’d be too much of a soft touch. I’d make a miserable district attorney. Okay, are you sorry you murdered those seven people? Yeah, well … alright then, just don’t do it again, okay?

Jim Bakker is back on the air. If there was ever born a man with absolutely no sense of shame, or decency, it’s Jim Bakker.

He got sent to prison for shafting gullible Pentecostal rednecks to the tune of $40 million, and even that didn’t stop him from reverting to his snake oil selling when he got out. He has a new blonde wife on the show with him; he’s white-haired now, with an elegant beard and glasses, and he Tommy Womack is hawks disaster supplies — 30-pound an entertainer and tubs of mashed potatoes and other writer. His latest book, comestibles — for survival in the dust bunnies, is wake of some unspecified coming available around conflagration. I can only assume town, as is his new these giant plastic tubs of gross raw 45-rpm vinyl single food (available for a “love gift” of about the Trump $500) are for people who get left administration, behind after the rapture, in which “We’ll Get Through case your lack of 30 pounds of This Too.” He plays a mean pre-seasoned taco meat is the least guitar and adds of your problems. sugar to his yogurt.

There’s a fellow on his show all the time, a fifty-ish mollusk in a sharp, shiny suit; a magnificent jetblack coif; and a beard shaved both on top and on bottom so it’s nothing but a thin road of whiskers running along his jawline and coming down to a goatee. I never trust a man who shaves his beard like that. He’s hiding something, not least perhaps his smug contempt for the very believers he’s bilking.

The big thing for Jim, or Peter Popoff, or Paul and Jan Crouch (who may be dead now, I didn’t check and who cares), or Jimmy Swaggart, is the “vow of faith” they ceaselessly encourage people to make. The vow is to pledge $1,000, or $5,000, or $10,000 to the television ministry, to keep the ministry on the air, the incentive being that riches will flow to you surpassing all the money

you’ve ponied up. (They let you pay it over time in installments; they’re nice that way.)

The absolute master of the vow of faith was Robert Tilton.

Diane Sawyer ruined his career with a 20/20 exposé in 1992.

Her team dumpster-dove and found all the prayer requests in the garbage, having been discarded after removing the checks, cash, or money orders from the envelopes. For 30 minutes every day he would harangue about making the vow of faith. He never EVER preached the Gospel; he never gave spiritual advice, he never did anything but cajole his viewers into sending him their money. Like Bakker, Popoff, Kenneth Copeland, and others, he lived like a Saudi prince, with a yacht, a Porsche, multiple homes the opulence of which beggars the imagination.

You wonder if these people ever feel a twinge of guilt, or if they’re sociopaths on the level of Josef Stalin.

Speaking of Copeland, he’s another classic, with a country rude Arkansan manner and ice-blue Manson lamps revealing in no uncertain terms he was crazier than Joey Gallo. Meaner, too.

Boy did my dad loathe those people!

Dad was the Executive Secretary of the Kentucky Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was a guest preacher to a different congregation in the state every Sunday, leaving the house at 4 a.m. to log hundreds of miles. I remember as a 9-year-old in 1972 learning that he took home $100 a week, and Mom fed a family of five on $20 a week, serving us fried potatoes every night, recycling aluminum foil, and keeping a box labeled “bits of string too small to use.” I thought we were middle-class at the time, but looking back on it, I see we were of the working poor, and Dad was a great preacher. He DID preach the Gospel, and while he was a flawed man — irascible, grouchy, and pissed off for some reason we never figured out — his heart was in the right place. If there is a Heaven, he’s there now. Mom too.

You cannot serve both God and mammon. I believe that.

Even though I don’t really know what mammon is. It sounds like some type of food. I’m sure Jim Bakker sells it by the tub.

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PARTING SHOT

Closing Day A rt & I nvention G allery June 2, 2019

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHUCK ALLEN

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