May | June Vol. III Issue 5
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
1
P RE S E N T S. . .
A IR C RAFT MODERN HANDMADE MARKET
AT CO RNELIA FORT AIRPARK , N ASHVIL LE T N
SATURDAY, JUNE 1
10 A M - 5 P M
*
#aircraft2013
COMING SOON TO
East Nashville From your friends at
VILLAGE PUB &
BEER GARDEN
VISIT
W W W. P O R T E R F L E A . C O M FOR MORE INFO.
W W W. F A C E B O O K . C O M / P O R T E R F L E A PORTERFLEA@GMAIL.COM 2
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
growlers & tap room
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
3
P RE S E N T S. . .
A IR C RAFT MODERN HANDMADE MARKET
AT CO RNELIA FORT AIRPARK , N ASHVIL LE T N
SATURDAY, JUNE 1
10 A M - 5 P M
*
#aircraft2013
COMING SOON TO
East Nashville From your friends at
VILLAGE PUB &
BEER GARDEN
VISIT
W W W. P O R T E R F L E A . C O M FOR MORE INFO.
W W W. F A C E B O O K . C O M / P O R T E R F L E A PORTERFLEA@GMAIL.COM 2
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
growlers & tap room
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
3
THURSDAY THURSDAY
June 6
EAST PARK
FREE FREE CONCERT!
Enjoy a night of music and magic with the Nashville Symphony! FOR MORE INFO: 615.687.6400 NashvilleSymphony.org SPONSOR
MEDIA PARTNER 4
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
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THURSDAY THURSDAY
June 6
EAST PARK
FREE FREE CONCERT!
Enjoy a night of music and magic with the Nashville Symphony! FOR MORE INFO: 615.687.6400 NashvilleSymphony.org SPONSOR
MEDIA PARTNER 4
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
5
PUBLISHER
Lisa McCauley EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Chuck Allen
M A NAG I N G ED I TO R
Joey Butler
C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R
Russel Brown O’Brien DESIGN DIRECTOR
Benjamin Rumble
CA LEN DA R ED I TO R
Emma Alford
S TA F F P H O T O G R A P H E R
Stacie Huckeba
ADVERTISING DESIGN
Benjamin Rumble
CONTRIBU TING WRITERS
Emma Alford James “Hags” Haggerty Robbie D. Jones Theresa Laurence Heather Lose Daniel Lumpkin Jennifer Lyle Catherine Randall Annakate Tefft Ross Tommy Womack
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Chuck Allen Jamie Clayton Ellen Junglen
A D V E R T I S I N G C O N TA C T
Lisa McCauley lisa@theeastnashvillian.com 615-582-4187
www.theeastnashvillian.com Correction: In our March/April issue, the writer of “The Saga of Hobson United Methodist” identified Liberty Collegiate Academy as a magnet school when it should have been referred to as a charter school.
© 2013 Kitchen Table Media, LLC
The East Nashvillian is published bimonthly by Kitchen Table Media, LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.
10 12 18 19 24 31 38
TABLE OF CONTENTS 47 53 54 55 59 62 72 74
astute observations
Some fresh ideas for improving the neighborhood By James “Hags” Haggerty
East Side Buzz
The Battle for 1000 Apex Ave. Property Assessments: Time to Pay the Piper Porter Flea Moves Rejoice School of Ballet
By Joey Butler Jennifer Lyle, and Jo Ellen Werking Weedman
Legalize it!
Home recording studios are still not legal, but Metro Council could change that soon. By Chuck Allen
Razing Hell
The shifting East Nashville skyline sparks neighborhood dialogue By Theresa Laurence
Opening Up The Film Box
So many photographers have surrendered to digital. Now there’s a sanctuary for those who haven’t. By Heather Lose
Drew Holcomb: Bonnaroo Bound
Tennessee native happy to live in a neighborhood where being an artist isn’t ‘just a hobby’ By Daniel Lumpkin
East Nashville Tonight, ‘Most Every Night
They’re pickin’, they’re grinnin’, and a movie crew was there to capture the flipside of the ‘Nashville’ music scene. Warning! It ain’t for sissies.
Cumberland Hardware
A fixture in the community By Catherine Randall
Native Cuisine
The farm-to-table concept is growing in popularity, and a number of Eastside eateries have embraced it. By Annakate Tefft Ross
Yum!East
Improving childcare for struggling families, one plate at a time. By Emma Alford
Chicken Check-in
A look at backyard hens By Annakate Tefft Ross
What’s in a Name?
If place names reflect the character and history of a community, what do ours say about us? By Robbie D. Jones
East Side Calendar East of Normal
Dear Mom…
By Tommy Womack
Parting Shot
By Heather Lose
On the cover: Design by Benjamin Rumble 6
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
7
PUBLISHER
Lisa McCauley EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Chuck Allen
M A NAG I N G ED I TO R
Joey Butler
C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R
Russel Brown O’Brien DESIGN DIRECTOR
Benjamin Rumble
CA LEN DA R ED I TO R
Emma Alford
S TA F F P H O T O G R A P H E R
Stacie Huckeba
ADVERTISING DESIGN
Benjamin Rumble
CONTRIBU TING WRITERS
Emma Alford James “Hags” Haggerty Robbie D. Jones Theresa Laurence Heather Lose Daniel Lumpkin Jennifer Lyle Catherine Randall Annakate Tefft Ross Tommy Womack
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Chuck Allen Jamie Clayton Ellen Junglen
A D V E R T I S I N G C O N TA C T
Lisa McCauley lisa@theeastnashvillian.com 615-582-4187
www.theeastnashvillian.com Correction: In our March/April issue, the writer of “The Saga of Hobson United Methodist” identified Liberty Collegiate Academy as a magnet school when it should have been referred to as a charter school.
© 2013 Kitchen Table Media, LLC
The East Nashvillian is published bimonthly by Kitchen Table Media, LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.
10 12 18 19 24 31 38
TABLE OF CONTENTS 47 53 54 55 59 62 72 74
astute observations
Some fresh ideas for improving the neighborhood By James “Hags” Haggerty
East Side Buzz
The Battle for 1000 Apex Ave. Property Assessments: Time to Pay the Piper Porter Flea Moves Rejoice School of Ballet
By Joey Butler Jennifer Lyle, and Jo Ellen Werking Weedman
Legalize it!
Home recording studios are still not legal, but Metro Council could change that soon. By Chuck Allen
Razing Hell
The shifting East Nashville skyline sparks neighborhood dialogue By Theresa Laurence
Opening Up The Film Box
So many photographers have surrendered to digital. Now there’s a sanctuary for those who haven’t. By Heather Lose
Drew Holcomb: Bonnaroo Bound
Tennessee native happy to live in a neighborhood where being an artist isn’t ‘just a hobby’ By Daniel Lumpkin
East Nashville Tonight, ‘Most Every Night
They’re pickin’, they’re grinnin’, and a movie crew was there to capture the flipside of the ‘Nashville’ music scene. Warning! It ain’t for sissies.
Cumberland Hardware
A fixture in the community By Catherine Randall
Native Cuisine
The farm-to-table concept is growing in popularity, and a number of Eastside eateries have embraced it. By Annakate Tefft Ross
Yum!East
Improving childcare for struggling families, one plate at a time. By Emma Alford
Chicken Check-in
A look at backyard hens By Annakate Tefft Ross
What’s in a Name?
If place names reflect the character and history of a community, what do ours say about us? By Robbie D. Jones
East Side Calendar East of Normal
Dear Mom…
By Tommy Womack
Parting Shot
By Heather Lose
On the cover: Design by Benjamin Rumble 6
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
7
Editor’s Letter purple haze, y’all in my brain
I
t seems like a lifetime ago. I was living on a little stretch of Benton Avenue behind Douglas Corner at the time. Steve Earle’s sister, Stacey, and her husband Mark lived next door. This was after everything crashed and burned. Three years earlier I’d been on top of the world. A major label record deal in the offing, with Steve Earle committed as producer. Our recording budget at the time would be unheard of for a fledgling band these days. My personal life was a wreck: A troubled marriage, non-stop partying, affairs. I thought that was the way it was done. Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, baby! The good times didn’t last, and when the party was over I realized I had no idea who I was. It was cold comfort having Steve share my misery; he hadn’t fared too well either. One night I was pulling into a parking spot on the street when I noticed someone with a flashlight in Stacey and Mark’s front yard. It was Steve. I walked up to him — he was on his knees investigating something on the ground — and said, “What are you doing, dude?” “DUUUDE,” he replied, “I’m checking out the ants.” Whereupon he proceeded to show me this procession of ants; starting on the sidewalk, up the stairs to the porch, through the front door, across the floor, up the leg of the kitchen table, and into a bowl of something that I assumed was sugary. “Impressive,” was my response. “Hey, man, can you give me a ride?” was Steve’s. “Where to?” I asked. “Just down Lafayette a ways. It won’t take long,” he said convincingly. I knew better, but Steve could be persuasive, and I didn’t have anything better to do. So off we went. The hotels on Lafayette probably wouldn’t qualify for half a star. Maybe an eighth of a star since there’s a roof. I wasn’t surprised when we pulled up and Steve said, “Wait here, man, I’ll be right back.” Right. Twenty minutes later Steve returned, which actually does qualify for “right back” in those types of situations. Back to Benton Avenue and the kitchen with the ant parade. “Hey, man, have you ever smoked crack?” asked Steve. He said it the same way sane people ask if you’ve ever tried Pepsi. “Naw, man. Never appealed to me.” I was kinda interested in trying it at that point. “You should try it … it’s much more efficient than alcohol,” declared Steve, as if this was a perfectly logical and academic argument. Steve had always given me shit about my drinking, which I easily disregarded because at the time he was a stone cold junkie with a $200/day heroin habit. I wish I’d listened to him. He was right. Drinking was fucking up everything in my life at the time. But I had to figure that one out for myself, and fuck you if you
ever brought it to my attention. Anyway, Steve had long considered alcohol the most inefficient of drugs. I’m pretty sure I never saw him drunk. Even high as a kite he was highly functional. Wired to the gills with energy and, more often than not, the smartest guy in the room. That is until he found crack. Like alcohol eventually did for me, crack ended up taking everything from Steve, including his freedom. The fact is, once that invisible line is crossed and addiction takes over, it doesn’t matter whether it’s alcohol, crack, heroin, benzodiazepine, methamphetamine or whatever — the outcomes are always the same: jail, institutionalization, death. Unless, that is, you sober up. Steve’s become something of a national treasure since those days on Benton, and this makes me happy. He’s seen the other side. He dived into the abyss and lived to tell about it. His songs are brilliant, and he’s an incredible singer and performer. And he’s been clean for a mighty long while. It took me awhile but I, too, finally saw the fork in the road and I took it. The magazine you now hold is due entirely to the fact that I finally let the shit go. By now you must be asking yourself why I’m writing this and if there’s a point, much less a moral, to the story. Well, since you asked so politely, the reason this subject got off the ground has to do with the East Nashville Tonight story brought to us by my dear friend Heather Lose. There was some discussion amongst the brain trust around here as to whether or not the subject material in Heather’s story would be appropriate for our humble magazine. In the end we decided to run it as is. There are plenty of drug references and more-than-casual profanity, so if my letter has been too much for you then for crying out loud don’t read the East Nashville Tonight story, and whatever you do avoid seeing the movie at all costs. On the other hand, I’m hoping that the conversation about drug use is finally changing. We’ve spent way too long sweeping it under the rug, pretending like it’s not there. Don’t get me wrong: East Nashville Tonight is by no means some kind of moral commentary about drug use — far from it. But it is honest in the way it portrays the subject. Personally, I think there’s a lot more to the movie than that, but you’ll need to read my review because I’m not going to repeat it here. We’re all broken. We’re all looking for something. What we find, what we use to heal our brokenness sometimes saves us and sometimes drags us into the grave. And sometimes we trade up. In the end, no matter what, we all realize that we can’t go it alone. That we need … each other.
Accepting New Patients & Most Insurance
Traditional Health Care with a Holistic Approach
WELLNESS CARE
Physical Exams for Men, Women & Pediatrics • Sports Physicals • DOT Physicals Nutrient Testing • Hormone Testing (Men & Women) • Vitamins & Supplements B12 Injections • Weight Loss Program • LipoB Injections • EKG & Stress Test Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy • Natural Hormone Pellets • In-House Labs
WE TREAT THE FOLLOWING
Chronic Illnesses: Diabetes • High Cholesterol Hypertension • Hypothyroid • Asthma & more Skin: Laceration Repair • Acne Care Ingrown Toenail • Mole & Skin Tag Removal
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Paps • Colposcopy for Abnormal Paps Mirena® • Nexplanon® • Birth Control PMS & Menopause Care • STD Testing
AESTHETICS
Botox • Juvederm • Chemical Peels • Latisse Organic Skin Care Line • Spider Vein Treatment
Mention this ad to receive 25% off ANY AESTHETIC Service or Product!
Amy T. Cole FNP-C, CNM
615.732.1030
1406 B McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37216
colefamilypractice.org call today for an appointment 8
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
Mindy Weaver FNP-C
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
9
Editor’s Letter purple haze, y’all in my brain
I
t seems like a lifetime ago. I was living on a little stretch of Benton Avenue behind Douglas Corner at the time. Steve Earle’s sister, Stacey, and her husband Mark lived next door. This was after everything crashed and burned. Three years earlier I’d been on top of the world. A major label record deal in the offing, with Steve Earle committed as producer. Our recording budget at the time would be unheard of for a fledgling band these days. My personal life was a wreck: A troubled marriage, non-stop partying, affairs. I thought that was the way it was done. Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, baby! The good times didn’t last, and when the party was over I realized I had no idea who I was. It was cold comfort having Steve share my misery; he hadn’t fared too well either. One night I was pulling into a parking spot on the street when I noticed someone with a flashlight in Stacey and Mark’s front yard. It was Steve. I walked up to him — he was on his knees investigating something on the ground — and said, “What are you doing, dude?” “DUUUDE,” he replied, “I’m checking out the ants.” Whereupon he proceeded to show me this procession of ants; starting on the sidewalk, up the stairs to the porch, through the front door, across the floor, up the leg of the kitchen table, and into a bowl of something that I assumed was sugary. “Impressive,” was my response. “Hey, man, can you give me a ride?” was Steve’s. “Where to?” I asked. “Just down Lafayette a ways. It won’t take long,” he said convincingly. I knew better, but Steve could be persuasive, and I didn’t have anything better to do. So off we went. The hotels on Lafayette probably wouldn’t qualify for half a star. Maybe an eighth of a star since there’s a roof. I wasn’t surprised when we pulled up and Steve said, “Wait here, man, I’ll be right back.” Right. Twenty minutes later Steve returned, which actually does qualify for “right back” in those types of situations. Back to Benton Avenue and the kitchen with the ant parade. “Hey, man, have you ever smoked crack?” asked Steve. He said it the same way sane people ask if you’ve ever tried Pepsi. “Naw, man. Never appealed to me.” I was kinda interested in trying it at that point. “You should try it … it’s much more efficient than alcohol,” declared Steve, as if this was a perfectly logical and academic argument. Steve had always given me shit about my drinking, which I easily disregarded because at the time he was a stone cold junkie with a $200/day heroin habit. I wish I’d listened to him. He was right. Drinking was fucking up everything in my life at the time. But I had to figure that one out for myself, and fuck you if you
ever brought it to my attention. Anyway, Steve had long considered alcohol the most inefficient of drugs. I’m pretty sure I never saw him drunk. Even high as a kite he was highly functional. Wired to the gills with energy and, more often than not, the smartest guy in the room. That is until he found crack. Like alcohol eventually did for me, crack ended up taking everything from Steve, including his freedom. The fact is, once that invisible line is crossed and addiction takes over, it doesn’t matter whether it’s alcohol, crack, heroin, benzodiazepine, methamphetamine or whatever — the outcomes are always the same: jail, institutionalization, death. Unless, that is, you sober up. Steve’s become something of a national treasure since those days on Benton, and this makes me happy. He’s seen the other side. He dived into the abyss and lived to tell about it. His songs are brilliant, and he’s an incredible singer and performer. And he’s been clean for a mighty long while. It took me awhile but I, too, finally saw the fork in the road and I took it. The magazine you now hold is due entirely to the fact that I finally let the shit go. By now you must be asking yourself why I’m writing this and if there’s a point, much less a moral, to the story. Well, since you asked so politely, the reason this subject got off the ground has to do with the East Nashville Tonight story brought to us by my dear friend Heather Lose. There was some discussion amongst the brain trust around here as to whether or not the subject material in Heather’s story would be appropriate for our humble magazine. In the end we decided to run it as is. There are plenty of drug references and more-than-casual profanity, so if my letter has been too much for you then for crying out loud don’t read the East Nashville Tonight story, and whatever you do avoid seeing the movie at all costs. On the other hand, I’m hoping that the conversation about drug use is finally changing. We’ve spent way too long sweeping it under the rug, pretending like it’s not there. Don’t get me wrong: East Nashville Tonight is by no means some kind of moral commentary about drug use — far from it. But it is honest in the way it portrays the subject. Personally, I think there’s a lot more to the movie than that, but you’ll need to read my review because I’m not going to repeat it here. We’re all broken. We’re all looking for something. What we find, what we use to heal our brokenness sometimes saves us and sometimes drags us into the grave. And sometimes we trade up. In the end, no matter what, we all realize that we can’t go it alone. That we need … each other.
Accepting New Patients & Most Insurance
Traditional Health Care with a Holistic Approach
WELLNESS CARE
Physical Exams for Men, Women & Pediatrics • Sports Physicals • DOT Physicals Nutrient Testing • Hormone Testing (Men & Women) • Vitamins & Supplements B12 Injections • Weight Loss Program • LipoB Injections • EKG & Stress Test Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy • Natural Hormone Pellets • In-House Labs
WE TREAT THE FOLLOWING
Chronic Illnesses: Diabetes • High Cholesterol Hypertension • Hypothyroid • Asthma & more Skin: Laceration Repair • Acne Care Ingrown Toenail • Mole & Skin Tag Removal
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Paps • Colposcopy for Abnormal Paps Mirena® • Nexplanon® • Birth Control PMS & Menopause Care • STD Testing
AESTHETICS
Botox • Juvederm • Chemical Peels • Latisse Organic Skin Care Line • Spider Vein Treatment
Mention this ad to receive 25% off ANY AESTHETIC Service or Product!
Amy T. Cole FNP-C, CNM
615.732.1030
1406 B McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37216
colefamilypractice.org call today for an appointment 8
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
Mindy Weaver FNP-C
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
9
astute observations for the east side & beyond BY James “Hags” Haggerty Some fresh ideas for improving the neighborhood
F
ifteen years since the tornado. Wow. I remember that day. Our band was recording in Berry Hill, and I was not making coffee at my day job. The studio phone rang. Tornado warnings all over town. We were lucky at our band house in Green Hills. In the fall of 2002 I moved to a quaint little house on Eastland. My crack-dealing neighbor was on the lam from several charges. When the SWAT team showed up in the yard for a surprise raid I broke my lease. I moved two blocks away. 14th and Ordway. Peaceful and quiet. The Slow Bar was my favorite hang. Which was good, since there were not a lot of other places to go. In 2004, banks were giving mortgages to bass players. I took one on a house in Inglewood. I love East Nashville. In my years here, positive growth has been the constant. Drug raids and random folks knocking at the door selling stolen bologna from Kroger seem a distant memory. We’ve gone from Cops and America’s Most Wanted to GQ and the Guardian. Rock bands no longer leave Nashville out of the bio. We’ve got a country music soap opera on national TV and the cool, edgy guy hangs out at the 5 Spot. East Nashville — once you were feared. Now you are loved. The Brits say we are the hippest. Throw a rock or open a garage door in
Lockeland Springs and you might hear music’s next big thing. What shall we do with all of this newfound influence and notoriety? I have some ideas . . .
Hipster dudes, you’re in East Nashville: Center of Creativity. Stop following trends. Set them! Instead of affecting the look of Frank Serpico undercover at Big Pink, why not emulate the style of another ‘70s icon (of the small screen), fictional NYC detective Theo Kojak? Shave your heads and your beards. Go for the Savalas look. He wore big tinted glasses and you’ve already got those. Not only that, you can keep your fedoras! If you don’t smoke, you can look cool with a lollipop. You can still shop at thrift stores and be the envy of your friends with your latest polyester score. Come on. Lose the skinny jeans. You can dress like a man instead of like a chick with an ironic handlebar mustache! Plus you will look extra cool with your raincoat billowing cape-like behind you as you speed through 5 Points on your fixed-gear bicycle, and you even get a catchphrase: “Who loves ya, baby?” I have a few other thoughts and ideas... Gillian Welch and/or David Rawlings, can you please let us inside Woodland Studios? Come on. Please?? What’s going on in there? What’s with the pay lot? Enquiring minds want to know. School crossing guards: Why are you so angry? Take it easy, already! If you’re going to shriek that whistle at us, get a radar gun and be sure. Under 15? Not a peep. Deal? In fact, why don’t we make things more fun for you, the children and the motorists? Instead of a whistle, why not a snare drum and cymbal? Speedy driver? Children crossing? Give us the old punch line: Two hits on the snare and one on the cymbal. Or how about a kazoo? Instead of that shrill whistle blast, how about a little “Shave and a Haircut?” That would be effective and fun. A kinder, gentler experience for all! We’ve got free bikes on the greenway and payas-you-go bikes in the neighborhood. I’ve got an idea for the enterprising youngster. How about a lemonade stand on the greenway in the heat of the summer. You will make a mint! We’ve got new bakeries springing up. I pray for a good loaf of French or Italian bread . . . We need wine in the grocery store in my neighborhood, and something to cover up the smell of rotting produce. No more predatory lending businesses. Someone please open an all-night diner! I am sure that we can accomplish at least some of these! Thank you for your time, East Nashville. Hags photos by stacie huckeba
10
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
11
astute observations for the east side & beyond BY James “Hags” Haggerty Some fresh ideas for improving the neighborhood
F
ifteen years since the tornado. Wow. I remember that day. Our band was recording in Berry Hill, and I was not making coffee at my day job. The studio phone rang. Tornado warnings all over town. We were lucky at our band house in Green Hills. In the fall of 2002 I moved to a quaint little house on Eastland. My crack-dealing neighbor was on the lam from several charges. When the SWAT team showed up in the yard for a surprise raid I broke my lease. I moved two blocks away. 14th and Ordway. Peaceful and quiet. The Slow Bar was my favorite hang. Which was good, since there were not a lot of other places to go. In 2004, banks were giving mortgages to bass players. I took one on a house in Inglewood. I love East Nashville. In my years here, positive growth has been the constant. Drug raids and random folks knocking at the door selling stolen bologna from Kroger seem a distant memory. We’ve gone from Cops and America’s Most Wanted to GQ and the Guardian. Rock bands no longer leave Nashville out of the bio. We’ve got a country music soap opera on national TV and the cool, edgy guy hangs out at the 5 Spot. East Nashville — once you were feared. Now you are loved. The Brits say we are the hippest. Throw a rock or open a garage door in
Lockeland Springs and you might hear music’s next big thing. What shall we do with all of this newfound influence and notoriety? I have some ideas . . .
Hipster dudes, you’re in East Nashville: Center of Creativity. Stop following trends. Set them! Instead of affecting the look of Frank Serpico undercover at Big Pink, why not emulate the style of another ‘70s icon (of the small screen), fictional NYC detective Theo Kojak? Shave your heads and your beards. Go for the Savalas look. He wore big tinted glasses and you’ve already got those. Not only that, you can keep your fedoras! If you don’t smoke, you can look cool with a lollipop. You can still shop at thrift stores and be the envy of your friends with your latest polyester score. Come on. Lose the skinny jeans. You can dress like a man instead of like a chick with an ironic handlebar mustache! Plus you will look extra cool with your raincoat billowing cape-like behind you as you speed through 5 Points on your fixed-gear bicycle, and you even get a catchphrase: “Who loves ya, baby?” I have a few other thoughts and ideas... Gillian Welch and/or David Rawlings, can you please let us inside Woodland Studios? Come on. Please?? What’s going on in there? What’s with the pay lot? Enquiring minds want to know. School crossing guards: Why are you so angry? Take it easy, already! If you’re going to shriek that whistle at us, get a radar gun and be sure. Under 15? Not a peep. Deal? In fact, why don’t we make things more fun for you, the children and the motorists? Instead of a whistle, why not a snare drum and cymbal? Speedy driver? Children crossing? Give us the old punch line: Two hits on the snare and one on the cymbal. Or how about a kazoo? Instead of that shrill whistle blast, how about a little “Shave and a Haircut?” That would be effective and fun. A kinder, gentler experience for all! We’ve got free bikes on the greenway and payas-you-go bikes in the neighborhood. I’ve got an idea for the enterprising youngster. How about a lemonade stand on the greenway in the heat of the summer. You will make a mint! We’ve got new bakeries springing up. I pray for a good loaf of French or Italian bread . . . We need wine in the grocery store in my neighborhood, and something to cover up the smell of rotting produce. No more predatory lending businesses. Someone please open an all-night diner! I am sure that we can accomplish at least some of these! Thank you for your time, East Nashville. Hags photos by stacie huckeba
10
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
11
EAST SI D E B U Z Z
EAST SI D E B U Z Z
Through With The Trash Talk Cleveland Park and Greenwood residents can finally breathe a sigh of relief and put the trash talk behind them. At the April 11 Cleveland Park Neighborhood Association meeting, community members said “sayonara” to the potential for billion-dollar corporation Waste Connections to plop down a waste transfer facility right in their epicenter. In July 2012, Metro Council voted 37-1 against Waste Connections’ initial proposal to put a waste transfer station in the vacant 100,000-square-foot warehouse at 1000 Apex St. It had been an emotionally charged issue — the community’s reaction toward the project was overwhelmingly negative and vocal. Ironically, it was that outcry that won a lawsuit for Waste Connections in April. The Tennessee Court of Appeals overturned the council’s decision, claiming it didn’t “conduct its meet-
ings pursuant to the proper legal standards,” according to an April 1 article in The City Paper. Claiming the council let public opinion override the actual facts of the case, the court remanded the matter to the Metro Board of Zoning Appeals for a final decision. Sean Green, CPNA’s current chair and former co-chair, said that his neighbors’ emotions were, indeed, very strong, and he can understand why. “When I look out my front door, I can see the building,” he says. “It was going to affect me, whatever happened.” When the ordeal began last year, Green visited a similar waste transfer site outside Memphis, took pictures, interviewed workers and wrote up a brief of his findings, which he posted online. “I don’t think the facility would have been as bad as everyone was afraid it was going to be,” Green says, but he understood the impression such a facility might give potential new buyers, negatively affecting an area that has seen much growth and improvement in recent years. “We don’t want to see that slow down,” he says. Green and many of his neighbors, including District 5 Councilman Scott Davis,
were surprised to learn of the Court of Appeals’ ruling. “They were saying we can’t pay attention to the emotions,” says Davis. “Well, why all the emotions? Because of the smell, traffic, property values. As a councilman, that’s my job: to listen to my constituents.” After learning of the ruling, many neighbors feared a resurgence of the waste facility talk. But according to Davis, the ordeal is over, as the property was purchased March 14 by Nashville Inner City Ministries, a 30-year-old local ministry, right before the ruling. Some were still worried after learning that Waste Connections had already approached them about leasing the property but during CPNA’s April 11 meeting, ministry officials were on hand to dispel any rumors, including one that they were bringing in a halfway house. “This isn’t a homeless ministry,” says executive director Lytle Thomas. “We take homeless to the rescue mission. I minister to children. We’re not a halfway house. That’s not what we do.” When asked point-blank about Waste Connections leasing the property, Thomas says, “I want the property and I have more weight
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EAST SI D E B U Z Z
EAST SI D E B U Z Z
Through With The Trash Talk Cleveland Park and Greenwood residents can finally breathe a sigh of relief and put the trash talk behind them. At the April 11 Cleveland Park Neighborhood Association meeting, community members said “sayonara” to the potential for billion-dollar corporation Waste Connections to plop down a waste transfer facility right in their epicenter. In July 2012, Metro Council voted 37-1 against Waste Connections’ initial proposal to put a waste transfer station in the vacant 100,000-square-foot warehouse at 1000 Apex St. It had been an emotionally charged issue — the community’s reaction toward the project was overwhelmingly negative and vocal. Ironically, it was that outcry that won a lawsuit for Waste Connections in April. The Tennessee Court of Appeals overturned the council’s decision, claiming it didn’t “conduct its meet-
ings pursuant to the proper legal standards,” according to an April 1 article in The City Paper. Claiming the council let public opinion override the actual facts of the case, the court remanded the matter to the Metro Board of Zoning Appeals for a final decision. Sean Green, CPNA’s current chair and former co-chair, said that his neighbors’ emotions were, indeed, very strong, and he can understand why. “When I look out my front door, I can see the building,” he says. “It was going to affect me, whatever happened.” When the ordeal began last year, Green visited a similar waste transfer site outside Memphis, took pictures, interviewed workers and wrote up a brief of his findings, which he posted online. “I don’t think the facility would have been as bad as everyone was afraid it was going to be,” Green says, but he understood the impression such a facility might give potential new buyers, negatively affecting an area that has seen much growth and improvement in recent years. “We don’t want to see that slow down,” he says. Green and many of his neighbors, including District 5 Councilman Scott Davis,
were surprised to learn of the Court of Appeals’ ruling. “They were saying we can’t pay attention to the emotions,” says Davis. “Well, why all the emotions? Because of the smell, traffic, property values. As a councilman, that’s my job: to listen to my constituents.” After learning of the ruling, many neighbors feared a resurgence of the waste facility talk. But according to Davis, the ordeal is over, as the property was purchased March 14 by Nashville Inner City Ministries, a 30-year-old local ministry, right before the ruling. Some were still worried after learning that Waste Connections had already approached them about leasing the property but during CPNA’s April 11 meeting, ministry officials were on hand to dispel any rumors, including one that they were bringing in a halfway house. “This isn’t a homeless ministry,” says executive director Lytle Thomas. “We take homeless to the rescue mission. I minister to children. We’re not a halfway house. That’s not what we do.” When asked point-blank about Waste Connections leasing the property, Thomas says, “I want the property and I have more weight
Hunters
Custom
The Coolest Accessories in Town for 45 Years! Protect your truck bed with a rugged drop-in bedliner
ULTRA Let us install yours today!
Sound Deadening, Vibration Damping and Thermal Insulation Sold in 12” x 23” sheets.
Open Door. Step on Board.
Automatically deploys or retracts when you open or close the door. Let us install yours today!
Let us install a race-proven Rough Country lift kit.
YOU CAN TRUST US FOR TINTING Call for Appointment Today!
NOW TINTING WINDOWS MONDAY - FRIDAY
Your interior can be 60% cooler during those hot summer days with proper tinting. Appointment required.
This Air Horn Kit is LOUD!
The Best Handheld Performance Tuner On The Market!
975 MAIN ST.
Sound a 146 db warning. Think fire truck or ambulance horn only LOUDER! 12
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
227-6584
hunterscustom.com
Get maximum power and fuel mileage. Gas and diesel applications. May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
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EAST SI D E B U Z Z
than Waste Connections does. I’m the board president and we are not selling.” Davis added that the ministry’s purchase now negates the appeal Waste Connections had before the Board of Zoning Appeals. “If Inner City Ministries won’t lease to them,” says Davis, “they really don’t have a leg to stand on.”
Time to pay the piper?
The Assessment East Nashville’s dramatic resurgence has apparently come with a price. In the 2013 Davidson County property assessment, the Eastside ZIP codes 37206, 37216 and parts of 37207 are considered “hot zones” — neighborhoods with the highest sales and appreciations, gaining as much as 25 percent. While rising property values are a good thing,
14
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
they’re accompanied by higher property taxes. Nashville’s countywide reappraisal program requires the property assessor’s office, by state law, to reappraise all 240,000 properties in the county every four years. A few weeks ago, most East Nashville homeowners were notified via letter that they owe quite a bit more in taxes than they may have expected. There is still some time left to dispute the assessment. The informal appeals process began April 15 and runs through May 17, followed by formal appeals to the Metropolitan Board of Equalization May 20–June 21. Property owners can visit the assessor’s office website, www.padctn.com, to check the property data the office has on file. If requesting that an appraisal be reviewed, the assessor’s office recommends presenting recent supporting documentation, such as a deed, appraisal or closing statement; engineering report of land/structure problems; contractor’s estimate for major repair; invoice of improvements cost less than valued; or comparable sales reports in the owner’s neighborhood. Review requests may be submitted through www.padctn.com or by calling 862-6059.
May | June 2013
Porter Flea Market
Brings It On Home
One of the city’s quirkiest free events got its start right here in East Nashville and to the delight of many an Eastie, it’s making a triumphant return to our slightly hipper midst. That’s right, local shopping lovers, the Porter Flea’s summer artisan market, aptly deemed the AirCraft, will be landing at the Cornelia Fort Airpark Saturday, June 1. “We really want to underscore how happy we are to be back in East Nashville,” said Brent Elrod, one of the semiannual event’s organizers and their “unofficial” spokesperson. After the first Porter Flea in June 2011, held in the parking of the Porter East building — hence the name — Elrod, along with fellow organizers, East Nashvillians and crafters Jessica Malone and Katie Vance, knew they had tapped into something special. They barely broke even and had no budget for anything, including advertising, but the enthusiasm for
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
15
EAST SI D E B U Z Z
than Waste Connections does. I’m the board president and we are not selling.” Davis added that the ministry’s purchase now negates the appeal Waste Connections had before the Board of Zoning Appeals. “If Inner City Ministries won’t lease to them,” says Davis, “they really don’t have a leg to stand on.”
Time to pay the piper?
The Assessment East Nashville’s dramatic resurgence has apparently come with a price. In the 2013 Davidson County property assessment, the Eastside ZIP codes 37206, 37216 and parts of 37207 are considered “hot zones” — neighborhoods with the highest sales and appreciations, gaining as much as 25 percent. While rising property values are a good thing,
14
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
they’re accompanied by higher property taxes. Nashville’s countywide reappraisal program requires the property assessor’s office, by state law, to reappraise all 240,000 properties in the county every four years. A few weeks ago, most East Nashville homeowners were notified via letter that they owe quite a bit more in taxes than they may have expected. There is still some time left to dispute the assessment. The informal appeals process began April 15 and runs through May 17, followed by formal appeals to the Metropolitan Board of Equalization May 20–June 21. Property owners can visit the assessor’s office website, www.padctn.com, to check the property data the office has on file. If requesting that an appraisal be reviewed, the assessor’s office recommends presenting recent supporting documentation, such as a deed, appraisal or closing statement; engineering report of land/structure problems; contractor’s estimate for major repair; invoice of improvements cost less than valued; or comparable sales reports in the owner’s neighborhood. Review requests may be submitted through www.padctn.com or by calling 862-6059.
May | June 2013
Porter Flea Market
Brings It On Home
One of the city’s quirkiest free events got its start right here in East Nashville and to the delight of many an Eastie, it’s making a triumphant return to our slightly hipper midst. That’s right, local shopping lovers, the Porter Flea’s summer artisan market, aptly deemed the AirCraft, will be landing at the Cornelia Fort Airpark Saturday, June 1. “We really want to underscore how happy we are to be back in East Nashville,” said Brent Elrod, one of the semiannual event’s organizers and their “unofficial” spokesperson. After the first Porter Flea in June 2011, held in the parking of the Porter East building — hence the name — Elrod, along with fellow organizers, East Nashvillians and crafters Jessica Malone and Katie Vance, knew they had tapped into something special. They barely broke even and had no budget for anything, including advertising, but the enthusiasm for
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
15
EAST SI D E B U Z Z
DISCOVER FONTANEL
DINING
Open Mon – Thurs 11AM – 9PM, Fri 11AM-10PM, Sat. 10AM-10PM & Sun. 10AM-9PM
Café Fontanella by Amico’s – This award winning restaurant features a wide variety of Italian and American dishes, full bar, live performance stage, and a hospitable crew sure to please everyone. Music City Zips by Adventureworks Zippers sail through the hills of Fontanel on steel cables with seven zip line options. Guides accompany tours and provide safety and equipment instructions. Open year round.
RECREATION
The Fontanel Disc Golf Course First ever Prodigy Signature Course, a Will Schusterick Design,the current #1 ranked Nashville player. 18 hole PDGA approved, and home to the Music City Disc Golf Championship.
The Trails & Conservation Greenway - Walking trails wind through two and a half miles of woods under a shaded canopy of trees, soon to connect with a paved Metro Parks Greenway for foot & bike traffic.
The first Monday every month in the Pepsi Studio Gallery 7:30 PM Tickets available at Ticket Master
4225 Whites Creek Pike • Nashville, TN 37189 • Office: 615.724.1600 Toll Free 877.357.8094 • www.fontanelmansion.com 16
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
the pop-up market proved to the trio the level of demand for this sort of thing in Nashville. In other cities, big craft fairs are a dime a dozen but the folks at Porter Flea think those markets lose something important: community. With more than 1,500 locals who turned up to shop and almost an entire population of East Nashville-based vendors selling everything from handmade clothes to screen prints to home goods, it truly was a community-oriented event. “I just think there’s something more powerful about it that way,” said Elrod. That feeling made the group’s decision in 2012 to move across the river to Marathon Music Works even harder. “We only left because we needed an indoor venue for the summertime and we couldn’t find one in East Nashville that suited our needs,” he said. “It worked out really well but the last holiday market was so big (5,000 people flocked to Marathon for the day-long market) we realized we needed an even bigger venue.” When he stumbled upon Metro’s recent land acquisition of the closed airpark space, located in the Rosebank neighborhood, Elrod knew it was perfect. The wide-open tarmac and maneuverable hangar units, which will house more than 70 artisan booths, will undoubtedly lend a breezy, non-clustered backdrop to this summer’s Flea. Since part of the city’s first-phase plan for the park is to make it a Greenway Access Point, Flea-goers are highly encouraged to bike when the big day comes. “This is the bike-friendliest Flea we’ve ever had,” said Elrod, “and we want to emphasize the greenway aspect. If you have the choice to bike, take it. It’ll be a fun way to get there, and a lot more scenic.” It will also be less likely to disrupt traffic and overwhelm the small streets and neighborhood, said District 7 Councilman Anthony Davis, who is largely responsible for getting the Flea to the park. “We’re super excited to bring Porter Flea back to East Nashville,” he added. “We just want to make sure it works well and we’re taking it slowly as far as rolling out the space for other use.” The Porter Flea team is pretty confident that the AirCraft at the airpark will be a perfect fit and that the neighborhood and its burgeoning businesses will only benefit from the exposure. While they hope this will be a long-term base, Elrod said for now they’re just happy to be coming home.
Rejoice School of Ballet
brings professional dancers to the east side for summer ballet program
Church, East Park Community Center and Glen Enhanced Option School and serves around 100 students. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch pay $12 a month for dance classes and dancewear; the rest pay on a sliding scale. “We want to make ballet affordable for all
families,” says Cross. “We have a truly diverse group of dancers and families who are working together as a team because of their love of dance.” For more information or to register, email Cross at patriciacross64@hotmail.com or call 210-1147.
A summer ballet intensive is a rite of passage for young dancers who hope to dance professionally, but for many families the cost can be prohibitive. Enter East Nashville’s Rejoice School of Ballet. Director Patricia Cross dreamed of offering her dancers — of whom 75 percent qualify for a free or reduced-priced lunch — a summer intensive experience in the neighborhood. After winning an $8,500 grant from the Junior League of Nashville, Cross has now been able to put together a month-long ballet intensive for dancers ages 8 to 18. Headlining the cast of professional instructors is Kayla Rowser, a company dancer with the Nashville Ballet, who will be joined by local professionals Briana Christian and Mykl Navi. Rejoice is opening the intensive to outside students as well. A limited number of spots are still available. “To have professionals of this caliber agree to teach made us want to share it with the community,” Cross says. “It’s such a unique opportunity.” The intensive, which runs June 3-28, will include instruction in ballet, pointe, modern, flamenco and African dance. Dancers ages 11 to 18 will dance from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, and the 8- to 11-year olds will dance from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Participants will perform the ballet “Les Sylphides” at the end of the intensive. “Bringing these professionals to our Edgefield studio this summer for an intensive is our next step in making sure that dancers from all kinds of families have access to excellent ballet education,” says Cross. “This kind of exposure to arts and discipline and teamwork makes a big difference in the lives of our students.” Rejoice has studios at Edgefield Baptist
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
17
EAST SI D E B U Z Z
DISCOVER FONTANEL
DINING
Open Mon – Thurs 11AM – 9PM, Fri 11AM-10PM, Sat. 10AM-10PM & Sun. 10AM-9PM
Café Fontanella by Amico’s – This award winning restaurant features a wide variety of Italian and American dishes, full bar, live performance stage, and a hospitable crew sure to please everyone. Music City Zips by Adventureworks Zippers sail through the hills of Fontanel on steel cables with seven zip line options. Guides accompany tours and provide safety and equipment instructions. Open year round.
RECREATION
The Fontanel Disc Golf Course First ever Prodigy Signature Course, a Will Schusterick Design,the current #1 ranked Nashville player. 18 hole PDGA approved, and home to the Music City Disc Golf Championship.
The Trails & Conservation Greenway - Walking trails wind through two and a half miles of woods under a shaded canopy of trees, soon to connect with a paved Metro Parks Greenway for foot & bike traffic.
The first Monday every month in the Pepsi Studio Gallery 7:30 PM Tickets available at Ticket Master
4225 Whites Creek Pike • Nashville, TN 37189 • Office: 615.724.1600 Toll Free 877.357.8094 • www.fontanelmansion.com 16
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
the pop-up market proved to the trio the level of demand for this sort of thing in Nashville. In other cities, big craft fairs are a dime a dozen but the folks at Porter Flea think those markets lose something important: community. With more than 1,500 locals who turned up to shop and almost an entire population of East Nashville-based vendors selling everything from handmade clothes to screen prints to home goods, it truly was a community-oriented event. “I just think there’s something more powerful about it that way,” said Elrod. That feeling made the group’s decision in 2012 to move across the river to Marathon Music Works even harder. “We only left because we needed an indoor venue for the summertime and we couldn’t find one in East Nashville that suited our needs,” he said. “It worked out really well but the last holiday market was so big (5,000 people flocked to Marathon for the day-long market) we realized we needed an even bigger venue.” When he stumbled upon Metro’s recent land acquisition of the closed airpark space, located in the Rosebank neighborhood, Elrod knew it was perfect. The wide-open tarmac and maneuverable hangar units, which will house more than 70 artisan booths, will undoubtedly lend a breezy, non-clustered backdrop to this summer’s Flea. Since part of the city’s first-phase plan for the park is to make it a Greenway Access Point, Flea-goers are highly encouraged to bike when the big day comes. “This is the bike-friendliest Flea we’ve ever had,” said Elrod, “and we want to emphasize the greenway aspect. If you have the choice to bike, take it. It’ll be a fun way to get there, and a lot more scenic.” It will also be less likely to disrupt traffic and overwhelm the small streets and neighborhood, said District 7 Councilman Anthony Davis, who is largely responsible for getting the Flea to the park. “We’re super excited to bring Porter Flea back to East Nashville,” he added. “We just want to make sure it works well and we’re taking it slowly as far as rolling out the space for other use.” The Porter Flea team is pretty confident that the AirCraft at the airpark will be a perfect fit and that the neighborhood and its burgeoning businesses will only benefit from the exposure. While they hope this will be a long-term base, Elrod said for now they’re just happy to be coming home.
Rejoice School of Ballet
brings professional dancers to the east side for summer ballet program
Church, East Park Community Center and Glen Enhanced Option School and serves around 100 students. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch pay $12 a month for dance classes and dancewear; the rest pay on a sliding scale. “We want to make ballet affordable for all
families,” says Cross. “We have a truly diverse group of dancers and families who are working together as a team because of their love of dance.” For more information or to register, email Cross at patriciacross64@hotmail.com or call 210-1147.
A summer ballet intensive is a rite of passage for young dancers who hope to dance professionally, but for many families the cost can be prohibitive. Enter East Nashville’s Rejoice School of Ballet. Director Patricia Cross dreamed of offering her dancers — of whom 75 percent qualify for a free or reduced-priced lunch — a summer intensive experience in the neighborhood. After winning an $8,500 grant from the Junior League of Nashville, Cross has now been able to put together a month-long ballet intensive for dancers ages 8 to 18. Headlining the cast of professional instructors is Kayla Rowser, a company dancer with the Nashville Ballet, who will be joined by local professionals Briana Christian and Mykl Navi. Rejoice is opening the intensive to outside students as well. A limited number of spots are still available. “To have professionals of this caliber agree to teach made us want to share it with the community,” Cross says. “It’s such a unique opportunity.” The intensive, which runs June 3-28, will include instruction in ballet, pointe, modern, flamenco and African dance. Dancers ages 11 to 18 will dance from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, and the 8- to 11-year olds will dance from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Participants will perform the ballet “Les Sylphides” at the end of the intensive. “Bringing these professionals to our Edgefield studio this summer for an intensive is our next step in making sure that dancers from all kinds of families have access to excellent ballet education,” says Cross. “This kind of exposure to arts and discipline and teamwork makes a big difference in the lives of our students.” Rejoice has studios at Edgefield Baptist
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
17
Legalize it! No, not that. Home recording studios are still not legal. But Metro Council could change that soon. By Chuck Allen
S
ubstitute Ordinance No. BL2012-292, commonly known as the “Home Studio Bill,” will make yet another appearance in the Metro Council on Tuesday May 7. It passed a second reading on April 2, when it was introduced in its current form. Originally introduced by Councilman-at-Large Megan Barry on Oct. 16, 2012, and co-sponsored by, among others, District 6 Councilman Peter Westerholm and District 7 Councilman Anthony Davis, the bill seeks to legitimize home recording studios in Metro. If only it were that simple. Concerns have been raised over parking becoming an issue. The bill states, “Sufficient off-street parking shall be provided for clients and customers on a paved or graveled area not exceeding twenty-five percent of the lot area for residential property per section 16.24.330 of the Metropolitan code.” As it stands now, residents who have home studios as neighbors have no recourse regarding parking issues, because parking on the street is legal. With the ordinance in place, complaints would be legally valid. Enforcement is another issue altogether, but at least it’s a starting point. Another concern, raised by East Nashvillian Catherine McTamaney in a recent listserv post, is that “This bill creates an arbitrary preference for music studios without solving the much larger issue of other in-home businesses.” In the same post, McTamaney more or less provides the very reason why the sponsors of the current bill are taking the one-type-of-business-at-a-time approach: “Some of you may remember the contentious efforts last term to pass an ordinance that would allow in-home businesses (sometimes called “cottage industries”) like attorneys, graphic designers and piano teachers to operate legally in residential areas. The proposal, which was sponsored by then District 6 CM Mike Jameson, included specific limits to the number of guests, the hours during which clients could be seen, and the types of businesses … basically rules that would make sure the residences looked like residences even when there may be some business operating inside.” That bill failed precisely because it attempted a one-size-fits-all approach to home
18
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
businesses. Shade-tree mechanics and home nail salons — strange bedfellows to be sure — became the poster children for everything wrong with such a generalized approach. Barry and Davis have both indicated that the approach being taken with the current bill is a direct result of the initial, catchall “cottage industry” bill having failed to pass. In a recent email, Davis explains, “it’s fine to dip a toe into this (with the current bill) and try and get at least that passed. If we thought the full thing could happen, we would probably be for that. It won’t happen, we have too many folks that would go crazy ” Davis, along with the other sponsors of the bill, believe getting this bill passed will pave the way for similar bills recognizing other home businesses like the type indicated by McTamaney’s listserv post. More to the heart of the matter are questions raised by those with a financial stake in commercial recording studios. At this point they haven’t organized in opposition, nor are they likely to. Indeed, true threats to the bill’s viability are much more likely to come from other quarters. Nevertheless, in the private sector, commercial recording studios have taken by far the biggest hit financially from home studios. However, owners of commercial studios are faced with a conundrum: They are fully aware of the fact that nearly all of their clients have studios at home. What’s more, the best clients also tend to have the best home studios. Pick any CMA-winning country star or producer and you can rest assured they have a really nice studio at home. Confronted with this reality, what choice do they have but to look the other way? Nevertheless the issue does come up, and it is usually centered on the idea of having a level playing field. Commercial studios, just like any other commercial business, are subject to an entirely different set of zoning ordinances, licenses and taxes than their residential counterparts. Of course, as it stands now their residential counterparts aren’t legally recognized, so they’re not subject to anything. It’s doubtful that any of the major commercial studio owners ever expect the situation to be apples to apples, so to speak. For one thing,
May | June 2013
.
commercial zoning has certain advantages over residential when it comes to conducting business. The current bill, for example, places restrictions on the number of people allowed in the home studio on any given day irrespective of all other considerations. In a commercial setting such a restriction is often dictated by fire codes based on square footage. The list goes on. What’s important to the commercial facilities is to have at least a token amount of quid pro quo from home studios. Given their sheer numbers, the revenue returned to the local economy by home studios could easily exceed that which is now generated by the commercial facilities, even if the home studios were taxed at much lower rates using an entirely different rate structure. This is, no doubt, the greatest fear for home studio owners when it comes to any movement toward legitimacy — taxes. It must be remembered then, that where regulations go taxes follow. One argument in favor of regulating home businesses in general is that they’re going to be taxed one way or another anyway, so why not return that money to the local economy? And so it goes. To think that the status quo will remain in place indefinitely is ludicrous. Catherine McTamaney’s post on listserv should make one thing crystal clear — the genie is out of the bottle when it comes to legitimizing home businesses. So regardless of whether or not the Metro Council votes to pass Substitute Ordinance No. BL2012-292, bills pertaining to home businesses are on the horizon, and they are inevitable. They will eventually be hammered out and passed into law, and the issue of revenue will be following closely behind. Where home studios are concerned — or for that matter, where anyone with a stake in the issue is concerned — to sit on the sidelines and let come-what-may could result in a situation that is bad for everyone. The current bill as written lays the foundation; if it passes there will still be work that needs to be done. The recording industry is far too important to Nashville not get this one right. It’s up to you.
Mondays 4:30-5:00 p.m. 3-6 year olds 5:00-5:45 p.m. 7 & up Above classes held at Eastwood Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 1601 Eastland Avenue Additional classes available in Brentwood, Pegram, and Vanderbilt University
Wendy Ellis Windsor-Hashiguchi, TCRG (615)300-4388 • www.scott-ellis.com
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
19
Legalize it! No, not that. Home recording studios are still not legal. But Metro Council could change that soon. By Chuck Allen
S
ubstitute Ordinance No. BL2012-292, commonly known as the “Home Studio Bill,” will make yet another appearance in the Metro Council on Tuesday May 7. It passed a second reading on April 2, when it was introduced in its current form. Originally introduced by Councilman-at-Large Megan Barry on Oct. 16, 2012, and co-sponsored by, among others, District 6 Councilman Peter Westerholm and District 7 Councilman Anthony Davis, the bill seeks to legitimize home recording studios in Metro. If only it were that simple. Concerns have been raised over parking becoming an issue. The bill states, “Sufficient off-street parking shall be provided for clients and customers on a paved or graveled area not exceeding twenty-five percent of the lot area for residential property per section 16.24.330 of the Metropolitan code.” As it stands now, residents who have home studios as neighbors have no recourse regarding parking issues, because parking on the street is legal. With the ordinance in place, complaints would be legally valid. Enforcement is another issue altogether, but at least it’s a starting point. Another concern, raised by East Nashvillian Catherine McTamaney in a recent listserv post, is that “This bill creates an arbitrary preference for music studios without solving the much larger issue of other in-home businesses.” In the same post, McTamaney more or less provides the very reason why the sponsors of the current bill are taking the one-type-of-business-at-a-time approach: “Some of you may remember the contentious efforts last term to pass an ordinance that would allow in-home businesses (sometimes called “cottage industries”) like attorneys, graphic designers and piano teachers to operate legally in residential areas. The proposal, which was sponsored by then District 6 CM Mike Jameson, included specific limits to the number of guests, the hours during which clients could be seen, and the types of businesses … basically rules that would make sure the residences looked like residences even when there may be some business operating inside.” That bill failed precisely because it attempted a one-size-fits-all approach to home
18
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
businesses. Shade-tree mechanics and home nail salons — strange bedfellows to be sure — became the poster children for everything wrong with such a generalized approach. Barry and Davis have both indicated that the approach being taken with the current bill is a direct result of the initial, catchall “cottage industry” bill having failed to pass. In a recent email, Davis explains, “it’s fine to dip a toe into this (with the current bill) and try and get at least that passed. If we thought the full thing could happen, we would probably be for that. It won’t happen, we have too many folks that would go crazy ” Davis, along with the other sponsors of the bill, believe getting this bill passed will pave the way for similar bills recognizing other home businesses like the type indicated by McTamaney’s listserv post. More to the heart of the matter are questions raised by those with a financial stake in commercial recording studios. At this point they haven’t organized in opposition, nor are they likely to. Indeed, true threats to the bill’s viability are much more likely to come from other quarters. Nevertheless, in the private sector, commercial recording studios have taken by far the biggest hit financially from home studios. However, owners of commercial studios are faced with a conundrum: They are fully aware of the fact that nearly all of their clients have studios at home. What’s more, the best clients also tend to have the best home studios. Pick any CMA-winning country star or producer and you can rest assured they have a really nice studio at home. Confronted with this reality, what choice do they have but to look the other way? Nevertheless the issue does come up, and it is usually centered on the idea of having a level playing field. Commercial studios, just like any other commercial business, are subject to an entirely different set of zoning ordinances, licenses and taxes than their residential counterparts. Of course, as it stands now their residential counterparts aren’t legally recognized, so they’re not subject to anything. It’s doubtful that any of the major commercial studio owners ever expect the situation to be apples to apples, so to speak. For one thing,
May | June 2013
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commercial zoning has certain advantages over residential when it comes to conducting business. The current bill, for example, places restrictions on the number of people allowed in the home studio on any given day irrespective of all other considerations. In a commercial setting such a restriction is often dictated by fire codes based on square footage. The list goes on. What’s important to the commercial facilities is to have at least a token amount of quid pro quo from home studios. Given their sheer numbers, the revenue returned to the local economy by home studios could easily exceed that which is now generated by the commercial facilities, even if the home studios were taxed at much lower rates using an entirely different rate structure. This is, no doubt, the greatest fear for home studio owners when it comes to any movement toward legitimacy — taxes. It must be remembered then, that where regulations go taxes follow. One argument in favor of regulating home businesses in general is that they’re going to be taxed one way or another anyway, so why not return that money to the local economy? And so it goes. To think that the status quo will remain in place indefinitely is ludicrous. Catherine McTamaney’s post on listserv should make one thing crystal clear — the genie is out of the bottle when it comes to legitimizing home businesses. So regardless of whether or not the Metro Council votes to pass Substitute Ordinance No. BL2012-292, bills pertaining to home businesses are on the horizon, and they are inevitable. They will eventually be hammered out and passed into law, and the issue of revenue will be following closely behind. Where home studios are concerned — or for that matter, where anyone with a stake in the issue is concerned — to sit on the sidelines and let come-what-may could result in a situation that is bad for everyone. The current bill as written lays the foundation; if it passes there will still be work that needs to be done. The recording industry is far too important to Nashville not get this one right. It’s up to you.
Mondays 4:30-5:00 p.m. 3-6 year olds 5:00-5:45 p.m. 7 & up Above classes held at Eastwood Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 1601 Eastland Avenue Additional classes available in Brentwood, Pegram, and Vanderbilt University
Wendy Ellis Windsor-Hashiguchi, TCRG (615)300-4388 • www.scott-ellis.com
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
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The shifting East Nashville skyline sparks neighborhood dialogue By Theresa Laurence
M
aybe you’ve gotten a postcard in your mailbox that reads something like this: “I want to buy your property AS IS, make you a fair CASH offer and close on the date you choose!” Or maybe you’ve seen increasing numbers of real-estate ads with a description like this: “New Construction in East Nashville! Real Hardwood Floors, Custom Cabinets, Granite Countertops, Stainless Steel Appliances, Master Suite, Walk-in Closets, Fireplace, Deck, 2-Car Garage and more! Only $350,000! Make an appointment soon!” It may sound like a dream home to many well-heeled buyers, but to some East Nashville residents, it sounds like the work of greedy developers and gentrification run amok. With a recent uptick in teardowns and new home builds on the Eastside, many residents are wondering what all this new development means for this historic neighborhood. For years, it’s been common practice in Green Hills to sell off a modest-sized ranch on an acre or two of land and watch a minisubdivision of cluster homes sprout up, with hardly a blade of grass between them. In the nearby Belmont/12 South neighborhood, it’s impossible to find a classic foursquare being renovated today without an extra 1,500 square
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May | June 2013
feet of living space slapped on the back of it. But this kind of development hasn’t really happened in East Nashville … yet. Could it be coming soon? The rate at which “very large, very expensive homes are going in, it’s kind of a jolt” to East Nashvillians, says Brett Withers, Eastwood Neighbors neighborhood association president. “We need to get a handle on it. The goal is to find a way to fit everyone in.” Withers has been fielding a lot of questions from neighbors and prospective buyers, trying to calm listserv tempers and facilitate meetings between developers and neighbors. He’s also answered emails and calls from people who find him online, asking about homes for sale in the area, even though he is not a realtor. With the economy slowly rebounding and national media touting East Nashville as the place to be, demand — and prices — are soaring. “Lately, it’s been really tough to buy on the open market. There’s been a pretty big flood of investors and it bids the prices up. It was a lot easier five to six years ago,” says Brett Diaz of Woodland Street Partners, a property development firm with several new home builds in the works for the Eastwood Neighbors area. Residential home designer Lynn Taylor has
seen deteriorating historic homes torn down and historic replica houses spring up in East Nashville over the last two decades. Lately she’s noticed a different demographic showing interest in the neighborhood. “They’re moving in from the suburbs, and they want bigger homes with garages and a more modern feel. They’re not really moving here because of the historic homes, but because it’s hip and cool.” Diaz has also noticed increased demand for larger homes in the last few years, and he and his company have taken some heat for a few of their outsized designs. “We’ve certainly been guilty of building larger than we should have,” he says. “As we evolve we want to be a bit more sensitive.” Diaz, an Eastwood Neighbors resident, listened to concerns at a recent community meeting and adapted the design of a new home being constructed to better complement the surrounding homes. The homepage of the Woodland Street Partners website now invites people to leave feedback about what kind of design is needed here. There is a general consensus across East Nashville that homes of significant historical value should not be demolished. Many neighbors are keenly interested in preserving the historic structures that make the neighborhood unique, and are ready to put up a fight to save them. As The East Nashvillian goes to press, a public dispute is playing out on Facebook and the listserv between supporters of the “Blind Girls’ Home,” located at 1309 Forrest Ave., and the developer who recently purchased the property. Accusations are flying about what might
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
21
The shifting East Nashville skyline sparks neighborhood dialogue By Theresa Laurence
M
aybe you’ve gotten a postcard in your mailbox that reads something like this: “I want to buy your property AS IS, make you a fair CASH offer and close on the date you choose!” Or maybe you’ve seen increasing numbers of real-estate ads with a description like this: “New Construction in East Nashville! Real Hardwood Floors, Custom Cabinets, Granite Countertops, Stainless Steel Appliances, Master Suite, Walk-in Closets, Fireplace, Deck, 2-Car Garage and more! Only $350,000! Make an appointment soon!” It may sound like a dream home to many well-heeled buyers, but to some East Nashville residents, it sounds like the work of greedy developers and gentrification run amok. With a recent uptick in teardowns and new home builds on the Eastside, many residents are wondering what all this new development means for this historic neighborhood. For years, it’s been common practice in Green Hills to sell off a modest-sized ranch on an acre or two of land and watch a minisubdivision of cluster homes sprout up, with hardly a blade of grass between them. In the nearby Belmont/12 South neighborhood, it’s impossible to find a classic foursquare being renovated today without an extra 1,500 square
20
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
feet of living space slapped on the back of it. But this kind of development hasn’t really happened in East Nashville … yet. Could it be coming soon? The rate at which “very large, very expensive homes are going in, it’s kind of a jolt” to East Nashvillians, says Brett Withers, Eastwood Neighbors neighborhood association president. “We need to get a handle on it. The goal is to find a way to fit everyone in.” Withers has been fielding a lot of questions from neighbors and prospective buyers, trying to calm listserv tempers and facilitate meetings between developers and neighbors. He’s also answered emails and calls from people who find him online, asking about homes for sale in the area, even though he is not a realtor. With the economy slowly rebounding and national media touting East Nashville as the place to be, demand — and prices — are soaring. “Lately, it’s been really tough to buy on the open market. There’s been a pretty big flood of investors and it bids the prices up. It was a lot easier five to six years ago,” says Brett Diaz of Woodland Street Partners, a property development firm with several new home builds in the works for the Eastwood Neighbors area. Residential home designer Lynn Taylor has
seen deteriorating historic homes torn down and historic replica houses spring up in East Nashville over the last two decades. Lately she’s noticed a different demographic showing interest in the neighborhood. “They’re moving in from the suburbs, and they want bigger homes with garages and a more modern feel. They’re not really moving here because of the historic homes, but because it’s hip and cool.” Diaz has also noticed increased demand for larger homes in the last few years, and he and his company have taken some heat for a few of their outsized designs. “We’ve certainly been guilty of building larger than we should have,” he says. “As we evolve we want to be a bit more sensitive.” Diaz, an Eastwood Neighbors resident, listened to concerns at a recent community meeting and adapted the design of a new home being constructed to better complement the surrounding homes. The homepage of the Woodland Street Partners website now invites people to leave feedback about what kind of design is needed here. There is a general consensus across East Nashville that homes of significant historical value should not be demolished. Many neighbors are keenly interested in preserving the historic structures that make the neighborhood unique, and are ready to put up a fight to save them. As The East Nashvillian goes to press, a public dispute is playing out on Facebook and the listserv between supporters of the “Blind Girls’ Home,” located at 1309 Forrest Ave., and the developer who recently purchased the property. Accusations are flying about what might
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
21
historic property will be preserved, they need to watch the Metro Historic Zoning Commission agenda, write in or get to the meetings. “With a good volume of community input, historic has been talked out of allowing some builds” they would have otherwise approved, he said. “In my experience, demolition applications bring a great deal of scrutiny on the part of MHZC and the public and so are relatively difficult to pass.” As a general rule, Diaz and his company stick with new construction rather than renovating historic homes and prefer building on empty lots. If they do buy a house to tear down and rebuild, “we really try to focus on
New homes in the Little Hollywood area
22
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
N 14th St. & Forrest Avenue
dilapidated homes that are not historic; those that are smaller and don’t necessarily fit in with the neighborhood.” Diaz knows that there will always be debates around architecture and that no design will suit all tastes, but he wants to accommodate as many people as possible. “We have a certain responsibility to make sure we’re making it happen within what the neighborhood as a whole wants,” he said. Confusion arises when even the neighborhood is not quite sure what it wants. Some homeowners prefer historic design overlays, while others don’t want to deal with such restrictions if they renovate. Some want all-new homes to closely match their immediate neighbors, while still others opt for more modern design. In the Rosebank area, the land of postWorld War II brick ranch houses, there are no historic design restrictions and no plans to push for them. District 7 Councilman Anthony Davis states: “I’ll leave it to my constituents to guide where we want to go.” Davis also notes that since builders have chosen not to revive the brick ranch design concept new construction homes in his district never really match up with existing homes. “I think East Nashville is eclectic enough for that to be OK,” he says. “We’ve got to grow intelligently so we don’t ruin the character of the neighborhood.” What upsets residents the most is the overshadowing height of many new homes, usually resulting from a developer squeezing a towering duplex onto a lot that previously housed one small cottage. The only place to build is up. “Developers are really forced to do that if they’re going to make a profit,” explains Taylor. These tall, skinny homes can block views and sightlines of existing homes and leave neighbors feeling claustrophobic. “A lot of people have gotten used to a certain amount of space and that is going away,” says Withers. This style of home “sticks out like a sore thumb” to Taylor, mainly because of the height difference between the new homes and the older ones nearby. She said many of the new builds are beautiful, but they just don’t fit in where they are. “I don’t think the character of the neighborhood is staying intact,” she says, noting the difference between what can be built inside versus outside of a historic zoning overlay. “If you are outside a historic overlay and you have all the legal rights to that property, you can tear down and build as much as normal zoning allows,” and structures may be up to 48 feet tall, says Withers. While most of the grand Victorian homes of Lockeland Springs and Edgefield fall within a historic zoning overlay, the overlay in Eastwood Neighbors is sporadic and in Rosebank it’s non-existent, which is probably why so much new construction is happening in those areas right now. The influx of homes in the $250,000-
photography by Chuck Allen
happen with the property and when. Lockeland Springs neighborhood association president Mary Vavra feels confident that the property, which will be converted from eight rental apartments into condos, will be preserved. The architect has stated that renovations and a rear addition are planned, but that there are no plans to demolish the home. “The neighborhood association will follow the process as proposals are submitted to historic,” said Vavra. “We’ll be keeping a close eye on it,” just as they do with any Lockeland Springs building project, she said. Withers reminds East Nashville residents that if they have concerns about whether a
$350,000 range in East Nashville may seem like an untenable spike in real-estate prices, but, “East Nashville is still affordable compared with other historic neighborhoods,” says Withers. Indeed, new or renovated homes in the 12 South area rarely sell for under a half-million dollars. Since East Nashville is a neighborhood that thrives on diversity, there are concerns that “the creative class we celebrate in East Nashville” will be pushed out as home values continue to rise, he adds. “When you tear down a house, you’re automatically going to get a house at a certain price point,” says Taylor. As more small houses get torn down and replaced with large modern ones, “you don’t have the diversity in architecture, the diversity in square footage or the diversity in income levels,” she continues. “Diversity — that’s what makes a great neighborhood.” Withers has seen many changes over the past eight years. Teardowns are the latest trend and cause for concern. “If we allow too much to be torn down,” he says ruefully, “we’re going to end up with a Disney-fied version of a historic neighborhood.” As longtime residents get used to the growing pains in the neighborhood — a part of which is coming to terms with the fact that East Nashville is no longer the Bohemian enclave of urban pioneers it once was — Withers says they should not forget that, “the more expensive the homes going in, the more the home values for all go up.” Homeowners may elect to take advantage of their increased home equity to make improvements or additions. During the recent Davidson County property reappraisal, a process undertaken every four years, Council District 6 was deemed one of the “hottest” markets in the county, with values rising 10 percent or more over the 2009 appraisals. District 7 was not far behind, and District 5 made gains as well. The property reappraisals help the Metro property assessor adjust the tax rate throughout the county, shifting the tax burden according to the latest values. Homeowners may gripe about a tax increase, but “it’s an issue of fairness,” says Councilman Davis. “You have to pay more if your home is worth more.” Zoning laws and historic conservation overlay rules are not likely to change anytime soon, but neighbors do have a voice. They can go to zoning appeals hearings and community meetings; talk with local Metro Council representatives; and speak directly to developers. Woodland Street Partners exemplifies that some developers are open to listening to concerns and adapting plans to better fit in with the fabric of the neighborhood. “I’m grateful that we have a developer who is local and we can talk to,” Withers says. The topics of architecture, design and growth are perennial ones among East Nashville residents. “There’s definitely lots of opinions,” says Withers, so throughout the process, “we need to be talking with each other, not against.”
Join Margot Café and Bar, Marche Artisan Food, Holland House, The Pharmacy, Fat Bottom Brewery, Pomodoro East, Eastland Café, The Wild Cow, Edley's Barbque, Lockeland Table ...and the list keeps growing.
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
23
historic property will be preserved, they need to watch the Metro Historic Zoning Commission agenda, write in or get to the meetings. “With a good volume of community input, historic has been talked out of allowing some builds” they would have otherwise approved, he said. “In my experience, demolition applications bring a great deal of scrutiny on the part of MHZC and the public and so are relatively difficult to pass.” As a general rule, Diaz and his company stick with new construction rather than renovating historic homes and prefer building on empty lots. If they do buy a house to tear down and rebuild, “we really try to focus on
New homes in the Little Hollywood area
22
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
N 14th St. & Forrest Avenue
dilapidated homes that are not historic; those that are smaller and don’t necessarily fit in with the neighborhood.” Diaz knows that there will always be debates around architecture and that no design will suit all tastes, but he wants to accommodate as many people as possible. “We have a certain responsibility to make sure we’re making it happen within what the neighborhood as a whole wants,” he said. Confusion arises when even the neighborhood is not quite sure what it wants. Some homeowners prefer historic design overlays, while others don’t want to deal with such restrictions if they renovate. Some want all-new homes to closely match their immediate neighbors, while still others opt for more modern design. In the Rosebank area, the land of postWorld War II brick ranch houses, there are no historic design restrictions and no plans to push for them. District 7 Councilman Anthony Davis states: “I’ll leave it to my constituents to guide where we want to go.” Davis also notes that since builders have chosen not to revive the brick ranch design concept new construction homes in his district never really match up with existing homes. “I think East Nashville is eclectic enough for that to be OK,” he says. “We’ve got to grow intelligently so we don’t ruin the character of the neighborhood.” What upsets residents the most is the overshadowing height of many new homes, usually resulting from a developer squeezing a towering duplex onto a lot that previously housed one small cottage. The only place to build is up. “Developers are really forced to do that if they’re going to make a profit,” explains Taylor. These tall, skinny homes can block views and sightlines of existing homes and leave neighbors feeling claustrophobic. “A lot of people have gotten used to a certain amount of space and that is going away,” says Withers. This style of home “sticks out like a sore thumb” to Taylor, mainly because of the height difference between the new homes and the older ones nearby. She said many of the new builds are beautiful, but they just don’t fit in where they are. “I don’t think the character of the neighborhood is staying intact,” she says, noting the difference between what can be built inside versus outside of a historic zoning overlay. “If you are outside a historic overlay and you have all the legal rights to that property, you can tear down and build as much as normal zoning allows,” and structures may be up to 48 feet tall, says Withers. While most of the grand Victorian homes of Lockeland Springs and Edgefield fall within a historic zoning overlay, the overlay in Eastwood Neighbors is sporadic and in Rosebank it’s non-existent, which is probably why so much new construction is happening in those areas right now. The influx of homes in the $250,000-
photography by Chuck Allen
happen with the property and when. Lockeland Springs neighborhood association president Mary Vavra feels confident that the property, which will be converted from eight rental apartments into condos, will be preserved. The architect has stated that renovations and a rear addition are planned, but that there are no plans to demolish the home. “The neighborhood association will follow the process as proposals are submitted to historic,” said Vavra. “We’ll be keeping a close eye on it,” just as they do with any Lockeland Springs building project, she said. Withers reminds East Nashville residents that if they have concerns about whether a
$350,000 range in East Nashville may seem like an untenable spike in real-estate prices, but, “East Nashville is still affordable compared with other historic neighborhoods,” says Withers. Indeed, new or renovated homes in the 12 South area rarely sell for under a half-million dollars. Since East Nashville is a neighborhood that thrives on diversity, there are concerns that “the creative class we celebrate in East Nashville” will be pushed out as home values continue to rise, he adds. “When you tear down a house, you’re automatically going to get a house at a certain price point,” says Taylor. As more small houses get torn down and replaced with large modern ones, “you don’t have the diversity in architecture, the diversity in square footage or the diversity in income levels,” she continues. “Diversity — that’s what makes a great neighborhood.” Withers has seen many changes over the past eight years. Teardowns are the latest trend and cause for concern. “If we allow too much to be torn down,” he says ruefully, “we’re going to end up with a Disney-fied version of a historic neighborhood.” As longtime residents get used to the growing pains in the neighborhood — a part of which is coming to terms with the fact that East Nashville is no longer the Bohemian enclave of urban pioneers it once was — Withers says they should not forget that, “the more expensive the homes going in, the more the home values for all go up.” Homeowners may elect to take advantage of their increased home equity to make improvements or additions. During the recent Davidson County property reappraisal, a process undertaken every four years, Council District 6 was deemed one of the “hottest” markets in the county, with values rising 10 percent or more over the 2009 appraisals. District 7 was not far behind, and District 5 made gains as well. The property reappraisals help the Metro property assessor adjust the tax rate throughout the county, shifting the tax burden according to the latest values. Homeowners may gripe about a tax increase, but “it’s an issue of fairness,” says Councilman Davis. “You have to pay more if your home is worth more.” Zoning laws and historic conservation overlay rules are not likely to change anytime soon, but neighbors do have a voice. They can go to zoning appeals hearings and community meetings; talk with local Metro Council representatives; and speak directly to developers. Woodland Street Partners exemplifies that some developers are open to listening to concerns and adapting plans to better fit in with the fabric of the neighborhood. “I’m grateful that we have a developer who is local and we can talk to,” Withers says. The topics of architecture, design and growth are perennial ones among East Nashville residents. “There’s definitely lots of opinions,” says Withers, so throughout the process, “we need to be talking with each other, not against.”
Join Margot Café and Bar, Marche Artisan Food, Holland House, The Pharmacy, Fat Bottom Brewery, Pomodoro East, Eastland Café, The Wild Cow, Edley's Barbque, Lockeland Table ...and the list keeps growing.
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
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May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
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May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
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Y
ou have to know where you’re going. There’s no sign to point the way. But if you’re one of Nashville’s many film photographers, you may have already found a home at Film Box. The blue Victorian’s door stays open. Head up the steps, peer inside and likely as not, Otis the wonder dog will greet you with wiggles and wags. He’s your first clue that this is not a film lab like any other. This is East Nashville’s film lab, and it carries the aura of your fastidious grandmother’s gracious living room. Walk inside, and one of Film Box’s owners or employees will meet you with a smile. If you’re a film shooter, you’ll be smiling by now, too. The space, awash with light, is dotted with all sorts of curious analog cameras, photographs, artwork, and minimal processing and scanning equipment. Business owners Ryan Bernall and Austin Gros will be on hand to offer a hello and see what you need. Want to drop off some rolls for developing and scanning? Good — that’s their specialty. Want to look at your negatives on the light box? Great. Want to join in a conversation about two brothers in Los Angeles who are repurposing movie stock to be shot in still cameras? That can happen. Here is a business dedicated to community, to service and to the shared love for film photography. Film Box’s genesis was appropriate: Ryan hired Austin to shoot his wedding. “My wife and I got married a little over two years ago. She had a position at Vanderbilt and heard of Austin through some people. My family gave me a gift card for my birthday, so after our engagement shoot I invited him to go out to eat with us. I’d just moved here and didn’t know many people, and even at that first hang we started talking about photography.” Austin laughs, “Yeah, it was kinda cool. I don’t usually become best friends with my clients!” Soon, though, Ryan and Austin would become business partners as well as friends. “We had been shooting film and sending it to California or other labs,” says Ryan. The labs did a good job, but a piece of the creative process was lost. “I’d get my negatives back and they were always fine, but I didn’t know who had touched them, who had contributed to that part of the process.” Over yet another dinner, Ryan suggested opening a lab. “The fork dropped, and I was like, ‘OK,’” says Austin, who was immediately excited by the prospect of opening a place where the film community could meet, talk shop and learn from one another. “It’s the same idea as going to Grimey’s. You could buy your music at Amazon, or you could get in your car, drive over, walk in, actually touch records, talk to the staff, ask them what they’re listening to — there’s just something about that tangible human connection that I wanted and Ryan wanted and that Nashville needed.” Bolstered by vision and armed with passion, Ryan and Austin began planning. They bought two of the industry’s best film scanners, a Noritsu and a Frontier. In November 2012 they set about learning how to run a professional lab. “It’s not something you go to school for. You have to learn it by doing it,” explains Austin. Several months were spent processing their own film as well as friends’ work. “The lab is very different than the shooting and the creating. It’s detail-oriented and process-oriented.” Meanwhile, the two set about all the other details that must be addressed when going into business. Location was, of course, a huge issue. It was important to Ryan and Austin to work outside of an office park or a traditional lab space. “We lucked out,” says Austin. “We looked for commercial leases until we were blue in the face.” Ryan adds, “When we were searching for a space for Film Box we wanted something that felt like home, something that had character, and somewhere that was in the thick of this community we love.” After months of searching, they found their space on Craigslist, cleaned it up, painted every surface, hired and trained two employees, and softly opened with no fanfare except a notice on a local photography listserv. Austin is happy with the decision. “East Nashville is a great spot because of the vibe and culture that exists here. There are so many creatives here — restaurateurs, musicians, writers … the list goes on. So it felt natural to want to be a part of that. We’re creative people in a creative environment. To a large extent, traditional labs are nerdy and boring. 26
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
27
Y
ou have to know where you’re going. There’s no sign to point the way. But if you’re one of Nashville’s many film photographers, you may have already found a home at Film Box. The blue Victorian’s door stays open. Head up the steps, peer inside and likely as not, Otis the wonder dog will greet you with wiggles and wags. He’s your first clue that this is not a film lab like any other. This is East Nashville’s film lab, and it carries the aura of your fastidious grandmother’s gracious living room. Walk inside, and one of Film Box’s owners or employees will meet you with a smile. If you’re a film shooter, you’ll be smiling by now, too. The space, awash with light, is dotted with all sorts of curious analog cameras, photographs, artwork, and minimal processing and scanning equipment. Business owners Ryan Bernall and Austin Gros will be on hand to offer a hello and see what you need. Want to drop off some rolls for developing and scanning? Good — that’s their specialty. Want to look at your negatives on the light box? Great. Want to join in a conversation about two brothers in Los Angeles who are repurposing movie stock to be shot in still cameras? That can happen. Here is a business dedicated to community, to service and to the shared love for film photography. Film Box’s genesis was appropriate: Ryan hired Austin to shoot his wedding. “My wife and I got married a little over two years ago. She had a position at Vanderbilt and heard of Austin through some people. My family gave me a gift card for my birthday, so after our engagement shoot I invited him to go out to eat with us. I’d just moved here and didn’t know many people, and even at that first hang we started talking about photography.” Austin laughs, “Yeah, it was kinda cool. I don’t usually become best friends with my clients!” Soon, though, Ryan and Austin would become business partners as well as friends. “We had been shooting film and sending it to California or other labs,” says Ryan. The labs did a good job, but a piece of the creative process was lost. “I’d get my negatives back and they were always fine, but I didn’t know who had touched them, who had contributed to that part of the process.” Over yet another dinner, Ryan suggested opening a lab. “The fork dropped, and I was like, ‘OK,’” says Austin, who was immediately excited by the prospect of opening a place where the film community could meet, talk shop and learn from one another. “It’s the same idea as going to Grimey’s. You could buy your music at Amazon, or you could get in your car, drive over, walk in, actually touch records, talk to the staff, ask them what they’re listening to — there’s just something about that tangible human connection that I wanted and Ryan wanted and that Nashville needed.” Bolstered by vision and armed with passion, Ryan and Austin began planning. They bought two of the industry’s best film scanners, a Noritsu and a Frontier. In November 2012 they set about learning how to run a professional lab. “It’s not something you go to school for. You have to learn it by doing it,” explains Austin. Several months were spent processing their own film as well as friends’ work. “The lab is very different than the shooting and the creating. It’s detail-oriented and process-oriented.” Meanwhile, the two set about all the other details that must be addressed when going into business. Location was, of course, a huge issue. It was important to Ryan and Austin to work outside of an office park or a traditional lab space. “We lucked out,” says Austin. “We looked for commercial leases until we were blue in the face.” Ryan adds, “When we were searching for a space for Film Box we wanted something that felt like home, something that had character, and somewhere that was in the thick of this community we love.” After months of searching, they found their space on Craigslist, cleaned it up, painted every surface, hired and trained two employees, and softly opened with no fanfare except a notice on a local photography listserv. Austin is happy with the decision. “East Nashville is a great spot because of the vibe and culture that exists here. There are so many creatives here — restaurateurs, musicians, writers … the list goes on. So it felt natural to want to be a part of that. We’re creative people in a creative environment. To a large extent, traditional labs are nerdy and boring. 26
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Film: Not dead yet S keptics might wonder if opening a film lab in 2013 is a sound business decision. After all, it seems as if the entire world has switched to digital. Ryan Bernall and Austin Gros are optimistic that the film community is here to stay, and that Film Box may act as a hub for serious shooters and weekend hobbyists alike to gather and converse about their craft. Shooting onto film is a different creative venture than shooting with a digital camera, explain the young entrepreneurs. Austin says, “You choose a film stock based on what you want the result to look like. You choose a camera and a lens. You choose how to shoot, and those very real decisions affect how the film looks. So there’s way more to talk about. Are you shooting 35 millimeter? Medium format? Are you using a filter? Color or blackand-white? There are hundreds of thousands of film cameras. So talking to people about film is so interesting because every camera has a mind of its own and there are so many variations when you’re shooting with film.” He continues, “Speaking from a wedding photographer’s standpoint, there’s a physical, tangible cost for every frame I shoot on film. So, each frame on that roll of film means something. You can’t waste an exposure and you have to be intentional with your compositions. Every frame is money. You can’t spray and pray. So it slows me down and forces me to compose.” Ryan chimes in, “Shooting film also forces you to know what you’re doing, and to truly learn your craft. I shoot medium format, so each roll is 32 exposures. Film forces you to wait for the right minute to capture. It also allows you to be way more involved with your subject. You know how the film’s going to react, so you use your light meter, get your setup, and then you are free to get the best rapport with the people you’re shooting. You’re not continually finagling with the back of your camera, breaking that connection with your subjects. “Film speaks to a certain kind of photography. It’s not film vs. digital. People shooting with film just want something different than what you can get shooting with a digital camera. It’s not better or worse; it’s a different flavor.” “Quality over quantity,” adds Ryan. “I think that’s how film works.”
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So we wanted to go the other direction. Shouldn’t your lab, and the people who are handling your film, be creative and inspiring?” He shares how, in turn, it inspires him to come to work every day in East Nashville. “Where you work influences how you work.” And so far, 118 South 11th St., Suite B, has been good to them. Ryan says, “For two people who haven’t placed much emphasis on marketing, we’ve been amazed by the word of mouth that’s happened throughout this community and in Nashville at large.” The number of people who have darkened the door of their blue Victorian has pleased the new businessmen, and they are beginning to form ties with their neighbors in 5 Points. “We’ve met the folks at the guitar shop, there’s a girl at Bongo Java who’s referred some clients to us, and a lot of people have just come by to welcome us to the neighborhood.” They also enjoy meeting their new clients, one by one. When asked if there are any noteworthy stories, Austin laughs: “Alan Messer.” Ryan joins in. “Yeah, he came in with this one roll of film. I asked him what he wanted his scans to look like, and he asks if we can look at his website. I pulled it up and he’s got Iggy Pop, George Harrison, The Who … he was Johnny Cash’s photographer for a long time, and I’m like, ‘You are giving us your film!’” The Film Box owners talk excitedly about their clients who have just discovered film, as well as about the more seasoned pros. “We’re seeing a lot of people in different stages, and it’s great having conversations with young photographers as well as the people who have been doing it professionally for years.” Reception from the photographic community has been positive. If you’ve ever been to Logue’s Black Raven Emporium on Gallatin Road, you’ve seen Oscar Rice’s work on the walls. Oscar is glad Film Box is open. “I was pleased with their service. And the HC 110 developer they use works well with Ilford Delta 100 and 400.” Why does he continue to shoot with film instead of switching to digital? “I use film because I’m comfortable with the twin lens reflex cameras I work with. I can concentrate on light and composition and not be concerned with the settings on an unfamiliar camera. Besides,
May | June 2013
the prices for digital medium format cameras are exorbitant. You could buy 40 CLA Minolta Autocords for the price of one MF digital camera.” Alan Messer is also happy to have Film Box. “Nashville was a digital wasteland until Film Box. Once again I can shoot black-andwhite film and get it processed locally without costly shipping to other cities at the risk of X-ray.” He continues, “This is a progressive city, with organic local foods, so why not a real black-and-white lab? I have worked with film for four decades; now with Film Box I can continue living here and keep shooting film.” When a new client contacts Film Box, he or she is invited to fill out a short questionnaire about what kind of cameras and film he or she uses, and the kind of results that are desired. One of the lines from the questionnaire says, “Describe your photography (Bright and airy, dark and moody, neutral and natural, etc.).” Photographers are invited to send in a few of their favorite images so Film Box’s technicians can get a feel for each client as an individual. Ryan explains, “We want to get into each photographer’s head and know what they want to achieve — and what they don’t like. We want to respond to our client’s style through the processing and scanning stages. It’s not one size fits all. And it’s not the corner pharmacy where you get your film back and it looks way worse than
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Film: Not dead yet S keptics might wonder if opening a film lab in 2013 is a sound business decision. After all, it seems as if the entire world has switched to digital. Ryan Bernall and Austin Gros are optimistic that the film community is here to stay, and that Film Box may act as a hub for serious shooters and weekend hobbyists alike to gather and converse about their craft. Shooting onto film is a different creative venture than shooting with a digital camera, explain the young entrepreneurs. Austin says, “You choose a film stock based on what you want the result to look like. You choose a camera and a lens. You choose how to shoot, and those very real decisions affect how the film looks. So there’s way more to talk about. Are you shooting 35 millimeter? Medium format? Are you using a filter? Color or blackand-white? There are hundreds of thousands of film cameras. So talking to people about film is so interesting because every camera has a mind of its own and there are so many variations when you’re shooting with film.” He continues, “Speaking from a wedding photographer’s standpoint, there’s a physical, tangible cost for every frame I shoot on film. So, each frame on that roll of film means something. You can’t waste an exposure and you have to be intentional with your compositions. Every frame is money. You can’t spray and pray. So it slows me down and forces me to compose.” Ryan chimes in, “Shooting film also forces you to know what you’re doing, and to truly learn your craft. I shoot medium format, so each roll is 32 exposures. Film forces you to wait for the right minute to capture. It also allows you to be way more involved with your subject. You know how the film’s going to react, so you use your light meter, get your setup, and then you are free to get the best rapport with the people you’re shooting. You’re not continually finagling with the back of your camera, breaking that connection with your subjects. “Film speaks to a certain kind of photography. It’s not film vs. digital. People shooting with film just want something different than what you can get shooting with a digital camera. It’s not better or worse; it’s a different flavor.” “Quality over quantity,” adds Ryan. “I think that’s how film works.”
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So we wanted to go the other direction. Shouldn’t your lab, and the people who are handling your film, be creative and inspiring?” He shares how, in turn, it inspires him to come to work every day in East Nashville. “Where you work influences how you work.” And so far, 118 South 11th St., Suite B, has been good to them. Ryan says, “For two people who haven’t placed much emphasis on marketing, we’ve been amazed by the word of mouth that’s happened throughout this community and in Nashville at large.” The number of people who have darkened the door of their blue Victorian has pleased the new businessmen, and they are beginning to form ties with their neighbors in 5 Points. “We’ve met the folks at the guitar shop, there’s a girl at Bongo Java who’s referred some clients to us, and a lot of people have just come by to welcome us to the neighborhood.” They also enjoy meeting their new clients, one by one. When asked if there are any noteworthy stories, Austin laughs: “Alan Messer.” Ryan joins in. “Yeah, he came in with this one roll of film. I asked him what he wanted his scans to look like, and he asks if we can look at his website. I pulled it up and he’s got Iggy Pop, George Harrison, The Who … he was Johnny Cash’s photographer for a long time, and I’m like, ‘You are giving us your film!’” The Film Box owners talk excitedly about their clients who have just discovered film, as well as about the more seasoned pros. “We’re seeing a lot of people in different stages, and it’s great having conversations with young photographers as well as the people who have been doing it professionally for years.” Reception from the photographic community has been positive. If you’ve ever been to Logue’s Black Raven Emporium on Gallatin Road, you’ve seen Oscar Rice’s work on the walls. Oscar is glad Film Box is open. “I was pleased with their service. And the HC 110 developer they use works well with Ilford Delta 100 and 400.” Why does he continue to shoot with film instead of switching to digital? “I use film because I’m comfortable with the twin lens reflex cameras I work with. I can concentrate on light and composition and not be concerned with the settings on an unfamiliar camera. Besides,
May | June 2013
the prices for digital medium format cameras are exorbitant. You could buy 40 CLA Minolta Autocords for the price of one MF digital camera.” Alan Messer is also happy to have Film Box. “Nashville was a digital wasteland until Film Box. Once again I can shoot black-andwhite film and get it processed locally without costly shipping to other cities at the risk of X-ray.” He continues, “This is a progressive city, with organic local foods, so why not a real black-and-white lab? I have worked with film for four decades; now with Film Box I can continue living here and keep shooting film.” When a new client contacts Film Box, he or she is invited to fill out a short questionnaire about what kind of cameras and film he or she uses, and the kind of results that are desired. One of the lines from the questionnaire says, “Describe your photography (Bright and airy, dark and moody, neutral and natural, etc.).” Photographers are invited to send in a few of their favorite images so Film Box’s technicians can get a feel for each client as an individual. Ryan explains, “We want to get into each photographer’s head and know what they want to achieve — and what they don’t like. We want to respond to our client’s style through the processing and scanning stages. It’s not one size fits all. And it’s not the corner pharmacy where you get your film back and it looks way worse than
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
29
digital because the chemistry is old or it was handled improperly.” Anyone who has ever been disappointed by scratches on important negatives knows how bad it feels to have a mechanized lab ruin a roll of film. Austin explains that the lab you choose is a critical aspect to shooting on film. “Having that relationship is so important. With digital, you shoot it and either got it or didn’t. With film, there’s another critical link to get to that amazing negative or finished scan. And that component is the lab. You can shoot
TODDCOUNTER
two identical rolls of film, give them to different labs — one that cares and one that just runs the film through a machine — and the results will be totally different.” Ryan agrees. “Processing is academic, but it really is about personal service. We like to connect with our clients, know each one by name, and know what their preferences are. Even though we’ve only been open a couple of months, the most rewarding thing for me when I close the door at the end of the day is the relationships we’ve built.”
Will East Nashville get its own Red Light District?
B
een to Ugly Mugs on a Tuesday night recently? If so, you probably wondered what they were up to — that colorful, lively bunch gathered around blueprints, lists, cameras and coffee. What you witnessed is a vision coming to life. These are the folks behind the Nashville Community Darkroom. 615.500.8180 Haven’t heard of it? That’s because it’s todd@landscapeTN.com currently a dream as invisible to the eye as a latent image yet to hit the chemistry. But in a city as steeped in the arts as Nashville, 700 Church St. Unit 405 it’s a dream whose time may well have come. Nashville, TNwet 37203 The idea is to provide a working darkroom, open around the clock, where film
landscapeTN.com
shooters can make their art. It will be a place for experts, amateurs and novices to gather, work and share their craft. The group has a space, lots of equipment and passion to spare. What’s needed now is enough operating capital to complete a build-out and get the darkroom going. They’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign, active on May 4, where interested parties can go to pledge support and secure some premium photo-oriented rewards. More information on the group’s plans and the fundraising campaign can be found at nashvillecommunitydarkroom.org.
LANDSCAPE
solu+ ons
organic garden maintenance • environmental landscape design & installation • landscape renovation & clean-up • residential master planning • rain gardens • native planting
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digital because the chemistry is old or it was handled improperly.” Anyone who has ever been disappointed by scratches on important negatives knows how bad it feels to have a mechanized lab ruin a roll of film. Austin explains that the lab you choose is a critical aspect to shooting on film. “Having that relationship is so important. With digital, you shoot it and either got it or didn’t. With film, there’s another critical link to get to that amazing negative or finished scan. And that component is the lab. You can shoot
TODDCOUNTER
two identical rolls of film, give them to different labs — one that cares and one that just runs the film through a machine — and the results will be totally different.” Ryan agrees. “Processing is academic, but it really is about personal service. We like to connect with our clients, know each one by name, and know what their preferences are. Even though we’ve only been open a couple of months, the most rewarding thing for me when I close the door at the end of the day is the relationships we’ve built.”
Will East Nashville get its own Red Light District?
B
een to Ugly Mugs on a Tuesday night recently? If so, you probably wondered what they were up to — that colorful, lively bunch gathered around blueprints, lists, cameras and coffee. What you witnessed is a vision coming to life. These are the folks behind the Nashville Community Darkroom. 615.500.8180 Haven’t heard of it? That’s because it’s todd@landscapeTN.com currently a dream as invisible to the eye as a latent image yet to hit the chemistry. But in a city as steeped in the arts as Nashville, 700 Church St. Unit 405 it’s a dream whose time may well have come. Nashville, TNwet 37203 The idea is to provide a working darkroom, open around the clock, where film
landscapeTN.com
shooters can make their art. It will be a place for experts, amateurs and novices to gather, work and share their craft. The group has a space, lots of equipment and passion to spare. What’s needed now is enough operating capital to complete a build-out and get the darkroom going. They’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign, active on May 4, where interested parties can go to pledge support and secure some premium photo-oriented rewards. More information on the group’s plans and the fundraising campaign can be found at nashvillecommunitydarkroom.org.
LANDSCAPE
solu+ ons
organic garden maintenance • environmental landscape design & installation • landscape renovation & clean-up • residential master planning • rain gardens • native planting
30
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Photograph courtesy of Lightning 100
Tennessee native happy to live in a neighborhood where being an artist isn’t ‘just a hobby’
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S
By Daniel Lumpkin
inger-songwriter Drew Holcomb, of Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, is nearly as committed to his career as he is to the place he calls home. While living in East Nashville for the past seven years, Holcomb has experienced notable success, such as having his music featured on popular television shows like House and Parenthood. Holcomb’s most recent success is to be included on this year’s
lineup at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. “There’s nothing like being on the same bill with a Beatle,” Holcomb says with a laugh, referring to festival headliner Paul McCartney. “It’s a dream come true. I’ve wanted to play there for a long time. It’s kind of the pinnacle for a music festival and being from Tennessee, it’s definitely something that’s been on our bucket list.”
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Photograph courtesy of Lightning 100
Tennessee native happy to live in a neighborhood where being an artist isn’t ‘just a hobby’
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May | June 2013
S
By Daniel Lumpkin
inger-songwriter Drew Holcomb, of Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, is nearly as committed to his career as he is to the place he calls home. While living in East Nashville for the past seven years, Holcomb has experienced notable success, such as having his music featured on popular television shows like House and Parenthood. Holcomb’s most recent success is to be included on this year’s
lineup at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. “There’s nothing like being on the same bill with a Beatle,” Holcomb says with a laugh, referring to festival headliner Paul McCartney. “It’s a dream come true. I’ve wanted to play there for a long time. It’s kind of the pinnacle for a music festival and being from Tennessee, it’s definitely something that’s been on our bucket list.”
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“It’s just an opportunity to be exposed to a whole new group of people, compared to a group of shows where we’re headlining, like at the Cannery Ballroom. Everybody who is coming that night is either a fan or is friends of a fan. Playing a music festival, you’re going to get to play in front of people who have no idea who you are and they are much bigger crowds, too.” Years before landing on the Bonnaroo bill, Holcomb attended college at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he spent a lot of time thinking about his future. Most people enrolled in a university do the same, but Holcomb wasn’t just thinking about a degree
Photographs by jamie clayton
Rather than being nervous about playing in front of a stereotypical Bonnaroo crowd — thousands of sweaty, stoned hippies who will only shower that week if it rains — Holcomb is excited for the chance to play for people who are likely to be hearing his music for the first time. “The great thing about a festival is that there are tens of thousands of people there who may not necessarily know every band or have even heard of every band,” he says. “There’s just so much foot traffic all over the place that you’re almost guaranteed to be playing to a majority of people who don’t know your music at all or if they do it’s very periphery.
or a career path. He was envisioning his dayto-day life and picturing the type of city and community he would want to call home. “I had these grand dreams and visions of the future that were usually a different life than the one I grew up in,” Holcomb says. “One that didn’t involve driving everywhere or eating at Applebee’s. One where small businesses and ideas thrive. That was kind of a pipe dream, and the cool thing about East Nashville is that it’s actually real. That’s what real life is like. That’s pretty significant, I think, for things that were ideals in your late teens and early twenties to actually become a livable, social reality. It’s unique.” Holcomb doesn’t just have an appreciation for East Nashville, he’s passionate about it — and he isn’t alone. While out on the road, he has run into other Eastside musicians. “The most interesting thing to me is if you ask someone from East Nashville where they are from outside of town, they don’t say Nashville. They say East Nashville. There is kind of a fierce loyalty from the people who live here, even to a bad degree,” Holcomb says. “It’s kind of selfish,” Holcomb says with a laugh, “but let’s quit telling everyone how awesome our neighborhood is.” Part of the reason Holcomb is connected to East Nashville is simply because he feels that he has found a place where artists can embrace and can be embraced by their community. “I’m from Memphis, and I love Memphis. I went to school in Knoxville, and I love it there as well; but when I was starting out in music and I told people I was a touring artist or that I was a songwriter, there was such a disconnect socially. They were like, ‘What do you mean you’re an artist?’ As if being an artist was a hobby. Whereas in East Nashville, when you’re surrounded by people who are living a creative or nomadic type of career, there is a sense of belonging. “It’s OK to be outside of the traditional norm of whatever a regular job is when you live in East Nashville because there are so many of us like that,” Holcomb says. “East Nashville is fertile soil for creativity.”
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“It’s just an opportunity to be exposed to a whole new group of people, compared to a group of shows where we’re headlining, like at the Cannery Ballroom. Everybody who is coming that night is either a fan or is friends of a fan. Playing a music festival, you’re going to get to play in front of people who have no idea who you are and they are much bigger crowds, too.” Years before landing on the Bonnaroo bill, Holcomb attended college at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he spent a lot of time thinking about his future. Most people enrolled in a university do the same, but Holcomb wasn’t just thinking about a degree
Photographs by jamie clayton
Rather than being nervous about playing in front of a stereotypical Bonnaroo crowd — thousands of sweaty, stoned hippies who will only shower that week if it rains — Holcomb is excited for the chance to play for people who are likely to be hearing his music for the first time. “The great thing about a festival is that there are tens of thousands of people there who may not necessarily know every band or have even heard of every band,” he says. “There’s just so much foot traffic all over the place that you’re almost guaranteed to be playing to a majority of people who don’t know your music at all or if they do it’s very periphery.
or a career path. He was envisioning his dayto-day life and picturing the type of city and community he would want to call home. “I had these grand dreams and visions of the future that were usually a different life than the one I grew up in,” Holcomb says. “One that didn’t involve driving everywhere or eating at Applebee’s. One where small businesses and ideas thrive. That was kind of a pipe dream, and the cool thing about East Nashville is that it’s actually real. That’s what real life is like. That’s pretty significant, I think, for things that were ideals in your late teens and early twenties to actually become a livable, social reality. It’s unique.” Holcomb doesn’t just have an appreciation for East Nashville, he’s passionate about it — and he isn’t alone. While out on the road, he has run into other Eastside musicians. “The most interesting thing to me is if you ask someone from East Nashville where they are from outside of town, they don’t say Nashville. They say East Nashville. There is kind of a fierce loyalty from the people who live here, even to a bad degree,” Holcomb says. “It’s kind of selfish,” Holcomb says with a laugh, “but let’s quit telling everyone how awesome our neighborhood is.” Part of the reason Holcomb is connected to East Nashville is simply because he feels that he has found a place where artists can embrace and can be embraced by their community. “I’m from Memphis, and I love Memphis. I went to school in Knoxville, and I love it there as well; but when I was starting out in music and I told people I was a touring artist or that I was a songwriter, there was such a disconnect socially. They were like, ‘What do you mean you’re an artist?’ As if being an artist was a hobby. Whereas in East Nashville, when you’re surrounded by people who are living a creative or nomadic type of career, there is a sense of belonging. “It’s OK to be outside of the traditional norm of whatever a regular job is when you live in East Nashville because there are so many of us like that,” Holcomb says. “East Nashville is fertile soil for creativity.”
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WWW.URBANGREENLAB.ORG
SPONSORED BY:
SATURDAY, MAY 4TH
SATURDAY, MAY 25TH
DEREK HOKE BLACKFOOT GYPSIES ALANNA ROYALE CHUCK MEAD
NASHVILLE HORN SECTION COOPER AND THE JAM THE GILLS STAGOLEE MAGNOLIA SONS THE VESPERS
SATURDAY, MAY 11TH
SATURDAY, JUNE 8TH
LOS COLOGNES BUFFALO CLOVER THE LONELY H JACOB JONES PLUMB
MILKTOOTH ROOTS OF A REBELLION HEAVY SOLE PAT SWEANY
SATURDAY, MAY 18TH
SATURDAY, JUNE 15TH
COIN THE JAG EL EL GOODBYE JUNE
VITEK FRANCES & THE FOUNDATION KAT SMO THE FUTURE SPACE CAPONE
Special thanks to: 36
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CFT
inc.
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•
•
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WWW.URBANGREENLAB.ORG
SPONSORED BY:
SATURDAY, MAY 4TH
SATURDAY, MAY 25TH
DEREK HOKE BLACKFOOT GYPSIES ALANNA ROYALE CHUCK MEAD
NASHVILLE HORN SECTION COOPER AND THE JAM THE GILLS STAGOLEE MAGNOLIA SONS THE VESPERS
SATURDAY, MAY 11TH
SATURDAY, JUNE 8TH
LOS COLOGNES BUFFALO CLOVER THE LONELY H JACOB JONES PLUMB
MILKTOOTH ROOTS OF A REBELLION HEAVY SOLE PAT SWEANY
SATURDAY, MAY 18TH
SATURDAY, JUNE 15TH
COIN THE JAG EL EL GOODBYE JUNE
VITEK FRANCES & THE FOUNDATION KAT SMO THE FUTURE SPACE CAPONE
Special thanks to: 36
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
CFT
inc.
May | June 2013
•
•
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They’re pickin’, they’re grinnin’, and a movie crew was there to capture the flipside of the “Nashville” music scene. Warning! It ain’t for sissies. By Heather Lose 38
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They’re pickin’, they’re grinnin’, and a movie crew was there to capture the flipside of the “Nashville” music scene. Warning! It ain’t for sissies. By Heather Lose 38
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
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39
T
hey say that writing about music is like dancing about architecture. Well, try writing about a movie about music that isn’t even finished yet. The first question should be simple enough: “What’s East Nashville Tonight about?” Maybe a simple answer will come from one of the movie’s stars — neighborhood champion, Todd Snider. His affection for the Eastside runs deep, having released the well-received East Nashville Skyline album in 2004. Snider is sitting in the purple building near 5 Points affably discussing a film he’s only seen once. He has two buttons on his shirt — a heart and a peace sign. As the incense and candles smolder around the bohemian space where much of the filming took place, he smiles and attempts a synopsis. “What’s the movie about? I dunno. Lemme think, ’cause I just saw it yesterday. It just got done. And it was gonna be a documentary about something … me or the neighborhood … and then it turned into something else.” Okay … so let’s turn to the Barnes Brothers, who created the film. “Brad and I have been knocking around descriptions,” says co-director, cinematographer and editor Todd Barnes. Attempting to shed a bit more light on the subject, he throws out a list: “Stoner musical. Dramatic stoner musical. A documentary of a stoner musical. Stoner musical documentary.” So, stoner seems elemental? “Stoner does come 40
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
up a lot,” replies Barnes. His brother Brad, who co-directed and shared cinematography duties, sums it up thusly: “We came down there with a few cameras; we hired a local soundman called Pete Townsend ... and felt pretty prepared. We weren’t. We’re not sure what we made. We’re calling it a stoner musical — for now. Todd might be able to give you some background. Or not. We’re calling him a musical stoner — for now. We’re still editing, so … who knows?” Back to Todd Snider, a fixture on the folk scene since the ’90s, who has referred to himself in song as a “tree huggin’, peace lovin’, pot smokin’, barefootin’ folk-singin’” hippie. Snider has released 14 records to date, and is unabashedly forthright about how he lives. “Me and Paul Griffith were tripping on acid in Shelby Park and we saw Elizabeth [Cook], and she started talking about her Letterman thing, and she was really stressed about it. And we got the idea, later that day… it was weird, it just took a shape.” So, what’s the movie about? “We put on a show for Elizabeth. We created a talk show. So I guess we made a movie about trying to get her show together, or about me trying to talk her into getting her show together. I’ve only seen it once.” Okay, so the skeleton walks. We have a movie about some East Nashville musical artists and how they come together to create a talk show
May | June 2013
for a friend in distress. It’s about camaraderie. Partners in crime. A community of artists. And it is, except that’s not really it, either. Now it’s Cook’s turn: “I thought these school kids were making a documentary on Todd for a science project — like papier-mâché volcano shit. Todd kept sending me messages to meet here, meet there. I could tell he was worried about me. My emotional breakdown after Letterman is no secret. The doc says I am immobilized by opportunity. That’s some black fly in your chardonnay shit right there.” Elizabeth had been offered a development deal with David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants after a triumphant appearance on The Late Show, and the details that had to be sorted out were getting to her. Elizabeth Cook is a badass. She’s released five critically-acclaimed albums; hosts a radio show, Apron Strings on Sirius’ Outlaw Country satellite station; and has been working the Grand Ole Opry stage since 2000, often with husband Tim Carroll alongside. Recently, she gave NPR’s David Dye a tour of Nashville for World Café’s “Sense of Place.” This ain’t her first rodeo, y’all. “I don’t want to divulge the ugly details but, yes, I’m in development with Worldwide Pants and have multiple deals with conflicting production companies — kinda like Willie Nelson did with his publishing back when he wrote ‘Crazy.’” After seeing her at
Shelby Park, Snider and other neighborhood musicians rallied around Elizabeth, trying to help her work through the details of her show and keeping her mood light. “So anyway, I thought we were just partying hard and all saving money on therapy,” Cook explains. “And then Todd would be like ‘meet me at the purple building! We are starting a country club, where women can play golf and topless men that smell good will bring cocktails and such.’ He’d say meet me here or there, and coax me out of my basement. He says, ‘We are scouting locations and are going to build an 18-hole Arnold Palmer motherfucker of a resort on the wrong side of Gallatin, maybe behind the Diesel College.’ Then I kept running into him when I was on my errands, and there were always cameras. It was very weird.” Sayeth Snider: “It’s a movie that the Barneses made. They’re some friends of mine for 15 years. I trust them.” The Barnes brothers, Todd and Brad, hail from New York and are frequent collaborators. They worked with Snider in 2009 on Peace Queer: The Movie. Todd Barnes gives some background on the brothers’ accomplishments: “This is the second full-length film we’ve directed. Our first was called Homewrecker (2010), but now it’s called The Locksmith if anyone goes looking. It won the ‘Best of NEXT’ award at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Roger Ebert gave us a good review on it.” East Nashville Tonight made its debut as a “work in progress” during the Nashville Film Festival, appropriately enough
on 4/20 at the Green Hills Cinema. The brothers worked around the clock to get the film ready to show to a hometown crowd. Says Todd Barnes, “We flew down to Nashville on Feb. 10, 2013, and I’ve been working on this film every day since then.” Snider sees the choice of location as essential to the movie’s themes of mining creativity, kinship and music. “It’s a lot about friendship and maybe insight into the anxiety and the revelry that goes on with people who make a living like we do. It’s not about how the music business is hard. It’s not.” He continues, smiling as he talks about his friends and his neighborhood. “You can see we’re making a movie — and I don’t know how they would make it anyplace else — but you can see that for us it’s fun. And if it wasn’t, we would have all said ‘screw it,’ even if it paid a shitload. And that’s what I like about our neighborhood — there doesn’t seem to be any kind of scoreboard. So everybody paints and draws and writes what they want, and
everybody roots for everybody else. “You get to see — Elizabeth does have a little bit of stress, ‘cause she gets fished out of water — and that’s where they found their story, ‘cause she’s not a television talk show host, yet. She will be. And she’s gonna be great at it. In the movie, you get to see all her neighbors fall behind her.” Cook adds, “When the pressure got super hot and I started not coping well and had to go away for a little while, Todd is the only person that came to see me, would give Tim a break, and would sit there and sing and play poker and sneak me lots of comfort measures, if you will. It was kind of a shit show there for a while, and Todd Snider was my rock ‘n’ roll reinforcement sergeant at arms.” It sounds like much more fun from Snider’s perspective. “We were all having a blast, and nobody got anything for it but maybe drugs and booze and more pickin’. And if anybody gets offended by that … hey, we’re artists. And we party. And we get fucked up. And we pick.
“We’re calling him a musical stoner — for now. We’re still editing, so … who knows?”
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
41
T
hey say that writing about music is like dancing about architecture. Well, try writing about a movie about music that isn’t even finished yet. The first question should be simple enough: “What’s East Nashville Tonight about?” Maybe a simple answer will come from one of the movie’s stars — neighborhood champion, Todd Snider. His affection for the Eastside runs deep, having released the well-received East Nashville Skyline album in 2004. Snider is sitting in the purple building near 5 Points affably discussing a film he’s only seen once. He has two buttons on his shirt — a heart and a peace sign. As the incense and candles smolder around the bohemian space where much of the filming took place, he smiles and attempts a synopsis. “What’s the movie about? I dunno. Lemme think, ’cause I just saw it yesterday. It just got done. And it was gonna be a documentary about something … me or the neighborhood … and then it turned into something else.” Okay … so let’s turn to the Barnes Brothers, who created the film. “Brad and I have been knocking around descriptions,” says co-director, cinematographer and editor Todd Barnes. Attempting to shed a bit more light on the subject, he throws out a list: “Stoner musical. Dramatic stoner musical. A documentary of a stoner musical. Stoner musical documentary.” So, stoner seems elemental? “Stoner does come 40
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
up a lot,” replies Barnes. His brother Brad, who co-directed and shared cinematography duties, sums it up thusly: “We came down there with a few cameras; we hired a local soundman called Pete Townsend ... and felt pretty prepared. We weren’t. We’re not sure what we made. We’re calling it a stoner musical — for now. Todd might be able to give you some background. Or not. We’re calling him a musical stoner — for now. We’re still editing, so … who knows?” Back to Todd Snider, a fixture on the folk scene since the ’90s, who has referred to himself in song as a “tree huggin’, peace lovin’, pot smokin’, barefootin’ folk-singin’” hippie. Snider has released 14 records to date, and is unabashedly forthright about how he lives. “Me and Paul Griffith were tripping on acid in Shelby Park and we saw Elizabeth [Cook], and she started talking about her Letterman thing, and she was really stressed about it. And we got the idea, later that day… it was weird, it just took a shape.” So, what’s the movie about? “We put on a show for Elizabeth. We created a talk show. So I guess we made a movie about trying to get her show together, or about me trying to talk her into getting her show together. I’ve only seen it once.” Okay, so the skeleton walks. We have a movie about some East Nashville musical artists and how they come together to create a talk show
May | June 2013
for a friend in distress. It’s about camaraderie. Partners in crime. A community of artists. And it is, except that’s not really it, either. Now it’s Cook’s turn: “I thought these school kids were making a documentary on Todd for a science project — like papier-mâché volcano shit. Todd kept sending me messages to meet here, meet there. I could tell he was worried about me. My emotional breakdown after Letterman is no secret. The doc says I am immobilized by opportunity. That’s some black fly in your chardonnay shit right there.” Elizabeth had been offered a development deal with David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants after a triumphant appearance on The Late Show, and the details that had to be sorted out were getting to her. Elizabeth Cook is a badass. She’s released five critically-acclaimed albums; hosts a radio show, Apron Strings on Sirius’ Outlaw Country satellite station; and has been working the Grand Ole Opry stage since 2000, often with husband Tim Carroll alongside. Recently, she gave NPR’s David Dye a tour of Nashville for World Café’s “Sense of Place.” This ain’t her first rodeo, y’all. “I don’t want to divulge the ugly details but, yes, I’m in development with Worldwide Pants and have multiple deals with conflicting production companies — kinda like Willie Nelson did with his publishing back when he wrote ‘Crazy.’” After seeing her at
Shelby Park, Snider and other neighborhood musicians rallied around Elizabeth, trying to help her work through the details of her show and keeping her mood light. “So anyway, I thought we were just partying hard and all saving money on therapy,” Cook explains. “And then Todd would be like ‘meet me at the purple building! We are starting a country club, where women can play golf and topless men that smell good will bring cocktails and such.’ He’d say meet me here or there, and coax me out of my basement. He says, ‘We are scouting locations and are going to build an 18-hole Arnold Palmer motherfucker of a resort on the wrong side of Gallatin, maybe behind the Diesel College.’ Then I kept running into him when I was on my errands, and there were always cameras. It was very weird.” Sayeth Snider: “It’s a movie that the Barneses made. They’re some friends of mine for 15 years. I trust them.” The Barnes brothers, Todd and Brad, hail from New York and are frequent collaborators. They worked with Snider in 2009 on Peace Queer: The Movie. Todd Barnes gives some background on the brothers’ accomplishments: “This is the second full-length film we’ve directed. Our first was called Homewrecker (2010), but now it’s called The Locksmith if anyone goes looking. It won the ‘Best of NEXT’ award at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Roger Ebert gave us a good review on it.” East Nashville Tonight made its debut as a “work in progress” during the Nashville Film Festival, appropriately enough
on 4/20 at the Green Hills Cinema. The brothers worked around the clock to get the film ready to show to a hometown crowd. Says Todd Barnes, “We flew down to Nashville on Feb. 10, 2013, and I’ve been working on this film every day since then.” Snider sees the choice of location as essential to the movie’s themes of mining creativity, kinship and music. “It’s a lot about friendship and maybe insight into the anxiety and the revelry that goes on with people who make a living like we do. It’s not about how the music business is hard. It’s not.” He continues, smiling as he talks about his friends and his neighborhood. “You can see we’re making a movie — and I don’t know how they would make it anyplace else — but you can see that for us it’s fun. And if it wasn’t, we would have all said ‘screw it,’ even if it paid a shitload. And that’s what I like about our neighborhood — there doesn’t seem to be any kind of scoreboard. So everybody paints and draws and writes what they want, and
everybody roots for everybody else. “You get to see — Elizabeth does have a little bit of stress, ‘cause she gets fished out of water — and that’s where they found their story, ‘cause she’s not a television talk show host, yet. She will be. And she’s gonna be great at it. In the movie, you get to see all her neighbors fall behind her.” Cook adds, “When the pressure got super hot and I started not coping well and had to go away for a little while, Todd is the only person that came to see me, would give Tim a break, and would sit there and sing and play poker and sneak me lots of comfort measures, if you will. It was kind of a shit show there for a while, and Todd Snider was my rock ‘n’ roll reinforcement sergeant at arms.” It sounds like much more fun from Snider’s perspective. “We were all having a blast, and nobody got anything for it but maybe drugs and booze and more pickin’. And if anybody gets offended by that … hey, we’re artists. And we party. And we get fucked up. And we pick.
“We’re calling him a musical stoner — for now. We’re still editing, so … who knows?”
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
41
That is what we do. And that’s what they’ve been doing for as long as they’ve been doing it. This movie does not whitewash that part.” He laughs. “It maybe coulda used a whitewash or two. “I think the thing we all bond on is not doing the scratching and clawing thing. I don’t feel like I need to do more.” This, from a guy who just did 28 shows in 31 days. Still, Snider and his cronies don’t play the major label rat race game. They’re more about getting together, maybe playing a round of cards, doing an impromptu gig at Drifter’s, and singing their songs. “And you can see that in the movie. It’s not a lot of people sitting around wondering how we can get further; it’s people who are going, ‘I can’t believe this is what I get to do all day!’ “That’s the thing about this neighborhood — we’re not in that place of, ‘Am I going to make a living in music?’ When you get past that, it’s easier to just go along if, let’s say, the big song of the day isn’t exactly to your liking. But if you are still bussing tables, it might make you angry.” Snider then lays out the music in the film. “I sing the intro song, ‘High Up On It.’ It’s a song Chuck Mead wrote about Dave Roe. “So then we see me and Paul Griffith in the park; we run into Elizabeth. Then we see her in the studio singing ‘Black Land Farmer.’ Then Patton James sings ‘Coffee Tea or Me,’ then me and the Turbo Fruits do one. Jeff Austin of the Yonder Mountain String Band plays a song he and I wrote called ‘East Nashville Easter.’ “Kevin Gordon does the last song. Peter Cooper has a song in there, I sing a Tim Carroll song, Tim sings a song of his own, Chuck Mead sings a BR5-49 song — and not all the songs are in their entirety, but I think there’s gonna be an album coming out with all the songs on it. “You get to hear a little bit of everybody singing, but mostly it’s just everyone sitting around here getting fucked up, trying to figure out how to make a talk show.” The Barnes brothers have got to be smiling about all the positive publicity Nashville the city and Nashville the television show have been getting recently. Obviously, the Wednesday night, prime-time version
East Nashville Tonight: A Review in Progress By Chuck Allen
T
he cover feature this issue came about somewhat late in our production cycle. So did the news that the premiere of East Nashville Tonight would be held during the Nashville Film Festival. Apparently it was something of a surprise to the directors as well, hence the official film festival title of East Nashville Tonight (A Work in Progress). Being concerned that it might sell out I reached out to some management folk for passes, who told me passes were in short supply. I decided against using the “don’t you know who I am?” line after Lisa pointed out that Reese Witherspoon had just recently used it with less-than-stellar results. I joined the huddled masses and paid for my own tickets. 42
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
We arrived in the nick of time, finding seats just as the lights were being dimmed. The theater was full, a few empty seats were scattered about. The opening scene offered a familiar landscape: Shelby Lake in Shelby Park. Todd Snider and Paul Griffith are hanging around one of the park benches, carrying on a stream-of-consciousness sort of conversation not too unlike something one might expect to hear hanging around the Merry Pranksters. After a while Elizabeth Cook strolls up with her dog in tow, dressed East Nashville comfortable (she does have some seriously cool rings on, though). As a matter of fact, everyone in the movie is dressed like that. This is a good sign. No airs or pretention. Quintessentially East Nashville style. Cook sits down and tries to join the fun, but seems distracted. Something’s bothering her, and Todd takes it upon himself to find out what’s up. It turns out Cook has been struggling with how to cope with all of the national attention she’s received of late, and more specifically how to deal with all of the craziness surrounding the offer from David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants production company. They want to produce a TV show starring Cook. The dialogue in this opening scene sets up the journey undertaken during the film. Maybe ‘quest’ would be a better word. Regardless, the
audience is along for the ride in an intimate, fly-on-the-wall kinda way. Although there is a destination — doing a talk show right here in East Nashville with East Nashvillians as guests — East Nashville Tonight takes us on a journey that sheds light on the process out of which art is created. This is no easy task they’ve undertaken. It’s why Dylan gets so bent out of shape when asked about the meaning of his songs. Allegory and metaphor are the primary tools with which to describe the indescribable. The Barnes Brothers do an admirable job of capturing a creative atmosphere on film. It’s a cloudy atmosphere, to be sure. Snider is unabashed about having a cloud of pot smoke wafting around his head, and most everyone involved is partaking of some form of mind-altering substance. But it would be a mistake to become distracted by the purple haze, for behind it exists a movie with heart. There is plenty of music in the film, and it is delivered by a collection of people who walk the same path as Snider and Cook. It’s a telling feature of the movie that whenever one of these troubadours is introduced there is a balloon providing their name and the descriptor “Touring Singer-Songwriter.” This is what binds them together. Love and joy, heartache and sorrow: It’s the well from which the heart in East Nashville
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
43
That is what we do. And that’s what they’ve been doing for as long as they’ve been doing it. This movie does not whitewash that part.” He laughs. “It maybe coulda used a whitewash or two. “I think the thing we all bond on is not doing the scratching and clawing thing. I don’t feel like I need to do more.” This, from a guy who just did 28 shows in 31 days. Still, Snider and his cronies don’t play the major label rat race game. They’re more about getting together, maybe playing a round of cards, doing an impromptu gig at Drifter’s, and singing their songs. “And you can see that in the movie. It’s not a lot of people sitting around wondering how we can get further; it’s people who are going, ‘I can’t believe this is what I get to do all day!’ “That’s the thing about this neighborhood — we’re not in that place of, ‘Am I going to make a living in music?’ When you get past that, it’s easier to just go along if, let’s say, the big song of the day isn’t exactly to your liking. But if you are still bussing tables, it might make you angry.” Snider then lays out the music in the film. “I sing the intro song, ‘High Up On It.’ It’s a song Chuck Mead wrote about Dave Roe. “So then we see me and Paul Griffith in the park; we run into Elizabeth. Then we see her in the studio singing ‘Black Land Farmer.’ Then Patton James sings ‘Coffee Tea or Me,’ then me and the Turbo Fruits do one. Jeff Austin of the Yonder Mountain String Band plays a song he and I wrote called ‘East Nashville Easter.’ “Kevin Gordon does the last song. Peter Cooper has a song in there, I sing a Tim Carroll song, Tim sings a song of his own, Chuck Mead sings a BR5-49 song — and not all the songs are in their entirety, but I think there’s gonna be an album coming out with all the songs on it. “You get to hear a little bit of everybody singing, but mostly it’s just everyone sitting around here getting fucked up, trying to figure out how to make a talk show.” The Barnes brothers have got to be smiling about all the positive publicity Nashville the city and Nashville the television show have been getting recently. Obviously, the Wednesday night, prime-time version
East Nashville Tonight: A Review in Progress By Chuck Allen
T
he cover feature this issue came about somewhat late in our production cycle. So did the news that the premiere of East Nashville Tonight would be held during the Nashville Film Festival. Apparently it was something of a surprise to the directors as well, hence the official film festival title of East Nashville Tonight (A Work in Progress). Being concerned that it might sell out I reached out to some management folk for passes, who told me passes were in short supply. I decided against using the “don’t you know who I am?” line after Lisa pointed out that Reese Witherspoon had just recently used it with less-than-stellar results. I joined the huddled masses and paid for my own tickets. 42
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
We arrived in the nick of time, finding seats just as the lights were being dimmed. The theater was full, a few empty seats were scattered about. The opening scene offered a familiar landscape: Shelby Lake in Shelby Park. Todd Snider and Paul Griffith are hanging around one of the park benches, carrying on a stream-of-consciousness sort of conversation not too unlike something one might expect to hear hanging around the Merry Pranksters. After a while Elizabeth Cook strolls up with her dog in tow, dressed East Nashville comfortable (she does have some seriously cool rings on, though). As a matter of fact, everyone in the movie is dressed like that. This is a good sign. No airs or pretention. Quintessentially East Nashville style. Cook sits down and tries to join the fun, but seems distracted. Something’s bothering her, and Todd takes it upon himself to find out what’s up. It turns out Cook has been struggling with how to cope with all of the national attention she’s received of late, and more specifically how to deal with all of the craziness surrounding the offer from David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants production company. They want to produce a TV show starring Cook. The dialogue in this opening scene sets up the journey undertaken during the film. Maybe ‘quest’ would be a better word. Regardless, the
audience is along for the ride in an intimate, fly-on-the-wall kinda way. Although there is a destination — doing a talk show right here in East Nashville with East Nashvillians as guests — East Nashville Tonight takes us on a journey that sheds light on the process out of which art is created. This is no easy task they’ve undertaken. It’s why Dylan gets so bent out of shape when asked about the meaning of his songs. Allegory and metaphor are the primary tools with which to describe the indescribable. The Barnes Brothers do an admirable job of capturing a creative atmosphere on film. It’s a cloudy atmosphere, to be sure. Snider is unabashed about having a cloud of pot smoke wafting around his head, and most everyone involved is partaking of some form of mind-altering substance. But it would be a mistake to become distracted by the purple haze, for behind it exists a movie with heart. There is plenty of music in the film, and it is delivered by a collection of people who walk the same path as Snider and Cook. It’s a telling feature of the movie that whenever one of these troubadours is introduced there is a balloon providing their name and the descriptor “Touring Singer-Songwriter.” This is what binds them together. Love and joy, heartache and sorrow: It’s the well from which the heart in East Nashville
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
43
East Nashville Tonight: A Review in Progress
Tonight is drawn. Kieran Kane begins the musical festivities, followed by, in no particular order, Peter Cooper, Chuck Mead, Tanya Coe, Patton James, Kevin Gordon, Tim Carroll and the Turbo Fruits’ Jonas Stein — as well as, of course, the master of ceremonies himself Todd Snider and co-star Elizabeth Cook. Snider is at the helm, although a casual passerby would be inclined to think he’s operating with a broken compass. Such observations would never register, though, because he knows where everything’s going. Or not — and that’s the point. Dig? Whatever the case, Snider has an innate sense of comic timing, and there were more than a few scenes that had the audience laughing out loud. The camera likes Todd Snider, maybe because he’s always wearing a conspiratorial, shit-eating grin and sunglasses. The camera absolutely adores Elizabeth Cook. It’s beyond beauty, although she is quite beautiful. It’s probably what Letterman saw and became instantly smitten with. Cook has a down-home, common-sense way about her, and yet she has an extremely intelligent, sharp and well-refined wit. Indeed, her sense of humor totally lacks the sarcasm and mean-spiritedness so commonly found these days. In a word she’s … refreshing. The two of them together just seems to work. Just like the movie.
of our city is not what folks will be getting with this film. So is East Nashville Tonight just for people who live in the neighborhood, or will it appeal to broader audiences? Todd Barnes says, “I think everyone will like it. Maybe the ‘professionally offended’ won’t like it.” Todd Snider ruminates over the question. “Regarding the Barneses, I know their hope is that somebody that maybe didn’t
care that much for music could watch it and be entertained. I definitely think that anyone interested in our kind of music … they may not like what they see but they’re gonna see how it gets done.” So the audience is? “Burnouts, musicians — it’s a very honest film. It’s a voyeuristic look into the life of those cult singers people go see in the Mercy Lounges and Belcourt Theatres of our country. What are we like in our spare time?
Out in our little shacks, fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucked up and laughing and making plans we will not follow through on.” He laughs again. “It’s fucking heaven! I don’t know if anyone’s parents are gonna be proud of it though. Also, I am certain that very many people probably won’t like it. We’re not for everybody. And we’re not sorry.” It may be that Nashville’s current cachet will help the film find a large audience. Todd Barnes
By Chuck Allen
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certainly hopes so. “We are wide open on distribution. This really feels like a new genre of something. I can’t wait to figure out the best way to get this thing out there. It feels right on time.” So on 4/20, many Easties travelled across the river and through the woods to Green Hills, to see the world debut of the movie they helped make. Todd Snider laughs, yet again. “It was a good party. It lasted awhile. Lemme just say this: If you see me, don’t worry about me. Or if you do, just keep it to yourself. If you see me at the coffee shop, don’t ask me how I am. I’m having fun. I’m great!” Would the Barnes brothers do it over again? Todd Barnes gives an emphatic yes. “Every day and twice on Sunday. This was the most alive creative experience of my life.” Snider adds some parting words. “What I might take from it is there’s a real free-spirited nature to the way art gets created and it’s not a serious endeavor and it’s not about the result. It’s about the process, and the reward is the process. I get where I’m trying to go by opening my heart and not worrying if it’s gonna get me anywhere.” Elizabeth agrees. “All we wanna do is make enough money to build a hard-partying golf course in East Nashville.” May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
45
East Nashville Tonight: A Review in Progress
Tonight is drawn. Kieran Kane begins the musical festivities, followed by, in no particular order, Peter Cooper, Chuck Mead, Tanya Coe, Patton James, Kevin Gordon, Tim Carroll and the Turbo Fruits’ Jonas Stein — as well as, of course, the master of ceremonies himself Todd Snider and co-star Elizabeth Cook. Snider is at the helm, although a casual passerby would be inclined to think he’s operating with a broken compass. Such observations would never register, though, because he knows where everything’s going. Or not — and that’s the point. Dig? Whatever the case, Snider has an innate sense of comic timing, and there were more than a few scenes that had the audience laughing out loud. The camera likes Todd Snider, maybe because he’s always wearing a conspiratorial, shit-eating grin and sunglasses. The camera absolutely adores Elizabeth Cook. It’s beyond beauty, although she is quite beautiful. It’s probably what Letterman saw and became instantly smitten with. Cook has a down-home, common-sense way about her, and yet she has an extremely intelligent, sharp and well-refined wit. Indeed, her sense of humor totally lacks the sarcasm and mean-spiritedness so commonly found these days. In a word she’s … refreshing. The two of them together just seems to work. Just like the movie.
of our city is not what folks will be getting with this film. So is East Nashville Tonight just for people who live in the neighborhood, or will it appeal to broader audiences? Todd Barnes says, “I think everyone will like it. Maybe the ‘professionally offended’ won’t like it.” Todd Snider ruminates over the question. “Regarding the Barneses, I know their hope is that somebody that maybe didn’t
care that much for music could watch it and be entertained. I definitely think that anyone interested in our kind of music … they may not like what they see but they’re gonna see how it gets done.” So the audience is? “Burnouts, musicians — it’s a very honest film. It’s a voyeuristic look into the life of those cult singers people go see in the Mercy Lounges and Belcourt Theatres of our country. What are we like in our spare time?
Out in our little shacks, fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucked up and laughing and making plans we will not follow through on.” He laughs again. “It’s fucking heaven! I don’t know if anyone’s parents are gonna be proud of it though. Also, I am certain that very many people probably won’t like it. We’re not for everybody. And we’re not sorry.” It may be that Nashville’s current cachet will help the film find a large audience. Todd Barnes
By Chuck Allen
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certainly hopes so. “We are wide open on distribution. This really feels like a new genre of something. I can’t wait to figure out the best way to get this thing out there. It feels right on time.” So on 4/20, many Easties travelled across the river and through the woods to Green Hills, to see the world debut of the movie they helped make. Todd Snider laughs, yet again. “It was a good party. It lasted awhile. Lemme just say this: If you see me, don’t worry about me. Or if you do, just keep it to yourself. If you see me at the coffee shop, don’t ask me how I am. I’m having fun. I’m great!” Would the Barnes brothers do it over again? Todd Barnes gives an emphatic yes. “Every day and twice on Sunday. This was the most alive creative experience of my life.” Snider adds some parting words. “What I might take from it is there’s a real free-spirited nature to the way art gets created and it’s not a serious endeavor and it’s not about the result. It’s about the process, and the reward is the process. I get where I’m trying to go by opening my heart and not worrying if it’s gonna get me anywhere.” Elizabeth agrees. “All we wanna do is make enough money to build a hard-partying golf course in East Nashville.” May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
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By Catherine Randall
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By Catherine Randall
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big-box super stores, it’s rare to find not only a comfortable environment, but also a simple traditional approach to business: Carry small amounts of a variety of goods and provide excellent customer service. This straightforward business plan could be why Nashville Scene readers voted Cumberland Hardware the 2nd Best Hardware Store in 2012. On a busy Saturday John Varallo is securing the fittings for a storm window while business partner and wife Shelia buzzes around the store tending to customers. John Sr., 84 years old, mans the cash register. John’s uncle helps in the store midweek to give each of them another day off. According to the Metro Tax Assessor’s
May | June 2013
website, the building has had only two families of owners in 75 years. The original owner was Panogeota Bushulen, who purchased the property in 1932. The store was constructed around 1935. Jimmie G. Bushulen inherited it in 1981. He sold it to W.T. and Jessie Clinard, John’s stepfather and mother, in 1985. They never intended to run the business themselves, but rather bought it as a gift for John. Varallo was in wholesale hardware sales at the time and all the traveling was hard on the family. The store was a gift to get him started in the business and off the road. The Clinards remain silent partners, he says. The entire enterprise, from property ownership to the dayto-day operation, is a family affair. Records of ownership before 1932 are not available. Varallo remembers hearing stories about the building being intact and operating as a hardware store long before 1930. “It was always a hardware and dry goods store,” Varallo says. Buried in storage boxes are ledgers from back in the days when customers ran tabs. Varallo suspects the Great Fire of 1916 destroyed the building, “I think this was rebuilt in 1935 after the fire.” East Nashville also suffered tremendous losses in the 1933 tornado; this time frame leaves open the possibility that the tornado could have been the cause. Varallo reports some features are still being updated since taking on the shop. “Two months ago we removed the nail bins, and when we took them off we discovered the wall behind them had never been painted.” The one exception to renovation and moderation is the cast brass-encased cash register. Shelia Varallo says it dates back to the late 1800s. The brass keys and the metal crank are fully operational. It will no longer give out customer receipts. It does, however, keep a running tape of daily sales and “that’s good enough for the IRS,” she reports. As John Varallo works a customer stops him with an old doorknob in one hand and a new one for comparison in the other. He checks with John to make sure he has selected properly. John quickly regards the two and pronounces, “That will work just fine.” High up the wall beside the wood bench are two stove-eye covers painted in a countryside scene, indicating where the potbelly stove was once located. Varallo paints
photography by Chuck Allen
M
aybe it’s because it’s a family-owned business that has been a fixture in the neighborhood for 30 years, or maybe it’s because the building itself is so rich in history. Perhaps it’s the feline residents that give the store a cozy atmosphere. Walking into Cumberland Hardware, you get the feeling that you’re coming home for free advice. For those of us who don’t have an extended family to teach us homeowner repair basics, or even for the veteran weekend warrior in the middle of a big project, East Nashvillians rely on the folks at Cumberland to provide the supplies and the knowledge to finish the job. In this fast-paced world of impersonal
an image of simple days long gone by, when on cold fall and winter days, “folks used to sit around and talk and stoke it up.” When asked if he ever sensed any historical presence or spirits, Varallo admits that he has. Between 1945 and 1981, the Schmidt family rented the property from Panogeota Bushulen and ran the store. Betty and Ken Schmidt inherited the family business from Bud Schmidt. “They told me they would hear things from time to time. I never paid it too much attention,” says Varallo. Once upon a time an old wall divided the store from the stock room with a swinging screened door. “They said sometimes the door to the stock room would swing open and close all by itself,” claiming it was the ghost of Bud Schmidt. Varallo worked there for years without incident; then one morning as he was working at his desk alone, he, too, experienced the phenomenon. “I heard the door just open by itself and bang close. It liked to scared me to death!” he laughs. “Not long after that I took down the wall and removed the door.” Over the three decades Cumberland Hardware has been open, the Varallos have watched East Nashville transformed from what was once considered a seedy area of town into a vibrant neighborhood brimming with prime real estate. “It was a bit rougher neighborhood
back then (1985), but with each revitalization it’s gotten better,” says Varallo. Varallo makes special mention of the 1998 tornado as having had the biggest impact on the Eastside’s urban design and renovation. “It really turned around then. We got a lot of help and attention from the city.” The clientele, he says, has also changed. “We have homeowners now who are able to afford the big homes and the upkeep.” The Varallos have weathered some uncertain times, like the advent of big-box stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot, as well as the recent economic downturn. “Things were tight during the height of the recession,” he relates, “but we’re doing all right and holding our own.” John Varallo attributes this to the old-fashioned customer service an independent business owner is better able to provide: “We take time out of the day to direct our customers on how to repair their pieces.” Floor-to-ceiling shelves hold an assortment of plumbing supplies, painting needs, brass fittings, nuts, bolts and screws. It’s the kind of store your father’s father would have loved. “This is one of the few places you can buy one nail at a time,” he says proudly. A large portion of their revenue comes from the custom storm window and installation and screen repair part of their business. If they don’t have what you need the Varallos
simply steer their customers to another hardware store in the area in order to support the “Mom and Pop places” first. They also have a preferred vendor list for those cases when the homeowner needs the help of a handyman. Cumberland Hardware, unlike some of the businesses in 5 Points, doesn’t have a problem with adequate parking, because the family owns the parking lot across the street at the corner of Clearview and 11th. Varallo reports he’s frequently approached about selling the prime piece of real estate, but he firmly states that it’s not for sale. The Varallos enjoy being able to provide this convenience for their customers. Cumberland keeps old-fashioned hours, too — they are closed on Sundays and leave early on Saturdays. “Usually by 2:00 homeowners have done what they are going to accomplish for the day,” says Varallo. However, on this particular Saturday, the nicest spring day of the year, a steady stream of people wander in at 1:15. The shoppers don’t have to go in search of help because help finds them. Shelia Varallo circulates the aisles checking on the rush. “Need help finding anything?” she asks a customer. “Extension cord?” he answers. “You just passed it as you walked in.” “OK,” he says and quickly finds what he needs.
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
49
48
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
big-box super stores, it’s rare to find not only a comfortable environment, but also a simple traditional approach to business: Carry small amounts of a variety of goods and provide excellent customer service. This straightforward business plan could be why Nashville Scene readers voted Cumberland Hardware the 2nd Best Hardware Store in 2012. On a busy Saturday John Varallo is securing the fittings for a storm window while business partner and wife Shelia buzzes around the store tending to customers. John Sr., 84 years old, mans the cash register. John’s uncle helps in the store midweek to give each of them another day off. According to the Metro Tax Assessor’s
May | June 2013
website, the building has had only two families of owners in 75 years. The original owner was Panogeota Bushulen, who purchased the property in 1932. The store was constructed around 1935. Jimmie G. Bushulen inherited it in 1981. He sold it to W.T. and Jessie Clinard, John’s stepfather and mother, in 1985. They never intended to run the business themselves, but rather bought it as a gift for John. Varallo was in wholesale hardware sales at the time and all the traveling was hard on the family. The store was a gift to get him started in the business and off the road. The Clinards remain silent partners, he says. The entire enterprise, from property ownership to the dayto-day operation, is a family affair. Records of ownership before 1932 are not available. Varallo remembers hearing stories about the building being intact and operating as a hardware store long before 1930. “It was always a hardware and dry goods store,” Varallo says. Buried in storage boxes are ledgers from back in the days when customers ran tabs. Varallo suspects the Great Fire of 1916 destroyed the building, “I think this was rebuilt in 1935 after the fire.” East Nashville also suffered tremendous losses in the 1933 tornado; this time frame leaves open the possibility that the tornado could have been the cause. Varallo reports some features are still being updated since taking on the shop. “Two months ago we removed the nail bins, and when we took them off we discovered the wall behind them had never been painted.” The one exception to renovation and moderation is the cast brass-encased cash register. Shelia Varallo says it dates back to the late 1800s. The brass keys and the metal crank are fully operational. It will no longer give out customer receipts. It does, however, keep a running tape of daily sales and “that’s good enough for the IRS,” she reports. As John Varallo works a customer stops him with an old doorknob in one hand and a new one for comparison in the other. He checks with John to make sure he has selected properly. John quickly regards the two and pronounces, “That will work just fine.” High up the wall beside the wood bench are two stove-eye covers painted in a countryside scene, indicating where the potbelly stove was once located. Varallo paints
photography by Chuck Allen
M
aybe it’s because it’s a family-owned business that has been a fixture in the neighborhood for 30 years, or maybe it’s because the building itself is so rich in history. Perhaps it’s the feline residents that give the store a cozy atmosphere. Walking into Cumberland Hardware, you get the feeling that you’re coming home for free advice. For those of us who don’t have an extended family to teach us homeowner repair basics, or even for the veteran weekend warrior in the middle of a big project, East Nashvillians rely on the folks at Cumberland to provide the supplies and the knowledge to finish the job. In this fast-paced world of impersonal
an image of simple days long gone by, when on cold fall and winter days, “folks used to sit around and talk and stoke it up.” When asked if he ever sensed any historical presence or spirits, Varallo admits that he has. Between 1945 and 1981, the Schmidt family rented the property from Panogeota Bushulen and ran the store. Betty and Ken Schmidt inherited the family business from Bud Schmidt. “They told me they would hear things from time to time. I never paid it too much attention,” says Varallo. Once upon a time an old wall divided the store from the stock room with a swinging screened door. “They said sometimes the door to the stock room would swing open and close all by itself,” claiming it was the ghost of Bud Schmidt. Varallo worked there for years without incident; then one morning as he was working at his desk alone, he, too, experienced the phenomenon. “I heard the door just open by itself and bang close. It liked to scared me to death!” he laughs. “Not long after that I took down the wall and removed the door.” Over the three decades Cumberland Hardware has been open, the Varallos have watched East Nashville transformed from what was once considered a seedy area of town into a vibrant neighborhood brimming with prime real estate. “It was a bit rougher neighborhood
back then (1985), but with each revitalization it’s gotten better,” says Varallo. Varallo makes special mention of the 1998 tornado as having had the biggest impact on the Eastside’s urban design and renovation. “It really turned around then. We got a lot of help and attention from the city.” The clientele, he says, has also changed. “We have homeowners now who are able to afford the big homes and the upkeep.” The Varallos have weathered some uncertain times, like the advent of big-box stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot, as well as the recent economic downturn. “Things were tight during the height of the recession,” he relates, “but we’re doing all right and holding our own.” John Varallo attributes this to the old-fashioned customer service an independent business owner is better able to provide: “We take time out of the day to direct our customers on how to repair their pieces.” Floor-to-ceiling shelves hold an assortment of plumbing supplies, painting needs, brass fittings, nuts, bolts and screws. It’s the kind of store your father’s father would have loved. “This is one of the few places you can buy one nail at a time,” he says proudly. A large portion of their revenue comes from the custom storm window and installation and screen repair part of their business. If they don’t have what you need the Varallos
simply steer their customers to another hardware store in the area in order to support the “Mom and Pop places” first. They also have a preferred vendor list for those cases when the homeowner needs the help of a handyman. Cumberland Hardware, unlike some of the businesses in 5 Points, doesn’t have a problem with adequate parking, because the family owns the parking lot across the street at the corner of Clearview and 11th. Varallo reports he’s frequently approached about selling the prime piece of real estate, but he firmly states that it’s not for sale. The Varallos enjoy being able to provide this convenience for their customers. Cumberland keeps old-fashioned hours, too — they are closed on Sundays and leave early on Saturdays. “Usually by 2:00 homeowners have done what they are going to accomplish for the day,” says Varallo. However, on this particular Saturday, the nicest spring day of the year, a steady stream of people wander in at 1:15. The shoppers don’t have to go in search of help because help finds them. Shelia Varallo circulates the aisles checking on the rush. “Need help finding anything?” she asks a customer. “Extension cord?” he answers. “You just passed it as you walked in.” “OK,” he says and quickly finds what he needs.
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
49
If it isn’t Shelia, Annie might greet you. Annie is a 3-year-old grey striped cat who lives in the store. “Some people come in and I say, ‘May I help you?’ and they say, ‘No we just wanted to see Annie.’” Shelia laughs. They have had Annie since she was a kitten. She was a Humane Society adoption, rejected by her mother. The Varallos bottle-fed the tiny kitten, which now has the run of the place. On this afternoon, Annie stayed perched high on top of the knife case. After closing time, she is known to get into some trouble. “She really puts on a show. Annie sits in the front window watching folks walking by, and she runs from one window to the next. Quite the character,” says John Varallo. Sometimes she gets so rambunctious, she sets off the alarm — usually late in the evening or on Sunday, requiring one of them to make a trip into town on their day off to reset it. Until early March, Annie shared her home with Fraidy, who passed away after being in the store almost 20 years. When Shelia announced the sad news to her customers on Facebook, a string of condolences followed the post. By April, the store adopted a new cat from a New Leash on Life. Oliver Wendell Douglas, named after the Green Acres character, is an orange tabby. He is still getting used to the place and seems shy and unsure, preferring his box high up on the
stairs to visiting the customers. The cats are not a kitschy gimmick; they earn their keep. “Everyone wonders why hardware stores have cats. We do because of the feed and seed attracts mice. Since we’ve gotten the cats we don’t have to put out traps or poison,” explains Varallo. By 1:45 both cats come down from their perches to investigate. Oliver intently studies
a shopper with a dog on a leash. Annie moseys around the wheelbarrows and a child-sized John Deere 4300 tractor that are this season’s window dressing. John Sr. checks out the last customers, saying, “Thank you very much. We appreciate your business!” And the door chimes the close of another day …
CAMILLE UTTERBACK DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE | 615-244-3340 | FRISTCENTER.ORG
THROUGH MAY 19
Members/Youth 18 and younger FREE
Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission
Camille Utterback and RomyAchituv. Text Rain (installation view), 1999. Interactive installation; custom software, video camera, computer, projector, and lighting. Courtesy of the artists.
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51
If it isn’t Shelia, Annie might greet you. Annie is a 3-year-old grey striped cat who lives in the store. “Some people come in and I say, ‘May I help you?’ and they say, ‘No we just wanted to see Annie.’” Shelia laughs. They have had Annie since she was a kitten. She was a Humane Society adoption, rejected by her mother. The Varallos bottle-fed the tiny kitten, which now has the run of the place. On this afternoon, Annie stayed perched high on top of the knife case. After closing time, she is known to get into some trouble. “She really puts on a show. Annie sits in the front window watching folks walking by, and she runs from one window to the next. Quite the character,” says John Varallo. Sometimes she gets so rambunctious, she sets off the alarm — usually late in the evening or on Sunday, requiring one of them to make a trip into town on their day off to reset it. Until early March, Annie shared her home with Fraidy, who passed away after being in the store almost 20 years. When Shelia announced the sad news to her customers on Facebook, a string of condolences followed the post. By April, the store adopted a new cat from a New Leash on Life. Oliver Wendell Douglas, named after the Green Acres character, is an orange tabby. He is still getting used to the place and seems shy and unsure, preferring his box high up on the
stairs to visiting the customers. The cats are not a kitschy gimmick; they earn their keep. “Everyone wonders why hardware stores have cats. We do because of the feed and seed attracts mice. Since we’ve gotten the cats we don’t have to put out traps or poison,” explains Varallo. By 1:45 both cats come down from their perches to investigate. Oliver intently studies
a shopper with a dog on a leash. Annie moseys around the wheelbarrows and a child-sized John Deere 4300 tractor that are this season’s window dressing. John Sr. checks out the last customers, saying, “Thank you very much. We appreciate your business!” And the door chimes the close of another day …
CAMILLE UTTERBACK DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE | 615-244-3340 | FRISTCENTER.ORG
THROUGH MAY 19
Members/Youth 18 and younger FREE
Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission
Camille Utterback and RomyAchituv. Text Rain (installation view), 1999. Interactive installation; custom software, video camera, computer, projector, and lighting. Courtesy of the artists.
50
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The Fried Goat Cheese Salad at Pomodoro East.
The farm-to-table concept is growing in popularity, and a number of Eastside eateries have embraced it.
T
he term “farm-to-table” can mean different things to different people. In general, the term is used to indicate that food served in a restaurant originated locally and was grown using sustainable practices. It can also indicate freshness and nutrition in that the food was picked at its peak and reached its final destination in its most whole and unprocessed, nutritious and delicious form. In some ways the term is overused, having become a trendy buzzword that gets tossed around like hair on a speeding moped. Eating locally has become so mainstream in recent years that now it’s the hip thing to do. If you’ve seen the comedy series Portlandia, a satire poking fun at hipster culture in Portland, Ore., you’re probably familiar with the “chicken” sketch. Two well-dressed customers in an upscale restaurant ask their waitress to tell them a bit more about a menu item featuring chicken. After the patrons ply her for information about which organic certifications the bird has, whether the hazelnuts it ate were organic, and how much space it had to roam, the exasperated waitress finally retrieves the chicken’s “papers” and tells the couple his name was Colin. The scene ends with the customers asking the waitress to hold their table while they run out to the farm to meet the people who raised the bird. East Nashville has a long way to go before reaching the fever pitch of Portlandia “locavorism.” Even so, there are dozens of independent restaurants that do believe in the value of locally produced food: Lockeland Table keeps a raised-bed garden out back to produce greens and herbs; Silly Goose posts a list of their local purveyors on the wall; and Porter Road Butcher offers a wide variety of meats from exclusively local sources. It’s easy to take for granted that these restaurants make these choices. Sure, there’s increasing consumer demand for local products, and of course chefs would prefer food from local sources — it’s fresher and tastes better than something that’s been on the back of a truck for a week 52
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
or longer. But as the local movement continues to gain momentum among chefs and consumers, what challenges do restaurants and farmers face when it comes to sourcing and serving local food? At Pomodoro East, general manager Michelle Miles says the produce they source locally varies widely with the seasons. On a consistent basis, the restaurant sources local wildflower honey, locally grown micro greens, farm fresh eggs and local beef from Tennessee Hereford Beef. “It is our number one goal to offer a delicious quality product to our guests at a superior value,” she says. Holland House executive chef Kristin Beringson currently works with about 10 local farmers and purveyors to source the meat, produce, cheese and bread for her restaurant. When asked how these relationships are built, she says it’s different every time. “[Ashland City beef producer] KLD Farms, for example, we found through the Pick Tennessee Products website,” says Beringson, referring to a site run by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture that includes a farm directory. “I’ve been out to that farm and really enjoy doing business with Ken [Drinnon, the owner]. Others I found at the farmers’ market or was told about by other chefs — we do talk!” Other times farmers come to them. “Willow Egg Farms [in Summertown] will let me know when they have unique and special products, like the 25 ducks they raised by hand. They were so delicious!” she laughs. A particularly local menu item at Holland House this year is the Open Ravioli of Rabbit Leg Fricassée. The rabbit leg is from Gingrich Family Farm in Lawrence County. Beringson makes the pasta by hand with May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
53
The Fried Goat Cheese Salad at Pomodoro East.
The farm-to-table concept is growing in popularity, and a number of Eastside eateries have embraced it.
T
he term “farm-to-table” can mean different things to different people. In general, the term is used to indicate that food served in a restaurant originated locally and was grown using sustainable practices. It can also indicate freshness and nutrition in that the food was picked at its peak and reached its final destination in its most whole and unprocessed, nutritious and delicious form. In some ways the term is overused, having become a trendy buzzword that gets tossed around like hair on a speeding moped. Eating locally has become so mainstream in recent years that now it’s the hip thing to do. If you’ve seen the comedy series Portlandia, a satire poking fun at hipster culture in Portland, Ore., you’re probably familiar with the “chicken” sketch. Two well-dressed customers in an upscale restaurant ask their waitress to tell them a bit more about a menu item featuring chicken. After the patrons ply her for information about which organic certifications the bird has, whether the hazelnuts it ate were organic, and how much space it had to roam, the exasperated waitress finally retrieves the chicken’s “papers” and tells the couple his name was Colin. The scene ends with the customers asking the waitress to hold their table while they run out to the farm to meet the people who raised the bird. East Nashville has a long way to go before reaching the fever pitch of Portlandia “locavorism.” Even so, there are dozens of independent restaurants that do believe in the value of locally produced food: Lockeland Table keeps a raised-bed garden out back to produce greens and herbs; Silly Goose posts a list of their local purveyors on the wall; and Porter Road Butcher offers a wide variety of meats from exclusively local sources. It’s easy to take for granted that these restaurants make these choices. Sure, there’s increasing consumer demand for local products, and of course chefs would prefer food from local sources — it’s fresher and tastes better than something that’s been on the back of a truck for a week 52
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
or longer. But as the local movement continues to gain momentum among chefs and consumers, what challenges do restaurants and farmers face when it comes to sourcing and serving local food? At Pomodoro East, general manager Michelle Miles says the produce they source locally varies widely with the seasons. On a consistent basis, the restaurant sources local wildflower honey, locally grown micro greens, farm fresh eggs and local beef from Tennessee Hereford Beef. “It is our number one goal to offer a delicious quality product to our guests at a superior value,” she says. Holland House executive chef Kristin Beringson currently works with about 10 local farmers and purveyors to source the meat, produce, cheese and bread for her restaurant. When asked how these relationships are built, she says it’s different every time. “[Ashland City beef producer] KLD Farms, for example, we found through the Pick Tennessee Products website,” says Beringson, referring to a site run by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture that includes a farm directory. “I’ve been out to that farm and really enjoy doing business with Ken [Drinnon, the owner]. Others I found at the farmers’ market or was told about by other chefs — we do talk!” Other times farmers come to them. “Willow Egg Farms [in Summertown] will let me know when they have unique and special products, like the 25 ducks they raised by hand. They were so delicious!” she laughs. A particularly local menu item at Holland House this year is the Open Ravioli of Rabbit Leg Fricassée. The rabbit leg is from Gingrich Family Farm in Lawrence County. Beringson makes the pasta by hand with May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
53
reason for sourcing locally is to get the best produce we can buy. When you see the difference between a case of escarole that has been shipped from California taking two to three days versus big beautiful bunches that have just been picked that morning 15 minutes away, it’s a no brainer,” she says. Foggy Hollow Farm in Joelton is a family-operated, certified organic farm that uses sustainable methods to grow fruits and vegetables. Owner Eric Patrick has sold to McCormack in the past and says demand from restaurants does fluctuate. “I’ve seen some restaurants jump on
I The Commander at Silly Goose.
Eating local on the Eastside — an incomplete list of restaurants in East Nashville engaging in farm to table:
Eastland Cafe Pomodoro East Eat Well Market Silly Goose Wild Cow Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream Lockeland Table Porter Road Butcher The Bloomy Rind Margot Marché Annakate Tefft Ross is the PR/Social Media Manager for recipe and social network justapinch.com. A food enthusiast, she lives in East Nashville and blogs at www.laaguacate.com. 54
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
Willow Farm eggs. It’s served over a celery root purée and a white cheddar grit cake made with Sweetwater Valley Farm cheese, Benton’s ham, and spinach. Goat farmer and cheese maker Dustin Noble of Noble Springs Dairy in Franklin says the majority of stores and restaurants to which they sell happened via word-of-mouth recommendations. “Chefs or owners were able to taste our goat cheeses somewhere and decided they wanted them to be part of their menu or store,” he says. “There are still occasions where we are informed of new establishments that want to use local products and that’s when we go knocking on doors — not our preferred method!” With opportunity comes innovation. Several local businesses have sprung up in recent years seeking to bridge the gap between restaurateur and farmer. Sean Siple is the creator of Nashville Farm to Chef, a distributor that physically connects farmers and chefs. “I think there’s a general disconnect between farmer and restaurant schedule-wise,” says Siple. “Restaurants prefer deliveries in the morning when farmers are busy. For a farmer to leave to deliver food to some larger restaurants four to five times a week just isn’t possible.” Siple works with small or distant farmers who are challenged with transportation issues, such as the large community of about 200 old-order Amish family farmers in Lawrence County. Without motorized vehicles, selling their produce to restaurants in Nashville would
May | June 2013
be nearly impossible. In East Nashville, Siple works with the Wild Cow Vegetarian Restaurant and has worked with Silly Goose. East Nashvillian Melissa Corbin’s new business, Corbin In the Dell, seeks to link restaurants to their communities through social media and through building relationships with local farmers. A dedicated advocate of local food, Corbin says she’s here to fill the gaps for those restaurateurs who don’t have time to build these relationships on their own. “Sometimes I send [the chef ] a list of what is seasonal and available at the moment, and she creates a special out of those ingredients,” says Corbin. “Other times I take a look at the existing menu and recommend local products that will make more sense. Because I am constantly building new relationships with local farmers and artisans, I can help keep the menu fresh.” As the demand for local food increases among consumers, so will the need for additional resources to help facilitate these relationships. Executive chef Margot McCormack definitely thinks demand is increasing. “We’ve seen an uptick in the interest people pay to all of the foods they serve, and we encourage people to educate themselves. Some of the product may cost more, but customers are generally willing to pay the difference because they appreciate the quality.” McCormack has been working with Tana Comer of Eaton’s Creek Organics for the last 12 years, among other producers. “Our main
the local bandwagon for a while and then drop back off as time goes on,” Patrick says. Wild Cow chef Nick Davis believes his customers know that eating local is healthier and more ecologically responsible. “In turn,” he says, “I think people are becoming more aware of the unpleasant reality of genetically modified foods.” Wild Cow’s Veggie Quinoa Bowl is one dish that consistently features local produce. In the spring it comes with seasonal root veggies like butternut squash, turnips, red cabbage and acorn squash. “We also try to include as many
f there is one thing the Eastside likes to toot its own horn for, it’s the food. Heck, our grub has even garnered enough attention for The New York Times to drop a line about it. This led Fannie Battle’s Day Home for Children to host its very own celebration showcasing the best of East Nashville’s culinary landscape with their fundraiser, Yum!East. The food festival will take place June 13 from 5 to 10 p.m. at East-Centric Pavilion. Fannie Battle will bring together food and drinks from more than 30 East Nashville businesses, including The Wild Cow, Marché, Lockeland Table and Fat Bottom Brewery. Katherine Massey, grants manager for Fannie Battle, believed it was important to focus on East Nashville establishments because the day home has been a part of the neighborhood since its creation in 1891. Massey said, “Hopefully people will hear about Yum!East and want to come even if they aren’t familiar with Fannie Battle. The idea of a food event was an obvious one. East Nashville has gained local and national attention as a diverse and growing neighborhood with some of the best restaurants in our region. We knew that if we didn’t move forward with this idea, someone else would. Fannie Battle has been in the East Nashville community for over 120 years and we wanted to reflect that history in our event.” With the purchase of a $40 ticket, guests will receive a full tasting from all vendors at the pavilion, plus access to libations at the open
local veggies as we can in our daily specials, soups and sides,” he says. And so it goes. Corbin thinks one of the best ways to continue affecting the local food movement is to talk about it. “Tell a friend why you want to eat local, ask your favorite local establishments what local products they carry, thank a farmer for their goods.” While there’s still lots of opportunity to create efficiencies in the farm-to-restaurant supply chain, East Nashville restaurateurs have certainly taken a step in the right direction. The Portlandia crew would be proud.
bar. Throughout the evening there will be a variety of live entertainment, with performances from NOLA-style horn ensemble Halfbrass to Hickory Slims, an old-time folk band. East-Centric Pavilion will offer an open-air venue for the event, with an adjacent tented area. Each restaurant will have its own booth, and guests will move from table to table, sampling from the spread. “When planning for this event, we knew that we wanted to include the restaurants that are receiving attention in the press and media, but we also wanted for this event to truly reflect the East Nashville community as well. We wanted our event to capture the diversity of the culinary scene here,” said Massey. Yum!East will help Fannie Battle raise funds to continue serving poverty-level and low-income families facing economic and educational hardships, and 100 percent of proceeds will be put directly back into the facility. The oldest childcare center in Middle Tennessee, the day home offers year-round child education for infants to 12-yearolds. “Funds raised from this event will support Fannie Battle in our mission of providing high-quality, affordable child care to at-risk children and families. Our families typically pay one-third of the actual cost of child care, and funds from this event will bridge the gap between the actual cost and the cost to families,” explained Massey. One plate of food at a time, they’ll be improving child care for struggling families across East Nashville.
Sandwich platter with salad greens and herbed couscous at Silly Goose.
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
55
reason for sourcing locally is to get the best produce we can buy. When you see the difference between a case of escarole that has been shipped from California taking two to three days versus big beautiful bunches that have just been picked that morning 15 minutes away, it’s a no brainer,” she says. Foggy Hollow Farm in Joelton is a family-operated, certified organic farm that uses sustainable methods to grow fruits and vegetables. Owner Eric Patrick has sold to McCormack in the past and says demand from restaurants does fluctuate. “I’ve seen some restaurants jump on
I The Commander at Silly Goose.
Eating local on the Eastside — an incomplete list of restaurants in East Nashville engaging in farm to table:
Eastland Cafe Pomodoro East Eat Well Market Silly Goose Wild Cow Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream Lockeland Table Porter Road Butcher The Bloomy Rind Margot Marché Annakate Tefft Ross is the PR/Social Media Manager for recipe and social network justapinch.com. A food enthusiast, she lives in East Nashville and blogs at www.laaguacate.com. 54
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
Willow Farm eggs. It’s served over a celery root purée and a white cheddar grit cake made with Sweetwater Valley Farm cheese, Benton’s ham, and spinach. Goat farmer and cheese maker Dustin Noble of Noble Springs Dairy in Franklin says the majority of stores and restaurants to which they sell happened via word-of-mouth recommendations. “Chefs or owners were able to taste our goat cheeses somewhere and decided they wanted them to be part of their menu or store,” he says. “There are still occasions where we are informed of new establishments that want to use local products and that’s when we go knocking on doors — not our preferred method!” With opportunity comes innovation. Several local businesses have sprung up in recent years seeking to bridge the gap between restaurateur and farmer. Sean Siple is the creator of Nashville Farm to Chef, a distributor that physically connects farmers and chefs. “I think there’s a general disconnect between farmer and restaurant schedule-wise,” says Siple. “Restaurants prefer deliveries in the morning when farmers are busy. For a farmer to leave to deliver food to some larger restaurants four to five times a week just isn’t possible.” Siple works with small or distant farmers who are challenged with transportation issues, such as the large community of about 200 old-order Amish family farmers in Lawrence County. Without motorized vehicles, selling their produce to restaurants in Nashville would
May | June 2013
be nearly impossible. In East Nashville, Siple works with the Wild Cow Vegetarian Restaurant and has worked with Silly Goose. East Nashvillian Melissa Corbin’s new business, Corbin In the Dell, seeks to link restaurants to their communities through social media and through building relationships with local farmers. A dedicated advocate of local food, Corbin says she’s here to fill the gaps for those restaurateurs who don’t have time to build these relationships on their own. “Sometimes I send [the chef ] a list of what is seasonal and available at the moment, and she creates a special out of those ingredients,” says Corbin. “Other times I take a look at the existing menu and recommend local products that will make more sense. Because I am constantly building new relationships with local farmers and artisans, I can help keep the menu fresh.” As the demand for local food increases among consumers, so will the need for additional resources to help facilitate these relationships. Executive chef Margot McCormack definitely thinks demand is increasing. “We’ve seen an uptick in the interest people pay to all of the foods they serve, and we encourage people to educate themselves. Some of the product may cost more, but customers are generally willing to pay the difference because they appreciate the quality.” McCormack has been working with Tana Comer of Eaton’s Creek Organics for the last 12 years, among other producers. “Our main
the local bandwagon for a while and then drop back off as time goes on,” Patrick says. Wild Cow chef Nick Davis believes his customers know that eating local is healthier and more ecologically responsible. “In turn,” he says, “I think people are becoming more aware of the unpleasant reality of genetically modified foods.” Wild Cow’s Veggie Quinoa Bowl is one dish that consistently features local produce. In the spring it comes with seasonal root veggies like butternut squash, turnips, red cabbage and acorn squash. “We also try to include as many
f there is one thing the Eastside likes to toot its own horn for, it’s the food. Heck, our grub has even garnered enough attention for The New York Times to drop a line about it. This led Fannie Battle’s Day Home for Children to host its very own celebration showcasing the best of East Nashville’s culinary landscape with their fundraiser, Yum!East. The food festival will take place June 13 from 5 to 10 p.m. at East-Centric Pavilion. Fannie Battle will bring together food and drinks from more than 30 East Nashville businesses, including The Wild Cow, Marché, Lockeland Table and Fat Bottom Brewery. Katherine Massey, grants manager for Fannie Battle, believed it was important to focus on East Nashville establishments because the day home has been a part of the neighborhood since its creation in 1891. Massey said, “Hopefully people will hear about Yum!East and want to come even if they aren’t familiar with Fannie Battle. The idea of a food event was an obvious one. East Nashville has gained local and national attention as a diverse and growing neighborhood with some of the best restaurants in our region. We knew that if we didn’t move forward with this idea, someone else would. Fannie Battle has been in the East Nashville community for over 120 years and we wanted to reflect that history in our event.” With the purchase of a $40 ticket, guests will receive a full tasting from all vendors at the pavilion, plus access to libations at the open
local veggies as we can in our daily specials, soups and sides,” he says. And so it goes. Corbin thinks one of the best ways to continue affecting the local food movement is to talk about it. “Tell a friend why you want to eat local, ask your favorite local establishments what local products they carry, thank a farmer for their goods.” While there’s still lots of opportunity to create efficiencies in the farm-to-restaurant supply chain, East Nashville restaurateurs have certainly taken a step in the right direction. The Portlandia crew would be proud.
bar. Throughout the evening there will be a variety of live entertainment, with performances from NOLA-style horn ensemble Halfbrass to Hickory Slims, an old-time folk band. East-Centric Pavilion will offer an open-air venue for the event, with an adjacent tented area. Each restaurant will have its own booth, and guests will move from table to table, sampling from the spread. “When planning for this event, we knew that we wanted to include the restaurants that are receiving attention in the press and media, but we also wanted for this event to truly reflect the East Nashville community as well. We wanted our event to capture the diversity of the culinary scene here,” said Massey. Yum!East will help Fannie Battle raise funds to continue serving poverty-level and low-income families facing economic and educational hardships, and 100 percent of proceeds will be put directly back into the facility. The oldest childcare center in Middle Tennessee, the day home offers year-round child education for infants to 12-yearolds. “Funds raised from this event will support Fannie Battle in our mission of providing high-quality, affordable child care to at-risk children and families. Our families typically pay one-third of the actual cost of child care, and funds from this event will bridge the gap between the actual cost and the cost to families,” explained Massey. One plate of food at a time, they’ll be improving child care for struggling families across East Nashville.
Sandwich platter with salad greens and herbed couscous at Silly Goose.
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
55
photograph by Chuck Allen
A Look at Backyard Hens
A
s society seems to grow ever more dependent on technology, an emerging subculture looks to get back to the land and simplify. One way this is reflected is in the newfound popularity of urban chicken farming. Many cities around the country are letting urban dwellers raise hens for egg production, and Nashville recently joined the ranks. In January 2012, Metro Council passed Ordinance No. BL2011-47, more commonly known as the backyard chicken bill, which allows Nashvillians to keep hens — with stipulations — in the Urban Services District, which covers most of Davidson County. District 8 Councilwoman Karen Bennett, the lead sponsor of the ordinance, says she led the charge because “it was the right thing to do.” Bennett says she’d heard from a variety of constituents and others who wanted to have chickens in their backyards, but at the time it was illegal. “So I spent a year working with UCAN (Urban Chicken Advocates of Nashville) and researching what has worked in other cities. We tried to find a mix of what others had done and tried to pick the best bits to come up with a pretty good piece of legislation,” she says. UCAN is a grassroots group formed in 2010 after a first attempt at legalizing backyard hens by Jason Holleman failed to pass into law. “Nashville wasn’t ready,” says Bennett. The current ordinance requires a $25 annual permit and allows Nashville residents to keep up to six hens. Roosters are not allowed, and the hens may be kept for egg production only; they cannot be used for gaming, nor can they be raised for their meat. They must also be kept in predator-proof, covered henhouses located at least 10 feet from property lines and 25 feet from other houses. There are parameters for sanitation and deterring rodents by keeping feed in containers with lids. There is also a sunset provision, meaning the bill will be revisited in two years when Metro Council will have to re-vote for it to become permanent. The Nashville Health Department reports about 20 percent of the nearly 200 permits pulled for urban chicken farmers came from the Greater East Nashville ZIP codes 37206, 37207 and 37216. East Nashvillian Patrick Copeland has had six hens for more than a year. “The primary reason for us getting chickens was for the eggs. My wife and I eat mostly 100 percent paleo [a diet that focuses on lean meats, fish and eggs, and avoids grains and dairy], so eggs were adding up in 56
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
cost for us,” he says. “Egg-laying hens being about $10 each and the feeding cost being around $30 every two months, it just made sense. We were also interested in the process. For us, we wanted to learn how to raise farm animals and live a more sustainable lifestyle.” Copeland purchased his coop from a builder on Craigslist. It’s mobile, so they don’t have to confine the chickens to one spot in the yard; they can move it to a new patch of grass every day. This type of coop, also called a tractor, is excellent for a small yard because it isn’t necessary to designate any space permanently for the birds. Megan Lightell, an educational volunteer for UCAN, says one focus for this year is to explore options for making low-cost coops available in a way that can be scaled up easily so more people have access to raising hens. “Chickens are quite inexpensive once the initial coop cost is recovered, but it can cost several hundred dollars to get started. If we can find ways to build more affordable, secure housing for the hens, we will improve access to healthy eggs,” says Lightell. Earlier this spring UCAN worked in conjunction with Nashville Urban Food Forests, an organization that seeks to provide resources in Nashville’s “food deserts.” Working with NUFF, Lightell says, makes sense because raising backyard chickens helps to “close the loop” on waste cycles. They eat pest bugs and weeds while providing protein and soil fertility on site — a helpful option for residents in food deserts. In conjunction with citywide celebrations such as Earth Day, UCAN has offered classes at The Skillery through East Nashville Cooperative Ministry, and is teaching a class for Nashville Community Education’s summer session. Councilwoman Bennett says the top reason she heard folks wanted to have backyard chickens was that they wanted to participate in the food-production process. “They want to care for the chickens, collect the eggs and be part of their food production. It’s the best ‘complete circle’ you can have in the city.”
-A.Chris Keenan Carpentry LLC- eastnashvillecabinets .com
Your purchases support Goodwill’s mission to create jobs and provide job training. Combine that with our 20 years of sign and printing expertise, and the most up-to-date printing technologies, and you get comprehensive print solutions that do more than help your business grow. From custom signs and vinyl banners to vehicle graphics and photo-to-canvas prints, your orders make a difference in the lives of Tennesseans. Design and order your custom products at goodwillsignsolutions.com. Need to talk it through first? We offer free consultations and quotes. Call us at (615) 346-1205 or come by our shop at 107 Taylor Street in Nashville.
signs for good goodwillsignsolutions.com
(615) 346-1205 May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
57
photograph by Chuck Allen
A Look at Backyard Hens
A
s society seems to grow ever more dependent on technology, an emerging subculture looks to get back to the land and simplify. One way this is reflected is in the newfound popularity of urban chicken farming. Many cities around the country are letting urban dwellers raise hens for egg production, and Nashville recently joined the ranks. In January 2012, Metro Council passed Ordinance No. BL2011-47, more commonly known as the backyard chicken bill, which allows Nashvillians to keep hens — with stipulations — in the Urban Services District, which covers most of Davidson County. District 8 Councilwoman Karen Bennett, the lead sponsor of the ordinance, says she led the charge because “it was the right thing to do.” Bennett says she’d heard from a variety of constituents and others who wanted to have chickens in their backyards, but at the time it was illegal. “So I spent a year working with UCAN (Urban Chicken Advocates of Nashville) and researching what has worked in other cities. We tried to find a mix of what others had done and tried to pick the best bits to come up with a pretty good piece of legislation,” she says. UCAN is a grassroots group formed in 2010 after a first attempt at legalizing backyard hens by Jason Holleman failed to pass into law. “Nashville wasn’t ready,” says Bennett. The current ordinance requires a $25 annual permit and allows Nashville residents to keep up to six hens. Roosters are not allowed, and the hens may be kept for egg production only; they cannot be used for gaming, nor can they be raised for their meat. They must also be kept in predator-proof, covered henhouses located at least 10 feet from property lines and 25 feet from other houses. There are parameters for sanitation and deterring rodents by keeping feed in containers with lids. There is also a sunset provision, meaning the bill will be revisited in two years when Metro Council will have to re-vote for it to become permanent. The Nashville Health Department reports about 20 percent of the nearly 200 permits pulled for urban chicken farmers came from the Greater East Nashville ZIP codes 37206, 37207 and 37216. East Nashvillian Patrick Copeland has had six hens for more than a year. “The primary reason for us getting chickens was for the eggs. My wife and I eat mostly 100 percent paleo [a diet that focuses on lean meats, fish and eggs, and avoids grains and dairy], so eggs were adding up in 56
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
cost for us,” he says. “Egg-laying hens being about $10 each and the feeding cost being around $30 every two months, it just made sense. We were also interested in the process. For us, we wanted to learn how to raise farm animals and live a more sustainable lifestyle.” Copeland purchased his coop from a builder on Craigslist. It’s mobile, so they don’t have to confine the chickens to one spot in the yard; they can move it to a new patch of grass every day. This type of coop, also called a tractor, is excellent for a small yard because it isn’t necessary to designate any space permanently for the birds. Megan Lightell, an educational volunteer for UCAN, says one focus for this year is to explore options for making low-cost coops available in a way that can be scaled up easily so more people have access to raising hens. “Chickens are quite inexpensive once the initial coop cost is recovered, but it can cost several hundred dollars to get started. If we can find ways to build more affordable, secure housing for the hens, we will improve access to healthy eggs,” says Lightell. Earlier this spring UCAN worked in conjunction with Nashville Urban Food Forests, an organization that seeks to provide resources in Nashville’s “food deserts.” Working with NUFF, Lightell says, makes sense because raising backyard chickens helps to “close the loop” on waste cycles. They eat pest bugs and weeds while providing protein and soil fertility on site — a helpful option for residents in food deserts. In conjunction with citywide celebrations such as Earth Day, UCAN has offered classes at The Skillery through East Nashville Cooperative Ministry, and is teaching a class for Nashville Community Education’s summer session. Councilwoman Bennett says the top reason she heard folks wanted to have backyard chickens was that they wanted to participate in the food-production process. “They want to care for the chickens, collect the eggs and be part of their food production. It’s the best ‘complete circle’ you can have in the city.”
-A.Chris Keenan Carpentry LLC- eastnashvillecabinets .com
Your purchases support Goodwill’s mission to create jobs and provide job training. Combine that with our 20 years of sign and printing expertise, and the most up-to-date printing technologies, and you get comprehensive print solutions that do more than help your business grow. From custom signs and vinyl banners to vehicle graphics and photo-to-canvas prints, your orders make a difference in the lives of Tennesseans. Design and order your custom products at goodwillsignsolutions.com. Need to talk it through first? We offer free consultations and quotes. Call us at (615) 346-1205 or come by our shop at 107 Taylor Street in Nashville.
signs for good goodwillsignsolutions.com
(615) 346-1205 May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
57
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
JUNE 3-7 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM @ INGLEWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH KINDERGARTEN-6TH GRADE
FAMILY NIGHT, FRIDAY JUNE 7TH FREE FOOD, GAMES, BOUNCE CASTLES AND ENTERTAINMENT REGISTER IN PERSON OR ONLINE AT INGLEWOODBC.COM/VBS
e
n history
by Robbie Jones
N
What's in a name?
ashville is a community made up of a
mosaic of residential neighborhoods, parks, streets, schools, churches and commercial areas. These places often exhibit distinctive names with unique stories behind them. Some of these names date back nearly 175 years. Others are relatively recent. If place names reflect the character and history of a community, what do ours say about us? Who are the people, places and things we wanted to honor in perpetuity? Whether a long-timer or newcomer, most of you are probably curious, like us, about the stories behind some of the idiosyncratic place names that make East Nashville a special place. Here’s a short list to get started.
Boscobel Street and Boscobel Heights were named after the antebellum “Boscobel” mansion built by Dr. John Shelby (1785-1859) for his daughter Anna Shelby Williams. Dr. Shelby was a prominent physician, developer and civic leader in Edgefield. Boscobel is Italian for “beautiful woods or forest” as well as the namesake of 17th-century Boscobel Manor in England associated with King Charles II. Located at Sevier and 7th Streets, the hilltop mansion was repurposed for use as the Boscobel College for Young Ladies from 1889 to 1914 and the National Baptist Seminary and Missionary Training School from 1918 to 1931. The 10-acre Boscobel campus was demolished in 1940 to make way for the James A. Cayce public housing development, originally called Boscobel Heights. Briley Parkway was constructed by TDOT in phases from 1961 to 1997 and named for former Mayor Clifton Beverly Briley (1914-1980), who lived in Inglewood. Briley served as the first mayor of Metro Nashville from 1963 to 1975 and is buried in Spring Hill Cemetery in Madison. Also known as State Route 155, the 30-mile long beltway marks the northern boundary of East Nashville. The Cleveland Park neighborhood centers on Cleveland Park, which Metro Nashville took over in 1963. The Nashville Housing Authority originally created the park as an urban renewal project in the 1950s. Cleveland Park took its name after Cleveland Street, which borders the park on one side.
3901 GALLATIN RD. NASHVILLE TN 37216
58
SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES: VISIT US AT 9:30 SUNDAY SCHOOL INGLEWOODBC.COM 10:45 WORSHIP THE CHURCH ACROSS FROM SONIC THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM MayAKA. | June 2013
Dickerson Pike evolved from a frontier-era buffalo trail and is named for the Dickinson Meeting House, built along the route by Jacob Dickinson (1751-1816) and members of the Primitive Baptist Church. Over time, the Dickinson Meeting House Road became known as Dickerson Pike, a misspelling of the Dickinson name that stuck. This road is designated as State Route 11, U.S. 41, and U.S. 31 West, which in the early 20th century was a route along the Dixie Highway connecting Chicago with Miami.
East End is a small neighborhood laid out in 1875 along the eastern boundary or “East End” of Edgefield. The City of Nashville annexed East End in 1905. Edgefield was founded in 1854 as a suburb, incorporated in 1868 and annexed by the City of Nashville in 1883. The name “Edgefield” was suggested by neighborhood resident Neil S. Brown (1810-1886), who served as Tennessee governor from 1847 to 1849 and U.S. Minister to Russia from 1850 to 1853. Undoubtedly intended to evoke a pastoral image of country living at the edge of the city, the unique name could have been inspired by the 11th-century village of Edgefield, England. Before electric streetcars connected Edgefield with the downtown business district in the 1880s, the neighborhood was primarily home to suburban estates for the well-to-do. Streetcars running down Shelby Avenue, Woodland Street and Gallatin Pike spurred growth of middle-class developments for downtown workers. By 1890, Edgefield was considered the city’s most attractive neighborhood, featuring fashionable homes, city water, gas streetlights and wide macadam streets with brick sidewalks. Ellington Parkway was constructed in the 1960s along an old railroad corridor as an urban renewal project and named for former Gov. Buford Ellington (1907-1972), who served two terms from 1959 to 1963 and 1967 to 1971. Fatherland Street is named after the antebellum “Fatherland” mansion that was built in 1855 by Dr. John Shelby (1785-1859) for his daughter Priscilla Phelan. Shelby was a prominent physician, developer and civic leader in Edgefield. Designed by noted Nashville architect Adolphus Heiman (1809-1862), the Fatherland mansion was repurposed in 1919 for use as the Nashville branch of the Florence Crittenton Home for Unwed Mothers, one of 50 such homes across the country. The mansion was demolished in 1952. 5 Points is a commercial area located in the East End neighborhood at the five-point intersection of 11th Street, Woodland Street and Clearview Avenue. Dating mainly from the early-to-mid-20th century, the shops once included a service station (Margot Café & Bar), a movie theater (Woodland Studios) and older homes that have been repurposed for such uses as restaurants, offices and bars. Gallatin Road was constructed in the 1830s as a toll turnpike connecting the courthouse squares in Nashville and Gallatin. Sections of Gallatin Road are also known as Gallatin Pike, Gallatin Avenue and Main Street. Gallatin’s namesake is Swiss immigrant Albert Gallatin (1761-1849), a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania who served as the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury from 1801 to 1814 under Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. In 1902, Davidson County purchased May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
59
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
JUNE 3-7 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM @ INGLEWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH KINDERGARTEN-6TH GRADE
FAMILY NIGHT, FRIDAY JUNE 7TH FREE FOOD, GAMES, BOUNCE CASTLES AND ENTERTAINMENT REGISTER IN PERSON OR ONLINE AT INGLEWOODBC.COM/VBS
e
n history
by Robbie Jones
N
What's in a name?
ashville is a community made up of a
mosaic of residential neighborhoods, parks, streets, schools, churches and commercial areas. These places often exhibit distinctive names with unique stories behind them. Some of these names date back nearly 175 years. Others are relatively recent. If place names reflect the character and history of a community, what do ours say about us? Who are the people, places and things we wanted to honor in perpetuity? Whether a long-timer or newcomer, most of you are probably curious, like us, about the stories behind some of the idiosyncratic place names that make East Nashville a special place. Here’s a short list to get started.
Boscobel Street and Boscobel Heights were named after the antebellum “Boscobel” mansion built by Dr. John Shelby (1785-1859) for his daughter Anna Shelby Williams. Dr. Shelby was a prominent physician, developer and civic leader in Edgefield. Boscobel is Italian for “beautiful woods or forest” as well as the namesake of 17th-century Boscobel Manor in England associated with King Charles II. Located at Sevier and 7th Streets, the hilltop mansion was repurposed for use as the Boscobel College for Young Ladies from 1889 to 1914 and the National Baptist Seminary and Missionary Training School from 1918 to 1931. The 10-acre Boscobel campus was demolished in 1940 to make way for the James A. Cayce public housing development, originally called Boscobel Heights. Briley Parkway was constructed by TDOT in phases from 1961 to 1997 and named for former Mayor Clifton Beverly Briley (1914-1980), who lived in Inglewood. Briley served as the first mayor of Metro Nashville from 1963 to 1975 and is buried in Spring Hill Cemetery in Madison. Also known as State Route 155, the 30-mile long beltway marks the northern boundary of East Nashville. The Cleveland Park neighborhood centers on Cleveland Park, which Metro Nashville took over in 1963. The Nashville Housing Authority originally created the park as an urban renewal project in the 1950s. Cleveland Park took its name after Cleveland Street, which borders the park on one side.
3901 GALLATIN RD. NASHVILLE TN 37216
58
SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES: VISIT US AT 9:30 SUNDAY SCHOOL INGLEWOODBC.COM 10:45 WORSHIP THE CHURCH ACROSS FROM SONIC THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM MayAKA. | June 2013
Dickerson Pike evolved from a frontier-era buffalo trail and is named for the Dickinson Meeting House, built along the route by Jacob Dickinson (1751-1816) and members of the Primitive Baptist Church. Over time, the Dickinson Meeting House Road became known as Dickerson Pike, a misspelling of the Dickinson name that stuck. This road is designated as State Route 11, U.S. 41, and U.S. 31 West, which in the early 20th century was a route along the Dixie Highway connecting Chicago with Miami.
East End is a small neighborhood laid out in 1875 along the eastern boundary or “East End” of Edgefield. The City of Nashville annexed East End in 1905. Edgefield was founded in 1854 as a suburb, incorporated in 1868 and annexed by the City of Nashville in 1883. The name “Edgefield” was suggested by neighborhood resident Neil S. Brown (1810-1886), who served as Tennessee governor from 1847 to 1849 and U.S. Minister to Russia from 1850 to 1853. Undoubtedly intended to evoke a pastoral image of country living at the edge of the city, the unique name could have been inspired by the 11th-century village of Edgefield, England. Before electric streetcars connected Edgefield with the downtown business district in the 1880s, the neighborhood was primarily home to suburban estates for the well-to-do. Streetcars running down Shelby Avenue, Woodland Street and Gallatin Pike spurred growth of middle-class developments for downtown workers. By 1890, Edgefield was considered the city’s most attractive neighborhood, featuring fashionable homes, city water, gas streetlights and wide macadam streets with brick sidewalks. Ellington Parkway was constructed in the 1960s along an old railroad corridor as an urban renewal project and named for former Gov. Buford Ellington (1907-1972), who served two terms from 1959 to 1963 and 1967 to 1971. Fatherland Street is named after the antebellum “Fatherland” mansion that was built in 1855 by Dr. John Shelby (1785-1859) for his daughter Priscilla Phelan. Shelby was a prominent physician, developer and civic leader in Edgefield. Designed by noted Nashville architect Adolphus Heiman (1809-1862), the Fatherland mansion was repurposed in 1919 for use as the Nashville branch of the Florence Crittenton Home for Unwed Mothers, one of 50 such homes across the country. The mansion was demolished in 1952. 5 Points is a commercial area located in the East End neighborhood at the five-point intersection of 11th Street, Woodland Street and Clearview Avenue. Dating mainly from the early-to-mid-20th century, the shops once included a service station (Margot Café & Bar), a movie theater (Woodland Studios) and older homes that have been repurposed for such uses as restaurants, offices and bars. Gallatin Road was constructed in the 1830s as a toll turnpike connecting the courthouse squares in Nashville and Gallatin. Sections of Gallatin Road are also known as Gallatin Pike, Gallatin Avenue and Main Street. Gallatin’s namesake is Swiss immigrant Albert Gallatin (1761-1849), a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania who served as the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury from 1801 to 1814 under Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. In 1902, Davidson County purchased May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
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the turnpike and discontinued the toll. In the early 20th century, the route was designated U.S. 31 East and was once part of the Jackson Highway. Named in honor of President Andrew Jackson, it connected Chicago and New Orleans. Inglewood is named for the original Inglewood Place development laid out in 1909 by real estate developer R.A. Shelton as a streetcar suburb on the east side of Gallatin Road. Named for the Englewood Forest in England, the Inglewood Place development contained some 300 half-acre lots stretching seven blocks from Kirkland to Marion Streets. In the 1920s and 1930s, Inglewood featured a country club, golf course and many upscale homes for the well-to-do in neighborhoods such as Jackson Park, Inglewood Place and along the Cumberland River. Inglewood was an incorporated city with its own police and fire departments from the 1940s until it was absorbed by Metro Nashville in 1963. Lockeland Springs is named for the Lockeland Spring once located at 17th and Woodland Streets and extending about 400 feet south of Woodland to 19th Street. The spring provided water for a 390-acre estate called “Lockeland” with a mansion on 17th Street constructed in 1810 for Col. Robert Weakley (1764-1845) and named for his wife, Jane Locke. Developed in phases from 1887 to 1925 as a streetcar suburb, the Lockeland neighborhood was annexed in 1906 by the City of Nashville. The spring also provided water for Shelby Lake in Shelby Park. Mineral water from the spring won a grand prize at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. Thought to have curative powers, the water was bottled from the 1890s through the 1940s. The city demolished the Lockeland mansion in 1939 for construction of the Lockeland School. Over the years, the Lockeland neighborhood became known as Lockeland Springs. The Maxwell Heights neighborhood was once part of Edgefield. Gov. Neil S. Brown’s hilltop estate, called “Idlewild,” which was located about 400 feet north of Main Street near the intersection with 9th Street. After Brown’s death in 1886, his 1860s estate was sold and subdivided into over 100 parcels. Idlewild was demolished in 1936. The name was taken from Maxwell Avenue, which intersects the neighborhood. The McFerrin Park neighborhood takes its name from … McFerrin Park, which was created in 1920 on property at the corner of Berry and Meridian Streets once owned by the Rev. John Berry McFerrin (18071887), an internationally noted leader of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South. McFerrin was a longtime book agent for the Nashvillebased Methodist Publishing House and editor of the Christian Advocate. He also wrote a history of Tennessee Methodism and in 1849 baptized President James K. Polk on his deathbed. The antebellum McFerrin home was used as the park’s community center until it was demolished in the early 1950s. Riverside Village is a commercial area in Inglewood at the intersection of Riverside Drive and McGavock Pike. Named for the McGavock family that built Two Rivers Mansion in Donelson, McGavock Pike dates from the 19th century, when it served a ferry crossing the Cumberland River. Riverside Drive was constructed in the 1910s as a meandering boulevard connecting the city’s western neighborhoods with the National Cemetery in Madison. Featuring a landscaped median and flanking sidewalks, Riverside Drive was once called Double Drive. Dating from the 1930s, the shops at Riverside Village catered to the neighborhood residents and travelers on their way to catch the ferry, which operated until 1965, when the Briley Parkway Bridge opened. The concrete ferry ramp still stands on the Inglewood side of the river and is used by neighborhood fishermen. The Nashville Street Railway created Shelby Park in the early 1890s as a private amusement park and summertime casino. The local tourist attraction was named Shelby Park in honor of Dr. Henry Shelby (17851859), a prominent physician, developer and civic leader in Edgefield. His estate home stood at the center of Woodland Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets. Shelby Street and Shelby Lake also are named after him. Subsequent park owner Edgefield Land Company went bankrupt in 1903. Six years later, the City of Nashville acquired the riverside park, which reopened in 1912. Over the years, Shelby Park has grown to 336 acres. In 1994, the city created the adjacent 860-acre Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Nature Park. Trinity Lane dates to the 1840s, when it was constructed to connect Dickerson Pike with Gallatin Pike. It was once called Countess Street. The author would like to gratefully acknowledge research used in this article completed by local historians Harry V.L. Gower, Debie Cox, James Hoobler, James D. Anderson, Ridley Wills II, and Michael Fleenor as well as reports prepared by the Metro Historical Commission, Metro Planning Department and Nashville Civic Design Center.
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the turnpike and discontinued the toll. In the early 20th century, the route was designated U.S. 31 East and was once part of the Jackson Highway. Named in honor of President Andrew Jackson, it connected Chicago and New Orleans. Inglewood is named for the original Inglewood Place development laid out in 1909 by real estate developer R.A. Shelton as a streetcar suburb on the east side of Gallatin Road. Named for the Englewood Forest in England, the Inglewood Place development contained some 300 half-acre lots stretching seven blocks from Kirkland to Marion Streets. In the 1920s and 1930s, Inglewood featured a country club, golf course and many upscale homes for the well-to-do in neighborhoods such as Jackson Park, Inglewood Place and along the Cumberland River. Inglewood was an incorporated city with its own police and fire departments from the 1940s until it was absorbed by Metro Nashville in 1963. Lockeland Springs is named for the Lockeland Spring once located at 17th and Woodland Streets and extending about 400 feet south of Woodland to 19th Street. The spring provided water for a 390-acre estate called “Lockeland” with a mansion on 17th Street constructed in 1810 for Col. Robert Weakley (1764-1845) and named for his wife, Jane Locke. Developed in phases from 1887 to 1925 as a streetcar suburb, the Lockeland neighborhood was annexed in 1906 by the City of Nashville. The spring also provided water for Shelby Lake in Shelby Park. Mineral water from the spring won a grand prize at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. Thought to have curative powers, the water was bottled from the 1890s through the 1940s. The city demolished the Lockeland mansion in 1939 for construction of the Lockeland School. Over the years, the Lockeland neighborhood became known as Lockeland Springs. The Maxwell Heights neighborhood was once part of Edgefield. Gov. Neil S. Brown’s hilltop estate, called “Idlewild,” which was located about 400 feet north of Main Street near the intersection with 9th Street. After Brown’s death in 1886, his 1860s estate was sold and subdivided into over 100 parcels. Idlewild was demolished in 1936. The name was taken from Maxwell Avenue, which intersects the neighborhood. The McFerrin Park neighborhood takes its name from … McFerrin Park, which was created in 1920 on property at the corner of Berry and Meridian Streets once owned by the Rev. John Berry McFerrin (18071887), an internationally noted leader of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South. McFerrin was a longtime book agent for the Nashvillebased Methodist Publishing House and editor of the Christian Advocate. He also wrote a history of Tennessee Methodism and in 1849 baptized President James K. Polk on his deathbed. The antebellum McFerrin home was used as the park’s community center until it was demolished in the early 1950s. Riverside Village is a commercial area in Inglewood at the intersection of Riverside Drive and McGavock Pike. Named for the McGavock family that built Two Rivers Mansion in Donelson, McGavock Pike dates from the 19th century, when it served a ferry crossing the Cumberland River. Riverside Drive was constructed in the 1910s as a meandering boulevard connecting the city’s western neighborhoods with the National Cemetery in Madison. Featuring a landscaped median and flanking sidewalks, Riverside Drive was once called Double Drive. Dating from the 1930s, the shops at Riverside Village catered to the neighborhood residents and travelers on their way to catch the ferry, which operated until 1965, when the Briley Parkway Bridge opened. The concrete ferry ramp still stands on the Inglewood side of the river and is used by neighborhood fishermen. The Nashville Street Railway created Shelby Park in the early 1890s as a private amusement park and summertime casino. The local tourist attraction was named Shelby Park in honor of Dr. Henry Shelby (17851859), a prominent physician, developer and civic leader in Edgefield. His estate home stood at the center of Woodland Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets. Shelby Street and Shelby Lake also are named after him. Subsequent park owner Edgefield Land Company went bankrupt in 1903. Six years later, the City of Nashville acquired the riverside park, which reopened in 1912. Over the years, Shelby Park has grown to 336 acres. In 1994, the city created the adjacent 860-acre Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Nature Park. Trinity Lane dates to the 1840s, when it was constructed to connect Dickerson Pike with Gallatin Pike. It was once called Countess Street. The author would like to gratefully acknowledge research used in this article completed by local historians Harry V.L. Gower, Debie Cox, James Hoobler, James D. Anderson, Ridley Wills II, and Michael Fleenor as well as reports prepared by the Metro Historical Commission, Metro Planning Department and Nashville Civic Design Center.
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EAST SI D E C A L E N D A R
Emma Alford, Calendar Editor
Upcoming KICKS FOR KITTENS
Kamikaze Kitten Comedy Show w/ Chad Riden and Friends 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 and June 10, Dino’s Bar & Grill
Go check out a few funny guys at the best dive bar in East Nashville, Dino’s. Chad Riden will be performing at each show, along with a few other comics. However, they’ll leave a few “bucket” spots open for anyone in the audience who thinks they can get a few laughs. There is no cover, but be sure to bring some cash for the bar. Dino’s has cheap beer and good burgers, but they keep things simple — cash only. 411 Gallatin Ave.
PUT YOUR EAR TO THE UNDERGROUND
East Nashville Underground Festival Friday and Saturday, May 10-11, The East Room
The best place to hear local, off-the-cuff and engaging music has got to be the East Nashville Underground. What started in the sweaty basement of Kristyn and Jared Corder two years ago has now evolved into a full-fledged, packed-house festival in The East Room. The fest takes place over two days, with a show on Friday and two sets of shows (day and night) on Saturday. They’ve got a boatload of acts to check out, with bands like The Weeks, The Kingston Springs and Chancellor Warhol taking the stage. This is the last hurrah for the Underground in the East Room location before they move to a larger venue to accommodate all you avid undergrounders, so tickets will probably go quickly. Look up the full lineup on their Facebook page and find a link there to pre-order passes. Beer is free and liquor will be dirt cheap, so you shouldn’t mind paying for a ticket: $15 for Friday night, $10 for Saturday, or just shuck out $25 for the whole weekend so you won’t miss a beat. 2412 Gallatin Road, www.facebook. com/EastNashvilleUnderground
Eastside Hootenanny 4 p.m. Saturdays May 4, May 11, May 18, May 25, June 8, June 15, East Park
Sure, Coachella and NOLA’s Jazz Fest may take place across a couple of weekends, but only East Nashville can pack six Saturdays with performances from some of Nashville’s best. The event, hosted in East Park, will be open to all ages. A handful of bands will play each “Hootenanny” with every genre featured — whether you prefer the soulfulness of Magnolia Suns or the poppy Phoenix-vibe of Belmont students’ band Coin. A fleet of food trucks will be there and they will have Yazoo, Fat Bottom and Good People brews for sale. 700 Woodland Street, www.eastsidehoot.com
hangin’ with the pros
Nashville Recording Workshop +Expo Tuesday and Wednesday, May 14-15 Rocketown Event Center
Hey, kids, tired of your homegrown mix tapes sounding like your dad’s beer-soaked cassettes? Then this might be for you. Our local Audio Engineering Society (AES) chapter has put together this two-day workshop specifically designed to beef up the recording chops of home studio owners, songwriters and musicians. Put your ears on and learn from some of the best in the business. Your mp3s will thank you. www.nashvillerecordingworkshop.com
Bike To Work Day Time varies by location, Friday, May 17, citywide
Growing Healthy Kids I nformation Session 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, May 11, East Library Meeting Room
We know every kid wants to choose pizza over chef salad in the school lunch line, but Community Food Advocates is working to make children’s snack time healthier than the “lunch lady land” Adam Sandler sings about. They want to increase access to healthy, locally grown, affordable and sustainable food in community schools. If you’re interested in cleaning up the cafeteria at your kid’s school, attend their meeting to learn about ways to transform food policies locally. 206 Gallatin Road, www.communityfoodadvocates.org
As part of Nashville’s Bike Month, Walk/Bike Nashville is hosting a citywide Bike To Work day. Save the gas, call off your carpool and grab your helmet. There will be more than 20 meet-up points across the city, so find the one closest to you and meet up with other cyclists to make your commute together. At 8 a.m. a free breakfast will be served at the Public Square and mayor Karl Dean will give a short address. You’ll burn some calories, avoid traffic jams and get a chance to take in the great outdoors. Meet-up points in East Nashville include McFerrin Park, Riverside Village, Tom Jones Park and Shelby Bottoms. Check online to find all locations and times. www.walkbikenashville.org
HOODOO VOODOO
99 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE EASTSIDE
East-Centric Brew Ha Ha Craft Brew Festival 12 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 11, East-Centric Pavilion
Got a taste for the finest craft beers around? East-Centric is hosting its very own beer festival at the Pavilion. It’s
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finally getting hot out, and what’s better than a cold one? The fest will feature local food-truck fare with beers from more than 40 American breweries. The Bloomy Rind will offer cheese pairings to complement the brewskies. There will also be a number of live performances from Josh Farrow, the Granny Whites and more. Plus, ticket proceeds will go toward East C.A.N., Nashville Cat Rescue and future events at the Pavilion. Tickets can be purchased online. C’mon, beer me. 1006 Fatherland St., www.eastsidebrews.com
Voodoo Swing Circus Variety Show Time TBA, Friday May 17 and June 14, East-Centric Pavilion If you’ve got a taste for all things strange and bizarre, head over to the Voodoo Swing Circus Variety Show at the Pavilion. There will be singers, dancers and all sorts of entertainment off the beaten path. We can guarantee this is one of the most interesting and eclectic shows you’ll see on the Eastside. It’s 21-and-up only and there will be
May | June 2013
a cover charge, because they ain’t puttin’ on this kinda show for free. 1006 Fatherland St., www.east-centric.com
LET’S HEAR IT FOR HAITI
Health and Happy Fest 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 18, First Church of the Nazarene It’s time to come together to celebrate the cultural diversity of East Nashville and to embrace the spirit of global humanitarianism. The First Church of the Nazarene has been hosting this event to raise money for the Caribbean nation of Haiti since 2010, after it was rocked by a devastating earthquake. There will be live bands, fun games and activities for children, free health screenings and a silent auction. There will also be various cuisines and souvenirs from countries around the world. All proceeds from this event will go toward building a medical clinic in Haiti, so don’t miss your chance to help the cause. 510 Woodland St.
I WANT TO RIDE IT WHERE I LIKE
Tour De Nash 7 a.m. Saturday, May 18, Vanderbilt University — citywide
Cyclists will be taking to the streets this May for a leisurely ride throughout Nashvegas. All skill levels are invited to join in on this ride, which will showcase the bike-friendly facilities of the city. You can choose which ride floats your boat — or should we say stirs your spokes? They have an eight-mile family ride, a 30-mile Gran Tour and a 60-mile Metric Century tour. All routes will have rest stops for riders so you can refuel. Family rides are free, but there is a cost for Gran Tour and Metric Century cyclists. An early signup will get you a discount. You’ll feel good knowing the money goes back to Walk/Bike Nashville’s continued advocacy of active transportation in Music City. Get to peddlin’. www.walkbikenashville.org
SMOOTH AS A BABY’S BOTTOM
Cloth Diapering 101 Time TBA, Saturday, May 18, The Green Wagon
Tired of buying a jumbo pack of Pampers and running out before the weekend? Well, there is a much cheaper, much greener solution to the problem. Smile Mommy is a cloth diaper service that picks up and delivers cloth diapers to your home. They’ll be teaching a free workshop on the basics of cloth diapering for interested mommies fed up with disposables. They’ll show you how to change, clean and sustain cloth diapers to avoid the waste of throwing away disposables. Email info@smilemommy. com to register. 1100 Forrest Ave., www.smilemommy.com
PICNIC FOR THE PICKERS
Picking and Picknicking 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 25, Shelby Park
Shelby Park is hosting a pickin’ potluck for Nashvillians. They’re inviting all the string kings to come out, play and enjoy some tasty food. If you can’t play worth a lick, listening is free. Come help the park pick its way into summer. To register, call 615-862-8539 or email shelbybottomsnature@nashville.gov.
UNCENSORED, UNTITLED, EASTSIDED
Untitled Artists: An Exhibition 6 p.m. Saturday, May 25, The East Room
The East Room will play host to the Untitled Artists Group’s exhibition this May. Untitled works toward providing the community with the forum, opportunity and education to create, display and discuss their work and the work of others. The event will feature visual artwork from a range of artists in the area with live performances from some of Nashville’s music makers. If you’re interested in displaying some of your own work, register through Untitled’s Facebook page or website. Entries will be accepted through May 19. Admission is free and there will be PizzaBuds and brews for sale. Get out and help encourage some creative entrepreneurism while promoting local arts. 2412 Gallatin Road, www.untitlednashville.org
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME
Nashville Sounds vs. Iowa Cubs 7:05 p.m. Friday, May 31, Greer Stadium
We always encourage supporting our local team, but we’re really pushing for it this time. A portion of ticket sales to the Sounds’ May 31 game against the Iowa Cubs go toward the Martha O’Bryan Center. If you purchase your tickets through http://sounds.streamlineticketing.com/ web/group.asp and sign in with username: MarthaOBryan, password: BreakTheLine, a chunk of the sale will go right back to the center. The offer expires May 29, so make sure you grab your seats before then. Go on — root, root, root for the home team. 534 Chestnut St.
HIKE THE PARK
National Trails Day Hike 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 1, Shelby Park
Hey Eastsiders, take a hike — literally. Shelby Bottoms is celebrating National Trails Day with a hike around some of the beautiful tracks in the park. Hike leader Christie Wiser will point out wildflowers, birds and other wildlife. After the short leisurely hike, enjoy popsicles on the back porch of the nature center. Open to all ages and skill levels. To register, call 615-862-8539 or email shelbybottomsnature@nashville.gov.
GET IT WHILE IT’S HANDMADE
Porter Flea: Aircraft 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1, Cornelia Fort Airpark The Semi-Annual Porter Flea is back again, offering its unique array of handmade and vintage goods. More than 70 vendors will be at the June market offering a high-quality selection of products: home goods, jewelry, antiques, apparel, artwork, furniture, paper goods and more. Some of Nashville’s tastiest food trucks will be on site, too, so you won’t go hungry during your shopping spree. To accommodate the growing number of vendors and the mob that falls upon the market, Porter Flea has moved to a larger location — no more working your way through a tightly packed labyrinth. 2641 Airpark Drive, www.porterflea.com
PINCH THE TAIL, SUCK THE HEAD
Arthritis Foundation’s Mudbugs and Music Festival 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 1, East Park
www.iloveyoutooweddings.com
It’s the South, we don’t need an excuse to eat mudbugs here, but if we ever did this is a good one. Mudbugs and Music will honor Katie Bush, a young girl diagnosed with arthritis at just 18 months old. It’s an all-out shindig with crawfish, jambalaya and live music. Hit and Run will headline the fest, with multiple performances by other local artists. Tickets are $30 for two plates of food if you pre-order, or $35 the day of. 700 Woodland St., www.mudbugsandmusicnashville.com
CAN YOU HEAR IT ON THE EASTSIDE TONIGHT?
The East Nashvillian and East-centric concert series Time TBA, Wednesdays, June-July, East-Centric Pavilion
It’s time to kick out the jams! The East Nashvillian and East-Centric is hosting its own concert series dedicated to live music this summer beginning in June. They will showcase local artists to honk East Nashville’s own horn. Gigs will be free and there will be plenty of beer and food for purchase at the Pavilion. check out East-centric’s website to learn about the performers and show times. The dog days of summer have only begun—and they keep getting better. 1006 Fatherland St., www.east-centric.com
TAKE ME TO THE PICTURE SHOW
Grassy Knoll Movie Nights 7 p.m. Sunday, May 19 and June 23, side lawn @ Bongo Java East
Bring your own blanket, relax and enjoy the show. Grassy Knoll movie nights are back! They’ll be playing our favorite cult classics all summer. Get out and enjoy the summer breeze. You know you’re tired of paying $11 to sit in a stuffy movie theater. It’ll only cost you $5 to watch, or $4 with a canned food donation to Second Harvest. Only $1 for the kiddies. Food trucks and local brews will be on standby, so you won’t go hungry or thirsty. Check Grassy Knoll Movie Nights’ Facebook page for what they’re showing each month. 109 South 11th St., www.facebook. com/grassyknollmovies
WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM
Martha O’Bryan Center’s 28th Annual Miss Martha’s Ice Cream Crankin’ 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 9, First Presbyterian Church
The Martha O’Bryan Center is hosting the sweetest summer fundraiser this June. They’re putting on their annual ice cream social with Purity Dairies to raise funds for all the work they do throughout the year. With hundreds of gallons of the good stuff on site, you can double down on ice cream scoops through the afternoon. Individuals, churches and groups are also encouraged to whip up their own batch of ice cream to enter in Purity’s contest. The flavor deemed “Best In Show” will be made by Purity next year. There will also be other activities for kids once they have their fill. Discounted presale tickets can be purchased on the center’s website before the event or the day of, $10 for youth and $13 for adults. 4815 Franklin Road, www.marthaobryan.org
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EAST SI D E C A L E N D A R
Emma Alford, Calendar Editor
Upcoming KICKS FOR KITTENS
Kamikaze Kitten Comedy Show w/ Chad Riden and Friends 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 and June 10, Dino’s Bar & Grill
Go check out a few funny guys at the best dive bar in East Nashville, Dino’s. Chad Riden will be performing at each show, along with a few other comics. However, they’ll leave a few “bucket” spots open for anyone in the audience who thinks they can get a few laughs. There is no cover, but be sure to bring some cash for the bar. Dino’s has cheap beer and good burgers, but they keep things simple — cash only. 411 Gallatin Ave.
PUT YOUR EAR TO THE UNDERGROUND
East Nashville Underground Festival Friday and Saturday, May 10-11, The East Room
The best place to hear local, off-the-cuff and engaging music has got to be the East Nashville Underground. What started in the sweaty basement of Kristyn and Jared Corder two years ago has now evolved into a full-fledged, packed-house festival in The East Room. The fest takes place over two days, with a show on Friday and two sets of shows (day and night) on Saturday. They’ve got a boatload of acts to check out, with bands like The Weeks, The Kingston Springs and Chancellor Warhol taking the stage. This is the last hurrah for the Underground in the East Room location before they move to a larger venue to accommodate all you avid undergrounders, so tickets will probably go quickly. Look up the full lineup on their Facebook page and find a link there to pre-order passes. Beer is free and liquor will be dirt cheap, so you shouldn’t mind paying for a ticket: $15 for Friday night, $10 for Saturday, or just shuck out $25 for the whole weekend so you won’t miss a beat. 2412 Gallatin Road, www.facebook. com/EastNashvilleUnderground
Eastside Hootenanny 4 p.m. Saturdays May 4, May 11, May 18, May 25, June 8, June 15, East Park
Sure, Coachella and NOLA’s Jazz Fest may take place across a couple of weekends, but only East Nashville can pack six Saturdays with performances from some of Nashville’s best. The event, hosted in East Park, will be open to all ages. A handful of bands will play each “Hootenanny” with every genre featured — whether you prefer the soulfulness of Magnolia Suns or the poppy Phoenix-vibe of Belmont students’ band Coin. A fleet of food trucks will be there and they will have Yazoo, Fat Bottom and Good People brews for sale. 700 Woodland Street, www.eastsidehoot.com
hangin’ with the pros
Nashville Recording Workshop +Expo Tuesday and Wednesday, May 14-15 Rocketown Event Center
Hey, kids, tired of your homegrown mix tapes sounding like your dad’s beer-soaked cassettes? Then this might be for you. Our local Audio Engineering Society (AES) chapter has put together this two-day workshop specifically designed to beef up the recording chops of home studio owners, songwriters and musicians. Put your ears on and learn from some of the best in the business. Your mp3s will thank you. www.nashvillerecordingworkshop.com
Bike To Work Day Time varies by location, Friday, May 17, citywide
Growing Healthy Kids I nformation Session 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, May 11, East Library Meeting Room
We know every kid wants to choose pizza over chef salad in the school lunch line, but Community Food Advocates is working to make children’s snack time healthier than the “lunch lady land” Adam Sandler sings about. They want to increase access to healthy, locally grown, affordable and sustainable food in community schools. If you’re interested in cleaning up the cafeteria at your kid’s school, attend their meeting to learn about ways to transform food policies locally. 206 Gallatin Road, www.communityfoodadvocates.org
As part of Nashville’s Bike Month, Walk/Bike Nashville is hosting a citywide Bike To Work day. Save the gas, call off your carpool and grab your helmet. There will be more than 20 meet-up points across the city, so find the one closest to you and meet up with other cyclists to make your commute together. At 8 a.m. a free breakfast will be served at the Public Square and mayor Karl Dean will give a short address. You’ll burn some calories, avoid traffic jams and get a chance to take in the great outdoors. Meet-up points in East Nashville include McFerrin Park, Riverside Village, Tom Jones Park and Shelby Bottoms. Check online to find all locations and times. www.walkbikenashville.org
HOODOO VOODOO
99 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE EASTSIDE
East-Centric Brew Ha Ha Craft Brew Festival 12 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 11, East-Centric Pavilion
Got a taste for the finest craft beers around? East-Centric is hosting its very own beer festival at the Pavilion. It’s
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
WHO GIVES A HOOT(ENANNY)?
DROP THOSE KEYS
EAT YOUR VEGTABLES, KIDS
62
finally getting hot out, and what’s better than a cold one? The fest will feature local food-truck fare with beers from more than 40 American breweries. The Bloomy Rind will offer cheese pairings to complement the brewskies. There will also be a number of live performances from Josh Farrow, the Granny Whites and more. Plus, ticket proceeds will go toward East C.A.N., Nashville Cat Rescue and future events at the Pavilion. Tickets can be purchased online. C’mon, beer me. 1006 Fatherland St., www.eastsidebrews.com
Voodoo Swing Circus Variety Show Time TBA, Friday May 17 and June 14, East-Centric Pavilion If you’ve got a taste for all things strange and bizarre, head over to the Voodoo Swing Circus Variety Show at the Pavilion. There will be singers, dancers and all sorts of entertainment off the beaten path. We can guarantee this is one of the most interesting and eclectic shows you’ll see on the Eastside. It’s 21-and-up only and there will be
May | June 2013
a cover charge, because they ain’t puttin’ on this kinda show for free. 1006 Fatherland St., www.east-centric.com
LET’S HEAR IT FOR HAITI
Health and Happy Fest 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 18, First Church of the Nazarene It’s time to come together to celebrate the cultural diversity of East Nashville and to embrace the spirit of global humanitarianism. The First Church of the Nazarene has been hosting this event to raise money for the Caribbean nation of Haiti since 2010, after it was rocked by a devastating earthquake. There will be live bands, fun games and activities for children, free health screenings and a silent auction. There will also be various cuisines and souvenirs from countries around the world. All proceeds from this event will go toward building a medical clinic in Haiti, so don’t miss your chance to help the cause. 510 Woodland St.
I WANT TO RIDE IT WHERE I LIKE
Tour De Nash 7 a.m. Saturday, May 18, Vanderbilt University — citywide
Cyclists will be taking to the streets this May for a leisurely ride throughout Nashvegas. All skill levels are invited to join in on this ride, which will showcase the bike-friendly facilities of the city. You can choose which ride floats your boat — or should we say stirs your spokes? They have an eight-mile family ride, a 30-mile Gran Tour and a 60-mile Metric Century tour. All routes will have rest stops for riders so you can refuel. Family rides are free, but there is a cost for Gran Tour and Metric Century cyclists. An early signup will get you a discount. You’ll feel good knowing the money goes back to Walk/Bike Nashville’s continued advocacy of active transportation in Music City. Get to peddlin’. www.walkbikenashville.org
SMOOTH AS A BABY’S BOTTOM
Cloth Diapering 101 Time TBA, Saturday, May 18, The Green Wagon
Tired of buying a jumbo pack of Pampers and running out before the weekend? Well, there is a much cheaper, much greener solution to the problem. Smile Mommy is a cloth diaper service that picks up and delivers cloth diapers to your home. They’ll be teaching a free workshop on the basics of cloth diapering for interested mommies fed up with disposables. They’ll show you how to change, clean and sustain cloth diapers to avoid the waste of throwing away disposables. Email info@smilemommy. com to register. 1100 Forrest Ave., www.smilemommy.com
PICNIC FOR THE PICKERS
Picking and Picknicking 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 25, Shelby Park
Shelby Park is hosting a pickin’ potluck for Nashvillians. They’re inviting all the string kings to come out, play and enjoy some tasty food. If you can’t play worth a lick, listening is free. Come help the park pick its way into summer. To register, call 615-862-8539 or email shelbybottomsnature@nashville.gov.
UNCENSORED, UNTITLED, EASTSIDED
Untitled Artists: An Exhibition 6 p.m. Saturday, May 25, The East Room
The East Room will play host to the Untitled Artists Group’s exhibition this May. Untitled works toward providing the community with the forum, opportunity and education to create, display and discuss their work and the work of others. The event will feature visual artwork from a range of artists in the area with live performances from some of Nashville’s music makers. If you’re interested in displaying some of your own work, register through Untitled’s Facebook page or website. Entries will be accepted through May 19. Admission is free and there will be PizzaBuds and brews for sale. Get out and help encourage some creative entrepreneurism while promoting local arts. 2412 Gallatin Road, www.untitlednashville.org
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME
Nashville Sounds vs. Iowa Cubs 7:05 p.m. Friday, May 31, Greer Stadium
We always encourage supporting our local team, but we’re really pushing for it this time. A portion of ticket sales to the Sounds’ May 31 game against the Iowa Cubs go toward the Martha O’Bryan Center. If you purchase your tickets through http://sounds.streamlineticketing.com/ web/group.asp and sign in with username: MarthaOBryan, password: BreakTheLine, a chunk of the sale will go right back to the center. The offer expires May 29, so make sure you grab your seats before then. Go on — root, root, root for the home team. 534 Chestnut St.
HIKE THE PARK
National Trails Day Hike 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 1, Shelby Park
Hey Eastsiders, take a hike — literally. Shelby Bottoms is celebrating National Trails Day with a hike around some of the beautiful tracks in the park. Hike leader Christie Wiser will point out wildflowers, birds and other wildlife. After the short leisurely hike, enjoy popsicles on the back porch of the nature center. Open to all ages and skill levels. To register, call 615-862-8539 or email shelbybottomsnature@nashville.gov.
GET IT WHILE IT’S HANDMADE
Porter Flea: Aircraft 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1, Cornelia Fort Airpark The Semi-Annual Porter Flea is back again, offering its unique array of handmade and vintage goods. More than 70 vendors will be at the June market offering a high-quality selection of products: home goods, jewelry, antiques, apparel, artwork, furniture, paper goods and more. Some of Nashville’s tastiest food trucks will be on site, too, so you won’t go hungry during your shopping spree. To accommodate the growing number of vendors and the mob that falls upon the market, Porter Flea has moved to a larger location — no more working your way through a tightly packed labyrinth. 2641 Airpark Drive, www.porterflea.com
PINCH THE TAIL, SUCK THE HEAD
Arthritis Foundation’s Mudbugs and Music Festival 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 1, East Park
www.iloveyoutooweddings.com
It’s the South, we don’t need an excuse to eat mudbugs here, but if we ever did this is a good one. Mudbugs and Music will honor Katie Bush, a young girl diagnosed with arthritis at just 18 months old. It’s an all-out shindig with crawfish, jambalaya and live music. Hit and Run will headline the fest, with multiple performances by other local artists. Tickets are $30 for two plates of food if you pre-order, or $35 the day of. 700 Woodland St., www.mudbugsandmusicnashville.com
CAN YOU HEAR IT ON THE EASTSIDE TONIGHT?
The East Nashvillian and East-centric concert series Time TBA, Wednesdays, June-July, East-Centric Pavilion
It’s time to kick out the jams! The East Nashvillian and East-Centric is hosting its own concert series dedicated to live music this summer beginning in June. They will showcase local artists to honk East Nashville’s own horn. Gigs will be free and there will be plenty of beer and food for purchase at the Pavilion. check out East-centric’s website to learn about the performers and show times. The dog days of summer have only begun—and they keep getting better. 1006 Fatherland St., www.east-centric.com
TAKE ME TO THE PICTURE SHOW
Grassy Knoll Movie Nights 7 p.m. Sunday, May 19 and June 23, side lawn @ Bongo Java East
Bring your own blanket, relax and enjoy the show. Grassy Knoll movie nights are back! They’ll be playing our favorite cult classics all summer. Get out and enjoy the summer breeze. You know you’re tired of paying $11 to sit in a stuffy movie theater. It’ll only cost you $5 to watch, or $4 with a canned food donation to Second Harvest. Only $1 for the kiddies. Food trucks and local brews will be on standby, so you won’t go hungry or thirsty. Check Grassy Knoll Movie Nights’ Facebook page for what they’re showing each month. 109 South 11th St., www.facebook. com/grassyknollmovies
WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM
Martha O’Bryan Center’s 28th Annual Miss Martha’s Ice Cream Crankin’ 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 9, First Presbyterian Church
The Martha O’Bryan Center is hosting the sweetest summer fundraiser this June. They’re putting on their annual ice cream social with Purity Dairies to raise funds for all the work they do throughout the year. With hundreds of gallons of the good stuff on site, you can double down on ice cream scoops through the afternoon. Individuals, churches and groups are also encouraged to whip up their own batch of ice cream to enter in Purity’s contest. The flavor deemed “Best In Show” will be made by Purity next year. There will also be other activities for kids once they have their fill. Discounted presale tickets can be purchased on the center’s website before the event or the day of, $10 for youth and $13 for adults. 4815 Franklin Road, www.marthaobryan.org
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EAST SI D E C A L E N D A R
EAST SI D E C A L E N D A R
EAT (EAST) FOR THE CAUSE
Yum!East
5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 13, East-Centric Pavilion We know how to stir things up in the kitchen on the Eastside. Yum!East will showcase the culinary talents of the best restaurants, chefs, food artisans and specialty purveyors this side o’ the Cumberland. Most importantly, proceeds from the event will benefit Fannie Battle Day Home For Children. Tickets will cost $40 and it’s worth the bill. Admission will include an open bar, samples of food and drink from more than 30 East Nashville businesses and live music. You’ll even leave with a nifty souvenir glass. Tickets go on sale May 3 on the Yum!East website. 1006 Fatherland St., www.yumeast.com.
NOT THAT THERE’S ANYTHING WRONG WITH RUNNING
Gay 5K and Kids Fun 1 7:30 a.m. Saturday, June 22, Shelby Bottoms Greenway
Celebrate diversity at the 6th Annual Gay 5K and Kid’s Fun 1 Mile. Proceeds from the event benefit OutCentral Cultural Center. Entry fees are only $20 for the 5K and $10 for the Fun 1. Don’t want to get up early to run or walk? You can still support OutCentral — and receive a Gay 5K t-shirt — by registering for the “sleep-in” category. 1900 Davidson Street, http://outcentral.org
ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATO ART
FEST — important deadlines
May 1: Early Bird Deadline May 20: Notification of results emailed to Early Bird appliers July 1: Final Booth Deadline July 20: Notification of results emailed to those who applied prior to July 1 August 1: Booth assignments and set up info emailed
RECURRING STOP, SHOP AND SWAP FOR THE SONGSTERS
Nashville’s Musician’s Swap Meet 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. the first Sunday of each month, The Building
If you’re among the sea of musicians and songwriters in Nashville, you might want to drop in on the monthly Musician’s Swap Meet at The Building in 5 Points. The musically inclined gather to buy, sell and trade their gear. There’s always a smattering of various musical odds and ends — guitars, drums, amps, fiddles, horns, you name it. You’ll also find vinyl, artwork, clothing and other music-related memorabilia. This folky flea market of sorts is free and open to the public. Stop by, grab a coffee at Bongo Java, grub down at Drifter’s and check out the musical arsenal. If you’re interested in renting a booth for the swap, contact Dino Bradley at 615-593-7497, 1008-C Woodland Street.
SHAKE A LEG
Keep On Movin’ 10 p.m. until close Mondays, The 5 Spot
For those looking to hit the dance floor on Monday nights, The 5 Spot’s “Keep on Movin’” dance party is the place to be. This shindig keeps it real with old-school soul, funk and R&B. Don’t worry, you won’t hear Ke$ha — although you might see her — and you can leave your Apple Bottom jeans at home. 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. 1006 Forrest Ave., 615-650-9333, www. the5spotlive.com
rinc, y’all
Scott-Ellis School of Irish Dance 4:30 to 5 p.m. ages 3-6, and 5 to 5:45 p.m. ages 7 & up, Mondays, Eastwood Christian Church Fellowship Hall
You’re never too young — or too old — to kick out the
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May | June 2013
Gaelic jams with some Irish Step dancing. No experience, or partner, required. Just you, some enthusiasm and a heart of gold will have you dancing in the clover before you can say “leprechaun.” 1601 Eastland Ave., 615-3004388, www.scott-ellis.com
BLUEGRASS, BEER, BURGERS
Bluegrass Mondays with Johnny Campbell & the Bluegrass Drifters 8 p.m. until close on Mondays, Charlie Bob’s
It seems you can find some bluegrass on most any night in Music City these days. To cure your end of the weekend/ beginning of the week drag, head to Charlie Bob’s and bring your ax along. Watch the Bluegrass Drifters kick things off then join in on the pickin’ party afterward. Have a burger, buy a few beers and add a little grass to your Monday blues. Oh yeah, it’s also 50-cent wing night. 1330 Dickerson Pike, 615-262-2244, www.charliebobs.com
HAVE YOUR PIE AND DRINK A PINT, TOO
$10 Pint & Pie Night 6 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays, The Family Wash
Every Tuesday night at The Family Wash, you can score a pint of beer and a shepherd’s pie for just $10. The reigning music venue on the Eastside, The Wash is home to an abundance of good music, and on Tuesdays, the club plays host to the long-running songwriter series, Shortsets, hosted by Cole and Paul Slivka. They offer a wide selection of craft beer, and they even have a vegetarian shepherd’s pie for herbivores. So sit back and enjoy the show, along with your pint and pie. 2038 Greenwood Ave., 615-226-6070, www.familywash.com
FAT BOTTOM FOR YOUR BUCK
$10 Pint and Entrée Special 4 p.m. until close Tuesdays, Fat Bottom Brewery
Q: What’s better than a craft beer and a tasty meal? A: Cheap craft beer and a tasty meal. At Fat Bottom Brewery you can grab a pint of their liquid courage and an entrée for just $10 on Tuesdays. Peruse their beer garden and pick your poison; they’ve got plenty of options for the seasoned beer drinker. They’re always kegging fresh batches and pouring cold ones, so stop by to get your fix. 900 Main St., www.fatbottombrewing.com
TELL ME A STORY
East Side Storytellin’ 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of each month, Fat Bottom Brewery
Looking for something to get your creative juices flowing? East Side Story has got you covered. They’ve partnered with WAMB radio and Fat Bottom to present an all-out affair with book readings, musical performances and author/musician interviews all in one evening. They host this lovely event twice each month, usually on the first and third Tuesday. Check the website to see who the guests of honor will be for each performance. The event is free, but you’ll have to reserve a spot by calling ahead. 900 Main St., 615-262-5346, www.eastsidestorytn.com
A FIDDLE OF THIS AND A FIDDLE OF THAT
Old Time Jam 7 p.m. until close Wednesdays, The 5 Spot
The 5 Spot’s weekly “Old Time Jam” is a musical call to arms for all of East Nashville’s pickers and grinners. Bring your acoustic weapon of choice to play with the menagerie of musicians who turn up each Wednesday night. Share tunes and swap stories with the regulars. This bluegrass ball isn’t just for musicians though. Even if you can’t strum a chord, you can sit back and enjoy the rootsy jams. Three is no cover and beers are discounted a buck. 1006 Forrest Ave., 615-650-9333, www.the5spotlive.com
LEND ME YOUR EAR
Supper and Song 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Sky Blue Café
The neighborhood restaurant Sky Blue Café has begun opening its doors in the evening for the dinner crowd. Audrey Auld, an Australian singer-songwriter, saw this as an opportunity to liven up the café with some tunes. Auld is a country/Americana performer and each week she plays and invites other musicians to join in on the fun. Stop in, savor a good meal with some beer, wine or coffee and enjoy the music. There is no cover and dinner is served till 11 p.m. 700 Fatherland St., 615-770-7097, www. skybluecoffee.com
ART IS FOR EVERYONE
John Cannon Fine Art classes 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays, The Idea Hatchery
If you’ve been filling in coloring book pages for years but you’re too intimidated to put actual paint to canvas, it might be time you give it a try. Local artist John Cannon has been teaching art classes at The Idea Hatchery since September. These are small, intimate classes; this keeps the sessions low pressure and allows for some individual one-on-one instruction. If you’re feeling like you could be the next Matisse with a little guidance, sign yourself up for some of Cannon’s classes. 1108-C Woodland St., 615-4961259, www.johncannonart.com
KICKS FOR THE KIDS
UnBound Arts Presents 6 p.m. the third Thursday of each month, The Building
UnBound Arts has come up with a unique way to combine the worlds of visual and musical artists together in one evening. Each month the event seeks out intriguing artists and displays their work while musicians play a few sets of their best stuff. Think of it as a hybrid art opening/ live show. UnBound Arts is hoping to promote camaraderie, collaboration and fusion between the various disciplines of the arts. Come join in on this artistic amalgamation. Tickets are $10 at the door. 1008-C Woodland St., 615-300-7400
HONESTLY, OFFICER ...
Professor Smartypants 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, The Family Wash
It’s only appropriate that a venue named The Family Wash hosts a family night once a week. Every Wednesday, kids eat free at The Wash and Professor Smartypants hosts. They call him the “master of disguise and intrigue.” He tells jokes and sings songs, but his comedy isn’t just for the kiddies; parents will enjoy his humor, too. Professor Smartypants goes on at 6:30 p.m. sharp, so don’t be late. 2038 Greenwood Ave., 615-226-6070, www.familywash. com
East Nashville Crime Prevention meeting 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays, Beyond the Edge
Join your neighbors to talk about crime stats, trends and various other issues with East Precinct commander David Imhof and head of investigation Lt. Greg Blair. If you are new to the Eastside, get up to speed on criminal activity in the area. If you are a recent victim of crime, they want to hear your story. 112 S. 11th St., 615-226-3343
BRINGIN’ DOWN THE HOUSE
FARM FRESH
East Nashville Farmers Market, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Free Will Baptist Church
TROUBADOURS AND VIRTUOSOS UNITE
After-Hours Jams 7 p.m. Thursdays, The Fiddle House
The East Nashville Farmer’s Market will kick off again for another fresh season on May 8. Take a detour from your usual trek to Kroger and stop by. They offer the “cream of the crop” in locally grown organic and fresh foods. Peruse local cheeses, milk, breads, herbs, fruits, vegetables, jams and jellies. A few merchants even sell handmade goods, such as soaps, candles, pottery and jewelry. More than 30 vendors haul out to the lot beside Free Will Baptist Church to provide the Eastside with their fresh goods. Go out and meet the farmers who grow your food. They also accept SNAP (food stamp) benefits. Grocery shopping has never been this fun — or homegrown. The Farmer’s Market will run through the end of October. 210 S. 10th St., www.eastnashvillemarket.com
Every Thursday, The Fiddle House, a full-service acoustic string shop, keeps its doors open for an after-hours jam. Each week, they alternate between “old-time” and “bluegrass” sessions. Sometimes only a few fiddlers show up for the soirees, but other nights the House is packed out. If you like to pick or if you just want to hear a good jam, check this place out next time you’re free on Thursday night. All skill levels are welcome and this pickin’ parlor is free. The music kicks off at 7 p.m. and ends whenever they feel like calling it a night. 1009 Clearview Ave., 615730-8402, www.thefiddlehouse.com
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EAST SI D E C A L E N D A R
EAST SI D E C A L E N D A R
EAT (EAST) FOR THE CAUSE
Yum!East
5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 13, East-Centric Pavilion We know how to stir things up in the kitchen on the Eastside. Yum!East will showcase the culinary talents of the best restaurants, chefs, food artisans and specialty purveyors this side o’ the Cumberland. Most importantly, proceeds from the event will benefit Fannie Battle Day Home For Children. Tickets will cost $40 and it’s worth the bill. Admission will include an open bar, samples of food and drink from more than 30 East Nashville businesses and live music. You’ll even leave with a nifty souvenir glass. Tickets go on sale May 3 on the Yum!East website. 1006 Fatherland St., www.yumeast.com.
NOT THAT THERE’S ANYTHING WRONG WITH RUNNING
Gay 5K and Kids Fun 1 7:30 a.m. Saturday, June 22, Shelby Bottoms Greenway
Celebrate diversity at the 6th Annual Gay 5K and Kid’s Fun 1 Mile. Proceeds from the event benefit OutCentral Cultural Center. Entry fees are only $20 for the 5K and $10 for the Fun 1. Don’t want to get up early to run or walk? You can still support OutCentral — and receive a Gay 5K t-shirt — by registering for the “sleep-in” category. 1900 Davidson Street, http://outcentral.org
ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATO ART
FEST — important deadlines
May 1: Early Bird Deadline May 20: Notification of results emailed to Early Bird appliers July 1: Final Booth Deadline July 20: Notification of results emailed to those who applied prior to July 1 August 1: Booth assignments and set up info emailed
RECURRING STOP, SHOP AND SWAP FOR THE SONGSTERS
Nashville’s Musician’s Swap Meet 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. the first Sunday of each month, The Building
If you’re among the sea of musicians and songwriters in Nashville, you might want to drop in on the monthly Musician’s Swap Meet at The Building in 5 Points. The musically inclined gather to buy, sell and trade their gear. There’s always a smattering of various musical odds and ends — guitars, drums, amps, fiddles, horns, you name it. You’ll also find vinyl, artwork, clothing and other music-related memorabilia. This folky flea market of sorts is free and open to the public. Stop by, grab a coffee at Bongo Java, grub down at Drifter’s and check out the musical arsenal. If you’re interested in renting a booth for the swap, contact Dino Bradley at 615-593-7497, 1008-C Woodland Street.
SHAKE A LEG
Keep On Movin’ 10 p.m. until close Mondays, The 5 Spot
For those looking to hit the dance floor on Monday nights, The 5 Spot’s “Keep on Movin’” dance party is the place to be. This shindig keeps it real with old-school soul, funk and R&B. Don’t worry, you won’t hear Ke$ha — although you might see her — and you can leave your Apple Bottom jeans at home. 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. 1006 Forrest Ave., 615-650-9333, www. the5spotlive.com
rinc, y’all
Scott-Ellis School of Irish Dance 4:30 to 5 p.m. ages 3-6, and 5 to 5:45 p.m. ages 7 & up, Mondays, Eastwood Christian Church Fellowship Hall
You’re never too young — or too old — to kick out the
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May | June 2013
Gaelic jams with some Irish Step dancing. No experience, or partner, required. Just you, some enthusiasm and a heart of gold will have you dancing in the clover before you can say “leprechaun.” 1601 Eastland Ave., 615-3004388, www.scott-ellis.com
BLUEGRASS, BEER, BURGERS
Bluegrass Mondays with Johnny Campbell & the Bluegrass Drifters 8 p.m. until close on Mondays, Charlie Bob’s
It seems you can find some bluegrass on most any night in Music City these days. To cure your end of the weekend/ beginning of the week drag, head to Charlie Bob’s and bring your ax along. Watch the Bluegrass Drifters kick things off then join in on the pickin’ party afterward. Have a burger, buy a few beers and add a little grass to your Monday blues. Oh yeah, it’s also 50-cent wing night. 1330 Dickerson Pike, 615-262-2244, www.charliebobs.com
HAVE YOUR PIE AND DRINK A PINT, TOO
$10 Pint & Pie Night 6 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays, The Family Wash
Every Tuesday night at The Family Wash, you can score a pint of beer and a shepherd’s pie for just $10. The reigning music venue on the Eastside, The Wash is home to an abundance of good music, and on Tuesdays, the club plays host to the long-running songwriter series, Shortsets, hosted by Cole and Paul Slivka. They offer a wide selection of craft beer, and they even have a vegetarian shepherd’s pie for herbivores. So sit back and enjoy the show, along with your pint and pie. 2038 Greenwood Ave., 615-226-6070, www.familywash.com
FAT BOTTOM FOR YOUR BUCK
$10 Pint and Entrée Special 4 p.m. until close Tuesdays, Fat Bottom Brewery
Q: What’s better than a craft beer and a tasty meal? A: Cheap craft beer and a tasty meal. At Fat Bottom Brewery you can grab a pint of their liquid courage and an entrée for just $10 on Tuesdays. Peruse their beer garden and pick your poison; they’ve got plenty of options for the seasoned beer drinker. They’re always kegging fresh batches and pouring cold ones, so stop by to get your fix. 900 Main St., www.fatbottombrewing.com
TELL ME A STORY
East Side Storytellin’ 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of each month, Fat Bottom Brewery
Looking for something to get your creative juices flowing? East Side Story has got you covered. They’ve partnered with WAMB radio and Fat Bottom to present an all-out affair with book readings, musical performances and author/musician interviews all in one evening. They host this lovely event twice each month, usually on the first and third Tuesday. Check the website to see who the guests of honor will be for each performance. The event is free, but you’ll have to reserve a spot by calling ahead. 900 Main St., 615-262-5346, www.eastsidestorytn.com
A FIDDLE OF THIS AND A FIDDLE OF THAT
Old Time Jam 7 p.m. until close Wednesdays, The 5 Spot
The 5 Spot’s weekly “Old Time Jam” is a musical call to arms for all of East Nashville’s pickers and grinners. Bring your acoustic weapon of choice to play with the menagerie of musicians who turn up each Wednesday night. Share tunes and swap stories with the regulars. This bluegrass ball isn’t just for musicians though. Even if you can’t strum a chord, you can sit back and enjoy the rootsy jams. Three is no cover and beers are discounted a buck. 1006 Forrest Ave., 615-650-9333, www.the5spotlive.com
LEND ME YOUR EAR
Supper and Song 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Sky Blue Café
The neighborhood restaurant Sky Blue Café has begun opening its doors in the evening for the dinner crowd. Audrey Auld, an Australian singer-songwriter, saw this as an opportunity to liven up the café with some tunes. Auld is a country/Americana performer and each week she plays and invites other musicians to join in on the fun. Stop in, savor a good meal with some beer, wine or coffee and enjoy the music. There is no cover and dinner is served till 11 p.m. 700 Fatherland St., 615-770-7097, www. skybluecoffee.com
ART IS FOR EVERYONE
John Cannon Fine Art classes 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays, The Idea Hatchery
If you’ve been filling in coloring book pages for years but you’re too intimidated to put actual paint to canvas, it might be time you give it a try. Local artist John Cannon has been teaching art classes at The Idea Hatchery since September. These are small, intimate classes; this keeps the sessions low pressure and allows for some individual one-on-one instruction. If you’re feeling like you could be the next Matisse with a little guidance, sign yourself up for some of Cannon’s classes. 1108-C Woodland St., 615-4961259, www.johncannonart.com
KICKS FOR THE KIDS
UnBound Arts Presents 6 p.m. the third Thursday of each month, The Building
UnBound Arts has come up with a unique way to combine the worlds of visual and musical artists together in one evening. Each month the event seeks out intriguing artists and displays their work while musicians play a few sets of their best stuff. Think of it as a hybrid art opening/ live show. UnBound Arts is hoping to promote camaraderie, collaboration and fusion between the various disciplines of the arts. Come join in on this artistic amalgamation. Tickets are $10 at the door. 1008-C Woodland St., 615-300-7400
HONESTLY, OFFICER ...
Professor Smartypants 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, The Family Wash
It’s only appropriate that a venue named The Family Wash hosts a family night once a week. Every Wednesday, kids eat free at The Wash and Professor Smartypants hosts. They call him the “master of disguise and intrigue.” He tells jokes and sings songs, but his comedy isn’t just for the kiddies; parents will enjoy his humor, too. Professor Smartypants goes on at 6:30 p.m. sharp, so don’t be late. 2038 Greenwood Ave., 615-226-6070, www.familywash. com
East Nashville Crime Prevention meeting 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays, Beyond the Edge
Join your neighbors to talk about crime stats, trends and various other issues with East Precinct commander David Imhof and head of investigation Lt. Greg Blair. If you are new to the Eastside, get up to speed on criminal activity in the area. If you are a recent victim of crime, they want to hear your story. 112 S. 11th St., 615-226-3343
BRINGIN’ DOWN THE HOUSE
FARM FRESH
East Nashville Farmers Market, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Free Will Baptist Church
TROUBADOURS AND VIRTUOSOS UNITE
After-Hours Jams 7 p.m. Thursdays, The Fiddle House
The East Nashville Farmer’s Market will kick off again for another fresh season on May 8. Take a detour from your usual trek to Kroger and stop by. They offer the “cream of the crop” in locally grown organic and fresh foods. Peruse local cheeses, milk, breads, herbs, fruits, vegetables, jams and jellies. A few merchants even sell handmade goods, such as soaps, candles, pottery and jewelry. More than 30 vendors haul out to the lot beside Free Will Baptist Church to provide the Eastside with their fresh goods. Go out and meet the farmers who grow your food. They also accept SNAP (food stamp) benefits. Grocery shopping has never been this fun — or homegrown. The Farmer’s Market will run through the end of October. 210 S. 10th St., www.eastnashvillemarket.com
Every Thursday, The Fiddle House, a full-service acoustic string shop, keeps its doors open for an after-hours jam. Each week, they alternate between “old-time” and “bluegrass” sessions. Sometimes only a few fiddlers show up for the soirees, but other nights the House is packed out. If you like to pick or if you just want to hear a good jam, check this place out next time you’re free on Thursday night. All skill levels are welcome and this pickin’ parlor is free. The music kicks off at 7 p.m. and ends whenever they feel like calling it a night. 1009 Clearview Ave., 615730-8402, www.thefiddlehouse.com
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EAST SI D E C A L E N D A R
EAST SI D E C A L E N D A R
PALAVER RECORDS POWOW
CHICKS AND GIGGLES
Palaver Thursday Showcase 9 p.m. Thursdays, FooBar Too
Looking to hear some fresh new tunes without paying a pretty penny to do it? Head over to FooBar on Thursday nights — East Nasty-based record label Palaver Records hosts a weekly showcase to promote both local and traveling acts. It gives them a chance to scout performers, bands an opportunity to promote themselves, and gives music lovers a cheap show to catch during the week (only $3 at the door—you can’t beat that in Music City). You can see an array of different genres from week to week, and the beer always flows easy at Foo with $3 drafts. 2511 Gallatin Road, www.palaverrecords.com
PARTY AT THE PAVILION
Pavilion, Brews and Jams 5 p.m. the first Friday of each month, East-Centric Pavilion
Girl on Girl Comedy 8 p.m. the last Friday of each month, Mad Donna’s
Once a month, Mad Donna’s hosts a standup comedy series, Girl on Girl Comedy. Nearly all the performers are women, although sometimes a guy is brave enough to take the stage. Girl on Girl is the brainchild of Christy Eidson, who hosts the show. Eidson has been doing comedy for more than 10 years. Once in awhile, they mix things up a bit with music, burlesque and the occasional male pole dancer. They even hand out prizes. Be forewarned: This is an R-rated event, so if you can’t handle anything raunchy or risqué, Girl on Girl is not for you. The show is 18 and up. Admission is $10 a head or $15 for couples. Show up early, snag a good seat and have a nice dinner before the debauchery begins. 1313 Woodland St., 615-226-1617, www.maddonnas.com
GET YOUR CREEP ON
East-Centric is hosting its own signature party, Pavilion, Brews and Jams (PB&J). The first Friday of each month they’ll invite everyone out to enjoy some good tunes, good ale and good vibes. There will be a music jam session with a mixture of local artists each month and plenty of cold brewskies to go around. Tune in to their website and Facebook page to see which artists will be playing the bill and what the cover will run you. 1006 Fatherland St., www.east-centric.com
The Cult Fiction Underground 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Logue’s Black Raven Emporium
The Cult Fiction Underground is housed beneath Robert Logue’s Black Raven Emporium off Gallatin Road. Every weekend they host screenings of rare and classic horror and cult films under the shop for $5. There is a gothic-style bar and lounge area downstairs also, so you can socialize and have a drink before (or after) the film. The dim basement creates an intimate gathering space for cult and horror fans. It looks like the kind of place Edgar Allen Poe might’ve stumbled out of over 150 years ago. The entrance is behind the building and parking is free. Check out Black Raven’s Facebook page to see what films they’re screening each week. 2915 Gallatin Road, 615-562-4710
PUMP UP THE BASS
Serum: Bass Night Dance Party 9 p.m. third Saturday of every month, The East Room
You want to feel that floor-shakin’, eardrum-poundin’ bass? Well the East Room has got your fix. The third Saturday of each month they’ll host the Serum crew, who will be serving up the finest in bass-heavy electronic music. You’ll hear the most bumpin’ and brightest of Dubstep, Drum ‘n’ Bass, House and Techno. Put on your dancing shoes, grab some glow sticks and maybe some earplugs. 2412 Gallatin Road, www.facebook.com/TheEastRoom
STRAIGHT FROM THE GARDEN
East Nashville Christian Ministry Garden Market 9 a.m to 12 p.m. Saturdays, Main Street Cooperative Garden
Beginning in mid-May, East Nashville Christian Ministry will be opening the gates to its garden for a fresh market each weekend. They will sell ENCM-grown organic biodynamic produce, herbs and flowers, along with products form local artisans and produce from Six Boots Collective. Get fresh. Get local. 807 Main St., www.growingourfuture.blogspot.com.
POTLUCKIN’ FOR GREEN THUMBS
City Gardeners’ Gathering 4 to 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month, Main Street Cooperative Garden
Gardeners and growers around the area unite! East Nashville Christian Ministry City Gardeners have been meeting up to learn the basics of organic city gardening and homesteading. For the 2013 growing season they will host monthly potlucks to continue to learn more about the ins and outs of gardening. Bring your own dish to share with the crowd; fresh, organically grown vegetarian dishes are preferred but not required. All city gardeners welcome! Bring your favorite gardening books, best ideas and photos of your work to share. 807 Main St., www. growingourfuture.blogspot.com
NEIGHBORHOOD
MEETINGS & EVENTS Shelby Hills Neighborhood Association
6:30 p.m. third Monday of every month, Shelby Community Center 401 S. 20th St., www.shelbyhills.org
Eastwood Neighbors
Greenwood Neighborhood Asso- MOMS Club of ciation East Nashville
6 p.m. second Tuesday of every month, House on the Hill
909 Manila St., www.greenwoodneighbors.org
East Nashville Caucus
5 p.m. first Wednesday of every month, Metro Police East Precinct
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 three 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, cover regular business items of the organization including upcoming service initiatives and activ-
ities, and also allow women to discuss the ins and outs, ups and downs of being a mother with other women. Visit www.momsclubeast.blogspot.com to determine which MOMS group your residence falls under. Inglewood: 10 a.m. (email inglewoodmoms@gmail. com for location) Lockeland: 10 a.m. East Park Community Center, 600 Woodland St. Eastwood: contact chapter for time and location If you have an event you would like to have listed, please send information about the event to calendar@theeastnashvillian.com.
The East Nashville Caucus provides a public forum for East Nashville community leaders, representatives, council members and neighbors. 936 E. Trinity Lane
Chamber East
7:15 to 9 a.m. first Wednesday of every month, location TBD.
The Chamber East meets every month for a networking coffee to discuss community updates and how to grow and improve the East Nashville area. 711 S. 11th St.
Cleveland Park Neighborhood Association 6:30 p.m. second Thursday of every month, Cleveland
Park Community Center 610 N. Sixth St., www.facebook.com/groups/ClevelandPark
Inglewood Neighborhood Association
7 p.m. first Thursday of every month, Isaac Litton Alumni Center
4500 Gallatin Road, www.inglewoodrna.org
McFerrin Neighborhood Association
6:30 p.m. first Thursday of every month, McFerrin Park Community Center 301 Berry St.
Rosebank Neighbors
6:30 p.m. third Thursday of every month, Memorial Lutheran Church 1211 Riverside Drive
Dickerson Road Merchants Association
4 p.m. last Thursday of every month, Metro Police East Precinct
936 E. Trinity Lane, www.dickersonroadmerchants.com
6:30 p.m. second Tuesday of every other month, Eastwood Christian Church
1601 Eastland Ave., www.eastwoodneighbors.org
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May | June 2013
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
67
EAST SI D E C A L E N D A R
EAST SI D E C A L E N D A R
PALAVER RECORDS POWOW
CHICKS AND GIGGLES
Palaver Thursday Showcase 9 p.m. Thursdays, FooBar Too
Looking to hear some fresh new tunes without paying a pretty penny to do it? Head over to FooBar on Thursday nights — East Nasty-based record label Palaver Records hosts a weekly showcase to promote both local and traveling acts. It gives them a chance to scout performers, bands an opportunity to promote themselves, and gives music lovers a cheap show to catch during the week (only $3 at the door—you can’t beat that in Music City). You can see an array of different genres from week to week, and the beer always flows easy at Foo with $3 drafts. 2511 Gallatin Road, www.palaverrecords.com
PARTY AT THE PAVILION
Pavilion, Brews and Jams 5 p.m. the first Friday of each month, East-Centric Pavilion
Girl on Girl Comedy 8 p.m. the last Friday of each month, Mad Donna’s
Once a month, Mad Donna’s hosts a standup comedy series, Girl on Girl Comedy. Nearly all the performers are women, although sometimes a guy is brave enough to take the stage. Girl on Girl is the brainchild of Christy Eidson, who hosts the show. Eidson has been doing comedy for more than 10 years. Once in awhile, they mix things up a bit with music, burlesque and the occasional male pole dancer. They even hand out prizes. Be forewarned: This is an R-rated event, so if you can’t handle anything raunchy or risqué, Girl on Girl is not for you. The show is 18 and up. Admission is $10 a head or $15 for couples. Show up early, snag a good seat and have a nice dinner before the debauchery begins. 1313 Woodland St., 615-226-1617, www.maddonnas.com
GET YOUR CREEP ON
East-Centric is hosting its own signature party, Pavilion, Brews and Jams (PB&J). The first Friday of each month they’ll invite everyone out to enjoy some good tunes, good ale and good vibes. There will be a music jam session with a mixture of local artists each month and plenty of cold brewskies to go around. Tune in to their website and Facebook page to see which artists will be playing the bill and what the cover will run you. 1006 Fatherland St., www.east-centric.com
The Cult Fiction Underground 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Logue’s Black Raven Emporium
The Cult Fiction Underground is housed beneath Robert Logue’s Black Raven Emporium off Gallatin Road. Every weekend they host screenings of rare and classic horror and cult films under the shop for $5. There is a gothic-style bar and lounge area downstairs also, so you can socialize and have a drink before (or after) the film. The dim basement creates an intimate gathering space for cult and horror fans. It looks like the kind of place Edgar Allen Poe might’ve stumbled out of over 150 years ago. The entrance is behind the building and parking is free. Check out Black Raven’s Facebook page to see what films they’re screening each week. 2915 Gallatin Road, 615-562-4710
PUMP UP THE BASS
Serum: Bass Night Dance Party 9 p.m. third Saturday of every month, The East Room
You want to feel that floor-shakin’, eardrum-poundin’ bass? Well the East Room has got your fix. The third Saturday of each month they’ll host the Serum crew, who will be serving up the finest in bass-heavy electronic music. You’ll hear the most bumpin’ and brightest of Dubstep, Drum ‘n’ Bass, House and Techno. Put on your dancing shoes, grab some glow sticks and maybe some earplugs. 2412 Gallatin Road, www.facebook.com/TheEastRoom
STRAIGHT FROM THE GARDEN
East Nashville Christian Ministry Garden Market 9 a.m to 12 p.m. Saturdays, Main Street Cooperative Garden
Beginning in mid-May, East Nashville Christian Ministry will be opening the gates to its garden for a fresh market each weekend. They will sell ENCM-grown organic biodynamic produce, herbs and flowers, along with products form local artisans and produce from Six Boots Collective. Get fresh. Get local. 807 Main St., www.growingourfuture.blogspot.com.
POTLUCKIN’ FOR GREEN THUMBS
City Gardeners’ Gathering 4 to 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month, Main Street Cooperative Garden
Gardeners and growers around the area unite! East Nashville Christian Ministry City Gardeners have been meeting up to learn the basics of organic city gardening and homesteading. For the 2013 growing season they will host monthly potlucks to continue to learn more about the ins and outs of gardening. Bring your own dish to share with the crowd; fresh, organically grown vegetarian dishes are preferred but not required. All city gardeners welcome! Bring your favorite gardening books, best ideas and photos of your work to share. 807 Main St., www. growingourfuture.blogspot.com
NEIGHBORHOOD
MEETINGS & EVENTS Shelby Hills Neighborhood Association
6:30 p.m. third Monday of every month, Shelby Community Center 401 S. 20th St., www.shelbyhills.org
Eastwood Neighbors
Greenwood Neighborhood Asso- MOMS Club of ciation East Nashville
6 p.m. second Tuesday of every month, House on the Hill
909 Manila St., www.greenwoodneighbors.org
East Nashville Caucus
5 p.m. first Wednesday of every month, Metro Police East Precinct
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 three 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, cover regular business items of the organization including upcoming service initiatives and activ-
ities, and also allow women to discuss the ins and outs, ups and downs of being a mother with other women. Visit www.momsclubeast.blogspot.com to determine which MOMS group your residence falls under. Inglewood: 10 a.m. (email inglewoodmoms@gmail. com for location) Lockeland: 10 a.m. East Park Community Center, 600 Woodland St. Eastwood: contact chapter for time and location If you have an event you would like to have listed, please send information about the event to calendar@theeastnashvillian.com.
The East Nashville Caucus provides a public forum for East Nashville community leaders, representatives, council members and neighbors. 936 E. Trinity Lane
Chamber East
7:15 to 9 a.m. first Wednesday of every month, location TBD.
The Chamber East meets every month for a networking coffee to discuss community updates and how to grow and improve the East Nashville area. 711 S. 11th St.
Cleveland Park Neighborhood Association 6:30 p.m. second Thursday of every month, Cleveland
Park Community Center 610 N. Sixth St., www.facebook.com/groups/ClevelandPark
Inglewood Neighborhood Association
7 p.m. first Thursday of every month, Isaac Litton Alumni Center
4500 Gallatin Road, www.inglewoodrna.org
McFerrin Neighborhood Association
6:30 p.m. first Thursday of every month, McFerrin Park Community Center 301 Berry St.
Rosebank Neighbors
6:30 p.m. third Thursday of every month, Memorial Lutheran Church 1211 Riverside Drive
Dickerson Road Merchants Association
4 p.m. last Thursday of every month, Metro Police East Precinct
936 E. Trinity Lane, www.dickersonroadmerchants.com
6:30 p.m. second Tuesday of every other month, Eastwood Christian Church
1601 Eastland Ave., www.eastwoodneighbors.org
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May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
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marketplace
marketplace
TM
We’ve moved on up. To the East Side.
now in East Nashville 224 S. 11th Street (at Fatherland) near Five Points formerly in The Mall at Green Hills 615-329-3959 • www.specsnashville.com • info@specsnashville.com
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THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
69
marketplace
marketplace
TM
We’ve moved on up. To the East Side.
now in East Nashville 224 S. 11th Street (at Fatherland) near Five Points formerly in The Mall at Green Hills 615-329-3959 • www.specsnashville.com • info@specsnashville.com
68
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
69
marketplace
marketplace
at parris printing it’s about your needs. your message. your
style 3 Independent Law Practices 1 Neighborhood Location
Look for the Blue Door The Law Offices of Andrew Caple-Shaw The Law Offices of Robbie H. Bell The Law Offices of Clayton Thomas Wraith
michael lundholm
(615) 727-1231 michael@parrisprinting.com
(615) 800-2348 307 N. 16th Street 37206 Walk-Ins Welcome
East side fish???
70
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
Parris
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
71
marketplace
marketplace
at parris printing it’s about your needs. your message. your
style 3 Independent Law Practices 1 Neighborhood Location
Look for the Blue Door The Law Offices of Andrew Caple-Shaw The Law Offices of Robbie H. Bell The Law Offices of Clayton Thomas Wraith
michael lundholm
(615) 727-1231 michael@parrisprinting.com
(615) 800-2348 307 N. 16th Street 37206 Walk-Ins Welcome
East side fish???
70
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
Parris
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
71
East of normal By Tommy Womack “Dear Mom,”
I
t was really good to see you today. In the face you’re peaceful, and there’s still a glimmer in your eyes. You knew me when you saw me. You might not have been able to place me or come up with a name, but you knew I was somebody from your life. The one you had before wheelchairs and nursing homes, when you could still read your bible, still talk to me on the telephone, still remember who I am. Your friendliness astounds me. You could run for office. You have a remarkable facility for having never met a stranger even when you have no idea who anyone is. You have a smile for everybody, even as you introduce my sister to the nurse as your youngest grand baby. Every time you meet me for the first time, you charm my socks off because you’re so darn happy to meet me. My son comes forward to greet you; you take a gander at his T-shirt and exclaim, “The Ramones! I love ‘em!” Gabba gabba hey! We accept you, one of us. You’re ninety years old today. Ninety years. I wonder what sort of wisdom a person might possess at ninety that transcends faulty cognitive wiring. This I know: Your sense of humor is razor sharp. You laugh at me every time I make a funny face and every time I don’t as well. You say, “I’m sure glad you’re here.” Sometimes I wish you’d throw a “son” in there, but you don’t — and you aren’t going to. Deep down it doesn’t matter. You know you know me. Somehow. The details aren’t important. You’re here. I’m here. We’re together. That alone is precious as perfect jade. You don’t carry around your bible everywhere anymore. I don’t know what your concept of God is now, or if you’re wired into the godhead in a way I can’t conceive of. Looking into your eyes now is like looking into a baby’s — or a puppy’s. There’s no way to tell what’s on your mind and no way for you to tell me; not that it seems to distress you. Indeed, you radiate more contentment now than you ever have. They say living well is the best revenge. The pain’s gone now. When you were 9 or 10 years old, sitting at the table in a sharecropper’s shotgun shack, your own father fixed you with a withering gaze and, without prelude, hissed, “You’re about the ugliest thing I ever did see!” And then he
stormed out the front door. You smiled because you were sure it was a joke and sure he’d poke his smiling face back inside the door and let you know he was joking. But he wasn’t joking, and he didn’t come back. A life that was already hard got harder. At 16 you married Dad. The honeymoon was awkward, maybe non-existent. You wound up in the bedroom, and a slick-haired 20-year-old version of my father ignored you, sat down on the edge of the bed, removed his socks and started digging at his toenail with his pocketknife, utterly shutting you out. As the minutes dragged by you eventually put on your nightgown and went to bed with him showing you his back. Years went by. You’d think with a preacher for a husband that a dinnertime bible study and devotional would be a no-brainer, but Dad shot that down pretty fast. “I don’t see no point in prayin’ just ‘cause it’s dinnertime!” he declared. Okay, then. You’ve outlived them all. We buried Dad 13 years ago, and, for many years after, heaven help the unfortunate soul who brought up his name! That was asking for an hour dissertation. Now that doesn’t happen. He’s deader than he’s ever been. The last time you mentioned Dad was three or four years ago when you encouraged me to stop by the house and see him because he was lonely. I went along with it. Sure, Mom, I’ll stop by and see him. I’m 50 years old now. I don’t feel 50. I don’t even know what it’s supposed to feel like. I get the impression that you don’t feel 90 either. Call it a hunch. It’s been four or five years since we’ve had a proper mother-son conversation of the sort where I’d be able to pour my heart out to the only mom I’ve got. That’s not going to happen again. But even though I know that, I still know I’m going to fall apart when you arrive at your great gettin’ up morning — when it’s final, done, and I’ll never again see your smiling, fearless face, so happy to see me, whoever I am. I love you. Tommy
MAY 30 - JUNE 1
Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Two of the classical music world’s brightest stars, Edgar Meyer and Joshua Bell, perform a brand-new double concerto.
BUY TICKETS AT:
NashvilleSymphony.org 615.687.6400 72
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
CLASSICAL SERIES
CONCERT SPONSOR
CREATION PARTNER
Artwork by Nashville-based illustrator Lauren Rolwing. See moreMay of her LaurenRolwing.com. | Junework 2013 at THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
73
East of normal By Tommy Womack “Dear Mom,”
I
t was really good to see you today. In the face you’re peaceful, and there’s still a glimmer in your eyes. You knew me when you saw me. You might not have been able to place me or come up with a name, but you knew I was somebody from your life. The one you had before wheelchairs and nursing homes, when you could still read your bible, still talk to me on the telephone, still remember who I am. Your friendliness astounds me. You could run for office. You have a remarkable facility for having never met a stranger even when you have no idea who anyone is. You have a smile for everybody, even as you introduce my sister to the nurse as your youngest grand baby. Every time you meet me for the first time, you charm my socks off because you’re so darn happy to meet me. My son comes forward to greet you; you take a gander at his T-shirt and exclaim, “The Ramones! I love ‘em!” Gabba gabba hey! We accept you, one of us. You’re ninety years old today. Ninety years. I wonder what sort of wisdom a person might possess at ninety that transcends faulty cognitive wiring. This I know: Your sense of humor is razor sharp. You laugh at me every time I make a funny face and every time I don’t as well. You say, “I’m sure glad you’re here.” Sometimes I wish you’d throw a “son” in there, but you don’t — and you aren’t going to. Deep down it doesn’t matter. You know you know me. Somehow. The details aren’t important. You’re here. I’m here. We’re together. That alone is precious as perfect jade. You don’t carry around your bible everywhere anymore. I don’t know what your concept of God is now, or if you’re wired into the godhead in a way I can’t conceive of. Looking into your eyes now is like looking into a baby’s — or a puppy’s. There’s no way to tell what’s on your mind and no way for you to tell me; not that it seems to distress you. Indeed, you radiate more contentment now than you ever have. They say living well is the best revenge. The pain’s gone now. When you were 9 or 10 years old, sitting at the table in a sharecropper’s shotgun shack, your own father fixed you with a withering gaze and, without prelude, hissed, “You’re about the ugliest thing I ever did see!” And then he
stormed out the front door. You smiled because you were sure it was a joke and sure he’d poke his smiling face back inside the door and let you know he was joking. But he wasn’t joking, and he didn’t come back. A life that was already hard got harder. At 16 you married Dad. The honeymoon was awkward, maybe non-existent. You wound up in the bedroom, and a slick-haired 20-year-old version of my father ignored you, sat down on the edge of the bed, removed his socks and started digging at his toenail with his pocketknife, utterly shutting you out. As the minutes dragged by you eventually put on your nightgown and went to bed with him showing you his back. Years went by. You’d think with a preacher for a husband that a dinnertime bible study and devotional would be a no-brainer, but Dad shot that down pretty fast. “I don’t see no point in prayin’ just ‘cause it’s dinnertime!” he declared. Okay, then. You’ve outlived them all. We buried Dad 13 years ago, and, for many years after, heaven help the unfortunate soul who brought up his name! That was asking for an hour dissertation. Now that doesn’t happen. He’s deader than he’s ever been. The last time you mentioned Dad was three or four years ago when you encouraged me to stop by the house and see him because he was lonely. I went along with it. Sure, Mom, I’ll stop by and see him. I’m 50 years old now. I don’t feel 50. I don’t even know what it’s supposed to feel like. I get the impression that you don’t feel 90 either. Call it a hunch. It’s been four or five years since we’ve had a proper mother-son conversation of the sort where I’d be able to pour my heart out to the only mom I’ve got. That’s not going to happen again. But even though I know that, I still know I’m going to fall apart when you arrive at your great gettin’ up morning — when it’s final, done, and I’ll never again see your smiling, fearless face, so happy to see me, whoever I am. I love you. Tommy
MAY 30 - JUNE 1
Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Two of the classical music world’s brightest stars, Edgar Meyer and Joshua Bell, perform a brand-new double concerto.
BUY TICKETS AT:
NashvilleSymphony.org 615.687.6400 72
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
CLASSICAL SERIES
CONCERT SPONSOR
CREATION PARTNER
Artwork by Nashville-based illustrator Lauren Rolwing. See moreMay of her LaurenRolwing.com. | Junework 2013 at THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
73
PARTING S H OT
Brittany Howard/thunderbitch palaver records showcase foobar thursday april 26 Photograph by Ellen junglen
74
THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
May | June 2013
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
75
PARTING S H OT
Brittany Howard/thunderbitch palaver records showcase foobar thursday april 26 Photograph by Ellen junglen
74
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May | June 2013
May | June 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
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May | June 2013