Just a couple of weeks ago, I decided my new strategy for First Friday was to hit fewer places and try to really enjoy those as opposed to skimming so many I couldn’t remember them all until I reviewed the photographs. That plan didn’t make it through this week. There were just too many places I wanted to visit.
Urban Woman and I decided to eat very early, since a sit-down restaurant with a First Friday crowd can easily mean missing most of the events and openings just to eat. And who wants to cram your food in just to rush away? So, around 4:45 we ordered “Parisian” crepes at the French Market, which are their traditional ham and cheese crepes, grilled to make them a bit more crunchy. We brought our own wine and paid a two dollar corkage fee. I don’t mind a little fee, I suppose, but I’ve never understood that completely. I brought my own bottle and glasses and the bottle had been opened and capped at home. Not enough to worry me, but still, I don’t get it.
After a delicious crepe paired with people watching from the outdoor seating, we stopped by our home for one of us (not me) to freshen-up our make-up. Shaft joined us for the walk over to the KMA’s Alive After Five which featured Blue Mother Tupelo, one of my absolute favorite bands. I’ve written extensively about them before, so you can go back and read that post if you missed it, but I will say that they sounded as great and put on the charm as much as ever. I’m glad to see them coming through downtown more often these days. Downtown personality, Lincoln, played the part of bouncer. Very well done, Lincoln.
One of the fun things about Alive After Five, of course, is watching the dancers. I particularly enjoy seeing older people dance with younger people, children dancing and the random person who simply has none of the inhibition that haunts me. It was difficult toleave after one set because BMT is so incredible, but it being First Friday, other events called.
We had to take Shaft to The Tree and Vine, which had a line of customers when we arrived. I met Steve Lareau, the artist responsible for the great computer-generated art on exhibit there. I’d encourage you to stop by and see it. The very complicated process is just now becoming possible through technology to achieve the effect he has sought for years. It’s really remarkable. Steve also is a one man show at the Knoxvillle First Friday website in which he attempts to list every art opening downtown on First Fridays.
Rain threatening, Urban Woman declared it a night and Shaft and I moved on alone. Tinah stopped on the sidewalk and did a 180 to join us. After confirming that Halerin Hill had arrived at the Arcade Building approximately fourteen hours before us and I got that event all mixed up, we walked to Sapphire for free rum and art. I got to meet artist Kristin Kendall, whose painting I’d posted on this site before. She is a delight and her art is excellent, so I’d encourage you to check it out. I love this particular painting.
Tinah peeled off at this point and Shaft and I stopped in to see Larry Crowell, who had a showing of his beer hats at Gallery 133. Larry’s a great all-around-guy who I first photographed for the blog two years ago sporting one of his, now classic, hats. He loves music as much as I do, so we see each other at shows all the time. Who knew when I first spotted him and his hat that he’d become a recognized artist on down the line?
We stopped in briefly at 2 Many Pixels to see the photography exhibit there, which is always enjoyable, then met Kevin and Melinda at the entrance to the Emporium only to have the lights start flashing indicating that 9:00 PM approached and we all needed to go home and get into bed. Have I mentioned that I hate the fact that First Friday ends about the time it should be getting cranked up? 11:00 PM is so much more sensible. Does New York City shut down at 9:00 PM? I don’t think so. We’ll have to work on that.
I’d heard that the Emporium had stopped offering wine due to complaints, and that possibly some other places had done the same. I never made it far enough into the Emporium to investigate, but that just seems crazy. I’ve never seen anyone drunk or out-of-control from the Chardonnay, so I just don’t get it.
First Friday officially ended, we walked to the Casual Pint where I finally got to meet Ratchet, one of Knoxville’s preeminent authorities on craft beer (see his site under my “Important Links,” above). I settled on a great cherry cola in a bottle that looked enough like a beer bottle that I could blend right into the crowd and do a fairly good imitation of a real man. A table by the window sat empty just waiting for us and it’s as pleasant a place as I had imagined. I will say that the same complaint that has been made about Suttree’s is true at Casual Pint: When it is packed, it is loud.
Shaft split off for home around 10:00 and I decided to get some coffee at the Bistro at the Bijou and listen to Kukuly, but it was packed and the crowd there was so loud I couldn’t hear her. I wandered down the street planning to get coffee and sit outside Coolato Gelato and listen to jazz. The line stretched the length of the shop and I left for Coffee and Chocolate which, naturally, had a line to the door. I walked down Gay Street, still teeming with life: Suttree’s was packed and I spoke to Anne and Matt who had taken refuge on the sidewalk for a little break. Sky Bar sat virtually empty. I even walked downstairs to the very cool bar on that level and it was the same. What’s wrong with that place?
At last, my feet hurt, my old eyes grew heavy and I walked home. Another fun First Friday passed and maybe, just maybe the next one will be a bit cooler. Here’s hoping. I hope you enjoyed your night, as much as I enjoyed mine.