Culture
The Art of Looking: ‘Reflection: Between Surface & Self’ Opens Friday at Lilienthal Gallery
What if a mirror wasn’t interested in telling you the truth? That question lies at the heart of Reflection: Between Surface and Self, a new exhibition opening this Friday, July 17, at Lilienthal Gallery. Featuring work...
Whose Comedy Scene Is It Anyway? + The Hoot in the Holler Comedy Festival
Throughout my exploration of the comedy scene in Knoxville, I’ve observed that many stand-up or improv shows begin with a question. For the second half of this series on comedy in Knoxville, I dove into a...
Did You Hear the One About the Comedy Scene in Knoxville?
I like to laugh. Most of us do, especially these days. And, honestly, it’s just good for you, improving immune response and mood. Recently, I became interested in Knoxville’s comedy scene, inspired by a night at...
Three Cultural Collaborations We’re Excited About
It’s always encouraging to see Knoxville’s arts and culture organizations finding ways to work together. A rising tide lifts all boats; collaboration can expand audiences and often produces experiences that wouldn’t happen otherwise. Recently, three partnerships...
Business
Geek Spaces of Knoxville: The Comic Book Shops
Spinning off from our Urban Outposts series, this shorter series, rather than our normal geographic lens, will focus thematically on fandom-based businesses. Knoxville definitively punches above its weight in the “geek spaces” arena (geek is currently...
Much Ado in North Knox: Businesses Incoming Along Broadway & Central
Last week I was pleased to share some happy news from Happy Holler as the new flower shop/cocktail bar Stem To Stem officially opened in the former Raven Records space. A couple weeks before that, I...
Stem To Stem Opens in Happy Holler, Pairing Flowers & Cocktails
At certain times of day, the new disco ball hanging above the entrance to Stem To Stem turns Happy Holler into its own tiny light show. Sunlight catches the mirrored facets, scattering flecks of rose-gold through...
Urban Outposts: Burger Boys Is Back in Town
Andre Bryant is having a full circle moment as Burger Boys has opened its new location at 3000 North Broadway today, July 6 (drive-thru only for now; dining room should be open by Friday). If getting...
Development
Major New Development Proposed Adjacent to Covenant Health Park (+ Updates on Kerbela Temple & Jonathan’s Grille)
A new, large-scale residential development is being proposed adjacent to the east side of Yardley Flats and Covenant Health Park. I took a deep dive into the proposal and discovered the new building will be a...
Vision at Knoxville ‘Really Hoping’ for a Fall Opening
The trapezoid-shaped, Brutalist architectural fever dream perched high above the river at 501 E. Hill Ave. is one of those places that seems to fascinate everyone. The lore surrounding it is nearly as distinctive as the...
Holiday Inn Express Opens in Walnut Building + a Sneak Peek Inside Yassin’s
The new Holiday Inn Express on the corner of Walnut and W. Church Avenue has been quietly open for a couple weeks. I stopped by inside the “Walnut Building” yesterday to have a look around. This...
Historic Greenlee’s Bike Shop Property Has New Owner
As of today the property at 1402 N. Broadway, best known as the longtime home of “Greenlee’s Bicycle Hospital,” has a new owner. Buyer Poovindran Pillay already has a stake in the corridor, having last year...
Events
10-Day Downtown-ish Planner: July 26-Aug. 4
Welcome to the 10-Day Planner! If you want your event included, please create a Facebook event, invite editor Leslie Wylie Bateman via the “invite” button on the event page, and it will be included. We need...
10-Day Downtown-ish Planner: July 19-28
Welcome to the 10-Day Planner! If you want your event included, please create a Facebook event, invite editor Leslie Wylie Bateman via the “invite” button on the event page, and it will be included. We need...
10-Day Downtown-ish Planner: July 12-21
Welcome to the 10-Day Planner! If you want your event included, please create a Facebook event, invite editor Leslie Wylie Bateman via the “invite” button on the event page, and it will be included. We need...
10-Day Downtown-ish Planner: July 5-14
Welcome to the 10-Day Planner! If you want your event included, please create a Facebook event, invite editor Leslie Wylie Bateman via the “invite” button on the event page, and it will be included. We need...
Life
911 Calls from Broadway’s Mission District Have Dropped 32%. Why?
It’s not unusual to see an ambulance parked along the stretch of Broadway around the I-40 overpass, lights flashing. It’s one of those scenes that has become part of the downtown landscape, though no less sobering...
Ghost Walking the Streets of Knoxville: Staub’s Opera House & the Colonial Hotel on the 800 Block of Gay
If one had the opportunity to travel back in time, anytime in Knoxville’s history, and choose a particularly memorable day, you may not go far wrong in selecting Tuesday, October 1, 1872. The occasion: the grand...
20 Years After the Raid, Scott West Releases ‘Smoke Rings: A Scruffy City Novel’
Twenty years ago this morning—July 16, 2006—I was sitting on the wall beside Tomato Head, trying not to cry as the love of my life and I broke up. As we stared at the bricks and...
Reflecting on Knoxville’s Bicentennial Celebration & Other Upcoming Events at the East Tennessee History Center
The Semiquincentennial Anniversary of the founding of the United States is upon us tomorrow! As we approach a quarter millenia of the USA, my mind drifted to childhood memories of the Bicentennial and what a big...