Well, I don’t think I’m going to get a paying gig as a fireworks photographer, just yet. When I set out two years ago to chronicle life in the city, who knew so much of it moved and featured difficult lighting to photograph? No doubt I would have struggled on my own, but each of the photographs you see in this post were made not only with a Canon T3, but with a three-year-old Urban Toddler in the other arm, so maybe I can get a mulligan until Booms Day.
Just so you know that downtown didn’t crawl into a hole and die after the fourth, we’ve got First Friday. Before I moved downtown, we always tried to make First Friday and it’s one of the events that pulled us into life in the city and exposed us to some of the places we otherwise might have missed. Now that we live downtown, it just seems like too much in too little time, so I’ve tried to become a bit more choosy and stick with one thing or another for a longer stretch. I can’t always make myself. I have decided that food trucks may be the dining choice unless you plan to eat before 5:00 or after 10:00. You should find the Sweet and Sour food truck, get great food to go and keep on First Fridaying.
So what to do this weekend? Here are a few things I’m considering:
- The Mumbles (New Orleans Jazz and Funk): Alive After Five at Knoxville Museum of Art 6:00 – 8:30
- Christabel and the Jons – Preservation Pub, July 6, 10:00 PM
- Fresh Art Exhibits at 2 Many Pixels (100 Block – Sports Photography) and The Art Market (422 S. Gay – Oils and Jewelry)
- Emporium – 100 Block of Gay Street, featuring art from young, autistic artists. This could be very interesting. Six regional artists will also be featured on the balcony.
- First Baptist Church – They’re mounting an arts exhibition featuring regional artists visions of our area in all mediums. They close at 8:00.
- Regal Downtown is trying something different: Artist Olivia LaRose Burn will display and discuss her work in the lobby.
- Four Leaf Peat plays Boyd’s Jig and Reel Friday night at 9:00
- Pop-up Fashion Show – Loading Docks across from JFG Building at 8:30
- The Market Square Farmers’ Market – Saturday morning from 9:00 -2:00 – Get there early for the best produce. I plan to check out lunch at the Cruise Farm Truck: Who knew they had Indian Food?
- WDVX Blue Plate Special: Saturday at Noon with This Mountain and The Parlor Soldiers (Free)
- Dirty Burbon River Show plays Boyd’s Jig and Reel Saturday night at 9:00
An additional bonus which started yesterday and runs for the next three weeks is the Smarttrips window decorating contest. Smarttrips encourages alternative commuting to our American inclination to drive to work – and particularly to do it alone. A map of participating windows is located here, along with instructions about how to vote.
Mostly this weekend, I’ll just look forward to hanging out in the city with no major events after Friday Night. Next week starts Shakespeare on the Square which alters the feng shui of Market Square for a while, so a little quiet weekend might be just the thing for me. I hope you enjoy it. Say, “hello” if you see me out and about.