As I’ve done before, I’ll let the photographs carry most of the weight for First Friday. It was one of those nights I’ve experienced before in which I was dragging about and not real sure about getting out at all. But then, the weather was awesome and I can’t resist the buzz on the streets on First Friday so, well, you know. Out I went.
Urban Woman and I started with a nice meal on the patio at the French Market. We were a little bad, following our crepes up with a croissant with chocolate inside along with their great Italian coffee. We love the slower-paced people watching from that spot which, along with Krutch Park makes it a calmer alternative to Market Square. And the food doesn’t hurt.
With Urban Woman excusing herself to get the rest I should have been getting, I plunged onward. I enjoyed Michael Jackson’s art in Market 211 (above Oodles). I believe I’ve run into it before. His thing is making art out of the artists I love so much, so that cant’ be all bad.
The Art Market on Gay Street always has a good opening on First Friday, so I stopped there to see Dennis Sabo’s photography and Kristine Taylor’s Jewelry. I also always enjoy the music at the Art Gallery. Often jazz, sometimes folk, it’s always a good fit for their entry space. It’s a necessary stop.
Next I checked in on my friends, the Lonetones, for their show at the Knoxville Visitor’s Center. Good, as always, I got a bonus when I met Sarah Brobst whose jewelry was on display. That led to the most interesting coincidence of the night: Later at the Emporium I photographed only one piece of art that caught my eye in the large gallery. I really liked all the “upcycled” work and it wasn’t until I was writing this post that I realized the single piece I selected was by the same woman I’d met at the Visitor’s Center – Sarah Brobst.
After the Vistor’s Center I ran into friends Tama and Dewayne at a gallery on the 100 Block. Their daughter, Brianna Rader, who I’ve had the privilege to know for a decade or so is the person recently “condemned” by our state legislators for her role in organizing Sex Week at UT. She’s one of the brightest, kindest, most sensitive and earnest people you’ll ever want to meet. I’d stake the future of our culture and country with her and her like-minded friends in a heartbeat over the people we have passing out condemnations in our state capital.
I looked inside Gallery Nuance, which has become on of the most popular galleries on the block. The crowd made it almost impossible to have a good look at the massive collection of art, though I did see the works of my friend Carrie Hamilton. The music was also good. I’d recommend you stop in to look at all the art when you have a bit of time and the crowds are smaller. They are doing good things there.
I had fun talking to friends Michael and Evelyn on the street before stopping by the March Food Truck Madness event, which was fun. One of the food trucks, Gonzo Gourmet, gets extra credit for having music playing and for selecting a Bob Dylan bootleg to play. Other food truck peoples: the bar has been set.
The Emporium is always a good place for art and music. In Casa Hola I found art celebrating famous women and I had to stop in for a few minutes of jazz. I wish the jazz didn’t start until everything else finished. That way I could hit everything else and unwind at the end of the night with the excellent jazz we are so blessed to have in this city.
After passing through the Old City, I walked back into the uptown area, photographing one of my favorite buildings along the way. Once back on Gay Street I stopped into Mast General Store for a photo session with local bon vivant Tinah and her friends Lindsey and Chelsea. Mast General Store had a dog adoption event earlier in the night and no single person does more for the dogs of the city than Tinah with her Tru Dog Network.
It wasn’t late at that point, but I was out of gas. I really need to take a nap in the afternoon before I go out at night – particularly if I’m going to be out late. I wonder if my boss would mind?