Monthly Archives: December, 2011
Bright & Early: Something In The Water Edition
Good morning, Nashville. Things got a little out of hand at Wave Country yesterday and more than 20 Metro Police officers were called in to calm things down. For some reason, multiple fights started to break out in the crowds outside the gate and people who were tired of waiting started hopping the fence. Police eventually had to shut down the park and kick everyone out when they were unable to get everything under control. So if you paid to get in yesterday and want your passes replaced, contact Metro Parks.
- Cicadas buzzing on. Our darling cicadas may be sticking around just a few days longer than expected thanks to that cold snap we had at the beginning of the month the apparently delayed their development. The current estimated departure is the middle of June.
- Low grades for safety. According to Transportation for America, Nashville is the 14th most dangerous city for pedestrians and cyclists. The city is still working on a plan to improve sidewalks and bikeways as we continue to grow and more people opt for alternative modes of transportation.
- Bits & pieces. In case you hadn’t noticed, food trucks are multiplying faster than cicadas around these parts … Rent in the Nashville area is up 6% from what it was a year ago … Vanderbilt Medical School will no longer be using live pigs to train medical students for trauma situations … Metro has identified some of the city’s most dangerous intersection and they’re working on plans to make them safer.
Photo by Kelsey Wynns.
Good morning, Nashville. Things got a little out of hand at Wave Country yesterday and more than 20 Metro Police officers were called in to calm things down. For some reason, multiple fights started to break out in the crowds outside the gate and people who were tired of waiting started hopping the fence. Police [...]
Happy Eating: Happy Japan Debuts Japanese Food Truck Tonight In Five Points
Get ready for yet another addition to Nashville’s rapidly growing food truck scene. If all goes well at final inspection (Update: it did), “yummy Japanese food” purveyor Happy Eating will hit the streets tonight in East Nashville’s Five Points around 5 or 6pm. Tomorrow they’ll be parked at Happy Japan in Berry Hill before a repeat evening performance in Five Points, and from there on out you can keep tabs on their location via Twitter.
Our eyes went wide at Happy Eating’s menu, which reads more like an authentic Japanese restaurant menu than a food truck. You’ll be able to order Japanese rice burgers with curry fries, Japanese curry, Udon, Onigiri, Gyoza, Dango, Japanese crepes, ice cream mochi and lots of fun drinks from the brightly colored cartoonish truck. They promise us that all of their food is “really yummy.” Click here for a peek at the regular menu, and expect off menu specials as well.
Happy Eating’s mothership – Happy Japan – recently reopened in Berry Hill after being tucked away in an awkward location on Gallatin Road for the past year. Check out their new space at 2817 Bransford Avenue for fun Japanese novelty toys, kitchen equipment and cookbooks, snacks and drinks, anime, fun classes (sushi making, anyone?) and more. It’s been one of our favorite secret places to shop, but now that they’re in a bigger location with a truck rolling around town, we just can’t keep it to ourselves any longer.
Photo from Happy Japan.
Get ready for yet another addition to Nashville’s rapidly growing food truck scene. If all goes well at final inspection (Update: it did), “yummy Japanese food” purveyor Happy Eating will hit the streets tonight in East Nashville’s Five Points around 5 or 6pm. Tomorrow they’ll be parked at Happy Japan in Berry Hill before a [...]
The Weekendist: Memorializing Edition
Frist Friday featuring Same As It Ever Was. Friday, May 27 at the Frist Center, 6-9pm, $10 or free for members/under 18. If this looks familiar, it’s because we wrote about it a few moments ago, so head over there to read about the summer series! Tonight’s event features Same As It Ever Was, a Talking Heads cover band, light refreshments and a cash bar, plus exhibits galore.
Nashville’s Downtown Puppet Festival. Friday, May 27 – Sunday, May 29, downtown Nashville Library, free. We’ll try to get over our fear of puppets long enough to tell you about this one. If you’ve got kids, this is the place to be all weekend. Dozens of puppet shows will be taking place at the downtown library, from Pinocchio to The Frog Prince to some more “mature” offerings (ages 8 and up!) like Amongst the Birds: A young girl meets death. All puppet shows are free, but you have to get a ticket for most. Reserving online in advance has a fee of $2.50, or walk up to get your tickets for free. Tickets and a full schedule of shows can be found here.
Nashville Flea Market. Friday, May 27 8am-5pm; Saturday, May 28 7am-6pm; Sunday, May 29 7am-4pm. Tennessee State Fairgrounds, free (parking $5). It’s flea market weekend again! It only rolls around once a month, so get there early and start browsing for treasures.
Nashville Sounds vs. Oklahoma City RedHawks. Friday, May 27 at 7:05pm; Saturday, May 28 at 6:35pm; Sunday, May 29 at 2:05pm; Monday, May 30 at 7:05pm. Greer Stadium, $10-14. Is there anything more American than spending Memorial Day weekend at the ballpark? The Sounds play the OKC RedHawks in a four game home series this weekend, and you can bet there will be hot dogs and burgers a-plenty, along with some fireworks.
Hands Together in Flatrock Music & Arts Festival. Saturday, May 28 at Coleman Park, 10am-4pm, free. The annual Flatrock neighborhood music & artist festival grows bigger each year. This year, they promise artisan booths from over 65 vendors, a classic car auto show with prizes, a County Music Hall of Fame petting zoo (um…) and a special children’s exhibit by the Frist Center, in addition to lots of diverse ethnic food and entertainment from local musicians.
Margaritaville Street Party. Saturday, May 28 on Broadway between 3rd & 4th Aves, 11am-8pm, free. Broadway’s gonna be a mess on Saturday, so steer clear unless you’re aiming for this giant margaritafest. And you should be, because all proceeds benefit Hands on Nashville, and you know it’s more fun to drink in the street.
Musician’s Corner featuring James Otto, The Delta Saints, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken and more. Saturday, May 28 at Centennial Park, 3-6pm, free. Musician’s Corner happens every weekend, but we’re particularly excited about this week’s lineup. It’s always a fun afternoon of live music and food from Nashville’s favorite food trucks, and we hear there might be a little extra surprise this week for those who get there early.
Nobody’s Vault But Mine: Third Man Records Fan Appreciation Event. Saturday & Sunday, May 28 & 29 at 6pm at the Mercy Lounge, $12/show or $20 pass for both nights. The second annual fan appreciation weekend for fans of Third Man Records and their artists starts Saturday, with performances by Dex Romweber Duo, The Jacuzzi Boys, The Ettes, The Turncoats, & White Buffalo Woman. Sunday’s lineup features Henry & June, PUJOL, The One Through Tens, D. Watusi, and The Grayces.
Dragon Music Sunday featuring Elle Macho. Sunday, May 29 at Fannie Mae Dees Park, 4pm, free. This should also look familiar to you, because we wrote about it yesterday despite missing the first two events of the year. There’s still time to catch the last four, starting with this weekend’s performance by Elle Macho.
Memorial Day Spring Blues Festival. Monday, May 30 at Centennial Park Bandshell, 10:30am, free. Headlined by Bobby Blue Bland and featuring other local blues and jazz musicians, the Memorial Day Blues Fest gets off to a bright & early start at 10:30am (which is a good thing, because you’ll still have plenty of time to grill).
Free Day at Cheekwood. Monday, May 30 at Cheekwood, 9:30am-4:30pm, free. HCA and Tristar are sponsoring a free day at Cheekwood for the holiday, and the weather’s supposed to be beautiful for it. Take your day off from work and go see some beautiful gardens and art!
Photo by Silenus81.
Frist Friday featuring Same As It Ever Was. Friday, May 27 at the Frist Center, 6-9pm, $10 or free for members/under 18. If this looks familiar, it’s because we wrote about it a few moments ago, so head over there to read about the summer series! Tonight’s event features Same As It Ever Was, a [...]
Summer Fridays At The Frist Begin Tonight
Looking for a standing Friday night date? Look no further. Frist Fridays are back, and since they’re designed around the Frist’s upcoming Warhol Live: Music and Dance in Andy Warhol’s Work exhibition, it sounds like this year is going to be a party. On the last Friday of every month during the summer the Frist Center throws a big shindig – The galleries are open, but the real party happens out back in the Turner Courtyard with snacks, beverages and live music from 6-9pm.
The year’s first Frist Friday is tonight and features Same As It Ever Was, a Talking Heads tribute band. Bring your lawn chairs and $10 for the adults (under 18 and Frist Center members get in free).
While we’re talking about the Frist, it’s also worth noting that they’re generously offering free admission to active duty military members and their families all summer as part of the Blue Star Museums program.
Frist Fridays, the final Friday of each month, 6-9pm, $10 for adults, free for Frist members and under 18
May 27: Same As It Ever Was – Talking Heads Tribute Band
June 24: The Long Players
July 29: Studio 54 remix with DJ Ron
Photo by Powellizer.
Looking for a standing Friday night date? Look no further. Frist Fridays are back, and since they’re designed around the Frist’s upcoming Warhol Live: Music and Dance in Andy Warhol’s Work exhibition, it sounds like this year is going to be a party. On the last Friday of every month during the summer the Frist [...]
Bright & Early: Get A Room Edition
Good morning, Nashville. We’re running short on time this morning, so here’s your abbreviated Bright & Early:
- Metro Councilman Michael Craddock has withdrawn his bid in the mayoral election, leaving Mayor Dean pretty much on his own. Councilman Craddock has only been able to raise $14,000 compared to Dean’s $500,000. [WPLN]
- The fate of the Tennessee State Fairgrounds will be in the hands of voters in the August election after the Davidson County Election Commission decided yesterday to put the referendum on the ballot. [Tennessean]
- Tennessee men are rapidly catching up with women in the life expectancy category according to the 2010 US Census data. [Tennessean]
- A man robbed the Bank of America on Music Row yesterday, dropping a fake bomb on the counter and then fleeing on foot once he got the cash. Metro and the FBI are working to identify and catch him. [City Paper]
- The FBI ranked Nashville as the 21st most dangerous place to live due to the fact that we have double the national average of forcible rapes. Memphis came in at #5. [WSMV]
- Also, Tennessee drivers ranked 29th out of 50 in driver IQ according to some insurance survey. [WTVF]
- TDOT will be shutting down all its construction projects at noon today through 6am Tuesday to make holiday travel a little less crazy. [WZTV]
- The name of our fancy new riverfront play park will be “Cumberland Park,” which is sort of boring, but makes sense as it is on the Cumberland River. [WPLN]
- Sen. Jim Kyle filed a bill this week aiming to repeal the state’s repeal of Nashville’s new anti-discrimination policy. [WPLN]
Photo by Tom Frundle.
Good morning, Nashville. We’re running short on time this morning, so here’s your abbreviated Bright & Early: Metro Councilman Michael Craddock has withdrawn his bid in the mayoral election, leaving Mayor Dean pretty much on his own. Councilman Craddock has only been able to raise $14,000 compared to Dean’s $500,000. [WPLN] The fate of the [...]
Groupon Celebrates Memorial Day, National Burger Day In A Very Nashville Way
So, who knew that tomorrow is National Burger Day? It’s apparently an annual holiday observed in the US on May 28, falling conveniently over Memorial Day weekend (a legitimate burger celebration in and of itself). And we’re not the only ones who noticed the coincidence. Groupon is observing both holidays together, starting locally with a half-price deal for one of our favorites, Gabby’s Burgers & Fries , and offering similar burger deals all over the country. We also have a side deal for Back Yard Burgers, or if you want to go the make-it-at-home route, yet another side deal for a Nature’s Prime Organic Foods burger pack. Get your Gabby’s deals fast – they’re only offering 800 this time, and at 8am over 200 had already been sold (edit: as of 10am, Gabby’s Groupons are sold out).
Alongside the burger deals, every Grouponer in the U.S. can make donations in $1, $5 or $25 increments for Nashville’s own Not Alone – an organization that provides free and confidential counseling and support services for military families affected by combat stress. What’s more, all pledges will be matched by an anonymous donor up to $350,000. We can’t pass up a great deal or the opportunity to support a local charity, especially when our dollars count double on both accounts.
Of course, this brings up a debate we have often here at Nashvillest – what do YOU think the best burger in town is? Last time we threw out this question, Rotier’s was the narrow front runner over PM… But that was before Gabby’s and Burger Up arrived on the scene, so the tables may have turned since then. What do you think?
Photo by william c hutton jr.
So, who knew that tomorrow is National Burger Day? It’s apparently an annual holiday observed in the US on May 28, falling conveniently over Memorial Day weekend (a legitimate burger celebration in and of itself). And we’re not the only ones who noticed the coincidence. Groupon is observing both holidays together, starting locally with a [...]
Sneaky Dragon Music Sundays Have Been Slipping By Unnoticed
Dragon Music Sundays somehow slipped off our radar this year, and we’ve already missed the first two. This is probably because they appear to have no web presence other than this Facebook page that has 29 fans. But enough of that nonsense already! We will not miss another one of the four remaining Dragon Music Sundays, and neither will you after you read this post. The Sunday afternoons of music are a treat we look forward to every year in Fannie Mae Dees Park (known to the casual observer and pretty much everyone else in town as Dragon Park), and are yet another notch in Nashville’s belt of Awesome Free Summer Activities That Happen In Our Public Parks.
This coming Sunday’s show features Elle Macho, perhaps better known by the individual musicians in the band, Butterfly Boucher and David Mead. The music starts at 4pm and all shows are opened by the Metro Parks Jam Band Kids, who are adorable (but don’t tell them we said that).
The rest of the summer schedule for Dragon Music Sundays is below. Pack a chair and we’ll see you there.
2011 Dragon Music Sundays at Fannie Mae Dees Park, 4pm, free.
5/29/11 – Elle Macho
6/05/11 – Sweetwater Rose
6/12/11 – Justin Kalk Orchestra
6/19/11 – Jimmy Church Band
Dragon Music Sundays somehow slipped off our radar this year, and we’ve already missed the first two. This is probably because they appear to have no web presence other than this Facebook page that has 29 fans. But enough of that nonsense already! We will not miss another one of the four remaining Dragon Music [...]
Bright & Early: Strike Three Edition
Good morning, Nashville. It was another rough night for us in the storm department, and more than 16,900 customers are still without power this morning according to NES. Yet another storm system plowed through the state overnight carrying some nasty straight line winds, a few tornado scares and a whole lot of lightning with it. The last of the system should be pulling out of the area today, though a few isolated severe storms are possible. Then it should be back to hot, humid and sunny with a 100% chance of cicadas.
- Tasty! Speaking of cicadas, some of you people seem to be really into eating them! The Tennessean points us to one East Nashville family who loves to toss ‘em in a skillet with butter and garlic and serve them with a tequila chaser. According to these folks, they taste “kind of like peanuts or almonds” and are also really good covered in chocolate.
- New budget includes cuts for Planned Parenthood. Governor Haslam will soon be signing a new state budget that includes taking away federal funding from Planned Parenthood and redirecting it to state health organizations to be used exclusively for family planning programs. Because state-run organizations don’t typically have the supplemental cash that private groups do, organizations like Metro Health Department will be looking to localities to foot the rest of the bill.
- Bits & pieces. An Adopt A Highway sign bearing the name of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro was recently vandalized … As of July 1, Tennessee will have a separate sex offender registry for violent offenders ages 14-18 … Mayor Dean will be revealing the name of that fancy riverfront play park today … In case you were wondering, Metro students (and teachers–holler!) are still in class making up all those snow days … The Preds could be making a move to the Southeast Division if the Atlanta Thrashers franchise moves to Winnipeg.
Photo by Ricky Tibbs.
Good morning, Nashville. It was another rough night for us in the storm department, and more than 16,900 customers are still without power this morning according to NES. Yet another storm system plowed through the state overnight carrying some nasty straight line winds, a few tornado scares and a whole lot of lightning with it. [...]
Bright & Early: Sing Us A Song Edition
Good morning, Nashville. About 5,000 people are still without power after the nasty storms that rolled through yesterday morning. Crews are working hard to clear the remaining debris and restore phone and power service. Unfortunately, there’s still a moderate chance of severe weather late this afternoon through tomorrow morning. Hang in there!
- 4 more years. The Metro school board has voted to extend director Jesse Register’s contract for another four years, a full year before his contract expires. Three board members wanted to wait until this year’s test scores are released, but were outvoted.
- Boo hiss. The noisy song of the cicadas has been measured at around 90 decibels, “if you get real close to them,” and guess what? Prolonged exposure to sounds louder than 85 decibels can cause hearing damage! If you work outside for longer than four hours a day, it’s time to think about getting some earplugs.
- Not cool, man. Several of Tennessee’s biggest businesses, including Nissan and FedEx, are voicing disapproval of
HB600/SB632, the bill signed by Governor Haslam this weekend that prevents local governments from establishing their own anti-discrimination laws and overturns Metro Nashville’s recently established anti-discrimination policy. Comcast also took to Twitter to voice their disapproval.
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Bits & pieces. A new charter school will open at Hickory Hollow mall for the 2012-13 school year … Incense is meant to be burned, not smoked, and if you smoke it you will end up in the hospital like these two boys … The new NES rate hike will add an average of $6 to our bills next month … Nashville is the 14th most dangerous city for pedestrians, surprise! … A Franklin family is working hard to help tornado victims in Joplin, MO.
Photo by mikerhicks.
Good morning, Nashville. About 5,000 people are still without power after the nasty storms that rolled through yesterday morning. Crews are working hard to clear the remaining debris and restore phone and power service. Unfortunately, there’s still a moderate chance of severe weather late this afternoon through tomorrow morning. Hang in there! 4 more years. [...]
Bright & Early: End Of The World Edition
Good morning, Nashville. Parts of Nashville took quite the beating last night after a line of storms moved into the area just before dawn. As of 8am, NES reported that about 26,000 customers were without power and they’re actively working to restore everyone as soon as possible. The east side seemed to take the hardest hit with trees and powerlines down everywhere, crushing dozens of cars and at least one home. Pea-sized hail was reported in East Nashville and Goodlettsville and weather experts still aren’t ruling out the possibility of isolated tornadoes, but it’ll take them a few days to assess the damage. Unfortunately, it’s not over yet as storm chances span out over the next two days. Stay safe out there, Nashville!
- Rough night for the Batman Building. The Batman Building also nearly went up in flames last night when the power went out and a breaker tried to come back on, causing sparks to fly and ignite a small fire. Thanks to the dozens of firefighters on the scene, the fire was quickly extinguished and no major damage was reported.
- No CANDO. Governor Haslam signed the law that prevents cities from imposing laws on private businesses, meaning that Nashville’s recently-passed nondiscrimination ordinance is no longer valid. The ordinance required all businesses that contract with Metro, religious organizations excluded, to have written nondiscrimination policies that cover sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Bits & pieces. The number of accidents at Music Row and Demonbreun has been reduced by 50% since the naked people roundabout was installed … Some Fisk University alumni are claiming that the school is dramatizing their financial situation and doesn’t need to sell off their Georgia O’Keefe art collection to survive … This is your friendly reminder to not let your dogs OD on cicadas … A Springfield man has reopened his lawnmower repair shop after the world didn’t end … Friendly neighborhood businessman John Rich has won Celebrity Apprentice, it seems.
Photo by Richard Call.
Good morning, Nashville. Parts of Nashville took quite the beating last night after a line of storms moved into the area just before dawn. As of 8am, NES reported that about 26,000 customers were without power and they’re actively working to restore everyone as soon as possible. The east side seemed to take the hardest [...]
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