Monthly Archives: December, 2011
The Belcourt Knocks Summer Out Of The Park: Free Outdoor Cinema, Eight First Run Films & More
We have an announcement to make: Nashvillest is now going to be spending our entire summer indoors. The Belcourt been announcing their summer lineup piece-by-piece, Bonnaroo style, via Twitter today and it just keeps getting better and better. As you might know, we’re big fans of the freebies here at Nashvillest, so a Second Saturday Outdoor Cinema lineup that includes The Blues Brothers, Destry Rides Again, Wargames and Psycho is music to our ears. But they didn’t stop there, and now it looks like we’ll be shelling out a giant chunk of our hard-earned cash on dozens of must-see films this summer.
We’ll reminisce about Conan’s Nashville appearance that we couldn’t get into (but we’re not bitter…) at Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop, screening June 24-30. We’ll catch crowd-pleasers from the Nashville Film Festival that we couldn’t fit into our crazy schedules last month (Buck, opens June 24; Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, limited June 17-19 run). We’ll spend our Tuesdays reviewing the filmography of acclaimed director Terrance Malick (Badlands, Days of Heaven, The Thin Red Line, The New World), culminating in a full run of his latest effort, the highly anticipated The Trees Of Life. And if we haven’t completely morphed into a theatre seat by that point, we’ll spend the rest of our summer watching Road Movies of the 70′s and 80′s (look out, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure).
That just scratches the surface of what the Belcourt’s got up their sleeves for summer. They’ll also be showing the films of Elizabeth Taylor on weekends in June/July, and a bunch more June First Run Films – I Am, Queen of the Sun, Incendies, and Memphis Heat.
But back to the freebies. The Belcourt’s annual Second Saturday Outdoor Cinema film series is like a grittier (literally – it’s in the parking lot) version of the Scene’s Movies in the Park, and we’d probably pay to go even if it wasn’t free (nobody tell the Belcourt). We know you guys love freebies just as much as we do, so we’ve got that full schedule below the cut. For all the rest, follow one of the many links to Belcourt.org in this post.
Photo by jhwill.
We have an announcement to make: Nashvillest is now going to be spending our entire summer indoors. The Belcourt been announcing their summer lineup piece-by-piece, Bonnaroo style, via Twitter today and it just keeps getting better and better. As you might know, we’re big fans of the freebies here at Nashvillest, so a Second Saturday Outdoor [...]
Bright & Early: Remember This One Thing Edition
Good morning, Nashville. The city is getting ready to take on a big improvement project in the “North Gulch” which, as you might guess, is the area just north of the Gulch proper. The area they’re hoping to improve includes 12th Avenue South between Broadway and Demonbreun as well as McGavock Street between 11th and 13th avenues. Though the area is mostly railroad tracks and potholes at the moment, developers and restauranteurs have high hopes for sprucing it up, so Metro will be replacing sidewalks, repaving (maybe adding some lines to the road if we’re lucky?) and adding some streetlights to make it more palatable. All in all, they’re committing about $444,000 to the project.
- Connect four. Speaking of development projects, Metro has finally started building that 28th avenue connector they approved two years ago. The new stretch of street will hopefully make it easier to get from West End to North Nashville more easily and encourage development along that part of Charlotte.
- Student arrested for bomb threat. Nineteen year-old Carson Dunn, a Belmont student, was arrested for calling in a bomb threat earlier this week that forced a partial evacuation of Belmont’s campus. And it’s just as everyone suspected: Carson simply did not want to take his final exams.
- Bits & pieces. Be on the lookout for some severe weather this afternoon … Nashville’s median age has dropped a bit in the past ten years thanks to younger people moving into the city with small children … Jackalope Brewing is expected to open within this next few weeks. Read our interview with the ladies in charge from a few months back … The bill that would nullify Nashville’s latest anti-discrimination ordinance passed the Senate … Apparently you can fish with cicadas?
Photo by The Blonde Mule.
Good morning, Nashville. The city is getting ready to take on a big improvement project in the “North Gulch” which, as you might guess, is the area just north of the Gulch proper. The area they’re hoping to improve includes 12th Avenue South between Broadway and Demonbreun as well as McGavock Street between 11th and [...]
Bright & Early: A Bug’s Life Edition
Good morning, Nashville. We’re running behind this morning, so you know the drill. Here’s your abbreviated Bright & Early:
- For the 13th straight month, Tennessee’s sales tax revenues have shown some pretty significant growth. We’re also about $126 million ahead of sales tax revenue projections for this fiscal year, which ends in June. [WTVF]
- Way to go, Nashville: We’ve been named the fourth most gas-guzzling city according to Forbes. [WSMV]
- Coincidentally, a Brookings Institution study showed that we have some of the saddest public transportation in the country and that less than a third of our jobs in Nashville are accessible by public transit. [Tennessean]
- Though the job market is steadily improving, Nashville teens are still having a tough time finding summer jobs this year. [WKRN]
- Gas prices could get even more absurd if oil refineries along the Mississippi River are affected by the flooding. [WSMV]
- The controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill is getting bogged down in Senate committees, but that hasn’t stopped local high school students from protesting it every chance they get. [Tennessean]
- In an effort to bring fresh, healthy options to folks with lower incomes, the East Nashville Farmers’ Market has announced that they’re now accepting food stamps. [WTVF]
Photo by Chris Wage.
Good morning, Nashville. We’re running behind this morning, so you know the drill. Here’s your abbreviated Bright & Early: For the 13th straight month, Tennessee’s sales tax revenues have shown some pretty significant growth. We’re also about $126 million ahead of sales tax revenue projections for this fiscal year, which ends in June. [WTVF] Way [...]
Nashville’s Farmer’s Markets: Local Food Movement Continues To Grow
In the past four years, the local food movement has really taken root in Nashville (yes, pun intended, and no, we’re not talking about when they built Whole Foods). Neighborhood farmers markets have been popping up on all sides of town, and this year is no different. The Woodbine Farmers Market, East Nashville Farmers Market and West Nashville Farmers Market all return to their respective communities this month, and 12 South joins them on May 24 with a new farmers market of its very own. It can get confusing trying to keep track of when each market is open, so we’ve put together a little guide to Nashville’s 2011 farmers markets for you.
East Nashville Farmers Market
210 South 10th Street, Wednesdays from 3:30-6:30pm, May 11 – October 26.
The East Nashville Farmers Market opens today at the corner of 10th and Russell, and if their grand opening celebration is any indication of what’s in store for the rest of the year, we’re in for a treat. The grand opening today will have special guests, live music and even a petting zoo. Councilman Mike Jamison and chefs Tandy Wilson, Jeremy Barlow, Laura Wilson and Jen Franzen will be on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony to kick things off, and more than 30 local vendors will be set up to sell you local produce, dairy, meats, prepared foods and other handmade goods each week. Even East Nashville’s own food truck pioneer, Mas Tacos, will be making a now-rare daytime appearance at the market each week. One of the biggest changes this year is that vendors will be set up to accept SNAP/food stamps, making healthy local food more accessible to the community. Keep up with the East Nashville Farmers Market on Facebook and Twitter.
Woodbine Farmers Market
Coleman Park Community Center, 384 Thompson Lane, Saturdays from 9am-12pm, May 14 – November.
The Woodbine Farmers Market is coming up on its own grand opening, this Saturday from 9am-12pm. The time and date have changed from last year, so take note! Over 20 local vendors will sell everything from the staples – produce, meat, dairy – to the specialties – pasta, coffee, and fancy baked goods. One of Nashville’s newest food trucks, Riff’s Fine Street Food, will also be a regular fixture at the market this year. Speaking of Riff’s, Chef Carlos Davis will be holding a Teaching Kitchen at the market’s grand opening with two cooking demonstrations held at 9:45am and 10:45am. Other grand opening festivities include live music from Robby Hecht and a bilingual (Spanish and English) storytime for the kiddos at 11am. And if you can’t make it out this week, be sure to save the date for May 21st’s special Green Market Festival and other special events the last Saturday of every month. Keep up with the Woodbine Farmers Market on Facebook and Twitter.
West Nashville Farmers Market
Richland Park, 4601 Charlotte Pike, Saturdays from 9am-12pm, April – November.
The West Nashville Farmers Market has already been open for several weeks. With nearly 30 vendors and a handful of Nashville favorites – Bongo Java, The Green Wagon, Bang Candy Company and more – this market is settling in for another strong year. It’s a Celebration of Strawberries this Saturday at the market – buy local, organic strawberries from vendors and participate in the annual strawberry contest. Okay, so we’re not really sure what a strawberry contest is, but we’re sure they’ll tell you. Keep up with the West Nashville Farmers Market on Facebook and Twitter.
12 South Farmers Market
Sevier Park, 3000 Granny White Pike, Tuesdays from 3:30-6:30pm, May 24 – October.
The newest farmers market on the block, the 12 South Farmers Market will provide locally grown and produced food and goods to the 12 South community. They throw open the doors in just two weeks on May 24, and already have over 20 vendors lined up to participate. In true 12 South form, opening day will double as a Mustache May contest, so bring your best ‘staches and come ready to be judged. Other special events will take place the third week of every month, so mark your calendars! Keep up with the 12 South Farmers Market on Facebook and Twitter.
Lenox Village Farmers Market
6901 Lenox Village Drive by Menchie’s and LePooch, Saturdays from 8am-1pm, May 28 – September 24.
The Lenox Village Farmers Market is perhaps the tiniest in the area, but shouldn’t go unnoticed. Around a dozen vendors gather each Saturday morning to sell fruits, veggies, Amish cheese and butter, beef, soup, baked goods and more. Non-food vendors are allowed on holiday weekends, and the farmers market is known to support local charities. Thanks to readers Aubrey and MousAny82 for the Lenox Village market info!
Nashville Farmers Market
900 Rosa Parks Blvd, open all week year-round from 8am-5pm (merchant hours vary).
With all of the excitement of the new neighborhood farmers markets, don’t forget the year-round Nashville Farmers Market this summer. After sustaining some pretty significant flood damage last year, the market is all dried out, renovated, and everyone is back open for business and we couldn’t be happier about that. We love to spend a Saturday morning meandering around and exploring the different vendors, international markets and ethnic foods. On the weekends you’ll find row after row of vendors with produce, meats, cheese, jams, honey, spices, herbs and more in the outdoor market. When you finish your shopping, head inside for a bite to eat from one of the amazing local restaurants – If you want Jamaican, Mediterranean, Cajun, Indian or good old fashioned BBQ, it’s all there. Top it off with a New Orleans-style snowball from Fleur de lis Flavors or an authentic Belgian waffle from new vendor Taste of Belgium and call it a day well spent. Keep up with the Nashville Farmers Market on Facebook and Twitter.
Photo by Ēva Maria.
In the past four years, the local food movement has really taken root in Nashville (yes, pun intended, and no, we’re not talking about when they built Whole Foods). Neighborhood farmers markets have been popping up on all sides of town, and this year is no different. The Woodbine Farmers Market, East Nashville Farmers Market [...]
Bright & Early: Out Of Our Shell Edition
Good morning, Nashville. While we’re busy wading knee-deep through cicada skeletons, Metro is ramping up its War on Mosquitoes by sending out the Health Department troops to look for properties with breeding grounds and set up traps to identify the ones that carry West Nile. Last year’s mosquito problem was pretty terrible with all the floodwater sitting around, but Metro officials are quick to point out that the more dangerous, disease-carrying mosquitoes are typically hatched in shallow waters like the kind that accumulates in flower pots, bottle caps and unkempt lawns. Metro is also making an effort to clear debris from buyout properties so they can mow at least once a month to keep the breeding grounds to a minimum. They’re encouraging us to clear out any standing water on our properties and report all apocalyptic or non-apocalyptic dead bird sightings so the animals can be tested for West Nile. And go get yourselves some bug spray!
- Tennessee women’s health failing. According to a study by the state health department and several universities, Tennessee’s women are not doing too well. We received failing grades for obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol among several other things. Experts note that sometimes the economy can have an impact on things like this because people tend to sacrifice preventive health care and exercise.
- Pit bull problems. Metro Animal Control estimates that it spends half its time on calls about pit bulls, and that half the dogs at the pound are either pit bulls or pit bull mixes. As it is, they always seem to be about 100 calls behind because they’re so swamped.
- Bits & pieces. Things just keep looking worse and worse for Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk David Torrence … Goo Goo clusters, one of Nashville’s iconic treats, are getting a makeover after struggling sales … The Tennessee Attorney General’s office has filed another appeal to prevent Fisk University from selling off its art collection containing original pieces by Renoir, Picasso and O’Keefe … The mighty Mississippi finally crested in Memphis at 48 feet. Check out satellite photos of the flooding courtesy of NASA … The TVA is keeping all the land it had to buy up during the catastrophic 2008 Kingston ash spill and turning it into green space … Our neighbors in Clarksville will have to go elsewhere to buy bath salts and plant food as the materials have posed such a huge drug problem lately … Belmont University officials are looking into a bomb threat that caused them to evacuate part of the campus yesterday during final exams … President Obama will be taking a little trip to Memphis next week to speak at a high school graduation.
Photo by Renrum.
Good morning, Nashville. While we’re busy wading knee-deep through cicada skeletons, Metro is ramping up its War on Mosquitoes by sending out the Health Department troops to look for properties with breeding grounds and set up traps to identify the ones that carry West Nile. Last year’s mosquito problem was pretty terrible with all the [...]
Bright & Early: Preds Nation Edition
Good morning, Nashville. We’re a little brokenhearted this morning over the Preds’ loss to Vancouver in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals last night, ending their glorious playoff run for 2011. The Preds fell 2-1 to the Canucks at Bridgestone last night after one of the hardest-fought series we’ve ever seen, and though we’re all pretty bummed this morning, Nashville hockey fans couldn’t be more proud. With the best record in the NHL, the Canucks will move forward to play either the San Jose Sharks or the Detroit Redwings in pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
- Upping the ante. As the fight against sales tax continues, Amazon.com is proposing three additional distribution centers in Tennessee on top of the two it already planned to build if they’re able to avoid charging sales tax. Altogether, the three other centers could bring nearly 4,000 full- and part-time jobs to the state.
- Dangerous debris in Harpeth. The Harpeth River Watershed Association is hoping to skim the Harpeth River for dangerous metal debris that they say is hiding beneath the surface left over from the May floods. Over the course of the summer, they’ll use canoes and inner tubes to locate and extract the dangerous objects.
- Bits & pieces. Married couples are now the minority in Nashville … Thousands of honey bees swarmed O’Charley’s in West Nashville before being gathered up by a beekeeper and relocated … Rutherford County Schools officials are now including a DUI Wall of Shame in one of their newsletters to highlight teachers who are repeat offenders.
Photo by Paul Nicholson.
Good morning, Nashville. We’re a little brokenhearted this morning over the Preds’ loss to Vancouver in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals last night, ending their glorious playoff run for 2011. The Preds fell 2-1 to the Canucks at Bridgestone last night after one of the hardest-fought series we’ve ever seen, and though we’re [...]
Movies In The Park 2011: 500 Days Of Summer, Harry Potter, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off & More
Get your picnic blankets and bug spray ready! Movies in the Park, the Nashville Scene’s annual outdoor film series, is back for its 16th year with another killer lineup. The fun starts June 1 and runs for five weeks, barring any rain dates (which you can probably count on. This is Nashville, after all). Movies in the Park is free, but bring some cash for Nashville’s many food trucks and restaurants that will be representing. Movies start at sunset at the Centennial Park bandshell. Here’s the lineup, and we’ll see you there!
Movies in the Park 2011
June 1 – 500 Days of Summer
June 8 – Harry Potter – latest one!
June 15 – Sherlock Holmes (new version) Canceled due to weather, rescheduled for July 6
June 22 – Despicable Me
June 29 – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (the NON edited version)
July 6 – Sherlock Holmes (rescheduled from June 15)
Participating Restaurants
The Grilled Cheeserie
Cupcake Collection
Fleur de Lis
Moosehead Kettle Corn
Tin Can Treats
Chili Pop’s
Moe’s Southwest
Joe’s Crabshack
Get your picnic blankets and bug spray ready! Movies in the Park, the Nashville Scene’s annual outdoor film series, is back for its 16th year with another killer lineup. The fun starts June 1 and runs for five weeks, barring any rain dates (which you can probably count on. This is Nashville, after all). Movies [...]
Bright & Early: Big Hearts, Big Money Edition
Good morning, Nashville. We’re a year removed from historic flooding in Nashville, but tensions are rising as some people question why more of the donated money for flood victims has not yet been distributed. Metro Councilman Bo Mitchell says that the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has over $4 million in undistributed donations that should be going to help flood victims who are still struggling to rebuild. Community Foundation president Ellie Lehman says that some funds have been reserved for long-term recovery, and joins other nonprofit leaders in saying that it has been difficult to identify who needs the funds.
A new case management system called the Flood Recovery Network will hopefully close the gap between those with the money and flood victims in need, and charitable organizations who raised flood funds are required by a new law to report how the funds were spent to the Secretary of State’s Office. The Community Foundation also stays accountable to the public through their Flood Response website, where they have been posting breakdowns of flood funds and grants distributed for several months now.
- T. Swifty shines again. We’re kind of in awe of Taylor Swift at this point. Whether it’s signing autographs for 13 hours or opening her final tour rehearsal at the Bridgestone Arena to 13,000 fans to raise money for the southeastern US states devastated by tornadoes in recent weeks, is there anything this girl doesn’t do? The open rehearsal, dubbed “Speak Now… Help Now” will be May 21, and ticket information should be released today at taylorswift.com.
- Hanging on. The Preds triumphed over the Canucks on Saturday night, closing Game 5 at 4-3 (in regulation time, no less!), and they’re bringing the battle back home. A win for the Preds in tonight’s game will settle the series at 3-3 and force a Game 7. Our fingers and toes are crossed for you, boys.
- Gettin’ toasty. After temperatures last week in the 30′s, we’ll be seeing high 80′s and 90′s in the first half of this week, potentially setting another record high. We aren’t packing up our sweaters again though.
- Bits & pieces. They’re heeeeeeeeere … Gas prices are expected to drop by up to 50 cents in the coming weeks, hooray! … Someone on the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge spotted a human body floating in the Cumberland this past weekend … Trevecca is raising chickens to provide eggs for the campus and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Photo by niseag03.
Good morning, Nashville. We’re a year removed from historic flooding in Nashville, but tensions are rising as some people question why more of the donated money for flood victims has not yet been distributed. Metro Councilman Bo Mitchell says that the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has over $4 million in undistributed donations that should [...]
The Weekendist: Weekend Mania Edition
We hope you’re planning on enjoying one of your last cidada-free weekends, Nashville (well, sort of – they’re already starting to come up. Hooray!). Here’s our top picks for this weekend:
Arch Nemesiz w/ Modoc & Jamie Grace featuring the debut of Little Filipino. 12th & Porter, Friday, May 6, 8pm, $8. It’s time to party at 12th & Porter, with local duo Arch Nemesiz headlining tonight’s bill. One of Nashville’s newest food trucks, Little Filipino will be doling out free egg rolls until they run out, and your $8 goes to benefit People Loving Nashville.
TACA Tennessee Craft Fair. Centennial Park, May 6-7, 10am-6pm; May 8, 10am-5pm, free. The 40th annual TACA Spring Craft Fair kicks off today in Centennial Park, where you can see the fine handicrafts of over 170 Tennessean artisans. Chat with the vendors, munch your way through the food court, and pick up a little Mother’s Day gift while you’re at it.
Red Bull Manny Mania. Riverfront Park, Saturday, May 7, 12-4pm, free. Red Bull is always bringing the LOLz to Nashville, starting with Flugtag in 2007 which saw local inventors compete in homemade flying machines (as you might imagine, most did not actually fly), all the way up to last November when they hosted a chariot race in Centennial Park. This year they’re going from city to city looking for amateur street skateboarders, and throwing a big ol’ competition to find the best in the US. Red Bull events are always entertaining to watch, so grab a blanket and camp out in Riverfront Park for the day.
Musician’s Corner. Centennial Park, May 7, 3-6pm, free. Centennial Park is the place to be this weekend! In addition to the TACA Spring Craft Fair, this year’s Musician’s Corner kicks off with Sarah Buxton, Andrew Ripp, The Westbound Rangers, Dara Tucker and Marie Hines, plus more fun for the whole family and the debut of yet another new Nashville food truck, Riff’s Fine Street Food. We’ve written about both Musician’s Corner and Riff’s in the past few days, so check out those posts to learn more.
Cinco in the Gulch. The Gulch, Saturday, May 7, 5pm, $40. And you thought Cinco de Mayo was over. Nashville’s annual Cinco in the Gulch 5k/10k is this weekend, and there will be no pasta buffet at the end of this one. Instead, runners will be treated to a block party with margaritas, beer, Mexican food, prizes and fireworks after they cross the finish line. Can someone say “best 5k ever”? No word on how you can get into the block party without running the race, but we know you’ll figure something out.
First Saturday Art Crawl. The Arcade/5th Ave between Church & Union, Saturday, May 7, 6-9pm, free. Nashville’s First Saturday Art Crawl really needs no introduction, except to say that if you haven’t ever been to one, you’re missing out. Browse through dozens of art galleries, sip on some free wine and come support local artists.
Photo by iragazzidiredbull.
We hope you’re planning on enjoying one of your last cidada-free weekends, Nashville (well, sort of – they’re already starting to come up. Hooray!). Here’s our top picks for this weekend: Arch Nemesiz w/ Modoc & Jamie Grace featuring the debut of Little Filipino. 12th & Porter, Friday, May 6, 8pm, $8. It’s time to party [...]
Bright & Early: The Weather Outside Is Frightful Edition
Good morning, Nashville. The National Weather Service believes that 40 tornadoes touched down in Tennessee on April 27-28th including a couple of EF4 tornadoes in the ‘Noog and surrounding counties. Bledsoe, Cocke, Johnson, McMinn, Monroe and Rhea counties were also the latest Tennessee counties to be given disaster declarations yesterday. This tornado season seems to be one for the record books, and we sure hope it’s just about over.
- Amazon no more? Following the news of the Tennessee legislature’s proposal to charge sales tax on Amazon orders if the company builds distribution centers here, Amazon is reportedly considering pulling out of the plans altogether. Originally, Governor Bredesen agreed to allow them to set up shop here without charging sales tax, but some lawmakers hope to change that.
- Students petition against sex ed bill. McGavock High School students have collected more than 1,000 signatures in opposition to Sen. Stacey Campfield’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill which would prevent teachers from talking about homosexuality in the classroom through 8th grade.
- Now or never. Despite selling out Smashville last night and painting the town gold, the Preds fell 4-2 to the Canucks in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Game 5 takes place tomorrow in Vancouver, and if they don’t win it, they’ll be eliminated.
- Bits & pieces. Former Nashville police chief Ronal Serpas is facing some trouble at his new gig in New Orleans … Belmont is launching an undergrad think tank focused on finding creative solutions to some of the challenges facing the music industry … Festival Tennessee developers haven’t given up on Spring Hill just yet … If you see the water rising around Nashville, it’s because the Army Corps of Engineers may be about to release a bunch of water from the dams … Though hate crimes are down statewide according to the TBI, Nashville’s numbers are rising … Two enormous sinkholes have opened up in Pennington Bend, likely due to last year’s flooding.
Photo by Kerry Woo.
Good morning, Nashville. The National Weather Service believes that 40 tornadoes touched down in Tennessee on April 27-28th including a couple of EF4 tornadoes in the ‘Noog and surrounding counties. Bledsoe, Cocke, Johnson, McMinn, Monroe and Rhea counties were also the latest Tennessee counties to be given disaster declarations yesterday. This tornado season seems to be one [...]
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