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CITY LIMITS: AMID NOISE FROM CRITICS, METRO STUDENTS ARE HEADING BACK TO SCHOOL IN MASKS

AUGUST 12–18, 2021 I VOLUME 40 I NUMBER 28 I NASHVILLESCENE.COM I FREE

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FOOD & DRINK: OUR REVIEW OF BUTCHER & BEE, WHICH CONTINUES TO STAND OUT IN EAST NASHVILLE PAGE 30

INSIDE: TOMATO ART FEST DETAILS

Taking a look at redistricting, Republicans drifting to the right, the 5th Congressional District primary and more cover_8-12-21.indd 1

8/9/21 4:51 PM

NASHVILLE SCENE | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | nashvillescene.com

nashvillescene.com | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | NASHVILLE SCENE

CONTENTS

AUGUST 12, 2021

With COVID’s Delta Variant on the Rise, Nashville Students Head Back to School in Masks

The Bee’s Knees

CITY LIMITS

Despite noise from critics and certain state leaders, Metro schools implemented a mask mandate

FOOD AND DRINK Chef Bryan Weaver’s Butcher & Bee continues to stand out in East Nashville BY STEVE CAVENDISH

THIS WEEK ON THE WEB:

FILM

Pat Is Back .............................................. 38 Swan Song is the bighearted hero’s journey of a fabulous queen

BY ERICA CICCARONE

This week on the Scene’s news and politics blog

The Places I Fell in Love

BY CRAIG D. LINDSEY

On holding fast to memories in an everchanging city

Primal Stream 63 ................................... 39

BY KELSEY BEYELER

Sit Back and Unwind............................... 38

VODKA YONIC

Pith in the Wind

COVER STORY The State of Tennessee Politics

BY MARY SIROKY

Summertime offers an uneven but worthwhile view of diversity and community

A queer legend, a Stepfords sequel and more, now available to stream

BY JASON SHAWHAN

Though few are willing to say so publicly, some members of the GOP admit their party is too focused on right-wing wedge issues

August: Davidson County

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

BY STEVE CAVENDISH

BY AMY STUMPFL

No Room for Moderates in Tennessee’s Republican Party .................................... 10

A Year Out From Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District Primary .............. 11 Longtime incumbent Jim Cooper is up against a progressive primary challenger and possible redistricting BY AMY ESKIND

Democrats Look Uphill at the 2022 Governor’s Race ...................................... 12 With Bill Lee up for re-election in an overwhelmingly red state, Tennessee Democrats have their work cut out for them BY STEPHEN ELLIOTT

With Official Census Data Incoming, Tennessee Redistricting Looms ............. 12 Congressional, councilmanic and statelegislature lines could be redrawn after the Aug. 16 data is released BY J.R. LIND

Glenn Funk Prepares to Face Possible Challengers in DA’s Race........................ 14 While no contenders have stepped forward, activists are calling for change BY STEVEN HALE

THEATER

Nashville Shakes and Kennie Playhouse Theatre team up for August Wilson’s Jitney

Three Nashville Venues Have Announced Vaccination Protocols Looking at Sexton’s Vow to Punish School Districts for COVID Precautions Tomacco Taco + Tequila Is Coming Soon to Germantown The Suicide Squad Is a Gleefully Violent Recharge for DC

MARKETPLACE

BOOKS

Deep Loss and Deep Joy Jeff Zentner’s fourth novel explores risking the life you know for the life you want BY SARAH CARTER AND CHAPTER 16

MUSIC

Mightier Than the Sword ........................ 35 Leah Blevins uses songs to make sense of things on First Time Feeling BY LORIE LIEBIG

From the Ground Up ............................... 35 Nioshi Jackson is building a scene around All That Jazz BY RON WYNN

Soul Limbo .............................................. 36 Mike Younger’s new album is a triumph, two decades in the making BY EDD HURT

The Spin ................................................... 37

CRITICS’ PICKS Cheekwood’s Dog Nights of Summer, Wilco & Sleater-Kinney, Weekend Classics: Modern Times, Drivin N Cryin, James Taylor & Jackson Browne, Neo-Greek feminist and LGBTQ literature, Mindy Kaling and Never Have I Ever, Collection Connections, the Metro Arts Lending Library and more

Call for take-out!

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nashvillescene.com nashvillescene.com | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | NASHVILLE SCENE

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WHO OUT THERE HAS A CALM, QUIET HOME WITH ROOM TO SPARE FOR LITTLE MS. REAGAN? This 5-yearold chihuahua mix is a timid girl with a gentle spirit. She has an easy going personality with just the right amount of sass and spark when the situation calls. Ms. Reagan is housebroken and leash trained. Think of those nice, relaxing walks you could go on together! She’ll do best in a home without little kiddos, and though she can be a friend to other pets, she loves humans the most! If you’d like to meet Ms. Reagan, please come visit NHA today!

NASHVILLE’S PARTY WAGONS MUST BE REGULATED Just after midnight on July 29, a 22-yearold Michigan man fell from a party bus on Lower Broadway, sustaining serious injuries. This is a traumatic wakeup call for Nashville. These vehicles — tractor-drawn wagons, pedal taverns, party buses and the like — have little to no regulation governing what they can and can’t do. Metro Councilmember Freddie O’Connell has said, “There are effectively no rules.” If they can obtain a license to operate, they are free to do so with essentially no safety oversight. Recently, Tennessee and Nashville suffered some hard blows to our reputation for entertainment and live music. Because Tennessee’s vaccination rates are among the nation’s lowest and state officials fired our leading vaccination official, Tennessee lawmakers have been the butt of late-night jokes from talk-show hosts like Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon. The jokes at the expense of our state and city could easily deter tourism, just as our local economy is back on the mend. Now we’ve made national news again due to this party-bus accident. The young man’s accident was not fatal, and we should all be grateful for that. But it should be a lesson to our leaders, lest something truly tragic happens. What’s more, lawsuits could result from incidents like these. Interestingly, Texas blogger and “wrongful death and serious injury” attorney Michael Grossman wrote about this incident. He uses the situation as a teaching tool, but also poses some viable questions in his post. He writes: “Obviously someone sitting on the railing of a moving bus is dangerous. But is that a danger the bus driver or their employer could have reasonably foreseen or prevented? Was there a worker on the top level who was supposed to stop this kind of behavior? Are there rules on the bus to avoid this kind of behavior and, perhaps more importantly, methods to enforce these rules?” Apparently, the lack of oversight is even troubling the owners of some of these businesses. Nick Lyon, the owner of Nashville party bus company Hell on Wheels, recently told WREG-TV in Memphis he couldn’t picture our city without these rolling venues — and that “when done right and thoughtfully, it’s special to help people celebrate.” To his credit, Lyon is asking the community of party transportation businesses to put together some self-imposed regulations.

Lyon adds, “The vast majority of us that operate responsibly are for regulations done the right way.” According to Lyon, regulations that might aid in safety include having the vehicles off the road by 11 p.m., not letting visibly intoxicated people ride, and removing riders who become overly intoxicated. To a large extent, state law prevents local regulation — and for that reason, many in the community have long raised concerns about these vehicles, with just cause. According to Michael Winter, president of the Nashville Transpotainment Association, there are common-sense ways to keep people safe. He does tell NewsChannel 5, however, that though the city has been collaborative as much as they can be in trying to “build regulations that makes sense for all involved,” that the city itself is limited — saying that “anything over 15 passengers falls under the authority of the state.” Safety is a concern for Mayor John Cooper — he wants to ensure everyone has a good time, but that they remain safe. Cooper said in a statement last year that he would be “working with the state … to ensure that downtown Nashville remains a fun, worldclass tourist destination while implementing commonsense policies that prevent traffic jams and disturbances to local residents and businesses.” As Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp CEO Butch Spyridon said when discussing last month’s accident, “As goes public safety, so goes Nashville’s reputation.” Last year, Senate Bill 2513 — a bill addressing regulation of passenger vehicles for hire — added “transpotainment” to the list of vehicles Davidson and Shelby counties could be empowered to regulate. The bill stalled amid last year’s COVIDimpacted legislative session, but I know I’m not the only one hoping an effort like this one succeeds. In the meantime, the city will have to rely on the business owners and the state to step it up a notch and help keep everyone safe. As Lyon noted, “It just comes down to people being properly trained and caring. … Let’s be thoughtful and just smart and use common sense about keeping people safe.”

Editor-in-Chief D. Patrick Rodgers Senior Editor Dana Kopp Franklin Associate Editor Alejandro Ramirez Arts Editor Laura Hutson Hunter Culture Editor Erica Ciccarone Music and Listings Editor Stephen Trageser Contributing Editor Jack Silverman Staff Writers Kelsey Beyeler, Stephen Elliott, Nancy Floyd, Steven Hale, Kara Hartnett, J.R. Lind, William Williams Contributing Writers Sadaf Ahsan, Radley Balko, Ashley Brantley, Maria Browning, Steve Cavendish, Chris Chamberlain, Lance Conzett, Marcus K. Dowling, Steve Erickson, Randy Fox, Adam Gold, Seth Graves, Kim Green, Steve Haruch, Geoffrey Himes, Edd Hurt, Jennifer Justus, Christine Kreyling, Katy Lindenmuth, Craig D. Lindsey, Brittney McKenna, Marissa R. Moss, Noel Murray, Joe Nolan, Betsy Phillips, John Pitcher, Margaret Renkl, Daryl Sanders, Megan Seling, Jason Shawhan, Michael Sicinski, Nadine Smith, Ashley Spurgeon, Amy Stumpfl, Kay West, Abby White, Andrea Williams, Ron Wynn, Charlie Zaillian Editorial Intern Kahwit Tela Art Director Elizabeth Jones Photographers Eric England, Matt Masters, Daniel Meigs Graphic Designers Mary Louise Meadors, Tracey Starck Production Coordinator Christie Passarello Events and Marketing Director Olivia Britton Marketing and Promotions Manager Robin Fomusa Publisher Mike Smith Senior Advertising Solutions Managers Maggie Bond, Sue Falls, Michael Jezewski, Carla Mathis, Heather Cantrell Mullins, Jennifer Trsinar, Alissa Wetzel, Keith Wright Advertising Solutions Managers William Shutes, Niki Tyree Sales Operations Manager Chelon Hill Hasty Advertising Solutions Associates Caroline Poole, Aya Robinson Special Projects Coordinator Susan Torregrossa President Frank Daniels III Chief Financial Officer Todd Patton Corporate Production Director Elizabeth Jones Vice President of Marketing Mike Smith IT Director John Schaeffer Circulation and Distribution Director Gary Minnis For advertising information please contact: Mike Smith, msmith@nashvillescene.com or 615-844-9238 FW PUBLISHING LLC Owner Bill Freeman VOICE MEDIA GROUP National Advertising 1-888-278-9866 vmgadvertising.com

©2021, Nashville Scene. 210 12th Ave. S., Ste. 100, Nashville, TN 37203. Phone: 615-244-7989. The Nashville Scene is published weekly by FW Publishing LLC. The publication is free, one per reader. Removal of more than one paper from any distribution point constitutes theft, and violators are subject to prosecution. Back issues are available at our office. Email: All email addresses consist of the employee’s first initial and last name (no space between) followed by @nashvillescene.com; to reach contributing writers, email editor@nashvillescene.com. Editorial Policy: The Nashville Scene covers news, art and entertainment. In our pages appear divergent views from across the community. Those views do not necessarily represent those of the publishers. Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available at $150 per year for 52 issues. Subscriptions will be posted every Thursday and delivered by third-class mail in usually five to seven days. Please note: Due to the nature of third-class mail and postal regulations, any issue(s) could be delayed by as much as two or three weeks. There will be no refunds issued. Please allow four to six weeks for processing new subscriptions and address changes. Send your check or Visa/MC/AmEx number with expiration date to the above address.

In memory of Jim Ridley, editor 2009-2016

Bill Freeman Bill Freeman is the owner of FW Publishing, the publishing company that produces the Nashville Scene, Nfocus, the Nashville Post and Home Page Media Group in Williamson County.

NASHVILLE SCENE | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | nashvillescene.com

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8/9/21 5:36 PM

The Frist Art Museum presents Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick, from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, an exhibition of more than 80 works that offer a broad overview of the artist’s career and explore racial and gender exploitation, abuse, and inequity. A leading artist of her generation, Kara Walker (b. 1969) works in a diverse range of media, including prints, drawings, paintings, sculpture, ﬁlm, and the largescale silhouette cutouts for which she is perhaps most recognized. Her powerful and provocative images employ contradictions to both consider and critique the painful legacies of slavery, sexism, violence, imperialism, and other power structures, including those in history and contemporary culture. This exhibition contains mature content, including depictions of physical and sexual violence.

919 Broadway · Downtown Nashville #FristWalker · FristArtMuseum.org

Through October 10 Co-curated by Frist Art Museum Executive Director and CEO Dr. Susan H. Edwards and Nashville-based poet Ciona Rouse

Silver Supporter

Supported in part by

The Sandra Schatten Foundation Kara Walker (American, b. 1969). Boo-hoo (for Parkett no. 59), edition PP 5/6, 2000. Linocut, 40 x 20 1/2 in. nashvillescene.com | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | NASHVILLE SCENE Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, 2003.13. © Kara Walker

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7/27/21 11:58 AM

CITY LIMITS

WITH COVID’S DELTA VARIANT ON THE RISE, NASHVILLE STUDENTS HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL IN MASKS Despite noise from critics and certain state leaders, Metro schools implemented a mask mandate

PHOTO: NASHVILLE.GOV

BY KELSEY BEYELER

ess than a week before the Aug. 10 start of Davidson County’s school year, Metro Nashville Public Schools’ Board of Education voted to require masking for students and faculty during 2021-2022. The 8-1 vote landed amid boos and cheers from citizens in a special meeting called to address the matter on Thursday, Aug. 5. The meeting took place during a rise in COVID-19 cases driven by the Delta variant. A day before the school board’s meeting, Mayor John Cooper reinstated mask mandates in government buildings, citing a 9 percent rise in cases since June. Later that day, MNPS Director Dr. Adrienne Battle released a statement recommending school board members require masks in schools. The Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics also sent out a press release on Aug. 4 supporting CDC and AAP guidance for universal masking in schools and urging those who are eligible to get vaccinated. Fran Bush was the only school board member to vote against a mandate. “There is no data to support any of this right now,” she said. “There’s no state mandate … so why are we doing this to our children?” Despite Bush’s claim, there is indeed evidence that COVID-19 hospitalizations are on the rise throughout Tennessee. Last week, the Tennessee Department of Health released data showing an uptick in COVIDpositive hospital patients, including patients ages 17 and younger. (Children younger than 12 are still ineligible for any COVID vaccination.) Soon after Thursday’s MNPS meet-

ing, Vanderbilt University Medical Center announced that it will postpone inpatient surgeries to make room for an increasing number of COVID-19 patients as well as “a seasonal rise in trauma cases, and a record total of admissions of ‘regular’ pediatric and respiratory viral illnesses.” Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey also told The Tennessean last week that children’s hospitals were filling up with patients. “Never in my career have I seen hospitals full in the summer,” said Piercey. District 7 school board member Freda Player-Peters compared COVID-19 to secondhand smoke. “When you’re in society, secondhand smoke can affect other people in the room,” she said at Thursday’s meeting. “[If] you want to do it in your home, outside, that is your right, but we have to protect our children.” District 1 school board member Sharon Gentry acknowledged that she and her colleagues on the board are not medical professionals, but noted that “our responsibility is to what happens in our schools, not to what happens in your individual homes.” There’s one aspect of the 2021-2022 school year that most agree on: Getting kids back to in-person learning is a priority. Recently released TCAP data shows that, after students attended school virtually for most of last year, test scores were down a significant though not unexpected amount. Student academic achievement levels throughout all grade levels and subjects appear to have been affected. Though she supports universal masking in schools, District 9 board member Abigail Tylor raised concerns about the issues

masks can bring, especially among young learners who need to see facial expressions and mouth movements. This same concern can apply to English-language learners or students receiving speech therapy. Tylor suggested clear masks and other possible strategies to facilitate this kind of learning. Tabitha Austin, a school nurse at West End Middle School, spoke to the Scene before the school board set its requirements. Though she understands the importance of masks — she made a point to clarify that she is not anti-mask — she noted that it’s a complicated topic. “I agree there should be masks mandated in the common areas,” Austin told the Scene. “But I feel once [students are] in the classroom at their desks, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be allowed to take their masks off, because I feel like that protects them physically, medically … and also it takes into account their social and mental health needs, which are just as important.” According to a press release issued last week by the Metropolitan Nashville Educators Association, nearly 66 percent of the 756 MNPS staff surveyed wanted a mask mandate in schools. “No, the wearing of the mask is not tedious,” Vanderbilt University School of Medicine professor Dr. William Schaffner said in a recent interview with the Scene. “Children can be used to it. It’s happened all over the country. It does not make them sick. It doesn’t make your surgeon sick — if the surgeon has to wear the mask for eight hours in an operation, it’s not gonna make your child sick. Put that away, that’s all malarkey.” “We are, in our community, at high risk of virus transmission,” Dr. Stephen Patrick, director of Vanderbilt’s Center for Child Health Policy, tells the Scene. “We’re seeing the Delta variant that is far more transmissible, and we’ve seen outbreaks throughout the country involving children. The best evidence is that ... kids [should] be wearing masks at school, as well as teachers.” Plenty of Tennessee’s Republican leaders, however, do not think masks should be required. At an Aug. 2 press conference, Gov. Bill Lee said that parents should be the ones to make that decision. State House Speaker Cameron Sexton threatened schools with possible legislative action if they adopt mask mandates. “I sure hope that school systems do not require a mask mandate for those students,” said Sexton. “And if they do, I’m going to ask the governor for a special session. If they close the schools, I’m going to ask the governor for a special session.” He also threatened legislation that could offer vouchers to parents, enabling them to use state funds to send children to the schools of their choice, including private schools. After the school board set its mask mandate, Sexton told The Tennessean that he is “starting discussions with House members.” Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, however, said he thinks the decision should be left to local school boards. Despite the debates of the past week, kids returned to school on Tuesday wearing masks, and it will likely have to stay that way until transmission rates drop. As the rise of the Delta variant continues to increase case counts in adults and children, it’s impossible to predict when that might be. EMAIL EDITOR@NASHVILLESCENE.COM

THIS WEEK ON OUR NEWS AND POLITICS BLOG: Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton threatened to bring the legislature back into special session to either wholesale forbid mask mandates or virtual schooling or to possibly redirect per-pupil state funding to parents themselves in a convoluted school-choice scheme. As contributor Betsy Phillips points out, that opens a whole other can of worms. For one, do the state’s private schools have the desire or capacity to admit more students? Secondly, would the state portion of school funding even pay for private school tuition? Metro Nashville Public Schools, for example, spends about $12,000 per student, but only $3,600 comes from the state. Tuition at Montgomery Bell Academy is, for comparison’s sake, about $30,000. The tuition at parochial school St. Anne’s is between $9,500 and $11,000. As Phillips notes, in Cumberland County (part of Sexton’s district), the state portion is still less than $5,000. “What we seem to have here in Tennessee is a death cult that tells its most ardent followers, ‘We’re going to really stick it to those big-city liberals, and they’ll be sorry they defy us,’ while they are sticking it to the most ardent followers.” … For what it’s worth, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally is cool to his counterpart’s idea. Maybe because he’s too busy investigating Davidson County Election Commission chairman Jim DeLanis’ recent departure from high-powered law firm Baker Donelson. McNally submitted a records request to MNPS, a Baker Donelson client, asking for documents and correspondence related to DeLanis, Baker Donelson, the election commission and 4 Good Government, the group pushing for a Metro charter referendum. … The Tennessee Department of Education, meanwhile, released proposed guidelines implementing the recently passed state law that would ostensibly ban the teaching of critical race theory (notwithstanding that the law doesn’t actually mention critical race theory). If TDOE were to decide that the district or charter school knowingly violated the law, they may be subject to a “corrective plan,” at which point funding can be held until the requirements of that plan have been met. For the first district penalty, TDOE can hold a portion of state funds up to $1 million, and after five or more violations, up to $10 million can be withheld. … Vanderbilt University Medical Center announced its hospitals are postponing inpatient surgeries due to the dramatic increase in patients hospitalized for COVID-19, a seasonal rise in trauma cases and a record total of admissions of “regular” pediatric and respiratory viral illnesses. “We have no choice,” says Seth Karp, chair of the surgical sciences department at VUMC. “Our hospitals are completely overrun.” Though the hospitals are not overwhelmed solely because of COVID patients, Karp says the pandemic is adding preventable pressure to a season that historically has a high volume of hospitalizations. “We expect to see a surge in trauma cases and respiratory viruses like [respiratory syncytial virus] and the flu this time of year,” Karp says. “We know how to treat those patients. What we don’t expect is this drastic increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations. We don’t know enough about the Delta variant to efficiently and effectively treat patients.” NASHVILLESCENE.COM/PITHINTHEWIND PITH@NASHVILLESCENE.COM • @PITHINTHEWIND

NASHVILLE SCENE | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | nashvillescene.com

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nashvillescene.com | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | NASHVILLE SCENE

Taking a look at redistricting, Republicans drifting to the right, the 5th Congressional District primary and more NO ROOM FOR MODERATES IN TENNESSEE’S REPUBLICAN PARTY Though few are willing to say so publicly, some members of the GOP admit their party is too focused on right-wing wedge issues BY STEVE CAVENDISH

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ow captive is Tennessee to fringe elements on the right? The Scene set out to find more moderate voices within the state Republican party, talking with influencers, fundraisers, former officials and staff. Out of eight interviewed, only one agreed to go on the record. “If we don’t find the balance, pushing farther right or pushing farther left is not the answer in my opinion,” says Republican Eddie Mannis, a first-term state House member from Knoxville. “I think, personally, it’s going to be devastating to the party. I think there are those of us who are more moderate in our thinking, and we are as a rule in some cases not willing to go on the record. I mean, with me it’s a little different, but you know, just

as an out legislator, everything I do is on the record.” Mannis is the only openly gay Republican legislator in the state, and he has found himself in an interesting position as elements of the far right have pushed openly anti-LGBT legislation in an effort to rally their base. Mannis spoke openly about creating “legislation for problems that do not even exist,” largely around social issues. It’s a frustration shared by many within the party, just not in public. One former state Republican official, who agreed to speak to the Scene anonymously, says that he believes the party has become obsessed with grievance instead of principle. “The GOP is a modern Know Nothing Party,” he says, referring to the nativist, antiimmigrant political party that gained traction

8/9/21 5:58 PM

A YEAR OUT FROM TENNESSEE’S 5TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT PRIMARY

Longtime incumbent Jim Cooper is up against a progressive primary challenger and possible redistricting BY AMY ESKIND

PHOTO: ERIC ENGLAND

before the Civil War. The Know Nothings were prone to conspiracies, particularly around the Catholic church, and sought Protestant candidates to defend “traditional” religious values. “The party as it is today is a party I’m having a hard time recognizing,” says the source. “And I think you have to put that in the context of, like, this isn’t happening over generations — this is happening within just a few short years. So the GOP likes to claim the mantle of being the party that is continuing to live out the principles of our founding and of the founding generation. And one of our founders who was right was president George Washington, who as general of the Continental army, mandated [smallpox] vaccines. But now we’re the group that’s out there trying to tell people how to avoid vaccines for a deadly pandemic. It’s not only a party that’s hard to recognize, it’s increasingly becoming a party that is just untethered from both reality and the common good when it’s carrying the water for things like this.” Notably, Republican Gov. Bill Lee would not allow himself to be photographed taking the vaccine. At a recent press conference, Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton threatened local school districts that impose mask mandates with school voucher legislation. One former Republican fundraiser noted being attracted to the party because of leaders like former U.S. Sens. Howard Baker and Bill Frist, who advocated for a “big tent” party. But increasingly, he says, a focus on narrow issues in party primaries has resulted in more moderate voices being drubbed out of the party. Issues that previously animated traditional Republicans, including lower taxes and regulation, have been put on the back burner and replaced by hot-button policies on transgender issues, guns and immigration. There’s no denying, the former official says, that the state party has become a Trump party. “There are still some Republicans who adhere to those traditional beliefs,” he says. “Part of the maddening aspect of this is that they adhere to them and do so largely privately, and are unwilling to say so publicly. And honestly, there’s a part of me that doesn’t blame them, because if they really started staking out that ground again, they would be roundly criticized by the current ascendant adherents within the party that are far more nationalist in nature in many ways, more xenophobic in nature.” For Mannis, there’s a hope that the next legislative session won’t be filled with the same kinds of wedge issues and instead focuses on economics. “I think we need to focus more on how we can really positively impact the lives of all Tennesseans,” Mannis says. “Because things move fast here, and there’s a limited amount of time, and the socialissue legislation that passed through the House, I just don’t know really at the end of the day what positive impact it will have. I said that to someone and somebody said, ‘Well, maybe not a positive impact, but we’re protecting Tennesseans.’ I think that might be a big part of the problem: Protecting Tennessee from what?” ■

ODESSA KELLY

ep. Jim Cooper (D-Nashville) has been ringing alarm bells about upcoming congressional redistricting. He tried to pass federal legislation that would require independent commissions to draw district lines, rather than partisan state legislatures. Eight states already go that route for congressional redistricting, but Tennessee isn’t one. Cooper’s bill is now included in HR-1, the voting rights bill stuck in the U.S. Senate, and time is running out — the lines are expected to be drawn within the coming months. Now he’s working the phones to get the business community involved, asking them to apply pressure on the state legislature. “I’ll do anything, I’ll do weddings, bar mitzvahs, just give me a chance to tell you what’s going on in Tennessee,” Cooper says. Republicans have shored up a supermajority in state government, and taken control of election commissions and the Chancery Court, while the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court has made it clear it won’t stop partisan gerrymandering by states. So the way Cooper sees it, when the legislature presents the plan, there will be no way to legitimately appeal. He’s worried that Republicans will divide Nashville into multiple districts so that slices of the city will be pieces of new districts that can stretch out into the state to garner the appropriate number of constituents and ensure Republican wins. And just like that, his solidly Democratic district would be replaced by new Republican districts. “I’m feeling like Paul Revere,” he says. “The Republicans are coming to chop up Nashville. State and federal courts are no longer an option. For 10 years Nashville will be chopped up.” He points to cities like Austin, Raleigh and Salt Lake City — all places where it’s happened. It’s been a rough year for Cooper. He lost Martha, his wife of 35 years, in February, and his longtime chief of staff Lisa Quigley recently left. He’s keeping busy, sitting on four House committees — most members of Congress sit on one or two, occasionally three — and chairing the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, which oversees strategic weapons, ballistic missile defense, space programs and Department of Energy national security programs. In his spare time, he’s raising campaign funds and fighting anticipated gerrymandering. He tends to be a moderate on issues — he has always been in favor of climate legislation and ultimately signed on to co-sponsor the Green New Deal even though he didn’t initially support it; he’s aghast at former President Trump but willing to work across the aisle; and he has championed a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Local progressives say sure, he works on lofty armed services, intelligence, budget and oversight issues, but he hasn’t done enough to help folks in the district. Cooper appears to be responding to the criticism: His twice-weekly newsletter on Congress is being scrapped, with an explanation that constituents want to know what he’s doing for them. He will now offer “The Wrap Up,” a weekly briefing centering on his own work. But ask him about Odessa Kelly, the progressive Democratic primary challenger who has thrown her hat in the ring for the Aug. 4 primary, and the man

REP. JIM COOPER

who has been serving since the year she was born doesn’t even comment on whether she’s a formidable opponent. “It’s premature,” he says. “Nobody knows where the districts will be, what district I’ll be running in or what district she’ll be running in.” Others may step into the race after the district lines are set. The filing deadline is April 7. It’s also likely the Republicans will choose to “pack” the liberal vote into two districts — how it stands now — and keep the rest of the state delegation for themselves. Despite the uncertainty, Kelly is forging ahead. Justice Democrats, the national organization that backs progressive primary challengers like New York’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez against “out-of-touch Democratic incumbents,” is supporting Kelly, and is partly responsible for her remarkable first-quarter fundraising haul of $302,000. Kelly comes from the world of community organizing. She is the executive director of Stand Up Nashville, the group that surveyed locals about their needs and then successfully pressed owners of Nashville’s MLS soccer team to sign a community benefits agreement to ensure that locals would benefit from a new stadium. The binding promise includes affordable housing, jobs with a minimum wage of $15.50 an hour, a hiring program that would help those with barriers to employment, a child care facility, and a new community advisory committee to see to it that they keep their promises. It is a historic agreement not seen on this scale before in the state. While Kelly hasn’t hired a campaign manager yet, there is momentum behind her. Before she even announced her candidacy, a small army of active progressives in the city banded together to produce a People’s Agenda that includes Medicare for All and reallocating policing funds to mental health intervention and other progressive programs. They’ve conferred online, they’ve protested outside Cooper’s office — they want change. Kelly has already engaged 50 volunteers to research, canvass, phone bank and text. But even if the packing scenario plays out, and Nashville/Davidson County, Dickson County and most of Cheatham County remain as Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, it’s questionable whether there are enough progressives in the district to topple Cooper. In a poll this spring of Davidson County residents, only 12

percent described themselves as “very liberal.” Another 23 percent said they were “liberal.” Vanderbilt Poll codirector John Geer says that even if half of the liberal group would favor a progressive Democratic candidate over a moderate one, that would mean just less than a quarter of Davidson County adults are there. The other counties in the district are more conservative. However, the poll asked residents — not voters. Elections are about who actually turns out. Cooper has served in Congress for more than three decades. He’s a member of a long-standing political family, the son of former Tennessee Gov. Prentice Cooper, and brother of current Nashville Mayor John Cooper. He’s won by great margins and earned high marks. He has a 65 percent approval rating in Davidson County, and a 77 percent approval rating among self-described Democrats. In the county’s Black community, he gets 62 percent approval, according to Geer. Keeda Haynes, Cooper’s 2020 primary challenger, earned just under 35,000 votes in the primary to Cooper’s 50,000. Kelly thinks she can do better. For one thing, she was born and raised in Nashville. (Haynes was born in Franklin and moved to Nashville in 2006.) She says she can relate to working-class constituents who have been ignored while the city exploded. “Everything I heard growing up was, ‘Get into the middle class,’ ’’ she says. “If you work hard, make good grades, stay out of trouble, get a degree, the world is your oyster.” It turned out not to be true. Kelly was raised in East Nashville, attended Tennessee State University on a full scholarship for basketball, and today — with a master’s degree in public service management under her belt and two teenagers — she can’t afford to buy a house in her old neighborhood. She says the problem is widespread, and to fix it leaders have to help people who have been “historically left out.” Cooper, she says, has a different frame through which to see the world, because he has been “rich since birth.” “He doesn’t need any [government help] to live in this country, you know? But that’s not the story for everyone. Black, brown, white, working-class people — there are so many people out here who are hurting. I do not think Cooper understands that well.” If she makes it to Congress, Kelly may be the first openly gay Black woman with a seat at that esteemed table. That’s a big if. ■

nashvillescene.com | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | NASHVILLE SCENE

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DEMOCRATS LOOK UPHILL AT THE 2022 GOVERNOR’S RACE

With Bill Lee up for re-election in an overwhelmingly red state, Tennessee Democrats have their work cut out for them BY STEPHEN ELLIOTT

t’s been a long time since Tennessee Democrats were competitive in a statewide election. In 2006, Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen won a resounding reelection victory — but it’s been mostly crickets since. The struggling party has its next chance at an upset in about 15 months, when Republican Gov. Bill Lee is up for re-election, the only statewide race on the ballot in 2022. Outwardly, party representatives say they have a shot, but it remains unclear exactly how they can turn the tide in the GOP-dominated state, where Lee beat well-funded former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean by more than 20 points in 2018 and where Donald Trump secured more than 60 percent of the vote in 2020. Still, the Democratic side of the 2022 election is beginning to heat up. Jason Martin, a Nashville doctor who has been vocally critical of Lee’s pandemic response, is officially considering a run, and Memphis City Councilmember J.B. Smiley is reportedly

WITH OFFICIAL CENSUS DATA INCOMING, TENNESSEE REDISTRICTING LOOMS Congressional, councilmanic and state-legislature lines could be redrawn after the Aug. 16 data is released BY J.R. LIND

he most important date in 2021 for the 2022 elections is Aug. 16. That’s the day the United States Census Bureau promised to deliver the detailed results of the 2020 decennial census. Federal- and state-level data is already out, and estimates have been making the rounds for months. But on Aug. 16, all that speculation will end when the headcountersin-chief show exactly how many people — broken down into every demographic category imaginable — live in each census block. Because of the already released numbers, we know Tennessee will hold fast at nine seats in the United States House of Representatives. Because of the state constitution, we know the state House will have 99 members and the Senate 33. (Technically, a maximum of 33; the Tennessee Constitution says the number of senators shall not exceed one-third of the number of representatives, but it seems unlikely the Senate will vote to shrink itself.) Similarly, the Metro Charter lets us know there will be 35 councilmanic districts. Those are the constants. The variables are, of course, who goes where.

mulling a bid as well. Carnita Atwater, a Memphis nonprofit leader, has filed to run in the Democratic primary, but she does not appear to have much of a campaign infrastructure in place. There’s some debate internally among Democrats about whether and how much to talk about COVID-19 on the campaign trail. Despite criticisms of Lee’s response from some corners, the governor has remained popular in limited public polling, and fewer than 40 percent of Tennesseans have been fully vaccinated against the disease — among the lowest rates in the nation. “If I was consulting a candidate, I wouldn’t advise them to put all of their stake in making this completely about COVID-19, because there are so many other issues that have really bogged down the state,” says Hendrell Remus, the chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party. “Our focus is on the issues that will be able to transcend the political climate that has consumed us with so much division.” To him, that means the economy, health care access and medical marijuana. State Rep. Torrey Harris (D-Memphis) is consulting a candidate — Martin — through his new advisory firm, and he more or less agrees, despite his candidate’s own background in a COVID-19 ward. “We’ve got to focus on what [Lee] is doing horribly on, and not focus in on just this one topic of COVID vaccinations,” Harris says. Remus is “confident in the caliber of candidates” who have reached out to him to discuss a Democratic primary run. That said, he’s hoping for someone “who can really connect and resonate with people, who’s

charismatic, who can go into both urban and rural areas and be able to deliver a message of making Tennessee stronger, safer and healthier, where people can get a fair shot.” Remus is also looking for a gubernatorial candidate who can attract enough attention to draw donations from outside Tennessee. “I don’t care if you have a Ph.D. or an M.D. or a GED, if you can connect with people, if you are charismatic and if you can put competent people in place to help deliver results for people in Tennessee, that’s what we should be focused on,” Remus says. As part of its efforts to cut into the GOP advantage, the state Dems are trying to register hundreds of thousands of new voters this cycle — an effort they hope can be funded in part by half a million dollars from the national Democratic Party’s new red-state fund. Democrats continue to dominate in the state’s population centers, especially Nashville and Memphis. But that hasn’t been enough to win elections in recent years, as the state’s rural areas have rapidly become nearly impenetrable Republican strongholds. The goal, according to Remus and Harris, is to lock down Nashville and Memphis, make inroads in certain shifting suburban areas and attempt to cut into margins in rural areas, if only by 3 to 5 percentage points. “We know we probably won’t ever flip some of those red counties again,” Remus says. “But we can close the margin in some of these counties … so we put more votes in the bag for statewide candidates.” To increase performance in rural areas, the Democratic officials say, it’s important to make sure Democrats are on the ballot in as many legislative districts as possible,

Tennessee grew by about 8.5 percent between 2010 and 2020 and Nashville by about 12 percent. With no change in the number of elected officials, the long and short of it is, each district will have to contain more people. But growth was uneven. Estimates show Middle Tennessee and parts of East Tennessee grew the most. In the Midstate, that growth was particularly strong in the suburban counties east and south of Nashville. Interestingly, by percentage, the fastest-growing county was tiny Trousdale. But as ever, the devil is in the details; the Turner Correctional Center opened outside of Hartsville in 2016. The influx of jobs connected to the prison — and the incarcerated people themselves — account for the growth, meaning Trousdale County boasts an extraordinarily high rate of disenfranchised people (a discussion for another time). Essentially, the largest-growth counties were in three distinct bands: Davidson and all the counties bordering it to the east and south (plus Clarksville’s Montgomery County and the aforementioned Trousdale); a line along the Cumberland Plateau connecting DeKalb, Putnam, Cumberland and Chattanooga’s Hamilton County; and an arc in the Smokies including Loudon, Knox and Sevier. The counties that shrank are largely in rural West Tennessee and in the Upper Cumberland. The takeaway? The districts that served these counties will get larger as the others tighten up. And that’s where the dream of Republican apparatchiks and lusty lawmakers — slicing up Nashville to swing the current 7-2 Republican tilt in the U.S. House to 8-1 — runs into a problem. As Louis the Pious taught us, drawing lines to satisfy everyone’s lust for power may actually end up causing fraternal rivalries. (To extend this metaphor, Republicans Scott DesJarlais, Mark Green and David Kustoff are Lothair I, Charles the Bald and Louis the German in the time before the Treaty of Verdun.) If the Republican-dominated state legislature — in Ten-

nessee, they’re the ones charged with redistricting for state and federal elections — decides to shoot the moon and slice Nashville into four districts, diluting the Democratic vote, there will likely be room for all the incumbents at the table. But there are politically practical reasons not to do that; for example, Rutherford County is not only growing apace, it’s getting younger and more collegeeducated. A sure thing in 2022 may not be a sure thing in 2026, for example. But if the legislature decides it’s OK to simply hold serve at 7-2, it opens up an internecine Pandora’s box. DesJarlais’ district — currently a U shape from Rutherford County to Rhea County north of Chattanooga — will almost certainly have to be pulled west, losing ground to the Chattanooga-based district of Chuck Fleischmann. Alternatively, the Republicans could gamble a little and link Murfreesboro with parts of northwestern Hamilton County and perhaps draw in part of reliably red Williamson County, hoping that any nascent Democratic momentum is stanched by the shift. But that presents problems for Green, whose district runs from Clarksville down to the Alabama border, widening predictably as it goes south, though it swings over and grabs the Williamson County prize. Montgomery County is still seen as Republican-heavy, a by-product of military-heavy Clarksville and its rural balance. But like Murfreesboro, Clarksville is growing, getting younger and more diverse. Keeping Williamson County helps hold those changes at bay. What’s for certain is Kustoff’s district is going to grow; almost all of the counties with significant population loss since 2010 are represented by the Germantown Republican. Currently confined to the most northern and western counties of the Delta, the district will either have to take in part of Shelby County or push into Green’s district. It’s not an easy pie to slice, nor a set of factors that’s easy to balance. Perhaps the party could use the opportunity to rid themselves of DesJarlais (who

“OUR FOCUS IS ON THE ISSUES THAT WILL BE ABLE TO TRANSCEND THE POLITICAL CLIMATE THAT HAS CONSUMED US WITH SO MUCH DIVISION.” — HENDRELL REMUS, CHAIR OF THE TENNESSEE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

even if the individual race is a long shot. It’s also important simply to show up in those communities, they say, as evidenced by a statewide TNDP tour this summer and fall and Remus’ own stops in rural counties since taking over the party earlier this year. “This was a Democratically run state for many years,” Harris says. “It’s not that we can’t get these people back. We either haven’t tried, we’ve done it the wrong way, or we’ve purposely tried to find ways to push them away by acting as if the things that they care about aren’t the message of a Democrat.” Despite their hopes and dreams, Tennessee Democrats face perhaps their steepest climb yet in the 2022 governor’s race. Asked if he could envision any scenario in which the 2022 race could be competitive, one top Republican who worked on the 2018 race laughs. “No,” he says. “Short answer: No.” ■

infamously once urged his mistress to get an abortion despite running as a pro-life candidate, among other things, and who one former high-level TNGOP staffer once called a “terd” whom he “regretted shoving over the finish line”), but often, the devil you know … These squabbles likely won’t extend to the General Assembly redistricting process. There’s some chatter about how the legislature may try to redraw Davidson County’s state Senate lines to create a district friendlier to a (moderate) Republican after Steve Dickerson’s defeat in 2020, but otherwise there’s only so many ways to divvy up the spoils. As for Metro, the initial set of district lines are the province of the Planning Department, an apolitical body setting the stage for (wink wink) nonpartisan elections. The 2020 lines are likely to show something of a reversal of a 50-year trend. For decades, as the county’s population became suburban, the councilmanic districts near downtown grew in size. But now, people are returning to the core, meaning some of those districts will have to squeeze in tight again. Where the real battles — if there are any — will come is, bizarrely, in the numbering system. The Metro Charter mandates a two-term limit for councilmembers, though that’s two terms as a district member and two terms as one of the five at-large members. But there’s a little quirk. If a district is renumbered, or if the lines draw a councilmember into another district, the term-limit counter resets. For example, Freddie O’Connell has represented District 19 near downtown since 2015. Ostensibly, he’ll hit his twoterm limit at the end of the current term in 2023, and if he wants to remain on the council, he’d have to run countywide for an at-large seat — unless the influx of people to the core forces a renumbering of the central districts or a shift in the lines, and O’Connell suddenly finds himself residing in, say, District 15. The way the lines are drawn matters, but so does what you call the polygons they enclose. ■

NASHVILLE SCENE | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | nashvillescene.com

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nashvillescene.com | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | NASHVILLE SCENE

GLENN FUNK PREPARES TO FACE POSSIBLE CHALLENGERS IN DA’S RACE

While no contenders have stepped forward, activists are calling for change

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n the evening of July 1, as the streetlights were starting to come on, a small crowd was gathering in front of Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk’s Hillsboro-West End home. The group, which included a number of the city’s most visible Black activists, was there to protest a just-announced plea deal that would see former Metro Nashville Police Officer Andrew Delke serve a year-and-a-half of a three-year sentence for the killing of Daniel Hambrick in 2018. Funk and his family did not appear to be home that night, but the message coming from the street was loud and clear. “We’re calling on anyone who wants to run against Glenn Funk, come holler at us,” said former public defender and onetime congressional candidate Keeda Haynes during a passionate address to the crowd gathered just beyond Funk’s front yard. Similar calls rang out the following day as a courtroom erupted into chaos when Delke’s plea deal was being finalized. In 2014, Funk was elected to succeed longtime DA Torry Johnson after spending 25 years as a defense attorney. He defeated Johnson’s hand-picked successor, Rob McGuire, by 10 points in a victory propelled in large part by support from Black voters. Seven years later, Funk is preparing to run for re-election in 2022 and assuming he won’t be alone. “I hear people say that I’m going to have competition,” Funk tells the Scene. “I am preparing to run a contested race.” If he is going to have competition, it’s not clear yet who it’s going to be. One obvious potential candidate is Haynes, an attorney with name recognition and credibility among those who want to see dramatic change in the city’s criminal justice system. But she tells the Scene that “as of right now” she is not running. Haynes does add, though: “Nashville definitely deserves better than Glenn Funk. Particularly Black Nashville deserves better than Glenn Funk.” Another name bandied about by Metro insiders is Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Beth Myers. She’s gotten buzz for the top prosecutor job in the Middle District but would also make a natural candidate for DA. Reached by the Scene, though, Myers says she can’t comment, citing the legal restrictions associated with her job as a federal prosecutor. (The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees like her from engaging in partisan political activity.) Other candidates could emerge. For now, Funk will be making his case and, of course, raising money. Beside his status as

POOL PHOTO: JOSIE NORRIS / TENNESSEAN.COM

BY STEVEN HALE

DISTRICT ATTORNEY GLENN FUNK SPEAKS IN COURT AFTER ANDREW DELKE PLEADS GUILTY TO MANSLAUGHTER, JULY 2, 2021 an incumbent, that’s another obstacle a challenger would have to overcome: Funk’s latest financial disclosure shows he has more than $310,000 on hand. (Disclosure: One max donor is Bill Freeman, the real estate executive and longtime Democratic donor who owns the Scene.) The Delke deal was, to activists and supporters of the Hambrick family, a stark example of the way that Black lives are devalued in the criminal justice system even under supposedly progressive-minded prosecutors. Asked whether he needs to repair his relationship with Black Nashvillians, Funk acknowledges that the way the Delke case ended was “undoubtedly triggering emotionally for a number of reasons.” He says it was a hard call, but one he believes was right “based upon the facts and the law that we’re going to apply to that case.” “What I am expecting is that folks will realize an officer for the first time in history was held accountable,” he says. “An officer for the first time in Tennessee history, maybe in the history of the country, was not only convicted of a killing where the person who was shot had a handgun in their hand, but pled guilty to that offense.” It’s true, as Funk notes, that he also angered organizations like the Fraternal Order of Police by charging Delke with murder in the first place. But the FOP will be happy with at least one of his other positions. He agrees with Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake that the police department needs more funding, not less. He argues better policing will require more cops. “To get to a place where folks are out of their cars and positioned in the proper zones, to drive down violent crime, we’re gonna need more police officers,” Funk says. “How many more? I’m not the police chief. But it is going to require more police officers trained correctly and doing the job in a way where they’re part of a community and they’re actually preventing crime. You can’t have a statistic where the metrics of a good police officer is how many arrests you make. It’s impossible to quantify ‘how many crimes did you prevent through your presence?’ But I think we’ll see it community-wide if we have those extra resources put into the police department, and they’re deployed correctly under Chief Drake’s leadership.” Many see Funk as a progressive pros-

“NASHVILLE DEFINITELY DESERVES BETTER THAN GLENN FUNK. PARTICULARLY BLACK NASHVILLE DESERVES BETTER THAN GLENN FUNK.” — KEEDA HAYNES

ecutor, though, and that’s not completely without merit. He established a Conviction Review Unit, which has acted on several wrongful convictions; against opposition from the Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery, he sought to have the death sentence of a Black Nashville prisoner, Abu-Ali Abdur’Rahman, replaced with a life sentence vacated because of racism and prosecutorial misconduct during his original trial; he directed his office to stop prosecuting people for simple possession of marijuana; and he has defied the state legislature by announcing he would not enforce one law that requires doctors to tell women that chemical abortions can be reversed, nor would he enforce legislation requiring businesses and public facilities to post signage if they allow transgender people to use bathrooms matching their gender identity. If re-elected, he says he wants to see restorative justice programs expanded into adult courts and continue work around determining and addressing root causes of domestic violence. Yet there are some — including the people who gathered on Funk’s street earlier this summer, and more beyond that — who say his progressive stances only paper over a system that still disproportionately ensnares poor and nonwhite Nashvillians. There’s no doubt that they’ll continue to push whoever leads the DA’s office. What’s not clear is if someone will step forward and try to take the job. EMAIL EDITOR@NASHVILLESCENE.COM

NASHVILLE SCENE | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | nashvillescene.com

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The last time Adam Duritz was onstage in Franklin — at the ill-fated 2018 installment of Pilgrimage Festival — the Counting Crows main man was the bearer of bad news. He delivered the message that the grounds were to be immediately evacuated due to incoming storms only a few songs into the Crows’ set. When Duritz & Co. return this month, fans might do a double take — in late 2019, the formerly dreadlocked frontman introduced a new defuzzed look — but the emotive, melodious singing style that made Duritz the grunge era’s foremost sensitive guy remains unmistakable, and the core lineup has stayed steady. Three decades removed from the band’s seven-times-platinum debut August and Everything After, the Crows continue to generate quality material (the Butter Miracle EP, released in May, is their latest) to complement the time-tested “Mr. Jones” and “Round Here” in set lists. For this one, expect special attention paid to Recovering the Satellites — August’s ruminative and rocking follow-up that turns 25 this fall — and cross your fingers for clear skies. 7 p.m. at FirstBank Amphitheater, 4525 Graystone Quarry Lane, Franklin CHARLIE ZAILLIAN [HOT DOG!]

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What better way to usher in the dog days of summer than with a visit to Cheekwood for Dog Nights of Summer? Part of the estate’s popular Thursday Night Out series, this tail-wagging event welcomes well-behaved dogs and their

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Long-running Nashville rock outfit Kings of Leon made headlines in March when they offered NFT editions of their eighth full-length album When You See Yourself. (You could be forgiven for forgetting what NFTs are since the spring, when there was a spike in interest in them. The CliffsNotes version: An NFT is a digital artifact certifying ownership of a piece of digital media, like a work of visual art or a piece of music. It’s an intriguing new market for artists, though there are legitimate concerns about the climate impact of current methods for creating NFTs.) The NFT sale earned the band around $2 million, $600,000 of which they donated to Crew Nation, ticketing and touring giant Live Nation’s relief fund for touring pros impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown. If you’re not a fan of the band, the NFT connection may be the most interesting thing about the new album, their first since 2016’s WALLS. For more than half of KOL’s tenure so far, which began in 1999, the group has been working with a post-post-punk

D. STRIKER’S RR PARTY FEAT. ALTERED STATESMAN, JUSTIN AND THE COSMICS & THE JOINERS

In spite of the pandemic, forever-aspiring country star D. Striker hasn’t let a Friday the 13th go by without an RR Party. After all, the alter ego of Jeff Meltesen — a music-biz pro with a deep love of country who fronts a superb rockin’ roots band — has hosted a release show for his golden-hued country fanzine pretty much every Friday the 13th since 1998. The first one of the COVID era was a livestream from the practice space, assembled the week that live entertainment began to shut down across the U.S.; the second was a Casey Kasem-style countdown of bars that were contributing the most to the spread of the coronavirus according to a Metro report. Friday’s show will be the first RR party you’ll be able to see in person since 2019, and it’s what some folks might call “a humdinger.” Altered Statesman, a superlative ensemble led by Steve Poulton, opens up the show — check out their recent EP Four Easy Pieces, which adds some dubby and trip-hoppy elements to their always-cool avant-soul sound. Justin and the Cosmics, as raucous a rootsy rock band as ever there was, and The Joiners — rockers

[QUIRK CITY]

TOMATO ART FEST

I caught a glimpse of Halloween candy at Kroger last week. That makes it all but official: The seasons are about to change again. Wring out the last bit of summertime levity with this weekend’s Tomato Art Fest, the long-running and longbeloved East Nashville block party/parade/ concert/art exhibit. This year’s highlights include live music from psych-leaning singer-songwriter Aaron Lee Tasjan, a bloody mary contest featuring as many as 15 different types to sample, and the quirky Push, Pull and Wear Parade, which starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday. And of course, plenty of art, including this year’s official Tomato Art Fest artwork, “Tomato Bass (Base),” by Jason Brueck of East Nashville’s Raven & Whale Gallery. There’s also an app this year, so visit tomatoartfest.com to get plugged in. Aug. 13-14 in East Nashville’s Five Points neighborhood LAURA HUTSON HUNTER [BULLY FOR YOU]

BULLY W/TWEENS & PEACHY

It was only by chance that Bully got to break out of quarantine and perform their first post-pandemic show opening for Japanese Breakfast in June. Soccer Mommy was slated to play Outloud Music Festival’s annual event, but a last-minute cancellation resulted in organizers asking frontwoman Alicia Bognanno to fill the slot. At the show, Bognanno and her band — bassist Joey Howard, guitarist Chappy Hull and drummer Wes Mitchell — tore through several songs from 2020’s fantastic

PHOTO: ANGELINA CASTILLO

[SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT]

families into the gardens every Thursday evening in August. Keep in mind that Fido will not be allowed in any buildings, but you can certainly stroll (and sniff!) the scenic grounds, checking out the Ann and Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail and enjoying all of the colorful summer blossoms — from salvias to sunflowers. With live music and plenty of cocktail stations, it’s a great way to wind down the week. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times, and don’t forget to clean up after your pets. For complete details, visit cheekwood.org. 5-9 p.m. at Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Drive AMY STUMPFL MUSIC

MUSIC

THURSDAY/ 8.12

[GOLDEN THREAD]

now based in Birmingham, Ala., whose “Glorious Glorious” we crowned Best Song About Nashville in our Best of Nashville issue way back in 2010 — round out the bill. As of last week, The 5 Spot began requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entry, so be sure to either have your vax card or a photo of it at the ready. 9 p.m. at The 5 Spot, 1006 Forrest Ave. STEPHEN TRAGESER COMMUNITY

R O U N D U P

MUSIC

W E E K L Y

BULLY

nashvillescene.com | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | NASHVILLE SCENE

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CRITICS’ PICKS

GREAT MUSIC • GREAT FOOD • GOOD FRIENDS • SINCE 1991

THIS WEEK 8:00

6:30

FEAT. DANIELLE PECK FRI

SAM RIGGS W/ JOEY GREEN

SAT

WORLD TURNING BAND

8/13

8:00

8/14 THE LIVE FLEETWOOD MAC EXPERIENCE SUN

8/15

MON

8/16

JONATHAN TYLER & THE NORTHERN LIGHTS + QUAKER CITY NIGHT HAWKS THE TIME JUMPERS

8:00

7:30

7:00 8:00

8:00

WILDHEART WEDNESDAYS

WED

FEAT. WHITNEY DUNCAN, MICHAEL CARTER, COLE TAYLOR, TRANNIE ANDERSON

8/18

THAT 90’S SHOW + 8 TRACK BAND RUBIK’S GROOVE

THU

8/19 FRI

W/ TRUWAVE

8/20

THE MIDNIGHT RIDERS

SAT

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS REVUE

8/21

T. HARDY MORRIS

SUN

WITH SHELLY COLVIN

8/22

THE TIME JUMPERS

MON

8/23

11/6

11/7 ARLO MCKINLEY

9/10 LERA LYNN

THE LONG PLAYERS CELEBRATE WOMEN OF ROCK ’N ROLL

COMING SOON 8-24 THE PIANO MEN: THE MUSIC OF ELTON JOHN AND BILLY JOEL 8-25 WILDHEART WEDNESDAYS FEAT. CLAY MILLS , REBECCA LYNN HOWARD & MORE 8-26 BONNIE BISHOP W/ BEN DANAHER 8-27 JEFFREY STEELE SOLD OUT! 8-28 A PINK FLOYD EXPERIENCE : ANDERSON COUNCIL “WISH YOU WERE ANIMALS” 8-30 THE TIME JUMPERS 8-31 A NIGHT FOR THOM BRESH 9-2 STONEY LARUE 9-3 RESURRECTION : A JOURNEY TRIBUTE 9-4 PAT MCLAUGHLIN BAND

9-5 LIZ COOPER W/ THE MANGO FURS 9-9 JONELL MOSSER AND FRIENDS 9-10 THE LONG PLAYERS CELEBRATE WOMEN OF ROCK ’N ROLL 9-11 MAGIC CITY HIPPIES W/ COOL COMPANY 9-14 JOE TROOP (OF CHE APALACHE) 9-15 BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS 9-17 THE EAGLEMANIACS: THE MUSIC OF DON HENLEY AND THE EAGLES 9-18 GUILTY PLEASURES 9-19 HEARTLESS BASTARDS 10-1 LOS COLOGNES 10-2 SUNNY SWEENEY

WEEKEND CLASSICS: MODERN TIMES

This month, the Belcourt is hitting us with two comedy classics about bumbling protagonists lost in a modern society both evolving and devolving due to advancements in technology. Aug. 21 and 22, the theater will play Jacques Tati’s

ART: [MARK MAKING]

SEE COLLECTION CONNECTIONS AT TSU

Archival research isn’t just for historians. There’s a singular joy in diving down a rabbit hole about a topic, public figure or institution — or anything, really. A single question always leads to more questions, some answers and a heap of knowledge that often teaches you just as much about the present. The Tennessee State University Department of Art and Design

10-7 THE WILDER BLUE 10-8 & 9 WILL HOGE 10-14 HUNTER METTS W/ WALKER BURROUGHS AND SHANNON LAUREN CALLIHAN 10-15 SERATONES 10-17 EMILY WOLFE 10-19 TOMMY CASTRO & THE PAINKILLERS 11-3 WILLIE WATSON 11-9 LOVE HEALS EVERY BODY : A BENEFIT FOR THISTLE FARMS 11-21 BRANDY CLARK SOLD OUT!

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PRIVATE EVENTS

FOR 20-150 GUESTS SHOWCASES • WEDDINGS BIRTHDAYS • CORPORATE EVENTS EVENTSAT3RD@GMAIL.COM

[DIXIE FRIED]

DRIVIN N CRYIN

Punk and New Wave got Southern-fried in the 1980s, which produced a lot of hybrid music by bands as varied as North Carolina’s Let’s Active and Georgia’s Drivin N Cryin. This process partly accounts for the Americana genre as it exists >> P. 26

and portraits of professors appear around campus and provide a key to understanding the university’s visual language. Greg Ridley, a student of the great modernist Aaron Douglas, is best known in Nashville for his series of copper repoussé that depicts Nashville’s history in the downtown public library’s reading room. By exhibiting works by current faculty members like Sam Dunson and Michael McBride, along with works by current TSU students and recent grads, Collection Connections seeks to explore “who left their mark on the Department of Art and Design, how we build on what [came] before, and what can be learned through art viewing and narrative.” Through Sept. 10 at the Hiram Van Gordon Gallery, Tennessee State University, Elliott Hall, 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd. ERICA CICCARONE

12-5 DAVID SHAW

LIVESTREAM | VIDEO | AUDIO

[SILENCE IS GOLDEN]

ART

JUST ANNOUNCED

SATURDAY / 8.14

ART

KEITH ANDERSON’S PODUNK NIGHTS

“JESUS,” SAM DUNSON

THU

8/12

awe-inspiring 1967 masterpiece Playtime. But this weekend, you can take in Charlie Chaplin’s sentimental, partly silent (wait until you hear ol’ boy sing!) 1936 screwball take on the Great Depression. Chaplin assumes his iconic Little Tramp character one last time, playing an inept working stiff who bounces from job to job (and occasionally, jail to jail) as he tries to bring home the bacon for himself and his girl (Chaplin’s then-wife Paulette Goddard, consistently barefoot). With this movie taking nearly a year to make, Chaplin really went for it, coming up with several revolutionary-for-the-time set pieces. Plus, you’ll most likely be blown away — pardon the pun — by the scene where Chaplin accidentally sprinkles a prison meal with “nose powder.” That’s right: You can watch the Little Tramp get coked out of his goddamn mind. Aug. 14-15 at the Belcourt, 2102 Belcourt Ave. CRAIG D. LINDSEY MUSIC

3RDANDLINDSLEY.COM

Sugaregg, as well as old favorites like “Milkman.” They even pulled off a pretty stunning rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U.” The real surprise came when Bognanno admitted that the four of them hadn’t yet played together, and Howard had to learn all the songs the night before. Imagine how great the band will sound after actual rehearsals! These back-to-back home shows kick off a national tour that takes the band on the road through September, and because the future remains uncertain, you’d be wise to see the band before the world collapses again. (I mean, hopefully not, but maybe. I don’t know.) Cincinnati’s garage-rock outfit Tweens will open Friday night’s show, while Nashville’s own punks Peachy will open Saturday. Aug. 13-14 at Mercy Lounge, 1 Cannery Row MEGAN SELING

FILM

818 3RD AVE SOUTH • SOBRO DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE SHOWS NIGHTLY • FULL RESTAURANT FREE PARKING • SMOKE FREE VENUE AND SHOW INFORMATION

is providing just such an opportunity with Collection Connections, an exhibition that invites visitors to examine art and artifacts and discover the connections between professors, students and artists at the HBCU. The show includes work by Frances E. Thompson, a professor from 1923 to 1969 whose relief work

[LEND TREND]

BORROW ART FROM THE METRO ARTS LENDING LIBRARY

Buying art rocks, but doing so is out of reach for lots of folks who would love to adorn their walls with original work. Metro Arts and the Nashville Public Library now offer patrons the ability to check out an artwork as a regular library loan, just like you would a book, DVD or audiobook. All you need is a library card. The collection includes 60 works from artists such as Vesna Pavlović, Andrés Bustamante, McLean Fahnestock, Nuveen Barwari, Amanda Brown and Elisheba Israel Mrozik. Head to library.nashville.org and search the catalog for “Metro Arts Lending Library.” Once you’ve chosen a work, you can pick it up at the Southeast or Madison branches. You get to keep the loan for three months, and maybe you’ll fall in love with an artist in the process. Pretty neat. ERICA CICCARONE

NASHVILLE SCENE | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | nashvillescene.com

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 13 & SATURDAY, AUGUST 14 EAST NASHVILLE | FIVE POINTS

I LOVE MYLOCAL CLIENTS HOME FROM MY HEAD TOMATOES! YOUR EXPERT YOUR LOCAL HOME EXPERT Broker, CLHMS, Vice Broker, CRBCRB CLHMS, VicePresident, President, Circle Of Excellence, MMDC Circle Of Excellence, MMDC eddie@eddieferrell.com

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YOUR LOCAL HOME EXPERT NOO STR

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nashvillescene.com | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | NASHVILLE SCENE

Coming Very Soon, East Nashville! 2020 and 2021 Scene Burger Week

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Ripe for Inspiration

Tomato Art Fest has been uniting fruits and vegetables since 2004. The annual festival attracts people from all over with fun themed art, local music, delicious food, costumes, wacky contests, shopping, kids activities, & more. The 2021 Tomato Art Fest will take place on Friday, August 13 and Saturday, August 14 in Historic East Nashville’s Five Points. The 2-day festival is free to attend, welcoming to all, and costumes are encouraged. A community builder, Tomato Art Fest has steadily drawn larger crowds with each passing year. In 2019 the event drew an estimated 60,000 people to celebrate the beloved fruit and/ orvegetable plus enjoy the day’s memorable festivities. The essence of Tomato Art Fest can be found in the array of wacky & hilarious contests and the staple Push, Pull & Wear Parade kicking off tomato weekend full of floats and costumes. True to our namesake, the ART gets a big part of the tomato spotlight, where The Tomato ART Show and Tomato Art Pre-View Party showcase over 300 tomato-inspired pieces throughout the weekend. The organizers behind this beloved event strive to improve the festival each year while keeping the character the same familiar fun that East Nashville has known and loved for 18 years. Welcoming organic growth while sticking close to traditions is something the festival excels at thanks to active community participation. The 2021 Tomato Art Fest is grown by Publix Super Markets.

Commemorative Pin New this year! ComE ouT auG. 13-14 to EnjoY loCal hext QuaLity MeaT slIderS anD spEciaLs on blooDy mArys tH

1024 woOdlaNd sT, nAshvIlle, tn 37206 | (615) 262-3345 TOMATO ART FEST GUIDE 2021

New this year, help support the beloved Tomato Art Fest by purchasing a commemorative Pin. The Tomato Art Fest Pin helps support the annual festival and parade in historic five points.

Each year the festival will unveil an enamel pin inspired by the festival’s official artwork. Because much of our festival, activities and programming is free, your support is vital. This year’s pin was inspired by Tomato Bass (Base), the official artwork of the 2021 Tomato Art Festival, created by Jason Brueck of Raven and Whale Gallery in East Nashville’s Five Points.

Get your pin at www.tomatoartfest.com/pin

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917 Woodland Street Nashville, TN 37206 thebasementnashville.com

DRIVIN N CRYIN // AUG 14

KODY WEST // AUG 13

vegan with gluten-free options

East Nashville

Fun & Fabulous Women’s and Men’s Clothing Handcrafted Jewelry and Unique Accessories & Gifts

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SARAH DARLING // AUG 25

YEP REWIND: 80S MEGAHITS // AUG 26 featuring special guests

w/ maggie baugh & colin elmore

Upcoming shows Aug 12 Aug 13 Aug 14 Aug 18 AUG 21 AUG 22 Aug 24 Aug 25 Aug 26 aug 27 aug 31 Sep 1 Sep 2 Sep 3 Sep 8 Sep 9 Sep 10 Sep 11 Sep 12

Leah Blevins w/ brit taylor Kody West w/ wade sapp Drivin N Cryin w/ LORE fancy hagood feat. sarah buxton Chase Matthew female rock icons of the 80's tribute John 5 w/ Jared James Nichols & Black Satelitte sarah darling w/ maggie baugh and colin elmore yep rewind: 80s megahits space capone w/ nick connors hellzapoppin Brandon "Taz" Niederauer Blake henderson & whelan stone w/ forrest finn petty w/ Chuck Indigo, Gee Slab, Quez Cantrell, & AC Noel Kashena Sampson w/ joshua black wilkins & emily nenni

Sam Fischer The Foxies w/ Wild Love Nikki Lane w/ Joshua Hedley turnstile SOLD OUT!

Sep 15 Sep 16 Sep 17 Sep 20 Sep 21 Sep 27 Sep 28 Sep 30 Oct 1 Oct 2 Oct 5 Oct 7 Oct 8 Oct 9 oct 12 Oct 14 Oct 16 Oct 17

Elana Jane, Eric Van Houten, Sammy Arriaga, and Maddie Consoer the bright light social hour w/ lo talker

Summer Salt w/ Covey and Breakup Shoes Jordy Searcy w/ palmertrees palomania! feat. James Intveld , Rosie Flores, Jim Lauderdale, Jason Ringenberg, Chuck Mead & More

Gary Numan w/ i speak machine Wild Rivers w/ jillian jacqueline Fozzy w/ Through Fire, Royal Bliss & Black Satellite Jukebox the Ghost Perpetual Groove the nude party The Emo Night Tour Mae & The Juliana Theory celebrating the life and songs of John Prine SOLD OUT! natalie hemby on sale friday! okey dokey Parker Millsap w/ molly parden Noga Erez w/ McKinley Dixon

6 new

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NANÉ // AUG 18 UPCOMING SHOWS

LOVE MONTAGE & BAD CULTURE // AUG 14 Aug 12

the cabin boys featuring bre kennedy, brother bird, & natalie duffy

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Aug 13 get happier fridays free show! Aug 14 love montage & badculture (7pm) Aug 14 Samuel Herb w/ Bonner Black (9pm) Aug 16 the silver seas w/ zoe sky jordan Aug 18 Nané Aug 19 stef, talia stewart Aug 19 Beau Burnette, Vera Bloom, Liv Noelle Aug 20 & 21 Sierra Ferrell SOLD OUT! Aug 25 oginalii, el shirota, blood root Aug 27 get happier fridays (5pm) free show! Aug 27 Darrin Bradbury (9pm)

aug 28 aug 29

Sep 2 Sep 6 Sep 9 Sep 10 Sep 12

bckhnd Molly Martin, Ryan Sobb & The Dead Mall, The Singing Butcher Valley Maker w/ The Ophelias (7pm) Haley Powers, Meg Williams, Leilani Kilgore (9pm) tim easton w/ upstate mojo spencer cullum, dominic billett Husbands w/ Crumbsnatchers Rock Eupora w/ Sad Baxter & Gentle Organisms Quiet Hollers w/ She Returns From War and

Sep 15

tristan bushman, caleb elliott

Sep 1 Sep 1

Katy Guillen & The Drive

1604 8th Ave S Nashville, TN 37203 thebasementnash

thebasementnash

TOMATO ART FEST GUIDE 2021

MORE INFO AND EVENTS LISTED AT

TOMATOARTFEST.COM

Find the fun at Five Points!

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS HOME DECORATING CONTEST Sponsored by Crye-Leike Realtors and Community Mortgage

WHEN: Decorating: August 9-14; Judging: August 11th WHERE: All over East Nashville REGISTRATION: tomatoartfest.com/events/ homedecorating

TOMATO ART FEST HAIKU CONTEST WHEN: Now- Monday, August 9th ENTER: email tomatohaikucontest@gmail.com with your name and submission COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR: Christine Hall

EAST NASHVILLE FARMERS MARKET TOMATO FOOD FEST WHEN: Tuesday, August 10, 2021, 3:30 PM 6:30 PM WHERE: East Nashville Farmers Market

TOMATO ART FEST GUIDE 2021

TOMATO ART SHOW PRE-VIEW PARTY Sponsored by Amazon

WHEN: Thursday, August 12, 6pm-9pm WHERE: Invent Nashville (1106 Woodland Street Suite 4) TICKETS: tomatoartfest.com/events/artpreview

TOMATO ART SHOW

WHEN: August 13th 12 AM-9 PM August 14th 9 AM - 7 PM August 15th 11 AM - 5 PM WHERE: Invent Nashville (1106 Woodland Street Suite 4)

EAST NASHVILLE TOMATO 5K

WHEN: Saturday, August 14, 5k at 7:30 am, Kids fun run at 7:00am WHERE: East Park Community Center (600 Woodland St) COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR: Margaret Maddox YMCA, Jenny Cross jcross@ymcamidtn.org REGISTER: tomatoartfest.com/events/tomato5k

TOMATO ART FEST “PUSH, PULL, AND WEAR” PARADE

WHEN: Saturday, August 14th, Line Up at 8:30am, Parade begins at 9am WHERE: Parade line up at the corner of S 12th and Russell, Ends in Five Points. REGISTRATION: tomatoartfest.com/events/parade

TOMATO STORY TIME AT TOMATO ART FEST WHEN: Saturday, August 14th, 10:40 am WHERE: 37206 Stage COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR: Mr. Andrew

ICE CREAM NAMING CONTEST

WHEN: Saturday, August 14 9-7pm WHERE: Five points, Pied Piper Ice Cream Booth

KIDS ART SHOW

Sponsored by Smilemaker Orthodontics and East Nashville Pediatric Dentistry WHEN: Saturday, August 14 9am-7pm WHERE: 11th Ave COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR: Debbie Flynt REGISTRATION: tomatoartfest.com/events/ kidsartshow

TOMATO ART FEST VENDOR MARKETPLACE Grown by Publix Super Markets

WHEN: Saturday, August 14 9-7pm WHERE: Five Points

EAST END UMC’S KIDFEST

WHEN: Saturday, August 14, 9-3pm WHERE: Corner of 12th and Holly COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR: Emily Grammer

and the community at East End UMC.

FAUX PAWS PHOTO CONTEST

REGISTER: email photo submissions to info@eastcan.org with your pet’s name WHEN: send submissions from August 1-13th WHERE: visit the East C.A.N. Booth at the Tomato Art Fest to see the entries and vote on a winner MORE INFORMATION: tomatoartfest.com/events/ petphotocontest

BIGGEST/ LITTLEST/ UGLIEST TOMATO CONTEST

WHERE: INFO booth at 11th and Woodland WHEN: Saturday, August 14th TIME: drop off entries from 9:00am – 12:00pm. Winners announced at 1pm CONTACT: Hello@ goodneighborfestivals.com www.tomatoartfest.com/events/ biggestlittlest

Two days of fun!

BLOODY MARY GARDEN PARTY

WHEN: Saturday, August 14th at 10am-12pm WHERE: The Garden (Corner of 11th and Woodland) SPONSOR: Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Zing Zang TICKETS: www.tomatoartfest.com/events/ bloodymarygarden

RECIPE CONTEST

WHEN: Saturday, August 14th, drop off dishes between 10am and 11:30 am WHERE: Lockeland Table COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR: Mike Smith SPONSOR: Nashville Scene REGISTER: www.tomatoartfest.com/events/ recipecontest

TOMATO ART FEST CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT

WHEN: Saturday, August 14 at 11am WHERE: 1015 Clearview (Next to Treehouse) COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR: Lee Davis REGISTER: tomatoartfest.com/events/ cornholetournament

TOMATO COSTUME CONTEST

WHEN: Saturday, August 14th at 1:00pm WHERE: Garden Stage (Corner of 11th and Woodland) SPONSOR: Phillips-Robinson Funeral Home REGISTER: tomatoartfest.com/events/ costumecontest

BEAUTIFUL TOMATO CONTEST

Hosted by East End Neighborhood association

WHEN: Saturday, August 14th at 2:15pm WHERE: Garden Stage (Corner of 11th and Woodland)

37206 STAGE

11TH AVE STAGE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13

Curated by Mike Grimes/Basement East 11:00 AM Mr. Matty’s World 12:00 PM Queens of Noise 1:00 PM Girl Tones 2:00 PM Hew G 3:00 PM Gyasi 4:00 PM Backhand 5:00 PM Jive Talk

In the Beyond the Edge Parking Lot

5:30 PM 6:30 PM 7:45 PM 9:00 PM

Entertainment Lineups

At the corner of 11th and Fatherland

Pet Envy Sophia Boro Haiva Ru Aaron Lee Tasjan

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14

Every year you can expect to see some of East Nashville’s finest musicians take the stage at Tomato Art Fest. With 4 stages around the festival and pop-up performances throughout the day, everywhere you go, you are sure to hear great music. Music is played from open to close so be sure to check out the lineups and schedule time to see your favorite bands.

10:00 AM Farmer and Adele 10:40 AM Mr. Andrew 11:00 AM Travollta 12:00 PM EG Vines 1:00 PM Miss Tess 2:00 PM Lombardy 3:00 PM-7:00 PM 650 AM WSM Jamboree ft. Brazilbilly, Jett Williams, Abby Walters, Scott McMillen, Rob Snyder, and Nick Davisson

GARDEN STAGE LINE UP On Woodland street, next to MOAB Bike Shop

At the corner of 11th and Clearview

Curated by Jason Galaz/Muddy Roots 10:00 AM DJ Jason Galaz 11:00 AM Cedric Burnside 1:30 PM DJ Jason Galaz 2:00 PM R.L. Boyce w/Lightnin’ Malcolm 3:30 PM DJ Jason Galaz 4:00 PM Terry “Harmonica” Bean 5:30 PM DJ Jason Galaz

10 AM-12 PM Bloody Mary Garden Party (tomatoartfest.com/bloodymarygarden) 1:00 PM Costume Contest 2:15 PM Beautiful Tomato Contest 3:00 PM Farmer and Adele Kids Show 5:15 PM Special Guest DJ Set

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MUDDY ROOTS STAGE

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the nations TOMATO ART FEST GUIDE 2021

ILLUSTRATION: MONTANA KNUDSEN

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CRITICS’ PICKS

TUESDAY LIVE MUSIC 7PM WEDNESDAY KARAOKE & 39 CENT WINGS 6PM THURSDAY OPEN MIC 7PM-9PM FRIDAY COMEDY NIGHT (OPEN MIC) 7PM SATURDAY YOGA 8AM SANGRIA SATURDAY 6PM

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UPCOMING EVENTS

GET TICKETS & LEARN MORE AT PARNASSUSBOOKS.NET/EVENT

6:00PM

IN PERSON THIS FALL:

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12

LAUREN GROFF

RAQUEL VASQUEZ GILLILAND

in conversation with ZEA KEMP on FB LIVE How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love With the Universe 6:00PM

SEP 9 at 6:30PM Parnassus Books Free event - must RSVP

MONDAY, AUGUST 16

AJ PEARCE

SALON@615:

on FB LIVE Yours Cheerfully 2:00PM

BECCA STEVENS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21

SEP 13 at 6:15PM Nashville Public Libary Free event - must RSVP

FARRAH ROCHON, MIKAELLA CLEMENTS & ONJULI DATTA

in conversation with SHYLA WATSON on FB LIVE The Dating Playbook & The View Was Exhausting 6:00PM

MARGARET RENKL

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27

SEP 14 at 6:30PM Harpeth Hall Free event - must RSVP

ROXANNE DUNBAR-ORTIZ

in conversation with ROBIN D.G. KELLEY on FB LIVE Not a Nation of Immigrants 6:30PM

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28 SALON@615:

KELLY MOTLEY

CODY ALAN

at PARNASSUS The Fight for My Life 6:00PM

JAMIE SUMNER

in conversation with SUSAN VERDE on FB LIVE One Kid’s Trash 6:30PM

OCT 18 at 6:15PM Nashville Public Libary Ticket Required

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

GET TICKETS & RSVP AT PARNASSUSBOOKS.NET/EVENT

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

@parnassusbooks @parnassusbooks1 @parnassusbooks

WES ELY

at PARNASSUS Every Deep-Drawn Breath 6:30PM

LAUREN GROFF at PARNASSUS Matrix

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

3900 Hillsboro Pike Suite 14 Nashville, TN 37215 (615) 953-2243 Shop online at parnassusbooks.net

DRIVIN N CRYIN today, and Drivin N Cryin continues to defy categorization nearly 40 years after the band formed. Led by singer and songwriter Kevn Kinney, the Atlanta outfit released its best album, Live the Love Beautiful, in 2019. With guitarist Laur Joamets adding texture to Kinney’s tunes, Live the Love stands as exemplary late-period Americana, right down to rich production by Nashville whiz kid Aaron Lee Tasjan. Live the Love combines power pop, folk rock and just plain rock — Kinney’s songs have a political edge that doesn’t get in the way of the record’s aural dignity. Check out the group’s 2020 Live the Love Beautiful Live, which adds their rendition of The Rolling Stones’ “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” to a well-played set of the 2019 record’s tunes. Also appearing will be blues-rock duo Lore, composed of Joamets and singer Laura Reed. 8 p.m. at The Basement East, 917 Woodland St. EDD HURT

SUNDAY / 8.15 [DIG ME OUTTASITE]

WILCO & SLEATER-KINNEY

Back in March 2020, Midwestern monsters of folk-imbued indie rock, Wilco, and Pacific Northwestern titans of riot grrrl punk, Sleater-Kinney, announced a co-headlining tour — a 16-date summer jaunt that would kick off in the latter’s home state of Washington and end in the former’s hometown of Chicago. Wilco would be touring in support of 2019’s reserved but nevertheless strong and widely wellreceived Ode to Joy, and Sleater-Kinney would be promoting their St. Vincentproduced 2019 effort The Center Won’t Hold. Well, as we all know, March 2020 had its own plans for all of us. The tour — like everything else planned for summer 2020 — was postponed. Since then, Sleater-Kinney has released an entirely new record, June’s lively and jittering Path of Wellness, and the two bands rescheduled their tour for August of this year. If the first set lists from the rescheduled dates are any indication, attendees at Sunday’s Ascend Amphitheater tour stop can expect to hear selections from all throughout both bands’ catalogs — Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Mermaid Avenue, Summerteeth and AM; SleaterKinney’s The Woods and No Cities to Love. And naturally, some stuff from the new

records as well. Chicago’s Nnamdï will open the show. 7 p.m. at Ascend Amphitheater, 301 First Ave. S. D. PATRICK RODGERS

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JAMES TAYLOR & JACKSON BROWNE

James Taylor and Jackson Browne top the list of boomer musicians who never rocked, but you could say the same thing about Joni Mitchell. Still, Taylor and Browne have written and sung tunes that you probably know, even if you’re too young to remember the 1970s. I glaze over when I hear Taylor’s big 1970 hit “Fire and Rain” and Browne’s 1972 “Doctor, My Eyes,” but both singers boast more sprightly material. Being a fan of pop, I find Browne’s “Running on Empty” as compelling as his more, uh, serious “Late for the Sky,” which is a nice tune. Taylor sounds a bit dry on his pass at interpreting pre-rock songs throughout 2020’s American Standard, and you realize Willie Nelson, whose 1978 Stardust remains the definitive pop-country exploration of The Great American Songbook, cuts him conceptually and vocally. Still, Taylor — like Willie — is a fine, idiosyncratic guitarist. Meanwhile, Browne makes exemplary goodliberal sounds on his 2021 album Downhill From Everywhere, an honorable attempt at parsing the Trump era. These classicrock non-rockers paved the way for every post-Garth Brooks pop-folk-country singer, and you can’t imagine Nashville singersongwriterdom without their contributions. 7:30 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway EDD HURT

JAMES TAYLOR

NASHVILLE SCENE | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | nashvillescene.com

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Mindy Kaling is one of the most hilarious television writers of our time. Her writing credits on The Office speak for themselves: “The Injury,” in which Michael burns his foot on his George Foreman Grill while getting out of bed; “The Dundies,” in which Michael presents his annual award ceremony to his hapless employees; and “Ben Franklin,” in which Jim hires a Founding Father impersonator instead of a stripper for Phyllis’ bridal shower. Kaling’s show The Mindy Project ran for six seasons and brought a fresh take to sitcoms, thanks in part to her exceptional cast — like Ike Barinholtz as the accident-prone Morgan, Xosha Roquemore as bubbly Tamara and (hello!) Fortune Feimster. Her latest series is even better. Never Have I Ever, which dropped its second season on Netflix this summer, stars a triumphant Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi Vishwakumar, a 15-year-old Indian American overachiever

includes the enormously talented Niecy Nash as Devi’s straight-talking therapist, Poorna Jagannathan as her taskmaster mom and Richa Moorjani as her hot cousin. Never Have I Ever is funny as hell, but not afraid to get in its feelings. That’s fresh. ERICA CICCARONE

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For too long, traditional Greek literature has been a sausage fest of testosterone, egos and achievement. Sure, it has female characters, but they’ve rarely been protagonists in the male-dominated Grecian landscape. Thankfully, that is changing. My first taste of this change came from author Madeline Miller, whose novels Circe and Song of Achilles decentralize the traditional hetero-male lens and shed a new light on ancient Homeric texts. Song of Achilles, for example, examines the long-disputed relationship between the iconic Achilles and his companion Patroclus. Depending

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NEVER HAVE I EVER who has recently suffered a terrible loss: Her doting father died while in the audience of her orchestra recital. The story begins on the first day of school months later, and Devi is determined to put her grief behind her — and lose her virginity, to boot. But as we know, grief is a motherfucker, and Devi’s avoidance only gives that mother more power. In the meantime, she gets into hijinks, especially with the extremely sexy, formidably charismatic cool-guy captain of the swim team Paxton. (Played by Darren Barnet, who is, I might add, 30 years old and totally age-appropriate for me, OK?) I imagine that Devi is the high school version of The Mindy Project’s Dr. Mindy Lahiri. Like the fictional Mindy, Devi resolves tough decisions with ridiculously grand gestures, drops plentiful references to pop culture, and is 100 percent boy crazy. But unlike Mindy Lahiri, whose close relationships were confined to the men she dated, Devi is anchored by her two besties — the captain of the robotics club Fabiola Torres (Lee Rodriguez) and devout thespian Eleanor Wong (Ramona Young). The two have narrative arcs of their own, and when they start to shine, you can’t help but feel proud of them, and of Kaling for giving best friends their due. The cast also

on the times and the cultures interpreting the story, they have been considered lovers, platonic friends and even cousins — that’s how the 2004 film Troy depicts them. But Miller’s novel isn’t burdened by gender roles, and her beautiful retelling of their relationship left me weeping. Meanwhile Circe chronicles the life of the witch who turned Odysseus’ men into pigs; when you read her side of the story (as told by Miller) you can’t blame her. Another great read is Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad, which covers the 20 years of Odysseus’ absence from the perspective of his wife back in Ithaca. If you get tired of Odysseus’ cameos, try Jennifer Saint’s most recent novel Ariadne, narrated by the sisters of the minotaur, or Hannah Lynn’s Athena’s Child, which might change your opinion on Medusa. Whether you’re reading these ancient storylines for the first time or revisiting them from a new perspective, they’ll leave you grappling with the traditional sense of heroism while making ancient Greece as accessible and exciting as ever. KELSEY BEYELER

NASHVILLE SCENE | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | nashvillescene.com

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nashvillescene.com | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | NASHVILLE SCENE

SUNBURST FARM’S TROUT

THE BEE’S KNEES

Chef Bryan Weaver’s Butcher & Bee continues to stand out in East Nashville BY STEVE CAVENDISH

t’s impossible for me to enter a restaurant these days without a singular question running through my head: How is this place really doing? And the follow-up questions. Does the kitchen have enough staff? Did the BUTCHER & BEE experienced serv902 MAIN ST. ers stick with the BUTCHERANDBEE.COM restaurant through the pandemic? (And did the restaurant stick with them?) Are the bars that were converted into takeout-prep spaces back in

service? How much double duty is the host pulling at the front? Are the tables getting cleared or are the dirty plates piling up due to a lack of dishwashers? You might be surprised at the lengths chefs and general managers will go to keep a good one. Now that a combination of vaccinations and pent-up demand have filled dining rooms again — for the moment at least, as we wait to see if the rapid spread of the Delta variant shuts things down again — the city has begun spitting out new restaurants at a quick pace. But the ones I’m most interested in at this moment are the restaurants that have in the past decade helped turn Nashville into a legitimately excellent dining city. How are they managing [waves hands wildly] all of this? In the case of Butcher & Bee, at least, maybe better than ever. Bryan Weaver and his partner opened the East Nashville outpost of Charleston-based restaurant Butcher & Bee in late 2015. The

cuisine is Mediterranean in its point of view, but specifically Israeli, with its blend of Arab and Jewish influences. Weaver brought in Chris DeJesus as the executive chef a few years later, and the restaurant has thrived as maybe the most vegetable-forward nonvegetarian dining destination in town. “It’s definitely the end goal,” Weaver says. “In a perfect world, every dish would veer toward that Israeli style. Chris has a strong Italian background. When I got hired and my business partner told me it was gonna be Israeli-influenced, I didn’t have any experience, so I went to Israel.” You wouldn’t know Weaver hadn’t spent his career in the cuisine from the first four plates that hit our table on recent visits: A stack of pita was surrounded by baba ganoush, hummus and whipped feta with a pool of fermented honey. All have been staples since the restaurant’s opening, and in two separate meals, they divided our groups when asked for a favorite. Some folks pre-

PHOTOS: DANIEL MEIGS

FOOD AND DRINK

ferred the tangy, sumac-laden eggplant, and others liked the smooth spread of chickpeas. The winner, though, might have been identified by a shared reaction. As a server attempted to clear space for the next round of plates, three people said “WHOA” as she lifted the remnants of feta and honey. “We’ll hold onto that one, if you could bring some more pita.” That honey, which B&B sells online now, has a bit of water introduced during processing to bring in healthy bacteria. After being cooked down with hot peppers, it’s the perfect mix of funk, heat and sweet. We ordered the “Chef’s Choice” option on the menu, a $45 tour through most of the restaurant’s small and big plates that might be the best deal in the city. After we decided on drinks (not included), staff began bringing us food. First came the aforementioned dips, followed by an all-out assault of mezze (appetizers) and shared plates: carrots roasted until almost black with coconut and sambal; a pomodoro served on turnips

NASHVILLE SCENE | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | nashvillescene.com

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FOOD AND DRINK

CHARRED SUMMER SQUASH

OG CARROTS instead of pasta that had diners scraping the bowl; roasted potatoes in za’atar and tahini; crispy falafel with charred-beet yogurt; charred summer squash in a romesco sauce; heirloom tomatoes dotted with rustic cheese and a smoky sweet Turkish pepper.

One of the showstoppers remains a Weaver dish I’ve seen him use in settings outside of the restaurant. Ribbons of greens (sometimes kale but in the middle of summer it was fresh collards) are laced with peanuts and chunks of avocado and dressed

in what was originally designed to be a marinade for octopus — a blend of soy, serrano, scallion and sambal. It tops a bed of crispy rice to create an insane contrast of texture and flavors. Think of it as Tel Aviv by way of Southeast Asia.

Pulling off a service like this requires an attentive staff to prevent pile-ups of plates and to avoid crowding slow diners. It’s made even tougher by the demands on the kitchen as the technique necessary for most of these dishes requires a phalanx of prep cooks to prepare all of those vegetables. I halfexpected that to be the biggest challenge of a recent evening at B&B, given the shortage of experienced servers around the city, but the staff made it seem effortless. We even got a solid wine recommendation, a blend of red 2019 Portuguese grapes by a Mendocino vintner bottled as Es Okay. The big plates continued the momentum, with a roasted fish being the best of the lot. A Sunburst Farms trout arrived whole and cooked perfectly enough for the bones to pop right out. The whole chicken, spiced with ras el hanout and served with yogurt, had the kind of deep, satisfying flavor you want in a roasted bird. The only misstep we found in two different meals was the pork chop, served with mustard and charred cabbage. It was … fine? It also felt like the one item on a menu full of interesting items that would not scare your uncle — the guy whose idea of spice is a little bit of black pepper sprinkled on top. Butcher & Bee’s menu is pared way down from its size when the restaurant opened six years ago. In my mind, that’s a good thing. The pandemic forced Weaver & Co. to focus in a way that has made every single one of their shared plates and mezze sing. Even the bacon-wrapped dates, at this point a menu cliché, are executed so well they’ll remind you why they’ve been a tapas staple for decades. The Scene named Weaver as our Best Chef in last year’s Best of Nashville issue for his work at Butcher & Bee and Redheaded Stranger, his New Mexico-inspired place in Cleveland Park. Returning for the first time in a few years, I’m reminded why it was the right choice, as Weaver and DeJesus have the place operating at a very high level. Even though the drumbeat of new restaurants is beginning to quicken, Butcher & Bee is a place I’ll be returning to again and again. EMAIL ARTS@NASHVILLESCENE.COM

nashvillescene.com | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | NASHVILLE SCENE

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VODKA YONIC

THE PLACES I FELL IN LOVE

On holding fast to memories in an ever-changing city

Vodka Yonic

BY MARY SIROKY

Vodka Yonic features a rotating cast of women and nonbinary writers from around the world sharing stories that are alternately humorous, sobering, intellectual, erotic, religious or painfully personal. You never know what you’ll find in this column, but we hope this potent mix of stories encourages conversation.

ear Centennial Park, there is a plot of land filled with dirt, concrete and a couple bulldozers. It used to be home to an early 20th century mansion. By the time I lived on the land, it had been chopped up into six apartments. The building, with its three stories and west-facing columns, had fallen far from its original glory and was easy to miss amid the sleek condos that now populate West End. While its exterior was mossy and overgrown, the walls inside were still their original exposed brick, a detail that made the units feel vaguely out of place and out of time. The plot of land was sold to developers who proceeded to demolish the building. Initially, according to signs posted all around the lot, the new complex was named Odyssey at Sylvan Park. When they discovered that they had the wrong park — it actually overlooks Centennial — they changed the name to Odyssey at the Park. I drove down Long Boulevard last week and wondered if the years I spent in apartment No. 5 were a figment of my overactive imagination. Now that my former mailing address has been reduced to dust, it’s hard to reconcile an empty plot of land awaiting construction with the place where I once underwent job rejections, fell in love, pieced myself back together after breakups and rescued a small gray cat. This experience isn’t unique to me. It’s become par for the course to see the holein-the-wall gems knocked down, painted over or expanded to become something sterile and new. Plus, I’ve lived here for only a decade — this is just a sliver of what longtime residents have mourned. After experiencing the Big Heartbreak of my life, I went on a first date at Provence Breads & Cafe in Hillsboro Village and felt a novel and noticeable strand of hope. It didn’t really matter that the man sitting across from me preferred to hear himself talk and didn’t understand my jokes. It mattered more that for the first time in a long time, I was able to think about something other than the man before him who had left me shattered in a way that felt irreparable. That coffee shop and the bookstore next door are both gone now, and while that man and those places didn’t last forever, somehow, neither did the heartbreak. Most of my dating stories end in some

NOW THAT MY FORMER MAILING ADDRESS HAS BEEN REDUCED TO DUST, IT’S HARD TO RECONCILE AN EMPTY PLOT OF LAND AWAITING CONSTRUCTION WITH THE PLACE WHERE I ONCE UNDERWENT JOB REJECTIONS, FELL IN LOVE, PIECED MYSELF BACK TOGETHER AFTER BREAKUPS AND RESCUED A SMALL GRAY CAT. kind of disaster, yet there’s a fuzzy, nostalgic sheen around the places where I was swept into romance — like the kitchen in The Nations where I shared a meal with the most handsome person I’d ever seen in my life. I tried to talk myself out of feeling a bit under the weather. (I was, in fact, coming down with the flu.) The Midtown brasserie I dragged myself to the next morning, just to see him again, is gone now too. I miss the vegetarian restaurant off Charlotte, even if the person I met there was a terrible match, our conversations quiet and stilted. I miss the 1950s decor at The Jam off Wedgewood, even if my romantic interest failed to outlast my strawberry latte. Love can come in so many forms. It pains me to remember sharing happy-hour drinks with a dear friend at a neighborhood bar that is now a parking lot. It’s not even because I particularly cared about the bar. My friend, an empathetic and exemplary nurse at the hospital down the street, deserved a local place within walking distance to grab a drink after the longest and noblest of days. A city is more than just old coffee shops where I’ve felt a nervous, happy drop in my stomach when the barista remembered my name and order, or the restaurant where I shared a meal with a new co-worker who was destined to become my dearest friend and confidant. Despite how disheartening it can be to wake up and feel like a stranger in this ever-changing landscape, people will continue to fall in love here. The new will replace the old — but there are memories to be made there, too. EMAIL ARTS@NASHVILLESCENE.COM

NASHVILLE SCENE | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | nashvillescene.com

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THEATER

AUGUST: DAVIDSON COUNTY Nashville Shakes and Kennie Playhouse Theatre team up for August Wilson’s Jitney BY AMY STUMPFL

thanks to a new collaboration between the Nashville Shakespeare Festival and Kennie Playhouse Theatre. Part of Wilson’s landmark Pittsburgh Cycle — a collection of 10 plays that explore the African American experience in the 20th century — Jitney follows a crew of independent cab drivers (or “jitneys”), struggling to get by in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1977. “To me, Jitney is one of Wilson’s most accessible works,” says Bolden, who’s taking on the meaty role of Booster. “The energy is electric, the characters are so relatable, and the camaraderie of these gentlemen really comes through. There are some heavy themes, but it’s very lighthearted in its approach, so there’s an immediate buy-in from the audience. And throughout the story there’s this love of community that’s so specific, yet totally universal.”

composing original music for the show. “I think that [Wooten’s] music is really going to set the stage for the whole evening. I’m eager to see how people respond to that, how they lean into the story, and how everything plays out in this beautiful space.” After Jitney’s run (Aug. 12-22), the Nashville Shakespeare Festival will stage the Bard’s 12th Night Aug. 26-Sept. 12. Both shows play an encore weekend Sept. 16-19 at the Williamson County Performing Arts Center at Academy Park in Franklin. “Honestly,” Bolden says, “my hat is off to Denice [Hicks, artistic director of NSF] and Kenny, for putting Shakespeare and August Wilson together like this — performing these two plays in rep, so audiences can see that there are more similarities than differences. As an actor, I feel like these two masters of playwriting just belong together. I’ve studied both, I’ve performed both, and there are a lot of similarities, both thematically and in terms of language. I mean, August Wilson may not be using iambic pentameter, but there’s such a lyrical quality to his work. And there’s just so much truth to these characters. I think that’s what audiences really respond to — recognizing a bit of themselves in the characters and their struggles.” EMAIL ARTS@NASHVILLESCENE.COM

PHOTO: MICHAEL GOMEZ PHOTOGRAPHY

t’s been more than a decade since Kamal Angelo Bolden has performed in Music City. But the Emmy-nominated actor has found it easy to slip back into what he calls the “Nashville vibe.” “So much JITNEY, AUG. 12-22, AND has changed,” 12TH NIGHT, AUG. 26-SEPT. 12, says Bolden, AT ONEC1TY who’s perhaps LEARN MORE AT best known for NASHVILLESHAKES.ORG his work on television’s The Resident, Chicago Fire and Rosewood. “It’s like a whole new city. But there’s still that laid-back vibe. People are not so pretentious here. They’re not trying too hard to impress everyone — it’s all about the work.” These days, Bolden is focused on the work of August Wilson’s Jitney, which opens Thursday on the outdoor stage at OneC1ty,

Bolden says he is thrilled to be working with veteran director Chuck Smith (resident director at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago and a resident director at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe in Sarasota, Fla.), along with Brian Anthony Wilson (a prolific actor known for his work on The Wire), who plays Booster’s father and owner of the jitney station. “Having these incredible artists challenge and support me here, in the place where I started my career, is just so special,” says Bolden, who early on in his career acted with the Nashville Children’s Theatre. “It just feels like such a full-circle moment. Kenny Dozier [artistic director of Kennie Playhouse] gave me my first professional job when I was just starting out, and the first time I ever performed Shakespeare was right here with the Nashville Shakespeare Festival. “I began my career onstage,” he adds, “and it just feeds me in a way that television and film can’t. There’s something so exciting about an ensemble coming together to investigate a play, to work and explore together. There’s nothing else like it.” Bolden says he’s also excited to have Nashville music legend and five-time Grammy Award winner Victor Wooten

nashvillescene.com | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | NASHVILLE SCENE

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Vodka Yonic nashvillescene.com 34

y life is small and simple, but it’s a better one than I ever thought I’d have,” explains Cash Pruitt, protagonist IN THE WILD LIGHT BY JEFF ZENTNER of Jeff Zentner’s CROWN BOOKS FOR fourth novel, In the YOUNG READERS Wild Light. “I have 432 PAGES, $17.99 what I love: my grandparents, the satisfaction of working with my hands to bring a lawn into perfect order, the rhythm of paddling my canoe.” But Cash’s life was not always simple, and before he met his best friend Delany Doyle, he struggled alone to fit in. When the two friends make an important scientific discovery, they’re faced with a different kind of struggle: Will they stay in Sawyer, Tenn., forever, hanging on to the semblance of stability they’ve found? Or will they risk it all for a different life? Cash and Delaney met at a Narateen meeting in middle school, initially bonding over their mothers’ addictions. Now juniors in high school, they have things pretty much figured out. They’ve successfully avoided the social pitfalls of high school, watching TV with Cash’s Pawpaw and canoeing on weekends. They have summer jobs, one of which supplies free ice cream. Their lives are moving on as swiftly as the water in their beloved Pigeon River. But Delaney has a hunch that there is something special in the caves of Sawyer. No, it’s more than a hunch — her innate ability to recognize patterns and her voracious appetite for learning lead her to believe that the caves hold invaluable scientific treasure. And she’s right: On one of their exploring expeditions, the two friends discover a powerful strain of mold with antibiotic properties, a feat that eventually earns them both scholarships to Middleford Academy, a Northeastern prep school. As Delaney struggles to schedule radio interviews on her break at Dairy Queen, relieved to have another option than living with her mostly absent mom, Cash is torn. How can he choose between his best friend and his Pawpaw, who is suffering from emphysema? Both paths promise deep loss and deep joy. “I guess uncertainty isn’t always something you can conquer,” he concludes. “Sometimes it’s a path you have to take.” You might have gathered by now that this bildungsroman is set in Appalachia. I waited to mention it because Appalachia, despite the cultural and political focus on the region in recent years, is not the center of this book. Zentner makes it the setting and not the protagonist. The protagonist and narrator is Cash Pruitt. The setting is Sawyer, an Appalachian town full of natural beauty, with the economic hardships endemic to Southern towns whose main industries have left. All four of Zentner’s novels to date

are set in Tennessee, and three feature characters from under-resourced economic backgrounds. It would be easy for these stories to lapse into cliché, but Zentner has earned his readers’ trust by prioritizing character development first. In the Wild Light does feature two mothers who are opioid addicts, and the main characters live or have lived in trailers and struggle financially, but the book avoids capitalizing on Appalachian stereotypes by making these characters fully human — unique individuals who are influenced by the setting while influencing it as well. Their dialogue taps into a universal humanity that transcends region. The voices of Cash and Delaney ring true. I taught high school English in urban Norfolk, Va., for three years and in rural Lebanon, Tenn., for seven. My students in both settings wrote journal entries every school day, and I read each one. The journals at both schools mirrored the themes in this book: friendship, family, love and loss. Yes, I only read about pageants, fender flares and the light of the sunrise from a tree stand in Lebanon, but my students’ journals sounded like Cash Pruitt’s poems. In Cash’s words: “When you grow up with ugliness and corruption, you surrender to beauty whenever and wherever you find it. You let it save you, if only for the time it takes for a snowflake to melt on your tongue or for the sun to sink below the horizon in a wildfire of clouds. No matter what else might be troubling your mind. You recognize it for something that can’t be taken from you.” In the Wild Light is a powerful addition to Zentner’s body of work, a novel that will resonate with teen and adult readers alike. For more local book coverage, please visit Chapter16.org, an online publication of Humanities Tennessee. EMAIL ARTS@NASHVILLESCENE.COM

NASHVILLE SCENE | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | nashvillescene.com

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MUSIC

MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD

Leah Blevins uses songs to make sense of things on First Time Feeling BY LORIE LIEBIG

n Nashville, a city filled to the brim with talented singer-songwriters, it takes something special to command the attention of an entire room. Leah Blevins has it. The Kentucky-born songsmith’s soulful, raw voice has an unaffected twang FIRST TIME FEELING OUT NOW VIA THIRTY TIGERS; that weaves through PLAYING THURSDAY, every note she AUG. 12, AT THE sings. She’s been BASEMENT EAST building a following in her adopted hometown of Nashville for years, earning praise for that voice as well as her exceptional songwriting. Following the success of two EPs, 2015’s Runnin’ and 2018’s Walk Home, Blevins’ debut album First Time Feeling documents the range of triumphs and trials that led her to where she is today. “I feel as though the songs are all over the place,” she tells the Scene, “grabbing little imagery of all those times throughout the past 10 to 15 years.”

Since moving to Nashville, Blevins has built upon the musical foundation her family began laying before she was born. In the 1970s and ’80s, her grandparents, aunts and uncles on her mother’s side toured in a gospel group called the Harbor Masters. When Blevins and her twin sister Lacey were youngsters, their grandfather taught them to sing harmony. In many ways, songwriting is a therapeutic vessel for Blevins, which she uses to channel hazy thoughts and thorny questions into something she can get a grip on. The songs on First Time Feeling focus on a period of growth and challenge encompassing relationships, spirituality and more — a rocky landscape that often marks the journey through your 20s. “I think that when you have a wandering mind and your imagination is kind of beyond your reality, it’s like you’ve got to do something with that energy,” says Blevins. “I feel like I’m seeing things in a different light myself as far as the songs, and that’s because I’m at a different place in life too.” Blevins teamed up with Paul Cauthen and The Texas Gentlemen’s Beau Bedford to co-produce First Time Feeling at Dallas’ Modern Electric Sound Recorders. It was somewhat of a leap of faith for Blevins, who was still not sure of the path she wanted to take creatively. “Paul and I had toured together for a short run, and he proposed the idea of making a record,” she says. “For a little bit, I kind of went back and forth with asking myself, ‘Am I even ready to do this? I don’t even

know what I want.’ I got a taste of what he was about to release [2019’s Room 41], and I was like, ‘That’s it, that’s the production. That’s the sound that I want to be dancing to myself.’ ” The result is that First Time Feeling is rooted in classic storytelling, highlighted by production that draws inspiration from ’70s country, country-rock and funk, but is nonetheless timeless. The sounds add character without overwhelming Blevins’ powerhouse vocals. Each song is a raw, relatable and engaging slice of life, transforming a complicated emotion into something easier to approach. In “Believe,” Blevins finds herself struggling, looking for guidance toward the right path forward. The powerful cut “Mountain,” which she co-wrote with Cauthen and Bedford in just 30 minutes, is about embracing relationships, even though that means accepting that they could disintegrate at a moment’s notice. The record’s groove-powered title track openly and honestly explores a lover’s longing for the fiery spark of infatuation that’s dimmed over time. Although First Time Feeling was recorded before the pandemic hit, the pause that 2020 brought for most of us allowed Blevins to make sure her first full-length would allow her art to get in the spotlight the way she wanted. “Not to be cliché, but timing truly is the dictator of all things,” Blevins says. “I needed to be in that space to check in on myself too. It’s like going back to me

asking myself, ‘What do I really want to convey? What do I want, how do I want my life to come across? How do I want to be?’ ” For Blevins, hearing stories from listeners about how they interpret and connect with her songs allows her to get a new perspective on her own art. “For folks to reach out and disclose intimate details, like how a relationship was tossed to the wayside and how a certain song has reshaped how they wanted to do things within their world … that’s the most impactful thing,” she says. “It’s those moments that kind of keep you dialed in and remind you that this is serving something way greater than just myself.” Blevins will be hitting the road with Kendell Marvel and The Marcus King Band in the coming weeks — but not before celebrating the release of First Time Feeling with a headlining show Thursday at The Basement East. The gig marks a sort of finish line for Blevins, both in her journey of creating her first full-length and a long-awaited moment of togetherness that the pandemic stripped away. “I’m eagerly excited to just be a part of the night itself, and I don’t want it to just be about the new songs and record. It’s about everybody getting in the same room, having a good time — because I think we all deserve that at this point.” EMAIL MUSIC@NASHVILLESCENE.COM

FROM THE GROUND UP

Nioshi Jackson is building a scene around All That Jazz BY RON WYNN

PHOTO: BREE FISH

he pursuit of excellence has been a driving force in the extremely versatile career of West Coast-expatriate-turned-Music City stalwart Nioshi Jackson. Since his arrival more than two SEE UPCOMING SHOWS AT decades ago, he’s LIGHTHOUSEONTHELAKE.COM been involved in multiple facets of the city’s music scene. He became a go-to drummer for tours and one-off performances with a wide range of country stars (Trisha Yearwood, Ricky Skaggs, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan), rock stars (John Mellencamp, Bon Jovi), blues legends (John Lee Hooker) and R&B luminaries (Smokey Robinson). He also has to his credit numerous gigs with various local and regional jazz acts, and at one time he led his own ensemble, The Nioshi Jackson Reason.

nashvillescene.com | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | NASHVILLE SCENE

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A little less than a decade ago, Jackson moved deeper into the business side of country music as an artist producer and manager. For a time, he was the entertainment director at Rudy’s Jazz Room, responsible for booking talent at the sole commercial jazz club in Nashville. Now he’s taken his skills to another venue in the vicinity, booking top area jazz and blues talent for the All That Jazz Lounge. The venue is a part of Hendersonville event space and private club The Lighthouse on the Lake. Recent concerts have featured such outstanding locals as trumpeter Rod McGaha, saxophonist Richard Griffin and powerhouse R&B and soul outfit Bizz and Everyday People. Upcoming bookings include stellar bandleader Giovanni Rodriguez on Aug. 22 and superlative singer Kim Fleming on Sept. 26. There’s a jazz brunch with live music on the second and fourth Sunday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and evening shows are scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. There’s also a weekly jam session on Wednesday nights from 6 to 9 p.m., which features, among other participants, gifted saxophonist Kerry Frazier. During many of the jam sessions, you’ll find Jackson himself on the drum throne. This affiliation represents a reunion between Jackson and Dr. Jewell Winn, a longtime administrator at Tennessee State University who co-owns the facility with her husband Tim. She and Jackson knew each other years ago through a downtown Nashville club called Something Else. “It’s been a slow climb since Jewell and I started talking about wanting to bring jazz to Hendersonville,” Jackson tells the Scene. “But we think it can really become something special. Our focus right now is on showcasing top jazz acts both locally and throughout the region, but eventually we want to bring in national and international artists as well. But the important thing right now is to let music fans know we’re doing this, and encouraging them to come out and enjoy it.” Jackson acknowledges that the pandemic has proven an obstacle, affecting his plans as both a promoter and a performer. “Man, when that hit, overnight I lost almost 90 percent of my business,” Jackson recalls. “There were some bleak periods there. But I think we’re coming out of it. I’m finding people really did miss live music. They missed that spark that you get from the interaction between the band and the audience, the inspiration and good feelings that result from experiencing the music directly rather than from a streaming situation.” The multitalented Jackson continues a variety of other pursuits, ranging from artist consultation to periodic DJ dates. He has a few private functions on the books, and he’ll sit in on jam sessions and club dates elsewhere around Nashville from time to time. He’s been called in for some extraordinary sessions too. He’s the main timekeeper on Fire It Up, the new album by Stax legend Steve Cropper, which the Nashville-residing guitarist and composer has described as his first real solo album since 1969. But building the reputation of the new club and making plans for its future is keeping Jackson plenty busy. “We’d definitely like to do a summer festival here next year, and we’re also discussing adding more jazz nights down the line. Of course, a lot depends on what happens with COVID-19, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed about that. Still, overall, I think when people come out to hear the music here, they’ll be pleased. I definitely emphasize professionalism and excellence in my playing, and that’s what we’re emphasizing in everything we present here.” EMAIL MUSIC@NASHVILLESCENE.COM

SOUL LIMBO

Mike Younger’s new album is a triumph, two decades in the making BY EDD HURT

“I

t just put me on this trajectory of having left behind a pound of flesh in Memphis for the last 20 years,” says Nashville singer and songwriter Mike Younger, speaking about his new album Burning the PLAYING THURSDAY, AUG. 26, AT THE 5 SPOT; Bigtop Down. He’s BURNING THE BIGTOP not exaggerating: DOWN WILL BE SELFThe making of BurnRELEASED AUG. 27 ing the Bigtop Down is the kind of music-business tale that might dissuade less hardy performers from ever picking up a guitar. It may have discouraged Younger, but it didn’t deter him — he’s released several albums in the intervening years. The story of this record’s protracted genesis includes elements of the eternal Nashville-versus-Memphis dichotomy, but it’s also a reminder that artists can triumph over adversity. Younger releases Burning the Bigtop Down on Aug. 27, two decades after he began cutting the record at Memphis’ Sounds Unreel Studios with a cast of musicians that included drummer Levon Helm, pianist Jim Dickinson and keyboardist Dewey Lindon “Spooner” Oldham. Only a few days into the sessions, Younger’s label folded, and the tapes sat in Memphis until 2017, when he finally retrieved them. He finished the record in Nashville in 2018 and 2019, working with guitarist Bob Britt, singer Regina McCrary and trombonist Roy Agee, among other Music City players. The finished album sounds seamless, as if no industry machinations had interrupted the process. The reality, however, is somewhat different. Indeed, the release of Burning the Bigtop Down is a triumph for Younger, who rose above homelessness and adversity in his 20s to record a well-received debut album with producer Rodney Crowell, 1999’s Somethin’ in the Air. He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1972, and gained experience working as a street musician in New York and New Orleans before he cut Somethin’ in the Air. Younger moved to Nashville in 2006, and he currently lives on a farm near the city. Talking to him, I get the sense he’s taken a circuitous route to contentment. In New Orleans 25 years ago, Younger met poet and former MC5 manager John Sinclair, who broadcast a show on the city’s famed radio station WWOZ. Sinclair gave Younger the chance to play his songs on the air, which led to Younger signing a Nashville publishing deal and, eventually, recording with Crowell, who was impressed by Younger’s demos. “He was, I think, intrigued by the production, because I was so out of the box for Nashville demos,” Younger says. Somethin’ got good reviews, and Younger set out to cut a follow-up in Memphis with Bluff City legend Dickinson producing. “I was amazed at how much of his collection was work that influenced me,” Younger says of Dickinson, who died in 2009. Dick-

PHOTO: MICHAEL WEINTROB

MUSIC

inson’s production and performance credits include work with The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin and Big Star. “I had no idea who he was until [I had] the prospect of working with him, and then I started seeing [records he’d produced for] Toots and the Maytals and The Replacements. That Pleased to Meet Me record was one I got when I was very young.” With Helm (who died in 2012), Dickinson and Muscle Shoals bassist David Hood laying down a Memphis-meets-New Orleans groove, the sessions for Burning the Bigtop Down began auspiciously in early 2001. However, the harsh realities of the record business quickly ended the first stage of the project. “I was with a record label in Los Angeles, and they were spread out over a bunch of projects,” Younger recalls. “Some financial stuff they were counting on fell through. The disaster of it was that [the project] just stopped right there, and it remained in limbo.” The initial recordings were basic live-onthe-floor affairs. After Younger regained possession of the tapes, he and the Nashville musicians fleshed out the original recordings, with a couple of the songs rewritten. The result is a soul-blues-folk album that contains echoes of The Band and Stax Records. “Desdemona” riffs on the mythology of Mississippi blues. Meanwhile, “Laying

Low” finds Younger looking back at his youth, before the demands of his career took hold. The fit between the styles of the Memphis and Nashville musicians never sounds forced, and Burning is a testament to the strength of a regional sound that, paradoxically, transcends geography. As Younger tells me, the deaths of Helm and Dickinson hit him hard. He had stayed in touch with both men after the 2001 sessions, and their influence hangs over Burning. For all that, it’s not a record that expresses any kind of existential pain. Rather, it functions as an update of timeless music, with an air of casual mastery that comes out of difficult times. Younger says he’s excited about touring behind the record, though he also acknowledges some of the uncertainty surrounding hitting the road in a post-COVID landscape. He sounds energized, and the new material he’s been working on will, he hopes, reflect the reality of a man who has settled down on the farm, into the kind of life that leads to happiness. As he says about that pound of flesh he left behind in Memphis long ago: “This record — me reclaiming it, finishing it up and putting it out — allows me the luxury of healing up that wound.” EMAIL MUSIC@NASHVILLESCENE.COM

NASHVILLE SCENE | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | nashvillescene.com

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MUSIC

THE SPIN

PLAY ON

PHOTO: STEVE CROSS

BY EDD HURT

GIRLGENIUS: JULIEN BAKER AND BECCA MANCARI

t its most compelling, pop music contains a multitude of emotions. One big emotion pop has addressed throughout history is love, a beautiful — and sometimes devastating — state of mind that’s inspired artists as different as Frank Sinatra, Prince and Taylor Swift. Friday night at The Basement East, singers and songwriters Becca Mancari and Annie DiRusso proved themselves masters of the art of delineating the puzzle-pieced landscape of love in all its variety. It was a bravura display of songwriting chops and rock-band dynamics. From Mancari, it was also outreach from a queer singer who, during her 75-minute set, proved that understanding the vagaries of love is indeed a universal pursuit. DiRusso’s set included songs she’s been releasing over the past couple of years that might be best known to her followers on TikTok, whose format seems uniquely suited to her message. The Nashville transplant — she grew up in Westchester, N.Y., before moving to town to attend Belmont University — hit the mark with her indierock arrangements of tunes that would also work without the benefit of a band. Listeners could hear echoes of, among other influences, Pavement in the slightly skewed guitar lines that helped focus the tunes. DiRusso favors a loud-soft dichotomy that gives her a chance to control the emotional temperature of her songs. On “Nine Months,” she laid out a plan of growth, singing about the painful necessity of leaving a failed relationship. Like her music, her singing included elements of indie rock, and her style was dramatic without ostentation. As she sang on “20,” another superb song: “So bad at being alone / I’m almost 20 years old.” You could hear the lessons she’s learned from the aforementioned Swift, one of her avowed influences. Fronting a seven-piece band that included new background singer and percussionist April Lee, Mancari came across as a bandleader who gives her musicians plenty of room to express themselves within the tight structures of her songs. One of her

techniques is the canny use of repetition. It’s especially prominent in a song called “I’m Sorry,” in which she uses just a couple of lyrics to maximum effect. The lines, “Do you know your body anymore? / Does it haunt you every night?” form the verses, while the choruses go, “I’m sorry / I’m sorry / I’m not done yet.” Her skill with this technique puts Mancari in the company of first-rate tunesmiths on the order of Swift and soul master Dan Penn. Mancari sang other material from her acclaimed 2020 album The Greatest Part as well, along with songs from its 2017 predecessor Good Woman. As she introduced “Lonely Boy,” she explained that she wrote it about her dog, and her reading was moving. Mancari’s electric guitar parts melded with lap steel, keyboards and lead guitar. She sounded both strong and vulnerable on “Tear Us Apart,” another fine song about the pressures of the world and their effect on relationships. She was joined on one song by Memphisborn and Nashville-residing popster Julien Baker and Paramore leader Hayley Williams, and the packed house responded enthusiastically. Similar cheers greeted another of Mancari’s collaborators, Alabama Shakes singer Brittany Howard. She joined in for “Annie,” one of Mancari’s sparest and most affecting songs. The show was Mancari’s first in town in more than a year, thanks to the pandemic, and served as a release party for The Greatest Part. In line with a protocol that’s becoming increasingly common, all fans, performers and staff had to present either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test taken no more than 48 hours before the show. Rapid tests were available for free at a Grab-A-Lab popup in the parking lot. What was most impressive about Mancari’s set was the skillful way she referenced a world of smart pop, from Prince to confessional singer-songwriters. Some of the performances had a country-pop feel, as if the spirit of 1990s country had been revived in a slightly different guise. Terri Clark and Lee Ann Womack came to mind, but Mancari’s music had its own velocity and textural richness. Her considerable instrumental finesse served the songwriting — something else Mancari’s music has in common with country. Still, she isn’t a mere formalist. Every song could have worked as a no-frills acoustic performance. What Mancari has to say about the nature of love puts her in the forefront of pop songwriting, and her conception is advanced and accessible to any pop fan who’s willing to follow Mancari’s muse, wherever it leads her. When pop works just right, nothing gets in the way of its message of love. EMAIL THESPIN@NASHVILLESCENE.COM

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nashvillescene.com | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | NASHVILLE SCENE

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FILM

PAT IS BACK Swan Song is the bighearted hero’s journey of a fabulous queen BY ERICA CICCARONE

he hero’s journey is among our most universal story patterns, crossing continents and centuries. We know its basic elements in our bones. But when the hero is played by legendary character SWAN SONG actor Udo Kier, we’re NR, 105 MINUTES in for some surprises OPENING FRIDAY, AUG. 13, along the way. Swan AT THE BELCOURT Song, directed by Todd Stephens, feels like the natural culmination of Kier’s 55-year career — a role the singular performer was destined for. We meet retired hairdresser Pat Pitsenbarger under the fluorescent lights of his grungy nursing home. Stephens is adept at using costumes and props to reveal character, and in just a few minutes, we know — or think we know — who Pat is. Wearing clean white Velcro sneakers and a beige sweatsuit, our hero seems determined to smoke himself to death — literally, he has already survived a stroke, and the nursing home staff members are exhausted by his refusal to follow doctor’s orders. His cigarettes of choice are Mores — long, dark-brown ladies’ cigarettes, which he stashes around his room. As with all good heroes about to embark upon a journey, the call to action comes as a shock to Pat. An attorney shows up and tells him that a woman named Rita has died, and she stipulated in her will that Pat style her hair for the funeral — and there’s $25,000 to be earned. Pat stubbornly refuses and kicks the lawyer out. But the next day, he takes a battered hat box from underneath his bed, stuffs his fanny pack with costume jewelry, and crosses the threshold into the big, bright world. Utilizing a handwritten sign that says “Free Beauty Advice,” Pat hitchhikes to the

SIT BACK AND UNWIND Summertime offers an uneven but worthwhile view of diversity and community BY CRAIG D. LINDSEY

ith Summertime, Carlos López Estrada continues his streak of working with West Coast people who bring the gift of gab. On his first film, 2018’s Blindspotting, López EsSUMMERTIME trada teamed with stars R, 95 MINUTES and writers Daveed Diggs OPENING FRIDAY, AUG. 13, and Rafael Casal, directAT THE BELCOURT ing a satire on gentrification and racial tension in Oakland, Calif., with Diggs and Casal dropping rap bars here and there. For his latest, he got together with a whole crew of young poets (25 of them, to be exact) to write and star in yet another ensemble movie about living in California.

small Ohio town Sandusky. His first quest is to find Vivante, the most luxurious brand of hair-styling gel of his time (and the French word for “alive”). Pat meets friends and foes new and old: his protégé Dee Dee (Jennifer Coolidge), who opened a salon across the street from his own and put him out of business; Rita’s sensitive grandson (Michael Urie); a thrift-store owner who went to Pat’s salon as a school girl; and others. With everyone he meets, he acquires some color: a pink pastel sun hat, a colorful backpack, a lime-green pantsuit. Rita, “a demanding Republican monster” and former client whom he adored, may just get her dying wish. A master of one-liners, Kier delivers some great ones here. When a convenience store employee looks at him incredulously, Pat knows what he’s thinking: “How could someone so flawless possibly be on social security?” A sense of mischief sparkles beneath Kier’s deadpan delivery, which is aided in part by his German accent, and you can’t help but feel that something special

Hell, if you’re a filmmaker, you’re gonna do one at some point. If you’ve ever been to a place that does spoken-word poetry nights, you know these things are usually a mixed bag. Some performers will hit the mic and give you that real, captivating shit, while others will pretentiously pontificate — just to hear the sound of their own voice. That’s exactly what you get with this collection of vignettes, in which millennial Angelenos verbally spew their frustrations around the city. At first, Summertime seems like an annoyingly woke free-for-all, with some orators sanctimoniously going off on people — not unlike what you might typically see on Twitter. Things start off quite cringey when we meet a gay African American guy with an Afro (Tyris Winter) — who mostly spends his time giving negative Yelp reviews to places that don’t sell cheeseburgers — reading the riot act to a waitress for making him pay $15 for avocado toast. We also get silly bits like a white girl (Maia Mayor) stalking her ex, talking to herself and wishing she could be his Ideal Mate, and a pair of struggling Black rappers (Austin

is happening between actor and character. This also makes Pat’s pain more visceral. His partner and lover, David, died of AIDS in the ’90s, and Sandusky is haunted by memories from Pat’s younger days. Despite some setbacks, Pat is buoyed toward his ultimate test by the town’s small gay community. He visits the local drag bar that he helped open decades ago, where he long performed as Mister Pat. As Pat reminisces about his time as the “Liberace of Sandusky,” the bored young bartender (newcomer Thom Hilton) looks up from his phone to say that it’s the bar’s last day — it’s been sold to a straight couple with other plans for the space. Pat has one question: “But where will we dance?” Something changes just slightly in the bartender. The washed-up queen in the costume jewelry is his queer forefather — a man who sacrificed everything to demand that society see him honestly, who refused to negotiate with the drab masses, and who, despite the film’s first act, never truly stopped believing in his own excellence. Luckily for

Antoine and Bryce Banks) who become hip-hop superstars within the span of a day. Thankfully, López Estrada makes this film a multicultural ride, making sure other minorities get equal time in delivering pieces that end up being the most memorable. Paolina Acuña-Gonzalez has an interesting inner monologue while her mom nags at her, imagining Latinas in red dresses dancing in the street and ganging up on a cat-caller. Gordon Ip plays a fed-up Asian fast-food worker who goes ham on a bunch of asshole customers. (Even if you’ve never worked in the service industry, that

Pat, and for us, he’s in town for the club’s last hurrah — and it’s magnificent. Swan Song hits some familiar notes, and perhaps that’s unavoidable. Its themes are spelled out by the people Pat meets on his journey, and the soundtrack — with ’70s hits like Melissa Manchester’s “Don’t Cry Out Loud” and Dusty Springfield’s “Yesterday When I Was Young” — is too on the nose. But with a character as vivid, idiosyncratic and original as Pat, I can’t say I care. You don’t need to know that Sandusky is the real Ohio town where Stephens grew up, or that a real hairdresser named Pat Pitsenbarger inspired Stephens’ screenplay, to feel moved by the story. The character’s homecoming will resonate with anyone who has returned to their hometown to find that the buildings look smaller, the colors less vibrant. But Pat’s return has the opposite effect. “Pat is back,” he tells the young bartender. His brilliant final act is a redemption story that shines bright. EMAIL ARTS@NASHVILLESCENE.COM

segment is satisfying as hell.) And full-figured sista Marquesha Babers provides the most applause-worthy piece when she gives a former crush the business for rejecting her so cruelly. As uneven and amateurish as Summertime can get at times, this is a well-meaning exercise for López Estrada (and executive producer Kelly Marie Tran, whom López Estrada directed in the recent Disney movie Raya and the Last Dragon). He’s not only giving a callow but creative crew of artists a chance to shine — he’s also presenting a view of L.A. that’s both diverse and communal, where people of all races, cultures and sexual orientations interact and mingle without making a big fuss about it. (Dude has basically made the anti-Crash.) To be honest, Summertime reminded me of my younger, self-righteous days on the spoken-word scene, going to poetry spots and spitting incendiary pieces like “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire by Licking My Balls?” and “The Night Bobby Brown Tried to Sodomize Me With a Burnt Crackpipe.” Needless to say, like spoken-word poetry in general, I was an acquired taste. EMAIL ARTS@NASHVILLESCENE.COM

NASHVILLE SCENE | AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 2021 | nashvillescene.com

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FILM

PRIMAL STREAM 63

A queer legend, a Stepfords sequel and more, now available to stream BY JASON SHAWHAN

he process of moving is a test — it measures who you are, the extent to which you are bound to the world of the material, and just exactly how far you can be pushed before you start entertaining the idea of burning it all down and walking away. The good news is that that very process of moving has kept me from really freaking out to the proper extent about the Delta variant. But for fuck’s sake, Tennessee. We deserve so much better than what our current state legislature is offering. Is there a way to open carry the implements of vaccination? Is there a way to keep despair at bay that doesn’t involve packing tape and becoming unstuck in the flow of time because of all the photos and memories and such? Anyway. Below are some recommendations for what to watch. As always, look back at past issues of the Scene for more recommended titles.

‘STORMÉ: THE LADY OF THE JEWEL BOX’ VIA THE CRITERION CHANNEL Stormé DeLarverie might not have the name recognition of Marsha Johnson or Sylvia Rivera, but as an icon of New York City liberation, her legacy is ensured by the path she blazed. She was the gay emcee of the Apollo Theatre’s Jewel Box Revue, a multiracial drag ensemble, and hers was one of the first fists to claim a fascist face during the Stonewall riots. DeLarverie (who passed away in 2014) was a fascinating persona and a dynamic performer who knew how to tell a story. This 1987 short film, part of The Criterion Channel’s quartet of films by documentarian Michelle Parkerson, is an essential piece of queer history far too often unreported. At just over 20 minutes, “Stormé: The Lady of the Jewel Box” is a marvel of construction: charming, laid-back, conscious of history and never anything less than captivating.

SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY IN THEATERS AND ON HBO MAX There are 45 exceptional seconds in the new Space Jam — one nearly ephemeral scene in which Bugs Bunny reassumes his “Big Chungus” appearance for a moment, and another slightly longer sequence in which Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner have been living inside Mad Max: Fury Road.

REVENGE OF THE STEPFORD WIVES ON YOUTUBE It’s really something to look at the speculative apocalypses that kept popping up during the latter part of the 20th century; the age-old battle between innovation and human nature, sprawling across countless variables in which we came face to face with the absolute moral truth of ourselves. In the end, no one ever really hit on how depersonalized and set apart from the act of living that the end of humanity would actually be, how our assassin droids would eschew

anthropomorphism and instead level up on visual signifiers of leisure — an inversion of the very correct fears parents had about toy guns, but heading in the opposite direction. The original Stepford Wives — an exceptional slice of ’70s paranoia from the pen of Ira Levin and steeped in the gender battles of the time — was influential enough that its titular concept became part of the common vernacular despite the film not being released in any home-video format for almost 20 years after its theatrical run. Its earthtone vision of the American suburb, built out of bone and Borax, of Disney imagineering and bloody sundresses, lives rent-free in the back of the brain. The 1980 made-for-TV sequel Revenge of the Stepford Wives takes a slightly different tack from the nihilistic emotional warfare of the first (or its 2004 remake), finding notes of camp and a broader satire with its menacing necklines and cult of Mad Men ideologies. What was an irreversible process involving murder and the construction of an automaton in the first film, with its malign Disneyland of the id, is now a pharmatopia where men can be their most beloved ’50s stereotypes as their wives are processed and kept docile through pills and policy. Into this place comes Kay (Sharon Gless), an investigative reporter drawn to Stepford (supposedly in Connecticut but here played by several Southern California towns) by its growing reputation. And then, all of a sudden, quicker than you can say Emanuelle in America, the gears of industry are turning, and Kay has to watch out, because no freethinking woman is safe in Stepford. Thankfully, she’s got a trustworthy friend in Meagan (Julie Kavner!), who’s just moved to Stepford with her journeyman police officer husband Andy (Don Johnson!). Kavner (Marge Simpson herself) does everything with this part, and it makes you wish she’d gotten a chance to do more weirdo horror. More along those lines, this is a surprisingly good cast for a made-for-TV sequel, and one that delivers, in its ending, a cathartic and pitilessly effective ending that would have had even the ancient Greeks concurring, “Yes, that was a good sparagmos.” It’s worth your time, especially if you rely on YouTube as your predominant streaming service.

THE GREEN KNIGHT IN THEATERS AND STREAMING SOON Perhaps you’re the kind of person who can resist a scene in which someone dives into a body of water wherein we can’t tell if we’re submerged in the sea or adrift in outer space. If you are, I feel very sorry for you. A dank and rough-hewn fantasy epic that made me wish it had been around 30 years ago so Mrs. Grimes could have shown it in her British Literature class, The Green Knight is awesome in a way that will piss off a lot of people. There’s enough visual imagination for several movies’ worth, and it makes for a great double feature with Oz Perkins’ Gretel and Hansel from last year. EMAIL ARTS@NASHVILLESCENE.COM

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SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SALE NOTICE WHEREAS, THERESA AVENUE HOLDINGS, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, executed a Deed of Trust to Randall Clemons, Trustee, dated December 12, 2019 of record as Instrument No. 201912230131957, Register’s Office for Davidson County, Tennessee, for the benefit of Wilson Bank & Trust (“Lender”), the hereinafter described real property, to which reference is hereby made, and to secure payment of indebtednesses of grantor then existing or to arise thereafter. The term "Deed of Trust" shall include any and all modifications, renewals, extensions or amendments thereto whether noted above or otherwise; WHEREAS, Lender did appoint Michael Clemons as Substitute Trustee, of record as Instrument No. 20210716-0095963, Register's Office for Davidson County, Tennessee; WHEREAS, Default in the payment of the note secured by said Deed of Trust has been made; WHEREAS, Lender, the owner and holder of said note and Deed of Trust, has demanded that the property be advertised and sold in satisfaction of said debt and the cost of the foreclosure, in accordance with the terms and provisions of the applicable note and Deed of Trust; and WHEREAS, if applicable, the requirements pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-5-117 have been met; NOW THEREFORE, notice is hereby given that Michael Clemons, Substitute Trustee, pursuant to the power, duty and authority vested in and imposed upon in said Deed of Trust will on THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2021 AT 10:00 AM LOCAL TIME OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR OF THE HISTORIC DAVIDSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE FACING PUBLIC SQUARE PARK AT ONE PUBLIC SQUARE, IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, offer for sale to the highest bidder for cash and free from the statutory right of redemption, homestead, and all other exemptions as are expressly

Land in Davidson County, Tennessee, being Lot No. 10 on the Plan of W.R. Cornelius, Jr. Subdivision, of record in Plat Book 57, Page 124, in the Register’s Office for said County, to which Plan reference is hereby made for a more complete description of the property. Being the same property conveyed to Theresa Avenue Holdings, LLC by Warranty Deed from Jennifer Destiny Rothlein nka Jennifer Rothlein Ansell, married, recorded September 17, 2018 in Instrument No. 201809170092210, Register’s Office for Davidson County, Tennessee. The following is for informational purposes only: Property Address: 1600 Forrest Avenue Nashville, Tennessee 37206 Map-Parcel Numbers 08310-0-174.00

Subject to tenant’s rights to possession. This sale is subject to all matters shown on any applicable recorded document, including but not limited to any applicable recorded plan, plat, charter, restriction, judgment(s), notice of governmental entity, or declaration of taking(s); any prior lien(s) of record; unpaid taxes and assessments which exist as a lien against said properties; any restrictive covenant(s), easement(s) or setback line(s) that may be applicable; any rights of redemption not otherwise waived in the Deed of Trust, including rights of redemption of any governmental agency, state or federal; and any prior deeds of trust, liens, dues, assessments, encumbrances, defects, adverse claims, and other matters that may take priority over the Deed of Trust upon which this foreclosure sale is conducted or are not extinguished by this foreclosure sale. This sale is also subject to any matter that an accurate inspection and survey of the premises might disclose. The transfer shall be AS IS, WHERE IS, AND WITH ALL FAULTS, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, as to the condition of such property and the improvements located thereon, including merchantability or fitness for particular purpose. Trustee shall make no covenant of seisin or warranty of title, express or implied, and will sell and convey the subject real property by Substitute Trustee’s Deed only. The successful bidder shall tender cash payment by close of business, or 4:30 P.M. CST, on the day of the foreclosure sale.

The successful bidder shall tender cash payment by close of business, or 4:30 P.M. CST, on the day of the foreclosure sale. The Substitute Trustee, in order to accomplish the most advantageous sale and consequent discharge of his obligation under the Deed of Trust, reserves the right to do any or all of the following, without further publication and upon announcement at the time and place for the sale set forth herein: 1. To adjourn the sale to another time during regular business hours on a different day or place or rescind the sale; 2. To delay the sale for a reasonable time during regular business hours on the same day, to be continued at the announced place and time, and to this end Substitute Trustee reserves the right to delay the sale of the Property to take place at the actual Property location(s) or at such other location as is orally announced and in such instance, the precise time of sale or sales will be announced at the time and place for the sale set forth herein;

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power, duty and authority vested in and imposed upon in said Deed of Trust will on THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2021 AT 10:00 AM LOCAL TIME OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR OF THE HISTORIC DAVIDSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE FACING PUBLIC SQUARE PARK AT ONE PUBLIC SQUARE, IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, offer for sale to the highest bidder for cash and free from the statutory right of redemption, homestead, and all other exemptions as are expressly waived in the Deed of Trust, certain real property in Davidson County, Tennessee, described as follows:

3. To sell the Property at the time fixed by the last postponement or to give new notice of sale; 4. To sell the Property in such lots, parcels, segments or separate estates as may accomplish the most advantageous sale and consequent discharge of his or her trust obligation under the circumstances, and to this end Substitute Trustee may sell the property first in whole and then in part, and ultimately consummate the sale in which ever manner produces the most advantageous result; 5. To sell part of the Property and delay, adjourn, cancel or postpone the sale of the remaining part of the Property; and/or 6. To sell the Property to the next highest bidder in the event any higher bidder does not comply with the terms of the sale. Other interested parties: Davidson County, Tennessee Tax Assessor; Bell Rock Income Fund 1, LLC; Meridian Capital Group, LLC; and Wilson Bank & Trust This 20th day of July, 2021. J. Michael Clemons CLEMMONS & CLEMONS, PLLC 414 Union Street, Suite 1900 Nashville, Tennessee 37219 Phone: (615) 823-1201 Facsimile: (615) 823-1194 Insertion Dates in The Nashville Scene: July 29, 2021, August 5, 2021 and August 12, 2021. THIS LAW FIRM IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

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The Substitute Trustee, in order to accomplish the most advantageous sale and | AUGUST 12 - AUGUST 18, 2021 | nashvillescene.com consequent discharge of his obligation under the Deed of Trust, reserves the right to do any or all of the following, without further publication and upon announcement at the time and place for the sale set forth herein:

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Non-Resident Notice Third Circuit Docket No. 21D1022 SHANTA GREEN HANCOCK vs. JADONTE JAMAL HANCOCK In this cause it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that the defendant is a non-resident of the State of Tennessee, therefore the ordinary process of law cannot be served upon JADONTE JAMAL HANCOCK. It is ordered that said Defendant enter HIS appearance herein within thirty (30) days after September 2, 2021 same being the date of the last publication of this notice to be held at the Metropolitan Circuit Court located at 1 Public Square, Room 302, Nashville, Tennessee, and defend or default will be taken on October 4, 2021. It is therefore ordered that a copy of this Order be published for four (4) weeks succession in the Nashville Scene, a newspaper published in Nashville. Richard R. Rooker, Clerk L. Chappell Deputy Clerk Date: August 5, 2021 Katelyn E. Marshall Attorney for Plaintiff NSC 812, 8/19, 8/26, 9/2/2021 Non-Resident Notice Third Circuit Docket No. 21D150

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BILLY HERNANDEZ vs. ALONDRA VALUENZUELA CARRILLO In this cause it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that the defendant is a non-resident of the State of Tennessee, therefore the ordinary process of law cannot be served upon ALONDRA VALENZUELA CARRILLO. It is ordered that said Defendant enter HER appearance herein within thirty (30) days after September 2, 2021 same being the date of the last publication of this notice to be held at the Metropolitan Circuit Court located at 1 Public Square, Room 302, Nashville, Tennessee, and defend or default will be taken on October 4, 2021. It is therefore ordered that a copy of this Order be published for four (4) weeks succession in the Nashville Scene, a newspaper published in Nashville.

In this cause it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that the defendant is a non-resident of the State of Tennessee, therefore the ordinary process of law cannot be served upon ALONDRA VALENZUELA CARRILLO. It is ordered that said Defendant enter HER appearance herein within thirty (30) days after September 2, 2021 same being the date of the last publication of this notice to be held at the Metropolitan Circuit Court located at 1 Public Square, Room 302, Nashville, Tennessee, and defend or default will be taken on October 4, 2021. It is therefore ordered that a copy of this Order be published for four (4) weeks succession in the Nashville Scene, a newspaper published in Nashville. Richard R. Rooker, Clerk L. Chappell Deputy Clerk Date: August 4, 2021 Jane Ellen Cassell Attorney for Plaintiff NSC 812, 8/19, 8/26, 9/2/2021

Non-Resident Notice Fourth Circuit Docket No. 21D408 BERNADETTE DENISE BROWN vs. WALTER MORRIS BROWN JR In this cause it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that the defendant is a non-resident of the State of Tennessee, therefore the ordinary process of law cannot be served upon WALTER MORRIS BROWN JR. It is ordered that said Defendant enter HIS appearance herein with thirty (30) days after August 12, 2021 same being the date of the last publication of this notice to be held at the Metropolitan Circuit Court located at 1 Public Square, Room 302, Nashville, Tennessee, and defend or default will be taken on September 13, 2021. It is therefore ordered that a copy of this Order be published for four (4) weeks succession in the Nashville Scene, a newspaper published in Nashville. Richard R. Rooker, Clerk M. De Jesus, Deputy Clerk Date: July 16, 2021 Nicholas D. Waite Attorney for Plaintiff

this Order be published for four (4) weeks succession in the Nashville Scene, a newspaper published in Nashville. Richard R. Rooker, Clerk M. De Jesus, Deputy Clerk Date: July 16, 2021 Nicholas D. Waite Attorney for Plaintiff NSC 7/22, 7/29, 8/5 & 8/12, 2021

EMPLOYMENT Revive Public Relations, LLC (d/b/a ReviveHealth) (Nashville, TN) seeks SVP, Head of Strategy to dvlp mrktng commnctns strtgies for agncy’s hlthcre clnts (incl Fortune 500 clnts), settng course for creatve cmpgns & intiatvs. Lead & mnge agncy’s Stratgy dept. Lead stratgy acrss mult prjcts &/or clnts, totalng at least $10m in annual busnss. Ovrsee key stratgc prncples, prcesses, & practces for agncy, in ordr to create consistnt & cohrnt stratgc philsphy & dlvry. Ovrsee stratgy & qlty of stratgc output acrss key agncy of recrd accnts; positiong, brand creat’n, naming, & brand idntity prjcts & prgrms; & payor/provdr engagemts. Wrk closely w/ head of anlytcs & head of media to prodce more effctve wrk of highr stndrd for clnts. Lead stratgy wrkshps & presnt to C-suite clnts. Wrk on new busnss & help agncy win new clnts & achve orgnc grwth w/ exstng clnts. Reqs Bach in Mrktng, Advrtsng, or a humanities or social scnces fld +5yrs post-Bach, prgrssv wrk exp in pos offrd or dirctr levl planng or stratgy role. All reqd exp mustve incl’d leadng multdscplnry agncy teams to rsrch, dsgn, & implmt stratgc brand mrktng for Fortune 500 clnt(s); leadng stratgy acrss mult prjcts &/or clnts, totalng at least $10m in annual busnss; leadng stratgy wrkshps & presntng to C-suite clnts; leadng team(s) of 5 or more people; & leadng stratgy aspcts of new busnss ptches. Send res to talent@thinkrevive health.com.

for Fortune 500 clnt(s); leadng stratgy acrss mult prjcts &/or clnts, totalng at least $10m in annual busnss; leadng stratgy wrkshps & presntng to C-suite clnts; leadng team(s) of 5 or more people; & leadng stratgy aspcts of new busnss ptches. Send res to talent@thinkrevive health.com.

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Richard R. Rooker, Clerk L. Chappell Deputy Clerk Date: August 4, 2021 Jane Ellen Cassell Attorney for Plaintiff NSC 812, 8/19, 8/26, 9/2/2021

Your Neighborhood Local attractions: · Grand Ole Opry · Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery · Frist Art Museum

Best place near by to see a show: · 3rd & Lindsley · The Listening Room · Grand Ole Opry

Neighborhood dining and drinks: · Mitchell’s Delicatessen · Babo’s Korean Bar · Pharmacy Burger

Favorite local neighborhood bar: · The Village Pub & Beer Garden

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cumberlandretreatapartments.com | 615.356.0257 Dupont Avenue Apartments 601 N. Dupont Avenue Madison, TN 37115

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Cast your ballot and help name the BEST this city has to offer. SCAN TO START VOTING

TSO is a community, volunteer orchestra that meets weekly (Thursday Nights) and performs traditional orchestral rep 6-8 times per year. We are currently seeking new members for the 2021-2022 season. Contact David Diehl at 615-248-1291 for more information.

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