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The ABCs of Rock Release Party At Grimey’s This Saturday

Oct 15th, 2010
by Jason Kirk.
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Learning the alphabet has earned the Iggy Pop seal of approval!

East Nashvillian Melissa Duke Mooney was working on a unique children’s book, The ABCs of Rock, when she died unexpectedly last year. Her family and friends didn’t let her passing stand in the way of sharing her work with the world, though, and this weekend they’re teaming up with Grimey’s to celebrate the book’s publication by Tricycle Press.

The party will kick off at 3pm at Grimey’s, located at 1604 8th Avenue South in Nashville, with a set of rock classics from The Red Caps, featuring the late author’s husband, Neil Mooney. Given the eclectic lineup of bands in the book (they run the gamut from The Clash to The Go-Go’s to AC/DC to David Bowie), the band has a wide variety of excellent tracks to choose from. The book’s illustrators, Connie Collingsworth and Jim Madison of Print Mafia, will be available to sign books as well. And in the spirit of rock and roll, temporary tattoos and candy cigarettes will be on hand as well as kid-friendly refreshments. The event is free and open to the public.

If you aren’t able to make it out to Grimey’s this weekend, you can still pick up a copy of The ABCs of Rock online at Amazon or in bookstores. To learn more about the life Melissa Duke Mooney lived, check out Maggie Conran’s recap of Mooney’s second-line parade funeral, or Tall Paul’s memorial to her, or the Memories of Melissa Duke Mooney group on Facebook, or Murphy’s memories of her, or this short Nashville Scene feature about Mooney and her project.

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TPAC Presents The Art of Jack Daniel’s Next Week

Oct 6th, 2010
by Jason Kirk.
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Besides all the great things that are actually in East Nashville, one of the nice things about living on this side of town is our proximity to downtown Nashville and all it has to offer, including the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. In addition to its Broadway offerings TPAC also puts on other events like its new The Art Of educational tasting series.

Learn all about Jack Daniel's next week at the War Memorial Auditorium

Each installment of The Art Of at the War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Nashville will be a guided tasting tour by a local expert through the history, uses and flavors of wine and spirits. Beer, boxed wine and cordials will come later on the schedule, but the first event of the series is The Art of Jack Daniel’s on Tuesday, October 12, at 6:00 p.m.

The Art of Jack Daniel’s will feature the famous distillery’s family of brands and will be led by Lynne Tolley, who has a job lots of people will envy: she’s an official taste tester for the Jack Daniel Distillery. She also happens to be the great-grandniece of Jack Daniel and proprietress of Lynchburg’s most famous restaurant, Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House, as well as the author of cookbooks like Jack Daniel’s The Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook and Cooking with Jack.

Tickets for The Art of Jack Daniel’s are $25. You can buy them downtown at the TPAC Box Office, at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Green Hills, by calling 615-782-4040, or online at the TPAC The Art Of website.

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Fight Back/Move Forward Art Show to Benefit Cancer Charity

Oct 1st, 2010
by Jason Kirk.
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See the work of local artists and contribute to a great cause at Billups Art

Looking to check out some local art while contributing to a worthy cause? You’ll want to block off your calendar later this month for Fight Back/Move Forward, an art show benefiting the SAMFund for young adult cancer survivors.

Since 2003, the SAMFund has awarded $500,000 to more than 250 young adults all over the United States. Those recipients have used the money to pay for rent and utilities, car and health insurance premiums, graduate tuition, vocational training, student loan repayment, current and residual medical bills, fertility-related expenses, gym memberships and transportation costs. The SAMFund website describes why they do what they do:

Transitioning into your 20s and 30s is difficult; the job market is tough, real estate is expensive and the cost of tuition is at an all time high. Learning how to live on your own is difficult.

Now imagine that you have just finished cancer treatment. You have lost valuable time and savings. You feel like you are years behind everyone else in your age group. To top it off, you are suddenly faced with many expenses you didn’t have to think about during treatment. In addition, you are trying to pay off residual medical bills while acquiring new ones through follow-up tests and check-ups.

When all of these issues collide, how do you find a job, pay for rent and afford school?

While wonderful organizations exist for both cancer patients and survivors to provide support, none were solely to provide financial assistance for young adult survivors struggling with their transition into post-treatment life. Frustrated by the lack of support, we sought a way close the gap.

Fight Back/Move Forward goes down on October 22 from 6pm-10pm at Billups Art, located at 1008-C Woodland Street here in East Nashville. A donation of $5 gets you access to artwork from local artists Jeff Bertrand, Dustin Dirt, Brooke E, Janet Lee, Brandt Hardin, Erin Lord, Charles Bennett and many more, as well as music from John Salaway’s Acoustic Revolution. All proceeds from the door, as well as from any artwork sold at the show, will go directly to SAMFund.

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Go Gaga For Rayfo at Mad Donna’s This Saturday

Sep 10th, 2010
by Jason Kirk.
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Everyone's going Gaga tomorrow night at Mad Donna's

If you can’t get enough Lady Gaga, you’ll want to drop by Mad Donna’s tomorrow night for the “Go Gaga For Rayfo” party. “Rayfo” is Rachel Fontenot, owner of East Nashville bar and restaurant Mad Donna’s, and the party is a celebration of Fontenot’s birthday. To keep with the theme, the party will be a costume ball with everyone encouraged to channel their inner Gaga.

It won’t be hard to get in the spirit, since the room will be filled with Gaga go-go dancers outfitted by Hue, Adam Biga and Blu Zombie Designs. Plus there will be Gagacentric drink specials – the Disco Stick (vanilla vodka with grape & raspberry liqueur, garnished with a Pixie stick), Poison Apple (whiskey and apple liqueur, garnished with a Jolly Rancher) and Poker Face (tequila, triple sec and pineapple juice) are all $4, and there will be free Jello shots for everyone.

The party gets started at 8:00 p.m. tomorrow night, September 11. Mad Donna’s is located at 1313 Woodland Street here in East Nashville.

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Help Make the 2010 Nashville AIDS Walk a Success

Sep 6th, 2010
by Jason Kirk.
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Nashville CARES, the folks behind the annual Dining Out For Life event, is getting ready to host its biggest community fundraiser of the year – the Nashville AIDS Walk. They’re asking for your help with this event to further their mission of fighting HIV/AIDS in Nashville.

Here’s the full story on the October 2 event straight from the source:

1. SIGN UP at www.NashvilleAIDSWalk.com. Do it today! Sign up as an individual – or join/start a team. Then, invite friends, family, colleagues to support you by contributing between now and October 2. You can ask people by email, phone, or in person. You’re likely to be surprised by how responsive people are when you ask. Most of us WANT to help fight HIV, yet may not know how. Think of it as offering friends a way to make a difference. Many will give to do just that.

2. CONTRIBUTE at www.NashvilleAIDSWalk.com. Giving is the best way to help if you’re not in Nashville, can’t take part in the fund raising or the fun on Oct 2, or if you just plain care about fighting HIV/AIDS. The website makes it easy: search for a friend or team you know, OR make a general donation. You’ll receive immediate email confirmation, with our thanks.

3. JOIN US on Saturday, October 2. We’ll gather at Bicentennial Mall State Park in Nashville starting at 10am for check-in, a hot Pancake Breakfast ($5/person), stage entertainment, kids’ activities, and a Community and Business Fair. At noon, we start the Nashville AIDS Walk itself, with two route options: a 3-mile circuit of the park and surrounding streets, or an infield stroll of less than half a mile. We’ll wrap up with a brief ceremony at 1pm to celebrate achievement, give awards, and commemorate the friends past and present in whose memory or honor we dedicate our shared efforts.

If you need help or have questions, phone 615-259-4866 for Jenean (extension 291), Amy (x314), or Susan (x251), or send an email to skastan@nashvillecares.org. Nashville CARES deeply appreciates every volunteer, contributor, sponsor or advocate participating in our community response to the HIV epidemic. Thanks!

This year’s Nashville AIDS Walk is presented by Nashville Pharmacy Services, the event’s Presenting Sponsor for the third year. If you can’t attend the event, you can still make a donation here. Last year’s event raised $185,000 to help Nashville CARES fight HIV/AIDS through prevention education and testing, counseling and social work case management, food and transportation assistance, and more supportive services for people living with HIV/AIDS locally.

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Holly Street Rocks! Benefit Featuring Roman Candle

Aug 25th, 2010
by Jason Kirk.
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Holly Street Daycare is hosting its 7th Annual Holly Street Rocks! fundraiser in October. All proceeds from the benefit go directly to the Holly Street Tuition Subsidy Program, which helps families in need afford quality child care for their children.  The fundraiser will include 50 fabulous wines to taste, provided by Midtown Wine & Spirits; entertainment from popular indie rock band Roman Candle; and hundreds of silent auction items up for bid, from great artwork to weekend getaways.

Holly Street Daycare is a non-profit that provides affordable, quality childcare for parents.  The Tuition Subsidy Program bridges the gap between assistance a family might be receiving and the rising cost of quality childcare. At Holly Street, children experience personalized attention and progressive learning in an intimate, low teacher/child ratio environment.  Additionally, the center offers specialized programs such as dance, music and educational field trips.  Holly Street strives to create an overall setting to further develop each child’s values, attitudes, and social skills.

Musical guest Roman Candle owes its edgy rock sound to years of focusing on the craft of songwriting and melody.  In 2006 Pitchfork’s Grayson Currin said, “Roman Candle is one of the best, most complete American rock bands to surface in a decade.”  PASTE magazine called their current album, Oh Tall Tree in the Ear, a “Modern Rock Masterpiece” and the band has toured with artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Aimee Mann, and the Indigo Girls. Roman Candle at the Limelight is a show not to be missed!

Holly Street Rocks!

7th Annual Silent Auction/Wine Tasting

Featuring musical guest Roman Candle

A benefit for Holly Street Daycare’s tuition subsidy program

Sponsored by Midtown Wine & Spirits

When: Saturday, October 2, 2010, 6PM-10PM

Where: Limelight, 201 Woodland St

Admission: $50 advance/$60 door

Purchase tickets at www.hollystreetrocks.org or 615-227-8252

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Thirth of July Street Party Recap

Jul 6th, 2010
by Lindsey Boise.
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Seeing that we just moved to the neighborhood about six months ago, we didn’t know what to expect when we received a neighborly letter informing/reminding/warning us about the annual Thirth of July Street Party that was to go down right across the street from our place on Ordway and North 12th Street.

All I can say is it was really fun. There were Jolly Rogue Sneaux Balls, people twirling sparkly sticks, and live music. Though we didn’t indulge (meat is murder, duh), they even had BBQ from Oinker’s/Crazy Calvin’s for the carnivores out there.

Thee Phanton 5ive and The Minor Keys played, but we missed them and only caught the last two bands, Heypenny and the Eastside Bulldogs. I captured a short video clip of Heypenny playing “CopCar” and you can watch it below.

The proceeds ($10 at the plastic fence) went to East Nashville Flood Relief. And in the morning, it was like nobody had even been there. Magic. I recommend everyone and anyone to come down next year and enjoy the festival.

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Big June in Store at Mad Donna’s

Jun 1st, 2010
by Jason Kirk.
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If you love music and fashion, Mad Donna’s is the place for you all throughout the month of June. First there’s the June Artist Residency:

Singer/songwriters, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally and Trevor Rosen will be Mad Donna’s June 2010 artists-in-residence. Mad Donna’s Artist Residency features local talent that makes Mad Donna’s Loft home for a weekly month-long showcase. Performances will take place every Wednesday beginning June 2nd. Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally and Trevor Rosen will also perform June 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th, when the residency ends. Doors open at 7PM, music starts at 8PM. There is not a cover charge. Drink special are 2 for 1 drafts. Wednesday is Service Industry Night – 30% off with a valid ABC card or check stub.

Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally and Trevor Rosen

Then, this Thursday, there’s Music Row East featuring Mason Douglas:

Mad Donna’s Music Row East, a showcase of up and coming artists and writers by Music Row publishers, labels and managers will feature singer/songwriter, Mason Douglas on Thursday, June 3rd. Doors open at 7PM, music starts at 8PM. There is not a cover charge. Drink specials are $2 off wine by the glass and $5 off wine by the bottle.

Mason Douglas possesses a distinguished diversity, sounding like Chris Isaak with his signature sexy falsettos, Garth Brooks with his honesty and range, others even say he’s ‘country music’s Rob Thomas. Mason has been showcased at the Ryman Auditorium as well as opened for Trace Adkins, James Otto & Jewel. He has had continued radio airplay with the song “Home Free” released on his 2010 debut CD with Rural Rhythm Records. Mason says, “I am so excited to get this music out to the world and all audiences to let everyone have the opportunity to enjoy it as well. Thank you for these few minutes and for taking a listen.”

Mason Douglas

This Friday will see Heidi Burson take to the stage:

Mad Donna’s is proud to announce that multi-talented singer/songwriter Heidi Burson will perform on Friday, June 4th at 8PM. Drink specials are $5 Smirnoff and specialty martinis until 10PM. Co-owner Rachel Fontenot is excited about bringing this innovative vocalist to Mad Donna’s.

Heidi Burson knows true happiness when she is surrounded by friends with a microphone in one hand and a wine glass in the other. While her voice brings joy to many, it also invokes an insight and depth of the soul that few professionals can touch, yet alone master. Heidi’s vocal stylings lean to blues, soul, and R&B, however, much like her personality, she thrives on variety. Heidi has performed at a multitude of venues in the Nashville area since she moved from her hometown in Ohio five years ago.

Woodland Street’s Lipstick Lounge calls Heidi “an unbelievable talent with range, style, presence and grace. Her voice is fluid and her style draws comparisons to Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin.” At 25 years old, Heidi has played the piano for 22 years. A passionate songwriter, Heidi often turns into her own dark corners to find untapped sorrow, rage, strength, and hope to weave into melodies and lyrics that support her powerhouse voice. Heidi throws not only her whole self, but all of her surroundings into her music, with the hopes that one day it will be able to support her in return.

Heidi Burson

And finally, there’s Splash! A Pride Pool Party Fashion Show:

On Friday, June 11th Mad Donna’s will host Splash! A Pride Pool Party Fashion Show. The fashion show will be produced by Milton White of The Fashion Office and will feature swimwear from Hue in East Nashville. Donations from this event will go to support Nashville Pride. Suggested donations for general admission is $5.00 and $10.00 for VIP which includes a seat on the runway and swag bags. Doors open at 8PM. The fashion show starts at 9PM. Drink specials are $5 Smirnoff and specialty martinis until 10PM.

Splash! will feature several well known runway models, a selection of male models from RAMP Ripped, a locally based model management company that represents some of the hottest fitness and physique models as well as a few local personalities. The models will be wearing swimwear from Hue. The show will include looks from Salinas, INsight and Sundeck in addition to several vintage pieces. A cool music mix by DJ Jane Dupree will accompany the show.

The event is open to the public and donations will be taken at the door supporting Nashville Pride. The purpose of the Nashville Pride is to maintain a sense of community and awareness of, about and for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people and culture throughout Middle Tennessee.

Mad Donna’s is located at 1313 Woodland Street here in East Nashville. For more info on all these events, check out the Mad Donna’s website.

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