The Sunday of Memorial Day weekend was a perfect excuse to hit up one of our favorite Nashville traditions- Nashville Sunday Nights at 3rd and Lindsley. This little dive bar has some of the best seats in town, for a nice beer, decent eats and a close-up and intimate show. When in music city- seeing music is one of the best things to do, and we have made every effort to see as many shows as we can afford, time and money-wise.
We have had such fun and memorable experiences at 3rd and Lindsley (Jukebox the Ghost, with Jenny Owen Youngs; Landon Pigg with Sarah Jarosz). A Nasvhille native, Rayland Baxter, was so memorable, I can't even recall who the main act was that night!
Their newly revamped listening room, stage and seating are a great improvement, and I have to recommend anyone going to get there early! It's worth it for great seats to have a couple of drinks and some bar food first (and there are some very decent vittles to be had here).
Needless to say, when I heard one of my favorite music discoveries of the past 2 years, The Staves, were coming, I had to make this a night out to remember! We had several friends join us, and both of the shows were absolutely great! Perfect acoustics, a warm, respectful and receptive crowd and it was just the best way to experience music. Our friends really loved Holly Williams, whose song "Waiting for June" brings me to tears, it is so powerful.
All in all, a great Nashville night on the town.
John's post forthcoming...
Monday, May 27, 2013
Saturday, April 24, 2010
David Sedaris at The Ryman Auditorium
Hilarious, brilliant author, essayist and general commentator extraordinaire, David Sedaris was in Nashville last night.
He read from his upcoming "Beastiary" which he describes as "fables without morals, or stories with animals doing things humans do". Both his stork and faithful irish setter stories were hilarious, ironic and all around classic Sedaris.
The essay he read next was the best of the night- on travel (with political and social commentary thrown in for good measure). It commented on the "glorious cruelty" we humans can exhibit when taxed the ways we all are while traveling. The last line "Your trash...your trash...your family's trash" was such a perfect ending to the trip!
He also mentioned Johnston's book "The Irish Girl"- which began with a story of a severed arm, and read from many of his journal entries from the past 7 years.
It was such an intimate setting, which the author himself commented on, as he was very aware of the audience- "if you're where I am, you really feel very appreciated".
Quite a show, you sly little lisper, you.
He read from his upcoming "Beastiary" which he describes as "fables without morals, or stories with animals doing things humans do". Both his stork and faithful irish setter stories were hilarious, ironic and all around classic Sedaris.
The essay he read next was the best of the night- on travel (with political and social commentary thrown in for good measure). It commented on the "glorious cruelty" we humans can exhibit when taxed the ways we all are while traveling. The last line "Your trash...your trash...your family's trash" was such a perfect ending to the trip!
He also mentioned Johnston's book "The Irish Girl"- which began with a story of a severed arm, and read from many of his journal entries from the past 7 years.
It was such an intimate setting, which the author himself commented on, as he was very aware of the audience- "if you're where I am, you really feel very appreciated".
Quite a show, you sly little lisper, you.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Muse Concert at Sommet Center and pre concert dinner at Merchants- March 15
Oh the emo!
The date: Muse and The Silversun Pickups playing their big arena tour, dinner first at the best downtown Nashville pre concert scene- Merchants.
She Said:
First off, I have to give big props to Merchants for the little known secret that you can use Valet parking for your pre concert dinner, and leave your car all night! That was the absolute best deal! Good food, good drink, best location and what a perk!
We watched all the emo kids filing into Sommet from our window seat and enjoyed our pub grub dinner with another couple.
Entering the arena, the excitement was palpable. This is a big group and they have majorly obsessed fans!
The Silver Sun Pickups (whom we saw in December at the Not So Silent night concert), again gave a great show. The energy was less intense in such a big venue, but that also meant our eardrums weren't bleeding when they were done.
And then....
Muse.
It was a wildly bright, strobing, energetic light show, with amazing stage set up, stage changes and of course rocking music. I am a big fan, and so was everyone around us. The singing along of some of the most indecipherable lyrics in current play was amazing. We all have our own deciphering of their lyrics, and I see that we are no less passionate about singing along despite not being sure of what they are or what they mean.
The opening sequence was unexpected- with the band showing up in the middle of tall columns of their light display.
Starlight was especially memorable, with a beautiful color display that reminded me of a kaleidoscope.
It was pulse pounding, seizure inducing awesomeness, every second but the bluesy piano interlude (boo- not a fan of that style)! Muse definitely can entertain.
The date: Muse and The Silversun Pickups playing their big arena tour, dinner first at the best downtown Nashville pre concert scene- Merchants.
She Said:
First off, I have to give big props to Merchants for the little known secret that you can use Valet parking for your pre concert dinner, and leave your car all night! That was the absolute best deal! Good food, good drink, best location and what a perk!
We watched all the emo kids filing into Sommet from our window seat and enjoyed our pub grub dinner with another couple.
Entering the arena, the excitement was palpable. This is a big group and they have majorly obsessed fans!
The Silver Sun Pickups (whom we saw in December at the Not So Silent night concert), again gave a great show. The energy was less intense in such a big venue, but that also meant our eardrums weren't bleeding when they were done.
And then....
Muse.
It was a wildly bright, strobing, energetic light show, with amazing stage set up, stage changes and of course rocking music. I am a big fan, and so was everyone around us. The singing along of some of the most indecipherable lyrics in current play was amazing. We all have our own deciphering of their lyrics, and I see that we are no less passionate about singing along despite not being sure of what they are or what they mean.
The opening sequence was unexpected- with the band showing up in the middle of tall columns of their light display.
Starlight was especially memorable, with a beautiful color display that reminded me of a kaleidoscope.
It was pulse pounding, seizure inducing awesomeness, every second but the bluesy piano interlude (boo- not a fan of that style)! Muse definitely can entertain.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Alice in Wonderland- Friday, March 12
The Date: early evening showing of the new Tim Burton version of Alice in Wonderland, with Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway
She Said:
I was highly anticipating this one- the previews really piqued my interest, and basically any collaboration with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp has my immediate thumbs up, sight unseen (I mean, I think I am the only one, but I am a huge fan of their Sweeney Todd movie!).
Unfortunately, Alice wiped away that assumption and trust.
This film was visually lovely, but ultimately pallid. The story was very played out- we've seen this all before, and there is truly nothing exciting in an older Alice having the exact same adventure (including the shrinking potion and enlarging cake!). What happened Tim Burton? Where is your mark? I feel that Disney had a heavy hand in script, and kept it very watered down to the basic tenets of the Disney cartoon version. Alice arrives, grows smaller and larger while meeting some strange creatures, has to get her wits about her and duke it out with the red queen. The END.
The only redemption was, naturally, in Johnny Depp's portrayal of the Mad Hatter. He was eerily costumed, had a brilliant Scottish brogue (that was perfectly indecipherable at times), but still made you fall for him. There was a strange pseudo-incestuous chemistry between him and Alice, and I almost found myself rooting for a little more spark there, almost. Ultimately, he is her navigator and helps her find her reason in Under Land while being a beguilingly strange, asexual friend. I definitely could have done without a bizarre end sequence that has him in a CG dance- UNCALLED FOR!
The actress playing Alice is lovely enough as well, but very unengaged and unengaging. I really had NO connection with her whatsoever, nor did I care much what happened to her. Enough said. She is supposed to be the heroine!
Verdict: in a word- disappointing. except for the fact that it is in 3D- definitely a wait for DVD.
She Said:
I was highly anticipating this one- the previews really piqued my interest, and basically any collaboration with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp has my immediate thumbs up, sight unseen (I mean, I think I am the only one, but I am a huge fan of their Sweeney Todd movie!).
Unfortunately, Alice wiped away that assumption and trust.
This film was visually lovely, but ultimately pallid. The story was very played out- we've seen this all before, and there is truly nothing exciting in an older Alice having the exact same adventure (including the shrinking potion and enlarging cake!). What happened Tim Burton? Where is your mark? I feel that Disney had a heavy hand in script, and kept it very watered down to the basic tenets of the Disney cartoon version. Alice arrives, grows smaller and larger while meeting some strange creatures, has to get her wits about her and duke it out with the red queen. The END.
The only redemption was, naturally, in Johnny Depp's portrayal of the Mad Hatter. He was eerily costumed, had a brilliant Scottish brogue (that was perfectly indecipherable at times), but still made you fall for him. There was a strange pseudo-incestuous chemistry between him and Alice, and I almost found myself rooting for a little more spark there, almost. Ultimately, he is her navigator and helps her find her reason in Under Land while being a beguilingly strange, asexual friend. I definitely could have done without a bizarre end sequence that has him in a CG dance- UNCALLED FOR!
The actress playing Alice is lovely enough as well, but very unengaged and unengaging. I really had NO connection with her whatsoever, nor did I care much what happened to her. Enough said. She is supposed to be the heroine!
Verdict: in a word- disappointing. except for the fact that it is in 3D- definitely a wait for DVD.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Alice in Chains Concert and Suzy Wong's House of Yum- Monday, March 1
This was a double date with a couple friend of ours to a double feature:
an early dinner at Suzy Wong's House of Yum at 1517A Church Street, Nashville.
then the "BuzzFest" Concert featuring Alice in Chains.
She Said:
We started the night off right after work to make the most of the weeknight.
Suzy Wong's is a hip, tiny place with a friendly but too-cool-for-you-vibe. The drinks were good, the waitstaff was curteous and helpful with menu selection, and the decor was modern with a tasteful nightclub feel.
We had a starter and shared one of the dinner portions, and our friends also ordered some starters and their very unusual nachos.
Our timing was perfect- we arrived at the concert just as Alice in Chains took the stage. The new lead singer, William DuVall, reminded me of a skinny pants Lenny Kravitz, with way more hard rock edge and charisma. The smoky audience left us holding our breath, with tears in our eyes, but was worth enduring to hear our favorites and plenty of new material. They played all out for 2+ hours, and only left us wanting for "Down in a Hole".
Verdict: worth the dark eye circles on Tuesday morning to relive some old school grunge rock
He Said:
The food at Suzy Wongs's is a great place for some nuevo Japanese-Chinese fusion cuisine. The menu selection is a little small but everything I tasted was delicious. The cocktail menu also features some very interesting and unique concoctions that you should check out if you visit. It is a small place so show up early, with food like that I'm sure it fills up fast. They were just setting up the Karaoke when we left, got out just in time!
We arrived at the concert right when Alice in Chains started playing. Sadly there were no assigned seats so we ended up with a pretty bad view of the stage. They started strong but I found as the night wore on I lost interest. I didn't like the sound mix and the vocals were far to indistinct. Maybe it was where we were sitting. If I was a bigger AiC fan I think I would have enjoyed it more. That being said some of their new stuff was pretty good.
Verdict: Worth it if you are a fan.
an early dinner at Suzy Wong's House of Yum at 1517A Church Street, Nashville.
then the "BuzzFest" Concert featuring Alice in Chains.
She Said:
We started the night off right after work to make the most of the weeknight.
Suzy Wong's is a hip, tiny place with a friendly but too-cool-for-you-vibe. The drinks were good, the waitstaff was curteous and helpful with menu selection, and the decor was modern with a tasteful nightclub feel.
We had a starter and shared one of the dinner portions, and our friends also ordered some starters and their very unusual nachos.
Our timing was perfect- we arrived at the concert just as Alice in Chains took the stage. The new lead singer, William DuVall, reminded me of a skinny pants Lenny Kravitz, with way more hard rock edge and charisma. The smoky audience left us holding our breath, with tears in our eyes, but was worth enduring to hear our favorites and plenty of new material. They played all out for 2+ hours, and only left us wanting for "Down in a Hole".
Verdict: worth the dark eye circles on Tuesday morning to relive some old school grunge rock
He Said:
The food at Suzy Wongs's is a great place for some nuevo Japanese-Chinese fusion cuisine. The menu selection is a little small but everything I tasted was delicious. The cocktail menu also features some very interesting and unique concoctions that you should check out if you visit. It is a small place so show up early, with food like that I'm sure it fills up fast. They were just setting up the Karaoke when we left, got out just in time!
We arrived at the concert right when Alice in Chains started playing. Sadly there were no assigned seats so we ended up with a pretty bad view of the stage. They started strong but I found as the night wore on I lost interest. I didn't like the sound mix and the vocals were far to indistinct. Maybe it was where we were sitting. If I was a bigger AiC fan I think I would have enjoyed it more. That being said some of their new stuff was pretty good.
Verdict: Worth it if you are a fan.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Shutter Island- Friday, March 5
She Said:
The date - movie night to see Shutter Island
The preconception- a must see, and I will really enjoy this scary thriller- it's Martin Scorcese and Leonardo DiCaprio- what's not to like?
The scene- local dumpy movie theater, but we almost had the place to ourselves for the late show, so no complaints here.
The verdict - not as scary as previews would have predicted. The movie really stimulated some conversation afterwards, and overall, I really enjoyed it. I was waiting the whole time for a twist, so that might have deflated the momentum some for me. It was definitely creepy, smart, and ultimately, tragic.
He Said:
It was good. Better than I expected. I didn't see the twist coming at the end, I expected something, but not that. In hindsight I think hey were going for a Sixth Sense or The Usual Suspects type movie. It was a good try but they didn't quite pull it off. The music was a bit obtrusive, they really hit you over the head with the score. It was distracting in some places. Overall though it was a good date movie, the ending is left a bit ambiguous so there can be some good discussions to be had when it is over.
The date - movie night to see Shutter Island
The preconception- a must see, and I will really enjoy this scary thriller- it's Martin Scorcese and Leonardo DiCaprio- what's not to like?
The scene- local dumpy movie theater, but we almost had the place to ourselves for the late show, so no complaints here.
The verdict - not as scary as previews would have predicted. The movie really stimulated some conversation afterwards, and overall, I really enjoyed it. I was waiting the whole time for a twist, so that might have deflated the momentum some for me. It was definitely creepy, smart, and ultimately, tragic.
He Said:
It was good. Better than I expected. I didn't see the twist coming at the end, I expected something, but not that. In hindsight I think hey were going for a Sixth Sense or The Usual Suspects type movie. It was a good try but they didn't quite pull it off. The music was a bit obtrusive, they really hit you over the head with the score. It was distracting in some places. Overall though it was a good date movie, the ending is left a bit ambiguous so there can be some good discussions to be had when it is over.
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