The Plowhaus Artists Cooperative Fundraiser this Saturday

I saw via the Interweb that the Plowhaus Artists' Collective is having a fund-raiser this Saturday at the Alley Cat Lounge and Tex-Mex Grill.

Excited as always Dear Listener to explore the aesthetic of whatever new town I'm in I sped over to the Plowhaus Gallery on East 17th to see what art was cooking and to speak to the locals about the scene here.

As per usual I didn't check the opening hours of the venue, so like my 'I Dream of Weenie' and 'Craft Fair' experiences I found myself outside of a locked building, alone.  I've really got to do better planning.

Turns out the Gallery is only open on the weekends.  But, they do have a sign on the door with names and numbers of people to call and open the place up if you really want to see the art inside; what a great idea!  Kinda like doctors on call.  Art doctors on call! 

Anyhew,  I didn't want to bother anyone so I didn't ring; just wandered around a bit.

The shot above is the gallery's back door; off an alley way on the side of the building.  I, like you I suspect, was intrigued by that drainage pipe sticking out of the chain-link fence.

I especially like that 'goo'/sealant around the hinge.  Good stuff.

Well, not many adventures to be had that day at the gallery am afraid - I'll do my best to attend the fund-raiser; I don't know these Plowhaus folks but the idea of an Artists' Collective sounds interesting and God knows the world needs art now more than ever.  If you're in Nashville this Saturday why not go out and show your support?

The Plowhaus Artists Cooperative presents
A Fundraiser at the Alley Cat Lounge and Tex-Mex Grill

I leave you with the fellow below - spied on the Plowhaus' alley wall.  Have a good day everyone!

(Special thanks to Beth Seiters, whose blog 'Drawing the Void' alerted me to Saturday's activities).

It's October My Friends, AKA Where to Buy a Pumpkin in Nashville

There I was walking this very eve in the West End of Nashville, (aka 'WhiteyTown'), when I heard my Southern Lady Friend, whose hand I was gripping at the time, shout out: "Pumpkins!"

And in truth there were pumpkins.  In the back of some guy's car.  He sped off and we continued on.

A few minutes later a car pulled over, (no it wasn't an Italian guy trying to sell a Black Man leather coats:  ((strange aside:  every black guy I know in the U.K. has had at least once, if not many times, a car stop them while they were walking, and the driver, usually an Italian, tries to sell them leather jackets...why, why?  No one knows))), anyway a few minutes later a call pulls over and it's none other than the young man pictured above.

Turns out he knows a guy who knows a guy - long story short the young man, Daniel Pierce, spent today harvesting the very pumpkins that filled both his back seat and boot.  Hearing my Southern Lady Friend's expression of delight over the famed Halloween Treat he had turned his car around and was now offering us a pumpkin for only Five US dollars. 

What's that you say.  Five US dollars?  That can't be.  For a quality pumpkin? 

Yes, only five dollars.  He picks them himself you see, so he's passing the savings on to you! 

If you're in Nashville and in need of a Halloween pumpkin you could do a lot worse then give Danny a call; here's his Cell:

615-522-1909

And his email:

[email protected]

He seems like a nice guy.  We had an ice-tea and chatted about Nashville, and being in the Biz I told him I thought he had a great voice.  And of course, this being Nashville, Danny's also a voice over artist!  He's got that 'In A World' voice - you can hear it here:

http://voice123.com/dannyhall

And of course on his myspace page:

http://www.myspace.com/depthpersuasion

OK, right, now off to carve the sucker.

TACA Craft Fair, Centennial Park Nashville

Went by Centennial Park yesterday for the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists 'Crafts Fair'. 

Of course I didn't really do any research regarding not just the crafts on display, but the actual opening hours and date of said fair.  Needless to say it doesn't open till today so was not able to peruse the doubtless wonderful items on sale and display. 

Well at least I took the above photo. 

Anyhew, if you're in Nashville over the next couple of days and need 'craft-type items' you know where to go.

Harold Perry Searches for Civil War Artifacts, Nashville Tennessee

Harold Perry of Perry Tile Company searching for Civil War artifacts in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Remember, when in Nashville, for tile, it's Perry Tile; (they do both Tile and Marble, 11 years experience, (615) 582-8778, references available upon request).

(Disclaimer: I have not had the opportunity to make use of the services of the Perry Tile company yet, but I would recommend them, if not for their tiling expertise, then for Harold's colourful stories about his time with the metal detector.  If you see him, ask about either the '40-Ruby Ring' or 'The Secret of the Conquistador's Cave'.

Loveless Cafe, off Highway 100: Where to Go for both Ham and Jam

Had a craving for biscuits last night.  Found myself driving aimlessly on Highway 100.  Luckily I came across the Loveless Cafe.  Did some research on the web today and found out it's quite the famous place but I didn't know it last night.  Just wanted some biscuits. 

Boy were those biscuits tasty, and so was the fried okra and pulled pork.

Afterwards went next door to the Ham and Jam store.  Some places have Ham.  Some places have Jam.  But only Ham and Jam has both Ham and Jam.

The staff, like just everybody I've met so far in Nashville, was extremely friendly.  Joanie, Courtney and Callie, (pictured above), were more than happy to answer all my Ham and Jam related questions and, in fact, will be making a cameo appearance on an upcoming show.

Actually when I think about it, most of the items at Ham and Jam were actually Ham related.  For instance, notice the Bacon-themed Plasters and Wallet modelled by the lovely Callie below.

Even if you're not in the mood for Ham-themed novelties I heartily recommend the Loveless Cafe.

If only for the biscuits.

(P.S. If you do go to Ham and Jam please say hi to Joanie, Courtney and Callie for me.  They were so nice and put up with my antics far longer than most people do).

The Littlest Pole Dancer; AKA Nashville Stripclub Action

As Nashville's latest resident I'm eager to find out the goings on about town.  Hence my purchase of free newsagraph 'Nashville Scene'.  I've read it today with interest - and was pleased to see their endorsement of Mayoral Candidate, (now soon to be Mayor), Karl Dean.

Imagine my shock and surprise when, leafing through the back of this fine listing magazine looking for Phone Sex Ads, I came across the image above.

I don't know what to think Dear Listeners.  Of course being a 'little person' should be no barrier to working the pole, yet I can't help feel that 'Little Lacey' is exploited somehow.  Am I wrong?

(P.S. Before anybody emails me with the suggestion, yes I will try to get her on the show).

Hi's: Best Shoestore in Nashville? Plus, Hipsters Abound

Well I'm out and about exploring Nashville Dear Listeners.  And because it's so goddamn hot I've had to don shorts. 

Shorts and sandals. 

But since I haven't worn such a thing since the great London heatwave of '01 yours truly had to buy some shorts and sandals.

Now I won't bore you with the 'buying shorts' experience.  Though I will say I look forward to taking out Miss Leticia of 'Fashion Now Clothing' this Saturday night.  Anyhew, I stumbled across a wonderful place to get shoes in town:  Hi's on West End Avenue.

The gentleman pictured above, Jacob, was more than helpful and was chock full of advice about living here in Nashville.  Turns out Jacob's from Hawaii, has lived all over the States yet found Nashville the best place to be.  I hope he's right.

Also friendly was the young man pictured below: Store Manager Matthew Straub.  This guy sure seemed like a hipster I mean check out the hint of tat on his left arm and the outre, yet stylishly small earrings.  Matthew gave me some recommendations for hang-outs here in this fine town - you can look forward to hearing about them in an upcoming Show.

Yep, it looks like I'm going to be able to take a wee break from Belfast and Ireland for a while.  Sweet relief.

Hey.

Wait a minute.

What's that tattoo on Jacobs arm in the top picture?  I'd better enlarge it.

Oh crap.