nashville panache! September 30, 2008

For fun on Fridays I eat tacos (and drink copious amounts of margaritas)… Who doesn’t like tacos???  No one.  I have a new favorite in cheap yummy tacos… Agave.  Agave so scrumptious!  and cheap… 3 tacos/$9.  

Unbeknownst to me, or the fellow members of my party, Agave was hosting 3 bands,including De Novo Dahl,for Festivala Friday.  

Fortunately Agave was kind enough to let us in without paying the cover, since we had a reservation (which apparently are not customary) and we managed to eat our tacos amid the chaotic blare of live bands. 

Moving on in my very behind schedule Friday night, I drifted downtown to the behemoth that is Broadway and panache that was Happy Valley’s fiesta at Aerial.  I was stunned to see a line clogging the street and even more stunned to wait in this line for more than 30 minutes amongst brawling liquor sodden hooligans from next door Big Bang.  

The wait wasn’t over yet.   After I finally made my way up the elevator and touched down at Aerial I was in serious need of a cocktail.  I don’t think a pair of DD’s could have delivered my drink any faster.  

Despite these minute unpleasentrys, Aerial was packed, the crowd was buzzing.  I found myself lassoed by a hoola hoop, swept into a dance party and turned upside down in a Jonathon Kingsbury photograph (NOT my finest hour).    

But my favorite part of the night? — Meeting Heather Byrd, the very much celebrity in her own right, Byrd’s Eye View people watcher and reporter of all things happening Nashville.  She was sooo friendly, pretty and attentive, you rock Heather Byrd, you rock.

heather byrd

on the green September 24, 2008

Monday marked the first day of fall; the autumnal equionox.  This day the sun crosses the equator, a day of equal night and day; a day to mark the transition of the seasons and a day to shed the grip of the long hot summer and reach for the crisp of fall.  

But, Monday down South was just another day… another of many seemingly endless scorching summer days. I pine for a shiver, for a cardigan, for a chilly night.  So last night I couldn’t have been happier to step outside and feel goosebumps crawl up my bare legs.

To celebrate this, the first week of fall, we popped by the Greenhouse Bar.  A Greenhills staple (and one of, if not the only, non sports or karaoke related bars in the area), I often forget how much I like the Greenhouse.  

The Greenhouse is great for a number of reasons:

Here are a few:

1. the guy bartender makes STRONG DRINKS
2. there are always some hot under 30’s 
3. they play awesome oldies
4. they are making strides to “go green” 
5. it’s a REAL GREENHOUSE

Though I love the aesthetic of the “greenhouse” at the Greenhouse (the inside section), last night we sat outside, one, we had the patio to ourselves and two, it was freezing inside (I guess the greenhouse wasn’t adjusted to the temperarture drop).  The patio was lovely, the night was cool and clear, the whiskey warmed my soul.  

Check out the Greenhouse–for me an often overlooked garden in the Greenhills.  

Greenhouse BAR

2211 Bandywood Drive

Nashville, TN 37215

615.385.3357

old ladies can dance September 22, 2008

This weekend Nashville welcomed the 26th annual African Street Festival at TSU. Generally unaware of African heritage and culture, I found the African Street Festival a intriguing divergence from my usual Saturday routine of lying comatose on my couch nursing a hangover and watching reruns of The Girls Next Door.   

The African Street Festival is a family friendly event (that means no beer) hosting dozens of vendors, traditional and contemporary music and dance, etc.  Of the many vendors, almost half were selling fresh raw yellow shea butter, straight from the nut.  

raw shea butter cut from shell

Other vendors sold African masks, music, art and the the most politically charged Obama shirts this side of the Mississippi.  

 

My favorite attraction of the African Street Festival was the dance stage.  From interpretive to ancestral, the stage was alive and the crowd was bumpin.  No other group ignited such enthusiasm as the senior’s dance crew.  Ranging ages 60 to 78, these ladies were breakin it down.  

Unfortunately, we missed the live music and I never saw any of the “authentic cuisine” my stomach was so desperately anticipating– nothing but fried catfish and funnel cakes.    

Though a step out of my comfort zone, the African Street Festival wasn’t unlike any other American Festival– just people gathered in a community to celebrate and share the history of their culture.  Overall, I’m glad I went, I’m glad that I took part in a culture that is not my own and I glad that it was free.

Carpe Civitatem! September 19, 2008

I was again reminded today that the Nashville city center is not our own.  As expected, the streets were crowded with typical tourists, cowboy hats, tight blue jean shorts and the ever present big hair.  And that’s fine, bring in the revenue, support our city– I am much obliged, but desperate to mend the disconnect.

Though I can find little excuse beyond American Apparel to venture the sweaty street of Broad… AA is most certainly worth parking five blocks away (picked up some hottt boa leggings today– cannot wait to rock them) … she has potential! 

My point being:  we must reclaim our city center.  There is many a locale rarely a Nashvillian does enter and many a jewel untouched.  

To name two: traditional and contemporary:

1. Robert’s Western World:  an eclectic mix of rockabilly and traditional bluegrass, the crowd is a mixed bag, tourist to hipster, and always an opportunity to swing.                                                                DOC:  redbull, burbon and burger
2. Aerial:  the uber-LA rooftop outpost suited for the sheekest of Nashville sceensters and even a fancy tourist or two.                                                                                                                                    DOC:  gin, tonic, cigarettes 

Are we not due access to our waterfront?  to our city center?    

Carpe Noche Nashvillians!  Carpe Civitatem!  

they have no mink leashes September 17, 2008

It couldn’t be a better day in Sylvan Park– first of Fall fits, a cool whip in the breeze and lunch on the porch of my favorite local sandwich shop, Star Bagel.  No Panera or dare I say Bread & Co.  can match the strawberry fields salad paired with roasted turkey on cranberry pecan bread.  Seriously, that’s my shit.  

After lunch my roommate and I took a quick jaunt across the street to the shops of Sylvan Park to Come.Sit.Stay. — a doggie boutique with EVERYTHING in “doggie-couture.”  Okay, so I don’t actually have a dog, I have a cat.  No matter, that doggie gear is adorable and I can put a tiny harness on my cat and lead her around my back porch if I see fit.  

That’s exactly what I almost did (lease and harness ~ $60).  When I wrangle $60 bucks that I’m willing to drop on a cat harness– I’m totally going back.  As for my roommate and her lucky feline, that little man is ready to roam the streets!

 I didn’t buy the goods but the owner, who is always there with her most fabulous lab (who greets you at the door, choice toy in mouth) was friendly, helpful and engaging.  I’ll be back, for every dog-loving friend or family member’s Christmas or birthday gift and I’ll probably pick up some swag for my own.  

Soon:

• more Halloween costumes
• Doggie Obama shirts 

 

meow.