Knoxify » Market Square

Foursquare Users: Join the Market Square Swarm!

Nicole VanScoten — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:15:36 +0000

It's a swarm!

On the heals of Social Media Club Knoxville’s successful “Unlocking Foursquare’s True Potential” panel last month, the group has decided to try to unlock Foursquare’s elusive Swarm Badge.

How, you ask? By having a Market Square pub crawl!

At least 50 people are needed to unlock the badge, so if you want to be a part of the swarm, meet in Market Square on Thursday, July 22 at 6pm. The swarm will begin by “checking in” at Market Square and subsequently all the bars they wind up at.

The group is meeting promptly at 6pm near the stage and then heading to Latitude 35 as the first stop on the crawl. If you get to the party late, just check Foursquare to see where everyone is!

And if you’re not already a Foursquare user, be sure to sign up before Thursday!

See you at the swarm!

NYC-based Composer Likes Knoxville

CP — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:30:48 +0000

If only we were hipster enough to know who this guy is we might appreciate the comment more. In any case, New York City-based composer, Nico Muhly, raved about his visit to Knoxville. More and more folks are starting to take notice of this big little town we call home. Hat tip to Examiner.com.

Does the Trimmed Sundown in the City Schedule Make You Happy or Sad?

CP — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:23:08 +0000

Photo by: Mr. Goodspeed

Earlier this week the announcement was made that Sundown in the City will trim its schedule from 12 shows to 5.

Are you happy or sad to see to a shorter Sundown schedule?

GO! Where Grace & Effort Coalesce

Laura Bower — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:26:12 +0000

The GO! Contemporary Dance Works troupe

Watching bubbly teenagers morph into disciplined warriors is an interesting experience. One minute they’re giggling and gossiping. The next minute they’re performing water ballet on dry land – or on a cold hard floor, to be precise. Instructor Laura Raines beats a drum and guides the girls through a series of laterals, lunges, pliés and relevés that are part of the Horton Technique of modern dance designed to develop core strength. It’s just one hour out of the 15-20 hours a week the GO! Contemporary Dance Works troupe spends in preparation for its upcoming performances at the Bijou Theatre on Saturday, February 20 and Sunday, February 21.

“I dance because I love it,” explains Alex Constantinou, when asked about the extraordinary commitment it takes to be one of the 13 or so girls in the elite senior company of GO! “It makes me a stronger person, mentally and physically.”

GO! Contemporary Dance Works is the brainchild of Artistic Director Lisa Hall McKee, who founded the company seven years ago. Her passion is evident as she describes the innovative choreography for the upcoming production, featuring “living props, live music and electrifying energy.” Prior to Saturday evening’s performance, there’s a special pre-production benefit at the Square Room on Market Square. GO! Gala 2010 promises a journey through France and Africa featuring Gallic cuisine. The Gala, in its second year, is an annual fundraiser for the nonprofit dance company. There will be a silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind experiences, like dinner for six at Chef Bruce Bogartz’ counter at RouXbarb. There’s also a signature JulieApple tote bag from eco-chic designer, Julianne Applegate.

However, the Gala is only the prelude to the spectacular staging and athletic exhibition to come. Thirty girls will dance their hearts out. The audition-only company prepares dancers for college-level studies and professional careers. The class offerings include an eclectic mix of ballet, modern and jazz that makes the productions unlike anything you’ve ever seen. It’s art and engineering, momentum and magic.

Alex has been dancing since second grade, but most of her peers started when they were toddlers. “I’m constantly improving myself as a dancer,” she says. “I’ve learned that everything is not handed to you. You have to earn it.”

GO! Contemporary Dance Works is donating 200 tickets for the Sunday matinee to students from Vine Middle School, Beaumont Elementary School and Austin East High School as well as the Emerald Youth Foundation and the Amachi Mentoring Program, among other groups.

According to Agnes DeMille, “To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking.”

A junior at Farragut High School, Alex has another year to perform with GO! before she graduates and moves on to other things. She credits dancing with teaching her to be part of something larger than self. Alex enjoys the synergy that comes from working together to create something extraordinary. Someone once said that dance isn’t a form; it’s a way of life. And so it is for these young dancing ninjas.

For tickets call 865.984.1200 or go online to gocontemporarydance.com.

How Not to Get Sued for Using Social Media

CP — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:20:32 +0000

On Tuesday, December 1st from 6-9 p.m. in the Square Room at Café 4 – that would be tomorrow – the Social Media Club Knoxville will hold their Winter Panel which is titled “Social Media Liability, Ethics & Policy”. In layman terms: how not to get sued for using social media. Hey, it happens. If you’re interested please RSVP here.

Quiddities: The Tennessee Stage Company

Robert Stockdale — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:30:31 +0000

A scene from the Tennessee Stage Company’s production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” in which a band of tinkers discuss a play that they intend to present at the wedding of Theaseus and Hippolyta.

Before this summer, I had never attended a production of the Tennessee Stage Company (TSC). This past summer, I attended their presentations of Hamlet and A Midsummer’s Night Dream. I am glad I attended. And, if you do, you will be too — next summer.

But, you don’t have to wait until next summer to experience the goodness that is TSC. Beginning in November, they will be presenting I Hate Hamlet Thursday through Friday nights and Sunday afternoon at the Children’s Theatre of Knoxville. The production dates are from November 27 through December 15, 2009.

Scene from “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.”

And, now is the time to make plans to attend TSC’s production of I Hate Hamlet. You can purchase tickets by calling TSC at 865-546-4280. The price of admission is $15 for general admission and $12 for seniors and students.

The summer Shakespeare series began in 1981 and has been presented on Knoxville’s Market Square Mall for the last 9 summers. The stage at the north end of Market Square Mall is where the Shakespeare on the Square series is presented. The stage and audience are surrounded by restaurants and shops and people passing by.

Scene from “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.”

The plays of William Shakespeare, as presented, are minimalist in scale. There is little in the way of proper scenery and costuming, and the scripts are abbreviated to keep the story line coherent and tight, avoiding subplots that might otherwise distract the audience in the timeframe available.

Unless you are an English scholar, you won’t notice the edited plots as the plays and acting are both good enough that the audience forgets they are in the middle of a busy city mall. The actors, who obviously enjoy their roles, are seemingly unmindful of the city around them. In keeping with the summer atmosphere, the acting is light enough to keep the characters fresh and not overly pompous. On the whole, It makes for an enjoyable evening.

Number from an opening skit presented before the start of “Hamlet.”

The plays are presented free of charge, though the TSC gladly accepts any donation you may want to provide. Parking is close by, and free. Market Square merchants are happy to provide food, drink and service so that you can make an evening of it. And, you can bring the whole family, including the dog, if you want. All-in-all, an opportunity to escape the humdrum as a family and is highly recommended.

Scene from “Hamlet.” Hamlet (center) is talking to Gildenstern (right) and Rosencrantz (left).

TSC is a non-profit organization and depends upon the generous donations of the public, admissions fees to other presentations, and a small amount of public grant monies to support its programs. In addition to the Shakespeare on the Square series, TSC programs include the Timeless Works Series, the New Play Festival, and an educational and outreach program. During the coming spring, TSC also plans to introduce a new program, the Tennessee Williams Festival.

Their next production, “I Hate Hamlet,” is this coming November, is a part of its Timeless Works series. This spring, TSC plans to present the world premiere production of Jay Hulings “The Church of Diminishing Returns.” The production is a part of its New Play Festival program.

Scene from “Hamlet.” Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle (right) and Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother (right).

For more information about the plays and programs, you can go to the Tennessee Stage Company’s web site, located here.

For additional pictures from TSC’s Shakespeare productions, go here, or to view my web site and blog, go here.

View of Knoxville, Vol. 30

CP — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:30:19 +0000

This photo was taken by duftek

The View of Knoxville series is derived from photos in our flickr group. Add your pictures and we might feature them here.

Things to Do: Entrepreneurs and Bargain Hunters Edition

CP — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:08:31 +0000

There are plenty of things to do in Knoxville. Among those, something for entrepreneurs and bargain hunters.

Entrepreneurship – Tough times like we face today call for do-or-die attitudes. If that entrepreneur inside of you just stood up and took a bow then Knoxville Overground (KO) may be your calling. Today at 7pm, KO will host a social mixer at 35 Market Square as well as provide tours of the 5,000 sq. ft. facility it hopes to convert into a micro-enterprise development center within the next few months. Knoxville has needed a startup business incubator for a long time so we’re hopeful this will take off.
Yard Sale – Recent revenue spikes at Dollar General are proof that everyone is looking for a deal these days. Neighborhood yard sale’s are often a frugal Knoxvillians mecca for good finds. On April 3rd and 4th, various houses off of Ginn Rd will be holding a yard sale. Head on out and if you see David Ethier, tell him Knoxify sent you.

Photo by nateOne

Whose Car is Parked in the Market Square Garage?

Brandon Clarke — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:30:43 +0000

Last night I took advantage of the after hours free parking in Market Square garage. After all, it was the closest spot located nearest to my destination, Cafe 4.

As I walked towards the exit I came upon what has become a pillar of the parking garage, the covered car pictured above. For as long as I can remember, this car has adorned the same spot.

Whose little red covered car is always parked in Market Square garage and what make and model is it? I wasn’t brave enough to pull the cover and find out for myself.

Abode – A Place In Which a Person Resides

Brandon Clarke — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:30:47 +0000

Allison and Matt Sprouse seem to be popping up everywhere. I see them Downtown, North Knox, even as far out as Farragut. That’s when it hit me, they are a large part of the community.

As the ice skating rink at Market Square is around the corner, we wanted to remind all Knoxify readers to stop in and do some holiday shopping at Abode in Market Square.