KMA Alive After Five Spring Series In Full Swing

Christabel and the Jons, KMA, Knoxville, March 2012

The Knoxville Museum of Art hosts a series of concerts in the fall and spring each year called Alive After Five. It is hosted by the delightful and ever-positive music lover Mr. Michael Gill. Its a great chance to hear artists playing genres ranging from swing and jazz to blues, world music and pretty much anything else. The emphasis is on the danceable varieties and many people come to do just that.

Christabel and the Jons, KMA, Knoxville, March 2012

Friends catching up while listening to cool tunes

It's different from other venues in many respects in that it is smoke-free, starts early (6:00 PM) and includes free admission to the museum. Food is also catered by local vendors and beverages are available for purchase. Tickets are generally $10 or less and children are welcome and are free (up to age 17). In other words, it's a cheap date. For around $40 a couple may see the museum, dance to a great band and have dinner. Pretty nice.

Swing Dancing at the KMA

Never too old to rock and roll

Swing Dancing at the KMA

The whole affair is over by 8:30 which leaves plenty of time to move your party down the road or make it home for an early night after your long work week. It's a pretty simple matter to catch a great artist in this venue and then walk into the heart of downtown or the Old City for late evening fun.

Christabel and the Jons, KMA, Knoxville, March 2012

Christabel and the Jons, KMA, Knoxville, March 2012

The photographs in this blog are from the spring kick-off with Christabel and the Jons a couple of weeks ago and they were fantastic, as usual. Their cool swing had people flying all over the dance floor - which is a big part of the entertainment value of the series, to me. I love to watch lovely couples dancing and I wish I had the nerve.

Christabel and the Jons, KMA, Knoxville, March 2012

Christabel and the Jons, KMA, Knoxville, March 2012

Christabel and the Jons, KMA, Knoxville, March 2012

Christabel does some of the best jazzy versions of Hank Williams songs you'll ever want to hear and she did several that night. She was also joined on stage by regular band members Taylor Coker on bass, Jon Whitlock on drums and Amanda Cagle on multiple instruments. She has a new album coming soon and the vocals are shared with a lovely lady who joined her for much of the show, but whose name I failed to catch.

Christabel and the Jons, KMA, Knoxville, March 2012 

Christabel and the Jons, KMA, Knoxville, March 2012

Tonight, the series resumes after skipping a week with Jenna and the Accidentals. This is Jenna Jefferson getting her funk on with the likes of Keith and Kenneth Brown and Sevan Takvoryan and Dave Slack. Think a little less blues than the Cool Friends and a little more Sly and the Family Stone. It should be great fun and I'd love to see you there. Introduce yourself if you spot me and the camera.

You can find the complete schedule of spring shows here.

Dancin' in the Street: An International Street Fair with Local Flair

Preparations for Dancin' in the Streets, Kendrick Place, Knoxville, September 2010

Many of the fabulous events and startling moments available in the city come free of charge: music on the street, interesting people, unexpected turns of events. Sometimes the fabulous events come with a price tag, but sometimes the cause or event are worth the price.

Gathering for Dancin' in the Streets, Kendrick Place, Knoxville, September 2010

Such was the case Friday night when Dancin' in the Street was the theme for a street fair to raise money for Knox Heritage. It was fun and a great success. The rain which had threatened all day held off until Saturday (sorry Vols), the music was excellent, thanks to smoking, soulful stylings of Jenna and the Accidentals and the food and friends were great.

Food is Ready, Dancin'  in the Streets, Kendrick Place, Knoxville, September 2010

Dancin' in the Streets, Kendrick Place, Knoxville, September 2010

The party was decorated with local art, international flags and sparkling lights in the courtyard beside Kendrick Place. I was the volunteer garbage man and I'm proud to report that around 140 people ate, drank and partied for four hours and produced only about one full bag of garbage, while probably fifteen bags full of plastic, paper and aluminum were recycled. 

Jenna and the Accidentals, Kendrick Place, Knoxville, September 2010

The party is in full swing! Dancin' in the Streets, Kendrick Place, Knoxville, September 2010

Beverages flowed into the night, Kendrick Place, Knoxville, September 2010

Guest Chatting, Dancin' in the Street, Kendrick Place, Knoxville, September 2010

Roughly $6000 was raised for Knox Heritage, a worthy organization that enriches us all. Why not join today? Just follow the link - and we'll see you at the next fun event!

Jenna and the Accidentals, Kendrick Place, Knoxville, September 2010

Here's a sample of Jenna and the Accidentals: