With something called a “SlutWalk” on the agenda followed a few hours later by a “freeze flash mob” on Market Square, you just knew that this past First Friday in downtown Knoxville would be the best ever. And it was.
The SlutWalk was actually a pretty serious event. Seems a cop in Canada made a bonehead remark to the effect that women wouldn’t get raped if they didn’t dress “like sluts.” Clearly this “blaming the victim” attitude hit a worldwide nerve. Now so-called SlutWalks are being held in cities everywhere. At a SlutWalk, folks dress provocatively and make the point that the victim is never to blame — no matter what she (or he) may be wearing.
Although thousands have turned out for these events in other cities, the one held Friday in the Krutch Park extension only attracted about 35 participants. Word has it that a much bigger protest is being organized for August when the appropriate parade permits, etc., can be arranged.
Here’s a look at Knoxville’s SlutWalk, as well as the other regularly scheduled First Friday fare — and the freeze flash mob, of course!
Then it was time for Alan and me to head up Gay Street to check on some First Friday activities. The thing that struck us the most was how absolutely happy everyone was. We’d pass friends and acquaintances on the street and always hear the same remark: “Isn’t this great?”
Our first stop was the Art Market, one of our favorite downtown art galleries. We swore we wouldn’t buy anything because we don’t have any more room.
But it was one of our favorite artists, Hugh Bailey, who made us break our promise to ourselves. We collect his animals. But we don’t have a horse. Or at least we didn’t until Friday!
As we were leaving, we ran into Judy Blackstock and couldn’t help but compliment her on her seasonal attire. Seems the Fourth of July is her birthday!
Two weeks ago, some kind of law changed and Downtown Wine + Spirits started having wine and cheese tastings. Last week we tasted and then purchased three new wines we’d never had before. We did the same thing this past Friday. I guess we are like everyone else. We get in a rut and keep buying the kind of wine we know we like. But when allowed to taste some new ones, it turns out we like them as well. This is great marketing on the part of our friends at the only downtown liquor store.
We were headed toward the Emporium Center when we passed our downtown friend John Craig who recommended we also stop in the UT Downtown Gallery for a peek at a series of Civil War mixed media pieces by the late Richard LeFevre, a well-known art teacher at UT. Click here for a story about the exhibit in Sunday’s News Sentinel. We found the exhibit fascinating and I intend to go back before the it ends Aug. 13.
We stopped by the Emporium because we wanted to see what the studio space there looks like. Alan is interested in taking up painting and may want a studio at some point.
Smart politicians and their people were out mingling with potential voters Friday. We saw lots of signs for mayoral candidate Mark Padgett and we ran into his opponent Madeline Rogero.
Part of the festive atmosphere is created by things merchants do to entice customers to enter their stores. Of course there are great signs and sometimes you hear music wafting out open doors. But we liked these folks stationed at the entrance to Unarmed Merchants.
At almost 8 p.m., we headed toward Market Square so we could watch the freeze flash mob. We knew that at 8 sharp, a bunch of people were going to freeze in place and hold their poses for five minutes. We just wondered how many would do it. We decided to stake out a place at Cocoa Moon where we intended to have dinner. Some of our friends already were there!
One minute the crowd was milling around.
And then, all of a sudden, folks just froze!
After five minutes, folks broke into applause. And then everyone went about his or her own business!
What a great, great evening. I’ve worked downtown for 31 years. Back when I started, I never would have dreamed downtown Knoxville one day would be so exciting, creative and just plain fun! Great job, everybody.
Here’s a one-minute video I shot of the freeze flash mob. Hahaha!
Photo credit: Kyle Touchstone took the picture of Eddie Mannis and Tim Young.
First Friday is always fun–and this last one was another great one. But the energy on “ordinary” days and nights is just as amazing.
Love being downtown; got down there 3 times this week! Here’s an idea for folks who have run out of “art” space. Give some art away to your favorite non-profit so you can start anew. Or maybe the Museum or another non-profit could collect the things you want to pass on and have an auction. I know I have some things I would donate.
Winston is on to a great idea. The other is gifting known items you own that others cherish and make room for something new to experience in its place. Art shared is a great way to keep it all going on.
Love the 1st Friday reports. It amazes me every 1st Friday.
Lynnda: I totally agree about First Friday! It gets better every time. And Gay, you are right about every day being magical in downtown. Annette and John: Only problem is I don’t want to give away any of the art I already have! Like it too much. But good idea to contemplate.
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