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Article published Sep 26, 2008 Capitol Theatre, Streamliners latest additions to Last Friday Art Walk
By Steve Wildsmith of The Daily Times Staff
Downtown Maryville will be swinging this evening as the 15-piece big band known as The Streamliners comes to town to inaugurate the newly renovated Capitol Theatre.
According to bandleader Mike Spirko, tonight's concert -- which begins at 9:30 p.m. after free swing dance lessons at 9 p.m. -- is just the latest addition to the Last Friday Art Walk activities that take place on the final Friday of every month in downtown Maryville.
"We're psyched to be getting into Maryville and hopefully appealing to a new audience," Spirko told The Daily Times this week. "We love what they're doing with the art walk, and The Capitol Theatre is by far the nicest place we've ever played. It's just amazing. We had a steady first-and-third Friday show at Fairbanks in Knoxville for six years, but that gig went away a couple of years ago and we've just been hanging back, waiting for something new to materialize.
"This is way better than anything we could ever imagine. It's so perfect for us -- not only does it have a beautiful stage with a big, nice, hardwood dance floor, but the core of the venue completely matches the time period of the music we're doing -- that sort of Art Deco, late-1930s decor."
The Streamliners, he said, are a 15-piece big band that plays swing jazz in its original style -- high-energy, with a dance-oriented approach. The group is made up of some of the area's best young jazz musicians and has been together for 10 years.
"We've developed a pretty tight product, and we do Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and some jump blues like Cab Calloway," Spirko said. "It's basically just high-energy fun with some authentic big band swing."
The ongoing "Last Friday Art Walk" kicks off at 5 p.m. today, organized by local artist Katie Gamble and featuring a plethora of visual and musical arts for your enjoyment. Patterned after the "First Friday" event in downtown Knoxville, the "Last Friday Art Walk" is a recurring event to celebrate the arts in downtown Maryville. It takes place on the final Friday of each month and features Maryville galleries, restaurants, bars, theaters and coffee shops hosting a "featured artist." It includes the visual arts, performance art, actors, writers, dancers, musicians and more.
Hours are from 5-9 p.m., with horse-drawn trolley rides available starting at 6 p.m. Each event/venue free to attend -- just put on a pair of comfortable shoes and consider bringing along an umbrella if it calls for rain. Many of the participating venues will be offering food, drink and sales specials to coincide with the event, and several of the venues will continue their entertainment into the evening.
PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES/ARTISTS
ArtSpace Gallery (301 E. Church St.): "To Reap and to Sow: Honoring Our Heritage," a group show by members of Fine Arts Blount
All Natural Health Foods (219 E. Broadway): painter Karen Bracket
Boyd Thomas Clothing (227 W. Broadway): "40 Views of Maryville," an exhibit by painter Katie Gamble
Capitol Theatre/Heath Claiborne Gallery (127 W. Broadway): Foothills Community Players will give out information on upcoming productions; at 9 p.m., free dance lessons by the Knoxville Swing Dance Association; at 9:30 p.m., The Streamliners, a 16-piece Big Band. Admission is $10 ($8 for students) after 9:30 p.m. ($5 for glassware and ice if you BYOB)
Dandy Lions Gifts (300 E. Church St.): mixed media by Kim Slater
Davis Lofts (above Canvas Hair Design): "Humans," paintings by Carl Gombert and Denise Stewart-Sanabria; live music by Stump Tucker
The Knitting Nest (109 E. Harper Ave.): "wool rug hooking" by fiber artist Kim Nixon
New Hope Children's Advocacy Center (212 Cates St.): photography by Allison King
The Palace Theater (113 W. Broadway): group art exhibit by students of Carpenters Middle School teacher Marsha Krout
Pistol Creek Gallery (117 E. Broadway): live music by Travers Glarner and The Traveling Stones
Preservation Plaza (115 W. Broadway): painters Diann Bishop and Katie Bennett; sculptors Zophia Kniess and Jessica Gregory
Professional Hair Designs and More (120 E. Broadway): painter Linda McCaffrey; memorial exhibit to benefit the Arthritis Foundation
Southland Books/Southern Studios Stained Glass/Detour Coffee (801 E. Broadway): "The Big Read" events featuring "The Grapes of Wrath" and live music by Pistol Creek Catch of the Day
Swank's Jazz Restaurant and Bar (100 N. Court St.): "Fire, Faith, Fury and ... oh yeah, Fun," an exhibit by photographer/painter Katie Kinney; live music by the Hunter Deacon Trio
Tomato Head (211 W. Broadway): "Urban Light," photography by David Johnson
Van Metre School of Dance (215 W. Broadway): Old-fashioned sock hop