The MTSU Singers Perform with the MET Singers

By Corrie Wunder

MTSU Raiders Shakedown Reporter

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee State University Singers performed with a group of student singers from Nashville metro schools at 7:30 p.m. on April 12 in Hinton Music Hall, bringing in a packed crowd, singing jazz songs, and improvising their own songs.

            The MET Singers, second to 12th^_grade students, joined the MTSU Singers to gain experience in a university setting. The students come from private, public, charter and home schools. The MET Choir is directed by Margaret Campbelle-Holman.

“My favorite part about singing with the MET singers was the mutual bonding,” said MTSU singer Luke Judkins. “We encourage them just as much as they encourage us.”

The 15-member MTSU Singers is led by Director Cedric Dent and Assistant Director Ashley Kimbrough. The vocalists perform with a jazzy style, unlike most choirs. They include improvisation, jumbled mixed sounds, and made-up words.

            The Music Hall had almost every seat filled with approximately 300 people attending. Many of the audience members were the parents of the MET Singers.

“The thing that touched me the most was seeing so many supportive parents,” said MTSU Singers Director Cedric Dent.

            The improvisation part of the concert was referred to as “The Circle Song”. Bobby McFerrin, 10-time Grammy Award winner, popularized circle songs. His unique vocal techniques and jazzy style is what inspired Assistant Director Ashley Kimbrough to lead the MTSU and MET Singers in this improvisation experience.  All the singers came together and carefully followed the creative, on-the-spot instruction from Kimbrough. A brand new song was performed for the first time. The MTSU singers begin every rehearsal with a circle song. It teaches the students the skill of mimicking and using nonsense syllables. In the beginning of the semester students are hesitant in learning this new technique.

            “By the time we get to the end of the semester they are taking leadership rolls,” said Dent.

“The hardest part about improvising is making sure you’re being expressive with what you’re wanting to do without violating what’s actually going on in the music,” said Judkins.

          

            For more information and upcoming performances about the MET singers visit http://choralartslink.org/. For more information about the MTSU Singers visit http://www.mtsu.edu/music/.

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Nashville Fashion Week Dazzles Attendees

By Miriam Creighton

MTSU Raider Shakedown Reporter

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The annual Nashville Fashion Week took place April 4-9 displaying fashion, clothing and designers for professionals and fans of the fashion community.

NFW is a city-wide fashion event that takes place every April in an array of areas around Nashville. This year, local designers showcased their newest deigns during the week-long event.

The opening night runway show was located at a venue called Studio 615 at 272 Broadmoor Drive. The event called “East Meets West” featured designers Francesca Marotta, Brooke Atwood, Michael Drummond and Kall Meyer, who presented their fall collections. The show was completed when designer Brooke Atwood brought her dog, Hank Atwood, onto the runway to strut his stuff. Atwood’s collection was also inspired by her dog Hank. The night ended with an after-party hosted by William Edge Salon. The party included gift bags, fun cocktails, and many photos.

The second night of NFW took place at Track One in the industrial part of Nashville. Designs from Amanda Valentine, Sisters of Nature, Roxenstone, Any Old Iron, Truly Alvarenga, and Ona Rex all took to the runway by storm. The runway was formed in a U-shape, which gave the models time to stop at multiple spots for the perfect picture.

Designer Andrew Clancey from Any Old Iron shared how pleased he was with how the runway show went.

“The night is going lovely,” Clancey said. “The clothing is beautiful, and the people are friendly. I am very proud of the people who put this on each year.”

 Clancey, originally from Yorkshire, England, opened a vintage clothing store in East Nashville in December. The rest of the night was filled with networking, laughing and drinks.

The third night of NFW was held at WELD in Berry Hill. The night was a nice break from runway and a dive into all things accessories. The evening was a named “Behind the Scenes: An Accessory Installation Gallery.” The venue was set up like a museum, and each jewelry designer had an exhibit of how their pieces were made and the finished product. Designers Susan Pitt, Mary Mooney, Debe Dohrer, and Arturo Rios displayed their designs in a chic New Age manor.

On the last night of NWF, the runway was held outside at the Legislative Plaza in the downtown area. Although it was a cold, windy, spring night, the coordinators were able to make adjustments to the decorations and the night went smoothly. Designers Megan Huntz, Julianna Bass, and Lagi Nadeau showcased their modern clothing.

To close the eventful week, NFW hosted an elegant black-tie gala. The gala was held at OZ Arts Collective at 6172 Cockrill Bend Circle. Many awards were given and received during the event, including an award given to Dylan Stephens for breaking the boundaries between clothing for “girls” and clothing for “boys”. Stephens accepted the awards with grace as he trotted onto the stage in his 6-inch heels. After the award ceremony was over, the guests moved their way to the after-party area where they drank and danced the night away.

Bonnie McCabe, a Middle Tennessee State University alum, attended the entire NFW in hopes of meeting store owners and fashion designers who could give her insight on how to become successful in the business.

“I am blown away by how beautiful these events were,” McCabe said. “I am even more inspired now than ever before to pursue my dream of owner a fashion label.”

            Nashville is a growing community, and it continues to better itself with the support of locals.

Ticket precedes from Nashville Fashion Week benefit the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund gives an annual award to advance the career of select local talent with demonstrated experience in a fashion-related field. The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund ensures that Nashville Fashion Week will impact the Nashville fashion community for many years to come.

            For more information about NFW visit, www.nashillefashionweek.com.

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Pop-Punk Line-Up Proves Nashville Isn’t Just For Country Music

By Kendra Blake

The Wonder Years
(Image provided by Hopeless Records) 

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A bill of pop-punk bands drew a large, rowdy crowd from the country music capital to the Cannery Ballroom on Nov. 6 for a co-headlining tour between The Wonder Years and Motion City Soundtrack.

            Many tourists don’t see Nashville as anything more than the “Home of Country Music”, making them naïve to other music scenes that are alive and very prominent in this city. Proving this fact came as an easy task for the acts on this tour, starting with the Orlando-based quintet, You Blew It. Their catchy and lively melodies got the crowd dancing quickly and ready for more.

            Taking the stage next was a band from New York called State Champs for their fifth Nashville show over the last year.  Even though they were one of the openers for the show and the newest act on the bill, there were a lot of fans jumping around and singing along. The crowd responded extremely well to their set, which mixed a lot of their previous album with their most recent release.

            State Champs lead singer Derek DeScanio headed to the merch table as soon as their set was over to meet and talk with fans.  

“We can always count on a good turn out from this city,” DeScanio said. “There’s lots of energy out there. I know there are plans in the works to come back some time in the new year and we can’t wait.”

            After the break between sets, everybody in the room was anxious and eager for more. Finally, Motion City Soundtrack took over the stage and started their set with an older single “Everything Is Alright,” making the whole room jump and dance around. The band last played Nashville back in July to a sold-out show on their tour celebrating the 10-year anniversary to their most popular, fan-favorite album “Commit This To Memory.”

            While the entire line-up for this tour has very similar music styles, each act brings out different behaviors from the fans. When MCS was finished with its set, it became clear how anxious fans of The Wonder Years were becoming.

            The crowd at The Wonder Years shows can be intense and manic, and the band’s performance made sure that this show wasn’t any different. There was a mosh pit during most of their set while Dan “Soupy” Campbell, TWY’s lead singer, kept the fans engaged and having the time of their lives.

            Long-time fan Jesse Taylor took part in the madness of the crowd.

            “This is one of the best tours I’ve been to in a long time,” Taylor said. “These bands never disappoint.”

            This tour has just wrapped up its last shows in November. You can find more touring info for each band on their respective official websites: www.Motioncitysoundtrack.com, www.thewonderyearsband.com, and www.statechampsny.com.

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Five Senses Restaurant and Bar Offers Seasonal Menus for Varied Tastes

By Conner Bruce

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn.— In a city of ever-changing styles, Mitchell Murphree tops the list, and his Five Senses Restaurant and Bar located on 1602 West Northfield Blvd. is a prime example of what customers look for in their venture for fine cuisine today.

Photo by: Five Senses Restaurant and Bar

Murphree, a University of Tennessee graduate and a later graduate from The Culinary Institute of America in New York, has owned Five Senses since November of 2004, around the time Murfreesboro’s economy was really booming.

“We defeated the statistics,” said Murphree. “Only one of four restaurants will make it past one year of opening.”

Since opening his restaurant’s doors, he has seen many changes in the culinary scene of Murfreesboro. As a region dominated by corporate restaurants, one could only hope that they might survive in the industry. Murphree did just that.

As an independent owner, he has more opportunity to change his menus to suit the seasons. He offers his customers different cocktails and wines for different parts of the year. Murphree says a lot has changed in the 11 years that he has owned the restaurant, and there is more change on the way.

“I think one of the major things that have changed is the appreciation that our customers have for food,” Murphree said. “Not to sound non-humble, you know I think we’ve been a part of the education of restaurants and food in Murfreesboro.”

Initially, the restaurant offered a basic menu of steaks, chicken and pastas. This was something that was most common for any restaurant during that time. Now Five Senses offers its customers a more adventurous menu including but definitely not limited to venison cheeks and raw sliced Beef Carpaccio.

“We could have never tried that 10 years ago, but now we’re able to do anything we really want to and people are receptive to it[,]” he noted.

One unique element of the restaurant is that it includes an open kitchen along with a bar looking into the kitchen. Murphree says this is to give the customer the ability to see what they are going to eat. The restaurant uses all-natural local meats and produce. No preservatives are added to the meals.

Murphree’s team includes two main chefs and a salad prep station manned by another chef along with his team of hosts, waiters and waitresses. Additionally, the chefs do not come from an extensive culinary background like Murphree. He has taught them all they need to know to offer their customers an exquisite meal.

“There’s no reason for them to spend $50,000 in tuition,” Murphree explained. “I’m teaching them what I know from my education.

Jennifer Sturgeon of Murfreesboro was visiting Five Senses for the first time for a drink and an appetizer after a long day at work.

“I had never heard about this place until my friends told me about it,” [said] Sturgeon. “It’s their favorite place to come for drinks and dinner on the weekends.”

Five Senses offers customers an extensive wine list which includes reds, whites and blends from various parts of the world. Their fall 2015 dinner menu welcomes customers to try different types of poultry and meat and in addition to their dessert menu they have added the Pumpkin Crème Brûlée. 

Photo by: Five Senses Restaurant and Bar

Murphree said he plans to expand his restaurant to include a corporate dining room and possibly the option of a wine tasting room. He hopes to see this all come together in the latter part of 2017.

Reservations are welcomed but not required. For more information on Five Senses Restaurant and Bar visit www.fivesensesdining.com

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The Block Offers Opportunities for Artists and Musicians

By Jay-Michael Wilson

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn. --- Murfreesboro has welcomed a new restaurant to town that serves as a dining experience and entertainment venue.

It’s only been open for two months, but has a promising future.

Quinten Thornton, co-manager of The Block, says the new night spot offers career-changing opportunities for area artists. He also plays at the restaurant with his band The Acorn People from time to time.

            The Block started off as a music venue in September, booking artists and bands to perform. It transitioned into a restaurant on Oct. 1. Music lovers can find The Block at 123 SE Broad St.

            The name of the restaurant came from how Murfreesboro is constructed, like a grid or block system.

photo by The Block

            “We are a block from the square.” Thornton said. “It is also a representation of a chopping block.”  

            The menu is short and growing. Being a new restaurant, the owner wanted to try a few foods first to see how customers would react to their style and cooking. The seasons are what inspired the food choices for the venue. They will be constantly adding new and exciting dishes and desserts throughout the next few years.

            “The menu is based on what is fresh and available and alternates throughout the year.” Thornton said.

            The cuisine consists of a variety of foods, American new and traditional, barbeque, breakfast, brunch, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, Southern, steakhouse, and vegetarian.

            All items on the menu are fresh, and most are locally bought ingredients. Some of the ingredients are home-grown in the backyard of Thornton’s and his girlfriend’s home. They get their produce from regional suppliers currently, but they are getting more and more locally grown produce daily.

            “Currently we use our own peppers and eggplants, but we have our own farm space that we are cultivating for the coming planting season and hope to get most, if not all of our produce from there,” said Thornton.

             Since opening as a venue first, they have given local artists and musicians multiple opportunities to showcase their talents. Events include open mic nights for singer-songwriters and artist showcases. They have added independent film nights, stand-up comedians, poets, and throwback video game nights.

            Artist who are interested in performing at The Block should send an email message at info@theblockrestaurant.com or visit its website www.theblockrestaurant.net

            Future plans for The Block are to become a mainstay for the local music and art enthusiasts, as well as those who want to support their community while being entertained and enjoying great clean food at reasonable prices.

            The Block is open 7 a.m.-12 a.m. on Wedensday and Thursday; 7 a.m-2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. on Sunday.

            When asked what are three tips for running a successful restaurant, Thornton was happy to reply.

            “Give us a couple more years, and I’ll tell you,” he said.

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Little Shop of Records Celebrates 'Record Store Day' With Event

By Matthew Olson

Raider Shakedown Reporter

     MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Little Shop of Records in downtown Murfreesboro held its third annual event for "Record Store Day" with free food and live music on April 18 to help increase the store's vinyl and CD sales.

Cringey of Culture Cringe at Little Shop of Records. (Photo by Dante Haley)

Sign for record store day. (Photo by Dante Haley)

     “Record Store Day” is an international holiday that first began in 2007 and is now celebrated on the third Saturday of every April. In 2007, Metallica was the first known band to be ambassadors. This year’s ambassador is Dave Grohl.

     “Artists sell exclusive albums through record stores to benefit stores,” said Jake Umberger, drummer of the band Tomato Face. “Record stores around you like Little Shop will sell albums you can’t get anywhere else to promote them.”

Grant Polson on left.  Matthew Olson on right. (Photo by Dante Haley)

Grant Polston, owner of the popular record store at 109 E. Main St., in town square, was surprised to see customers eagerly waiting at 7 a.m. Vinyl record collectors were lined up from the store's front door to the end of the block.

     “We had more people after the initial rush then we did last year,” said Polson.

A continuous flow of business occurred throughout the day. Customers seemed tense as they struggled to find rare records by their favorite artists.

The guests were excited by the store's hospitality at 2 p.m., as they enjoyed free pizza and drinks. Live bands entertained record and CD buyers throughout the afternoon and evening.

Blues artists Robert Eskew and Everett Brown were the first acts to perform. A recording of their set will be released later this year. 

Robert Eskew (Photo by Dante Haley)

            “Pleased to play 'Record Store Day', and I just want to keep the Blues tradition alive... Eskew to the rescue,” said Eskew.

            Eight O' Five Jive followed with the second set of the night, playing Big Band and Swing music. The band brought copies of its “Five to Five Jam”, which was available on vinyl and CD.

Lee Shropshire of Eight O' Five Jive (Photo by Dante Haley)

            “I’ve never played a 'Record Store Day,'” said Patrick Mosser, saxophone player for Eight O' Five Jive. "I am very impressed by the turnout.”

            Bill Steber and Sammy Davis of The Hoodoo men, a local Delta Blues-influenced band, played next. It was the third time they have played on "Record Sore Day".

            “The great thing about record store day, and the return of record stores in general, is that it creates a gathering place for people who are excited about music to come together and learn from each other face to face,” said Steber. “The Internet is great for connecting people, but nothing can replace the kind of community you create from people coming together and flipping through stacks of vinyl and listening to live bands.”

Chase Price of Tomato Face (Photo by Dante Haley

            Tomato Face was the last band of the night. It played every song from the new album, “The Eggs”, which was released on vinyl and CD for the event, along with only 20 copies of the act's album, “Don’t walk”.

            Little Shop of Records can be found on their Facebook page or at www.lileshopofrecords.net.

Chase Price on left and Jake Umerger on right (photo by Dante Haley)

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