Thoughts on beauty, life and giving
by Brian Conley
There is an ancient Indian proverb: "All that is not given is lost."
This week's special issue of Metro Pulse is dedicated to Arts and Entertainment, and I want to take the opportunity to inform our readers of some upcoming projects that MP is proud to be a part of.
October 2-4, Metro Pulse will be a sponsor of the Southern Writers Festival to be held at UT. This year's honoree is George Garrett, and dozens of major Southern writers will be in attendance. In conjunction with the festival, next week's issue of MP will be dedicated to local writers and will feature short stories, novel excerpts, and poetry from some of our area's most talented writers.
Beginning tomorrow night, MP will sponsor Knox Word Productions' and the Actors Co-op's Spoken Word Showcase featuring Daniel Roop, John Kilpatrick, Julia Nance and Seed Lynn. Performances start at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is $7 at the Black Box Theater on Homberg Drive. Call 909-9300 for tickets.
While not a Metro Pulse project per se, we have recently entered into an agreement to publish a Knoxville music anthology to be called, Cumberland Avenue Revisited—Forty Years of Music in Knoxville, Tennessee. This book includes vignettes on everyone from The Amazing Rhythm Aces to Smokin' Dave and the Premo Dopes, from Clifford Curry to Rus Harper, from Rich Mountain Tower to R.B. Morris. The book has been masterfully compiled and edited by Jack Rentfro, and a number of local patrons, including Jay Nations and Charlotte Klasson, have given unselfishly of their time and resources to bring the project to fruition. We are hoping to have the book in stores for the holidays.
Another publishing project MP has signed onto is an anthology featuring local writers and poets to be published next year. Dennis McCarthy (Cormac's brother) has agreed to serve as chief editor on the project. Judy Loest, Brian Griffin and Marilyn Kallet are also involved. Look for this book in stores before Christmas of '04.
Next spring, Metro Pulse is proud to sponsor the Coal Creek Project from Actors Co-op. This play will be the Co-op's first original production. Written by Alan Gratz, it will recount the Fraterville (now Briceville, Tennessee) mine explosion that occurred in 1902, which claimed the lives of nearly 200 miners. Featuring original bluegrass compositions by Sarah Pirkle and Jeff Barbra, the play will tell the story of the men who died and the women who had the courage to carry on. In addition to a Knoxville run, the Co-op is set to perform the play in several towns and schools throughout Appalachia, including Briceville.
As you know, UT has been going through a tough time of late. The dual Gilley and Shumaker scandals will have repercussions on the University's fund-raising efforts, and it's important during this time of crisis and state budgetary constraints that alumni and the local business community do what they can to ensure that students receive a quality education. To this end, Metro Pulse has recently announced its intention to endow two new scholarships in Creative Writing. Both scholarships will be awarded annually by the English Department to deserving students.
While we believe that all of these projects and scholarships are worthwhile endeavors, we also feel — though it is important to give — it is equally essential to appreciate and enjoy life. In the midst of our daily toils, when life may often seem mundane and when we are prone to dwell on the negative, we would all do well to recognize our transient natures and seek out beauty in this world. It is with this sentiment in mind that we have dedicated this special issue of Metro Pulse to the Arts. We sincerely hope you enjoy it.
September 25, 2003 * Vol. 13, No. 39
© 2003 Metro Pulse
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