Friday, August 17
What: "Tuna Does Vegas"
Where: Theatre Knoxville Downtown
When: 8 p.m.
How Much: $15
Preston's Take: "Tuna Does Vegas" is the fourth play in the "Greater Tuna" comedic plays series set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas, the "third-smallest" town in the state. Written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, the first play in the series, "Greater Tuna," was an off-Broadway hit in the early 1980s, grabbing attention with its colorful characters and snappy writing. "Tuna Does Vegas" reunites the beloved characters from the three previous plays and a couple new ones too as the entire town plans to follow a couple on their odyssey to renew their wedding vows in Vegas. The show also runs at the same time on Saturday, with an admission price of $15, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday for $10.
What: Summer Movie Magic presents "A Star is Born"
Where: The Historic Tennessee Theatre
When: 8 p.m.
How Much: $8
Preston's Take: George Cukor's classic musical follows a down-and-out actor, Norman Maine (played by James Mason), who through a drunkenly coincidental run-in meets Esther Blodgett, an extremely talented showgirl (played by a rejuvenated post-"Wizard of Ox" Judy Garland). The pair form a friendship that eventually turns into a romance, but Esther's rising fame and Maine's fast plummeting one creates a tenuous strain on the pair. Garland received mass critical acclaim for her role in the film, with one critic from "Time" going as far as saying that her performance was "one of the best one-woman shows in modern movie history" (in fact Garland's loss to Grace Kelley at the Academy Awards even created a small controversy). The film is a classic and well worth the price of admission. There will also be another showing on Sunday, August 19 at 2 p.m.
What: Midnight Voyage Life presents Samples, Govinda and SubSqwad
Where: The Ciderhouse
When: 10 p.m.
How Much: $8 in advance, $10 at the door
Preston's Take: Samples is a DJ/producer out of Denver who is known for his bass-heavy remixes of club and hip hop tracks with glitch hop, soulful dub step and almost any other style that is out there to be honest. He has risen to becoming one of the most well-known glitch-hop artists in the genre right now, with a sound that works at festivals and dance floors. Govinda has an almost similar story to Andrew Bird, but instead of making alt-rock indie tunes, this classically-trained violinist now spends his time making beats and remixes that have landed him spots at festivals like Coachella and SXSW. And SubSqwad is an up-and-coming name on the dubstep/electronic music circuit. If you are a fan of the genre, than this is the place to be.
Saturday, August 18
What: The "Master of FUNK" World Tour presents The Bar-Kays with ConFunkShun and the original Lakeside
Where: World's Fair Park
When: 6 p.m.
How Much: $35.50
Preston's Take: For those familiar with funk, these three groups are no strangers. The Bar-Kays have been kicking around since the mid-60s and are probably best known for their songs "Soul Finger" and "Son of Shaft," ConFunkShun topped the charts in the 70s with "Ffun" and Lakeside's original members created hits like "Fantastic Voyage," and "Outrageous." This is a night that is for seasoned funk fans, and even new initiates. The price is steep but the groups make up for it. Also, World's Fair Park is a great venue for any concert, well worth a trip.
What: Paleface
Where: Barley's Pizzeria and Taproom
When: 10 p.m.
How Much: Free
Preston's Take: Paleface is an accomplished indie-folk musician who has been kicking around the industry since the late 1980s, and his current line-up features himself and his partner in crime Monica "Mo" Samalot on drums and vocals. Paleface has worked and been associated with acts like Beck (his former roommate before either was discovered), Langhrone Slim, the Moldy Peaches and the Avett Brothers. Definitely worth going to. He's an incredibly talented musician, with a great sound that goes even better with a hot and fresh pizza.
What: Bubbly Mommy Gun with Wasted Youth Party
Where: Pilot Light
When: 10 p.m.
Price: $5
Preston's Take: Bubbly Mommy gun are a band out of Athens, GA with a whole lot of personality, an experimental feel and a great name. Wasted Youth is also a good band, with a nice feel to them. It should be a nice night overall.
Sunday, August 19
What: Soft Opening with Smoking Nurse
Where: Pilot Light
When: 10 p.m.
How Much: $5
Preston's Take: Soft Opening is a heavily psychedelic band out of Asheville with a good sound and a good stage presence, while the Smoking Nurses are a bluegrass/hardcore mix out of Ontario with an incredible name. It's a good price and a good venue, so definitely worth going to see just to say that you saw something different for a change.
Monday, August 20
What: Ted Nugent's Great White Buffalo Tour with Laura Wilde
Where: The Historic Tennessee Theatre
When: 8 p.m.
How Much: $35-$57
Preston's Take: A man, a myth, a legend, Ted Nugent is all of these things and more. The Motor City Madman is one of the greatest guitarists to ever pick up an ax. He and his Gibson have made such classics as "Cat Scratch Fever," "Stranglehold," and "Journey to the Center of the Mind" over a career spanning nearly fifty years. Though currently, Nugent may be better known by the younger generation for his conservative politics, views on gun rights, and his recent inflammatory comments towards President Obama (something that earned him scrutiny from the Secret Service), few can play a guitar like this man can. He is touring here with Laura Wilde, a femme fatale, who is a self-described mix of Motorhead with the appeal of Blondie. The tickets are steep, but come on, it's Ted Nugent. No more arguments are necessary.