While old friends serve as the perfect buffer between semesters, it is

always good to get back to the college party scene. Though reluctant to use

the phrase, as we head into the inaugural weekend of this semester, we owe

it to ourselves to party like it’s 1999.

While we will most likely be sick of that saying long before the ball drops

at the turn of the century, it is not a bad theme to keep in mind as we

trudge through this winter.

With our batteries recharged and three whole days of classes under our

belts, it is the perfect time to get back out there and kick off the social

semester. There are plenty of reasons to celebrate in Tennessee, and

Knoxville has something to please everyone.

Tonight

Local Music

Gran Torino – Moose’s Music Hall – 11 p.m. – 2 sets – $8

Finnegan’s aWake – Knoxville’s own Celtic band – The Laurel Theatre – 8

p.m. – $10 day of

show

UT Music Department – Guest Artists Recital – Gayle Shay, soprano –

Melissa Rose, piano – Music

Hall – 5:30 p.m. –

Free

Movie Openings

Varsity Blues

Starring:

James Van Der Beek

Jon Voight

Rated: R

The Thin Red Line

Starring:

Sean Penn

George Clooney

Woody Harrelson

John Travolta

In Dreams

Starring:

Annette Benning

Robert Downey Jr.

At First Sight

Starring:

Val Kilmer

Mira Sorvino

Saturday, January 16

Local Music

Downtown Hoedown

Bluegrass Festival

Tennessee Theatre

The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Tony White, XXX

5 p.m.

Tickets available through Tickets Unlimited 656-4444

Mel and the Party Hats

Moose’s Music Hall

Mel’s farewell performance

11 p.m.

$5