Freehuggers

FREEHUGGERS
  A merry trio spreading goodwill at the June 26 Sundown in the City got no love from security at the event. Bearing a sign that said, “Free Hugs — Give a Hug, Take a Hug,” the group offered and asked for nothing more than what the sign said: free hugs. Although they endured a few racist and homophobic comments and a few comments about child molesting from wary Sundown patrons, organizer Jennifer Franklin said the response was largely positive. Franklin, who just returned from a stint in Korea where she participated in a “hug rally,” says there’s enough anger, money obsession and war in the world, and giving free hugs is a reminder to enjoy the more beautiful and basic things in life. Apparently the cops didn’t agree, as they kicked the huggers out for “increasing the risk of pickpocketing.” Free love, indeed. (Elizabeth Wright)

WHAT THEY WANT IS ADULT EDUCATION

Chris Molinski was recently selected to be the associate curator for educational adult programs at the Knoxville Museum of Art. According to a KMA press release, the position entails “overseeing the docent program, organizing educational events aimed at college-age and adult audiences, developing new strategies for gallery interpretation including electronic media, and assisting with the museum’s Collector’s Circle.”

Molinski is a graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago and is a founding member and current director of the Art Gallery of Knoxville. He’s also the guiding hand behind Quarterly Journal of Art and Culture, a new Knoxville-based art journal, the first issue of which will be published this summer, and is currently available for download at www.quartlyartjournal.com.

The KMA has undergone several changes of late to broaden its appeal to the community, including a new logo, slogan —“open your eyes. open your mind.” — a pair of creepy eyes on the back of the museum and the implementation of free admission until the end of the year. (Eric Dawson)

NOT JUST CLOWNING AROUND      

Local musician Brent Thompson certainly goes a long way to push the whole “Wandering Circus” motif, from dressing himself and his band as clowns to calling his recent EP Kaleidoscope and decorating it in colorful, elaborate patterns. His song “The Gettin’ on Bus” is even a carnival-esque singalong. So it was a bit surprising to hear the opening words of “Reconcile,” the first track on the Kaleidoscope EP: “Oh papa tell the preacher that I’m gonna die/I’ve got too many reasons so don’t ask me why,” delivered in Thompson’s deep, blue-eyed, soulful voice.

It’s a pretty straightforward run on a mid-tempo blues-rock tune, opening with Ben Maney’s organ vamp and concluding with Jeff Collins’ excitable saxophone soloing. The song is a good indication of the rest of the album’s contents — across six songs and over the course of 30 minutes the music recalls The Band, Little Feat, a touch of the Allmans and various strains of Dixieland jazz, blues and ’70s AOR rock. Horns and female backing vocals are distinct and pleasing aspects of the recording, as is Mike Seal’s guitar playing.

In fact, the caliber of musicianship presented throughout is impressive (should mention rhythm section John Nipper on drums and Josh Wright on bass here), if the songwriting at times runs a bit too much toward the tried-and-true. Though Thompson and the band flirt with these elements, they never get too jam-bandy, or allow their licks to get too watered-down showy-bluesy á la Eric Clapton. Recorded at local Hook & Groove Studios, the recording is clear and crisp, and sounds ready for a wider release. (E.D.)