Editorial
Front Page - Friday, August 20, 2010
River City Roundabout
Tune inspiration
Erica Tuggle
The summer concert series, Nightfall, is a free event that encourages community members to come out with their families, friends and pets to enjoy a variety of music styles and indulge in downtown shopping and dining. One nearby location Nightfall attendees can visit before or after the show is Champy’s Chicken on East MLK Blvd.
- Erica Tuggle
A recent Friday’s fun seeking began with visiting the rocking local music scene at Nightfall, but ended on a different note with blues, brews and lots of chicken, too.
Nightfall is something every good local knows about. It’s a free concert series held in Miller Plaza every Friday night beginning Memorial Day weekend and running through the last Friday in September. Besides being free and supporting local businesses and eateries around downtown, it introduces some fine talent in the form of local opening bands and up and coming main acts.
I attended the local opener, Ramble Horse, followed by a performance by Plants and Animals. Ramble Horse, which has been playing around town for over a year, includes the talents of Bijan Dhanani, Kip Smith, Wilch Oehmig and Jimbo Schwartz. Theses Baylor graduates have come together to make music that, from my observations, seems to be geared toward making their audience get up and dance, no matter if some of their lyrics concern the less than happy things in life. Best classified as “mood music,” that is for the most part calm and brooding, the voice of their lead singer keeps all the woes of what he sings of in time with a good beat. That’s only one opinion, though, as they have classified themselves as “Jungle” and “House” on their Myspace page, where samples of their work can be heard. Moreover, this band has good artsy music videos available online to display the visual side of their talent.
Part of the Nightfall experience that filled in the time between when the two bands played is the social element that has been built into the event. Finding a spot near the fountain, on a park bench, or on one of the edges of the brick planters, you can meet someone new without even trying. Those just coming to listen after work, college and high school students, and retirees with pets all flood into Miller Plaza.
Motorcyclists and bikers are welcome, too, as quite a few take up this invitation. The pets are a traditional Nightfall staple as well, with American bulldogs, Chows and the tiny dogs that all meet up to socialize with their masters.
Plants and Animals took the stage next. This Canadian band from Montreal has tour dates in the coming months in the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany and then a smattering of stops in the U.S. They are coming to the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Ga. on October 26 if you missed them this time around.
The pairing of Ramble Horse with Plants and Animals was a good choice. If you like Ramble Horse, chances are you will like Plants and Animals. The sound is similarly flowing and relaxed. After a hard day at work, this is a great band to curl up with and drift into melodic unconsciousness.
It seems more than coincidence that this peaceful sound can be heard on their new album titled “La La Land.” Moreover, their affinity for using pickles in their promo videos is rather strange, but we won’t hold it against them.
Nightfall ended just around dark and with plenty of time for a late dinner. A drive to the nearby Champy’s Chicken brought a change in the scenery from the previous activities of the night. Champy’s is located on East MLK Blvd. Here, to the tunes of a blues master like Robert Johnson, there is the smell of chicken in the air. Champy’s offers a variety of fried chicken platters served with a choice of sides of green beans, seasoned French fries, potato salad, homemade potatoes and gravy and more. Locals have also been raving about their Mississippi Homemade Hot Tamales with Slaw and Crackers. One of the novel attractions also appears to be the 40 oz. alcoholic beverages they serve to compliment their chicken and country cooking.
I ordered a basket of chicken tenders and fries and an order of the tamales, both of which came out hot and sizzling. The tamales were a bit of a difficulty, wrapped in inedible cornhusks and with no hints given on how to eat them. They went well with the tasty slaw and crackers, though, once I figured out how to unwrap them. The chicken tenders were hot and juicy, but had little seasoning. It and the fries should be a favorite for those who enjoy homestyle cooking.
The atmosphere was rowdy, as was to be expected for a Friday night, and a large party behind our table took most of the attention of our server. The tunes from the jukebox were good, though, and looking at all the memorabilia, including a truck door, on the walls kept us occupied while we waited for our food.
For a schedule of upcoming Nightfall acts visit www.chattanooganightfall.com. For a Champy’s Chicken menu visit www.champyschicken.com. Email Erica Tuggle at reporter@hamiltoncountyherald.com.
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