Urban Knoxville: This downtown news should be music to your (Big) Ears
This week's downtown Knoxville newsletter starts on a high note, with some "Big" music news.
But first, let me introduce myself. I'm Ryan Wilusz, downtown reporter and urban explorer, bringing you a weekend dose of news and happenings around the Scruffy City.
First off, let's give a big "congratulations" to Big Ears Festival for its most successful festival yet. Not only did the 2022 event sell out in record numbers, but an analysis showed it had a $36.1 million impact on the local economy.
On a much smaller scale, Sunset on Central is hoping to find success during its August return to the Central Avenue corridor just north of downtown. Headlined by Arlie, the free event is being advertised as a "music discovery festival" and could offer one of the first looks at the new Yee-Haw Brewing Co. facility.
If you enjoy listening to podcasts more than music, we have you covered with "The Scruffy Stuff." New episodes drop each Monday, and this week's debates what Knoxville's signature icon would be if the Sunsphere did not exist (a sad thought, I know).
Fai Thai Kitchen will soon be non-existent (at least, not in a physical location), which is almost just as sad. The closing announcement came the same day as the Knox Mason announcement, which makes you wonder: Is this a new downtown trend?
Keeping up with the closings, some roads have been shut down near the Old City stadium site. Does this mean stadium construction is starting? That's just one of the questions I answer in this week's downtown mailbag.
Other topics include a movie filmed in Knoxville and a $1.25 million artistic renovation of a Gay Street park. It's been a long time since we've had an update on the latter.
Now, without further ado, it's time to ...
Live like a local
Eat like a local: I know this newsletter has given a shoutout to Potchke before, but the Jewish deli has made the news again – this time, in The New York Times for nurturing its tie to Ukraine. It's an excellent piece that I recommend you read. Plus, to bring this newsletter full circle, Big Ears posted the article to Facebook and shared Potchke "was a big hit" with festival attendees. Downtown restaurant owners often say the festival is the biggest weekend of the year for business.
Drink like a local: I've mentioned Schulz Bräu Brewing Company before, but this weekend is a big one. The German brewery is celebrating its sixth anniversary all weekend long with live music and authentic German beer and food. Plus, the first 150 customers 21 and older will receive a free, limited-edition stein on Saturday. Check out the Facebook event!
Celebrate like a local: South Side Pride is back as SoKno Pride takes over the Sevier Avenue community from 9 a.m. Saturday until dark. Silent disco, drag shows, live music and a whole lot more is planned for this can't-miss celebration for "girls, gays and theys," according to the Facebook event.
Signing off and staying scruffy, I'm Ryan Wilusz. Cheers to the weekend!
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Urban Knoxville: Big Ears attendance, Sunset on Central and Sunsphere
