🪩 A new flower shop by day, disco-lit cocktail lounge by night

Before we officially start talking about fall, let's enjoy a little more summer. There are farmers markets to wander, live music to hear, trails to explore, and enough food and drinks to make a full weekend out of it.

We also want to give a big shoutout to the teachers heading back into the classroom. Thanks for everything you do, and hopefully you get a little fun in before the bell rings again.

🛝 Funds for a playground redo and river cleanups

The Gist: Knoxville City Council on August 4 backed a slate of neighborhood investments from Mayor Indya Kincannon. Among them: up to $128,626 to replace the decade-old play surface at Suttree Landing Park in South Knoxville, plus a renewed $60,000 annual contract with Ijams Nature Center to pull trash and debris from the Tennessee River.

Why It Matters: The Ijams River Rescue crew logs roughly 1,500 hours a year monitoring First, Second, and Third creeks, and its volunteers haul an average of nine tons of debris and hundreds of tires out of the water annually. The package also included federal funds to weatherize about 20 homes for low-income families and add wheelchair ramps and roll-in showers to KCDC apartments.

🥁 Knoxville Pipes & Drums make state history

The Gist: Knoxville Pipes & Drums made history on August 14 and 15 by becoming the first Tennessee band to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Playing on Glasgow Green among 8,000 international musicians, the band did not advance past the preliminary round but called the experience unforgettable. Their Scottish tour wraps up with stops at Loch Ness and Culloden battlefield before the group returns to East Tennessee on August 19.

Why It Matters: Seeing local talent carry East Tennessee’s deep heritage across the Atlantic makes our whole community proud. It puts Knoxville on the global stage while giving our neighbors a once-in-a-lifetime chance to represent the Volunteer State overseas.

🔥 Blackberry Farm roots and pitch-black bark

Blackberry Farm alum Marcus Stokely brings white-cloth precision to low-and-slow smoke at Wells Station BBQ. Between Texas-inspired brisket with a dark, crackling bark and crisp wings tossed in savory fish-caramel sauce, the rotating menu keeps things fresh.

Grab a tray from the food trailer at the farmers market this fall before his permanent Central Street lunch counter and pit room officially debut next spring.

💐 Peonies by Day, a Disco Ball by Night

Stem To Stem’s disco ball light bouncing across the Central Street block marks the shift from summer afternoons to long autumn nights. Half flower shop, half evening hideaway, the former Raven Records spot now blends grandmother-inspired floral art with a moody, jewel-toned lounge.

Pop in for a custom bouquet before 5 PM, then stay for a half-priced Lemmon drop martini, a custom tarot reading on Tuesday, and tattoo-patterned walls.

Flan is a gentle soul who shines when he has a space to call his own.

This large, adult mixed-breed boy enjoys leisurely lounge time and takes his treats with polite care. He brings a calm confidence to playgroups, often preferring respectful canine companions.

He is looking for a peaceful home to decompress and share his loyalty.

To learn more about this handsome boy,

🍎 Nourish Kids at the Farmers Market | New Harvest Park | 08/20 | More 
Educational activities teaching children about food through games and samples.

🎶 Pink Houses: The Ultimate John Mellencamp Experience | Market Square | 08/20 | More 
Heartland rock anthems delivered with driving guitars and soulful nostalgia.

🌭 GermanFest Knoxville | 1207 Broadway | 08/22 | More 
Oompah bands, dachshund races, a car show, and kid-friendly games.

🎲 Saturday Board Game Club | Good Times GameHouse | 08/22 | More 
Tabletop gaming session with a massive collection of strategy and party games.

🌻 Ask a Master Gardener | Dixie Lee Farmers Market | 08/22 | More 
Welcoming booth offering expert horticulture advice and friendly plant discussions.

🎭 Improv in the Wild | Ijams Nature Center | 08/26 | More 
Unscripted comedy and quick wit in a cozy outdoor theater setting.

🎤 Jim Norton | Bijou Theatre | 08/21 | More 
Sharp, unfiltered stand-up comedy in an intimate historic theater setting.

🎻 The Music of Adele: Under the Stars | Knoxville Convention Center | 08/21-08/22 | More 
Powerhouse vocals and lush orchestral arrangements under a celestial canopy.

🏎️ KBE Fast & Furious Movie Night | Regal Pinnacle at Turkey Creek | 08/22 | More Community screening celebrating iconic car culture and cinematic classics.

🎶 Tommy Emmanuel CGP | Tennessee Theatre | 08/23 | More 
Virtuoso acoustic fingerstyle guitar performance filled with deep musical emotion.

🎹 Music for Seniors Concert | Knoxville Museum of Art | 08/27 | More 
Nostalgic 70s tunes performed live in an inspiring art museum environment.

🎸 Happy Landing and The Band Solstice | The Mill & Mine | 08/27 | More 
Folk-rock energy with catchy hooks and vibrant stage presence.

A huge thank-you to all the teachers heading back to school. You deserve the laughs ahead more than anyone! ❤️

Thanks for reading Our Newsletter! We’ll have more updates for you next week!

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