On Thursday evenings, music lovers gather on Market Square, where they're treated to free weekly samplings of a wide variety of genres performed by local bands – from classical music to blues, from swing to Americana, from soft rock to country.
On June 9, Knoxville native Josh Cottrell and opening act Aaron Coker spliced folk and alternative into a lively "Variety Thursday" concert series playlist. Cottrell performed a compilation of original songs plus covers that included a variety of Jason Mraz songs.
Cottrell says his dream of performing music was birthed on that very stage, as he'd watched Dave Barnes perform in the rain several years ago from the Bill Lyons Pavilion.
Barnes had laughed, telling his fans, “It’s only water, right?” The fans were drenched, but they were loving the show, so no one moved, Cottrell remembers. He decided he wanted to become an entertainer and build that same kind of special bond with music fans.
Want to experience the sounds and vibe of outdoor concerts? The City of Knoxville's Special Events Department is coordinating free music performances twice a week on Market Square: Jazz Tuesdays, 8-10 p.m. every Tuesday through Aug. 30, with Marble City 5, and the Variety Thursdays concert series, 7-9 p.m., which continues through June 30.
Free parking after 6 p.m. is available at the City-owned Market Square, State Street and Locust Street garages, plus the privately-owned Walnut Street Garage. There will be no alcohol or food sold on Market Square during the concerts, apart from what is available on the patios of restaurants. But concertgoers are invited to bring chairs or blankets to sit on the Square and enjoy the shows.
Please like and follow the Special Events Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CityofKnoxvilleSpecialEvents, to stay updated on the bands and on any cancellations due to the weather.
The remaining Variety Thursday lineup is as follows:
Thursday, June 16: LA FEVER - Bringing heat to modern pop music, with a twist of retro R & B and soul.
Thursday, June 23: ENSEMBLE SWING TIME - This 16-piece big band features original arrangements made famous by Glenn Miller, Harry James, the Dorsey Brothers and other great bands from the Swing Era.
Thursday, June 30: BLUE LINE BLUES - This band, made up of Knoxville police officers, performs downhome blues and bluegrass tunes.
For more information visit www.Knoxvilletn.gov/concerts.
- Communications intern Morgan Herrig