Lisa Denton and Barry Courter
BARRY COURTER: Lisa, one thing we like around here is a really good free concert series. Nightfall, of course, is the grand dame, having started in 1992, but Riverfront Nights has proven to be pretty popular with folks as well.
The 2017 season kicks off its 11th year on Saturday with Elliot Root headlining and The Mountain vs. Monkey Town, which is a great name, by the way, opening the night at 7 p.m. One of the guys in the band is from one of the area mountains, and the other is from Dayton, home of the so-called Scopes Monkey Trial.
LISA DENTON: They bill it as an “edu-tainment” event, which sounds like the kind of fun afternoon you’d spend with a timeshare salesman. But this is more of a soft sell, with organizations on-site if you want to learn more about healthy lifestyles or sustainable development or outdoor adventure. Plus, there’s a VIP area called the Pup Tent for dogs if you want to take Rover over.
BARRY: It’s very proud of the fact that it is kid- and dog-friendly. It’s also become known as a good place to dance because of the grassy seating area and because of the bands they book.
I know you read the story (because it’s your job) that I did yesterday about Nathan Bell. He is playing Saturday at Barking Legs Theater with Magic Birds. There will not be any dancing going on there. Nathan is the real deal, and he’s been getting really good reviews all over the world. If you like really good storytelling and songwriting with a socio-political view, this will be a great show to see.
LISA: His publicity material says his first gig was as a teenager at a rally against the Vietnam War, and he doesn’t seem to have grown less liberal. Or less talented, for that matter.
BARRY: Nathan is not shy about his opinions. But his songs are stories about real people in real situations more along the lines of a Bob Dylan or Woody Guthrie.
Also, Robin Grant & The Standard will be performing Friday at The Archway on Glass. She has a new CD of jazz songs out, so you can good music in a cool new venue on Glass Street.
LISA: If you’re looking for something to do with the kids, there’s always Movies in the Park at Coolidge Park. First Things First is sponsoring the series Saturdays in July. This week’s movie is Disney’s 1991 animated film “Beauty and the Beast.” Bookworm Belle was always my favorite Disney heroine.
BARRY: I see you more as a Dictionary Dick or a Grammar Granny fan. Might of made those up.
LISA: That’s my kind of superheroes. You know one of my superpowers is spotting errant commas at 20 paces. Wonder Woman has silver bracelets. I have a red Sharpie.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354. Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.