Murfreesboro Business Hosts Largest Nerf Shootout in Tennessee

By Kayla Graves

Motlow Buzz Reporter

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The Princess Club of Murfreesboro hosted Tennessee’s largest nerf gun war on April 9 in the heart of Nashville at Nashville Airsoft, 406 Davidson St.

            The Princess Club is a spa party business for girls from the age of 4 to 16. It typically hosts different types of birthday parties, but this time it chose to host a nerf gun war. Owner Alisha Baker explained why the company decided to host.

            “We hosted a nerf war because I purchased ‘Santa Clause’ nerf guns for the entire family, and as we ran around the house firing nerf bullets,” said Baker. “I wanted to get a group together at the park to have some fun.”

            The event was hosted Saturday at Nashville Airsoft. The war, originally to be held at Old Fort Park in Murfreesboro, had to be moved to accommodate more attendees.

Volunteer Stephen Cook announcing game rules
(Photo by Darnell Morr)

“We expected maybe 20 families at the most,” said Baker. “When nearly 200 people showed up to battle, it shocked the volunteers and employees.”

            The event cost $10 at pre-registration and $15 at the door. Each player had to sign a safety waiver before playing. Participants were divided into two teams, blue and orange. The teams were divided into age groups to ensure that everyone had a great time while also playing fairly.

“There was this kid who was just small enough to fit under a car, and no one knew he was there, so every time anyone ran by it they were shot,” player Katelynn Fogg said. “It was so funny because no one could figure out where it was coming from. I finally saw him reach out from under the car and try to grab extra bullets.”

Each individual chose to participate in age 6 and under, 10 and under, and a group in which any age could play. The rules were specific as to how a participant was “out” once the match began. Each team had a starting point. When participants were shot, they raised their hands and made their way back to a starting point. Once someone reached home, he or she could start again. A participant only had five attempts at this until he or she was no longer in the game.

Orange Team getting ready to battle!
(Photo by The Princess Club)

            “My favorite moment was when there was a little boy, no older than 6, who was afraid to go out in the field,” Baker continued. “I had six guys stay back and do a little war with him till he got comfortable. Once he was comfortable, he finished the rest of the wars with us all. If I wouldn’t have helped the mom get her son out there, he wouldn’t have gotten to experience the fun.”

            The Princess Club mentioned on Facebook that proceeds from the war were to go to Club YES, which stands for Youth Empowerment Service. This non-profit organization helps the homeless youth in Middle Tennessee. The Princess Club will host the Mommy and Me Ball on May 28. All other future events are listed on the Princess Club’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PrincessPartyClub.

The organization intends to host another nerf gun war next year. Details for this event have not been released yet, but the Princess Club has set up an event page on Facebook if anyone is interested in helping plan the event.

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The Races Begin at the Nashville Speedway

By Justin Gilchrist

Motlow Buzz Reporter

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Eight divisions clashed for a spot on top at the season opener at the Nashville Speedway on the Nashville Fairgrounds at 5 p.m. on April 2.

First seven divisions race around the track. (Photo by Justin Gilchrist) 

            More than 149 racers completed in eight separate divisions on the small and large track over the course of the night. The eight divisions consist of legends, front runners, sportsman, super street, limited late model, pure stocks, pro-mod, and pro late models for the grand finale.

            Approximately 10,000 people filed the stands waiting for the grand opening of the races to start. Once the races started, people hooted and shouted for the cars they picked to win.

            “This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of these drivers on this track tonight, and they will make every bit of it count,” said Operator Tony Formosa Jr.

A little boy caught a dollar.  (Photo by Lauren Reynolds)

 As the second-to-last division race ended, the announcer said, “We are going to throw $1,000 off the roof, so turn around and be ready for the money to drop.” As soon as he stopped speaking, $1 bills were flying off the roof. A little boy caught a dollar while barely hanging on to the railing, and people had to back away from the edge. Only one of the bills fell on the racetrack where no one could get to it.




The Pro Late Models are ready to race. (Photo by Lauren Reynolds)

            The Pro Late Model race was the grand finale that everyone was waiting for. It consisted of 100 laps at speeds of over 100 mph. Before the race started the pit crews gathered up all their tools and took them to each parking spot in the pit lane. Then all of the cars lined up side by side in the pit lane, before slowly riding onto the track with the pace car in front of them.

The Pro Late Model cars were low to ground to create more traction with the track. The shape of each car was intimating, with the nose down to the ground and smooth curves from front to back. The cars sparkled with different colors so fans could tell one from another.

Race cars racing around the track. (Photo by Justin Gilchrist)

Once the pace car drove into the pits, the cars were bumper-to- bumper until they reached the starting point. Then they shot off passing each other left and right. The crowd roared with cheers over the drivers they picked as the cars raced around the track.

            “I’ve been waiting all night for my driver to his win this race, and he finally did,” said Jerry Davis, owner of the 29 car. “Let’s go celebrate.”

            Davis’ son, Spencer, ended up winning the race. He ran to the stage in the middle of the track and held up his trophy.

             The eight division winners were as follows: Legends, Jeff Green; Front Runners, Joshua Stephens; Sportsman, Travis Ryman; Super Street, Jeffery Belt; Limited Late Model, Paul Nogardi Jr.; Pro-mod, Tanner Arms; Pure Stock, Jerry Hendrixson Jr.;and Pro Late Model, Spencer Davis.

For information about the race that occurred on April 2 visit http://www.fairgroundsspeedwaynashville.com/ .

           

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Local Record Stores Celebrate Music

By Noah Gardner

Motlow Buzz Reporter

            NASHVILLE, Tenn.— All-day music events happened at various record stores in Nashville on April 16, celebrating Record Store Day.

            Record Store Day occurs once a year and is celebrated around the nation. It is a day that supports music in record form, which has made its comeback among music listeners. Individuals use this day to celebrate music and local record stores.  For the record stores, it is the biggest day of the year, generating thousands of dollars in record sales.

Bands and major record labels from across the country use the day to release or re-release some of the legendary acts’ most-sought-after albums. Some of the big names this year included David Bowie, Johnny Cash, Madonna, Outkast and Metallica. Record collectors grabbed some of these rare and limited records before they were gone.

Wray at Grimeys (photo by Noah Gardner)

            This day was especially important in a town where music is so prevalent. The big record stores across town such as Grimeys, Third Man, The Groove and Fond Object staged all-day events. The day started at 10 a.m., and the weather couldn’t have been better. Located on Eighth Avenue, Grimeys had Mayor Megan Barry perform a DJ set where she spun some of her favorite Nashville records. Also, some up-and-coming acts such as Wray and Los Colognes played behind the store to a music loving crowd.

 “There has been a great turnout and I am really happy to see this many people still interested in records,” said Josh Walker, the assistant manager of Grimeys.

Right down the road on Seventh Avenue, Jack White had some of his own special RSD releases at his well-known Third Man Records. In addition, local punk group Faux Ferocious energized the line of people waiting to get in the store with their catchy riffs and Southern charm.

 Others ended up in East Nashville, where The Groove and Fond Object had many all-day festivities.

At The Groove, there were many new and used records that the East Nashville culture looked highly upon. There was not a sad face in the crowd as everyone watched the local sweethearts Ornament while munching on food truck tacos and soaking them down with craft beer.

Fond Object not only celebrated Record Store Day, but also its third anniversary. At the Fond Object backyard, there were many booths from local stores selling their own antiques, shirts and art. The day ended with the sun going down as everyone listened to the harmonious Nashville based group Promised Land Sound. They lived up to their name by playing twangy folk music to a big crowd behind the store.

Ranch Ghost at Fond Object (photo by Noah Gardner)

“We are really proud to be living in a city that cherishes music as much as we do, and we are especially honored to be playing on a day that celebrates the best format of music,” said Promised Land Sound’s front man Joey Scala.

            As a whole, the day was filled with great music and great records. Although a lot of people now have holes in their pockets from the exclusive records that they could not live without, the day was filled with an energy unlike any other. A sense of community was spread throughout each store and a shared love for music.

For more information about Record Store Day, visit www.recordstoreday.com

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"Boro Art Crawl" Bridges Local Artists and Small Businesses to the Public

By Kevin Wurm

Motlow Buzz Reporter

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn.— “Boro Art crawl” drew hundreds of art lovers to downtown Murfreesboro and beyond on April 8, providing outlets for local artists to show their work, exposing the locals to new art and mediums, and getting local businesses involved.

            Although Murfreesboro is home to the largest undergrad university in the State of Tennessee, the “art scene” is nonexistent and a few pioneers in Murfreesboro changed this. Two art gallery owners and Middle Tennessee State University affiliates took this into their own hands. These Murfreesboro art pioneers later created a committee that formed the “Boro Art Crawl”.

 This event showcases local artists’ work in local art galleries and small businesses around the city. Galleries that are participating are Tone-Two Art Gallery and Moxie Art Gallery. A few of the local businesses that participate in the crawl are Liquid Smoke, Mayday Brewery, Top of the Block Salon, and Cultivate Co-Working.

            “Cultivate Co-Working is a small business located in downtown Murfreesboro where work-from-home business owners and entrepreneurs can come and rent office space to work out of,” said Gretchen Bilbro. “Also we have a local Murfreesboro magazine renting space here as well.”

She also noted that this is a great way for small businesses to get exposure and an even better way to get people in their doors.

            Beth Moore of Gallatin, Tennessee, was an artist showing her mixed-media pieces at Cultivate Co-Working. Not only is she an artist, but Moore is also a kindergarten through fifth grade art teacher. One might ask, “What is mixed media, and what does it look like?”

            “Mixed-media is art with more than one media,” Moore explained.

One of Moore’s pieces was titled “Sting”. After just a few moments of looking at “Sting”, one could easily see why it was titled that. There was a honeycomb and waxed paper with a poem written on it, encased in an old wooden frame --a gorgeous piece that would complement any wall. Moore would later sell this piece, and she went home with more cash than she came in with.

            Two-Tone Art Gallery featured local pop artist and fashion designer Liz Kelly Zook. Zook displayed a wide variety of painted pop-art pieces. There were paintings of the nude female body, and there were pieces with a Neil Degrasse, Bill Nye, and Barak Obama selfie. Zook is a stay-at-home Mom and full-time artist who makes a living selling her work.

            “I have been doing Art pretty much all my life,” Zook responded when asked how long she has been painting. “Things got serious when my husband told me I should stay at home to take care of our child and take on my art full-time.”

Zook also sold several pieces and made new networking opportunities.

                        The “Boro Art Crawl” is a bi-monthly event that takes place on the first Friday of every month. The next crawl will be a two-night event in June. The first night’s will occur from 6-9 p.m. on June 9, and the second night’s event will occur from 6-9 p.m. on June 10. With this being estimated as the largest “Boro Art Crawl” to date, there will be several new locations participating in the city.

                        More information about the event can be found at www.BoroArtCrawl.com or the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/BoroArtCrawl.

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Hello Ocho Comes to Nashville for the First Time

By Andrew Tidwell

Motlow Buzz Reporter

            NASHVILLE, Tenn.— The rock group Hello Ocho debuted the new album “In Portuguese” during their first concert in Nashville on April 7 at the new venue Queen Ave off Dickerson Pike.

            Hello Ocho, which is from Atlanta, celebrated their sophomore album on April 1 and launched a U.S. and Canadian tour. Stopping in Nashville was a big deal with new labels on hand including Infinity Cat. It was a good way for band members to meet individuals in the music business.

Hello Ocho's performing in Nashville. (Photo by Noah Gardner)

Mike Kluge, co-owner of Queen Ave., said he and other friends joined forces to open the venue because of their love of art and music.

“It’s great because we are located deep into East Nashville,” Kluge said. “It adds to the effect of a crusty house show, while we still keep it within the rules of it being a venue. It’s the easiest way for touring bands to open for an act that has played here before. Hello Ocho got on the bill by opening for Linear Downfall.”

            Hello Ocho’s second show of the tour included guest performances by I’m An Island, Mom and Dad, and Linear Downfall. The former corner store doubles as an art gallery and a musical show space. Walking into the venue, one is surrounded by paintings that create an illusion of plants breaking down the wall and growing through it.

            “We heard about this band when we got the gig ourselves.” said I’m An Island band member Joe White. “They put on a great show that fit the scene in East Nashville. We hope to play with them again soon after their tour.”

            “This is our first time playing in Nashville.” said John Gregg, Hello Ocho band member.  “It was a great first show here, and we hope for many more.”

            Hello Ocho is a five-piece band. The music they play is similar to Pink Floyd in some ways as they use a synthetic rock sound to back their music. The stops on the tour include Omaha, Nebraska; Madison, Wisconsin; and Toronto, Ontario. For more information about the band, visit www.hello-ocho.com. 

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Grammy Museum Gallery Opens in Nashville

By Monica Leslie

Motlow Buzz Reporter

 

 Entrance of Grammy Museum Gallery "Photo by: Monica Leslie"

            NASHVILLE, Tenn.-The Musician’s Hall of Fame located in the Municipal Auditorium in downtown Nashville opened a new exhibit on April 2 called the Grammy Museum Gallery spotlighting the musical impact of legends Garth Brooks, Ray Charles, Jermaine Dupri and many others.

            The Grammy Museum features 7,000 feet of exhibits. The exhibit explores the history of the world renowned Grammy Awards through a series of interactive activities and memorabilia. Along with experiencing the music, visitors are able to see the evolution of the four designs of the Grammy Award and even how the award is made.

            This highly interactive museum gives visitors a chance to become one with the music and the huge process that goes into making a song. From being on stage, with the privacy of a headphone, visitors get to see what it’s like playing an assortment of different types of digital drums, keyboards, bass and guitars. Along with instruments, music lovers even get the chance to see what it was like being a Raelette and singing next to the legendary Ray Charles, they can perform one of Charles’s hits, “Hit the Road Jack” or even get to rap a verse with Jermaine Dupri “Step on my J’s”.

            This museum was made possible by Bob Santelli, executive director of the Grammy Museum, Joe Chambers, founder and CEO of the Musician’s Hall of Fame and Museum, and philanthropist Mike Curb, founder and chairman of Curb Records. There all providing deep connections with the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.

            “Our Mission is to celebrate the creative process of making music, and we are excited about providing an interactive way to get people of all ages to experience music first hand.” said Santelli.



Monica Leslie playing on the electric drums "Photo by: Monica Leslie"

Songwriters including Nashville’s own Desmond Child and Lamont Dozier of Motown Fame give visitors the opportunity to finish up a half of a new song. Legendary country artist Garth Brooks and his team of session musicians “The G Men” give the visitors a chance to feel the excitement of being inside the studio and to record actual music.

            The Grammy Museum also gives its visitors a behind-the-scenes look at what all goes into making a record including songwriting, engineering and producing aspects. With each aspect having its own room, visitors get to experience and interact with each step.

“Listeners often do not realize how many different people it takes to complete a song or album, and with this museum they get to see first-hand how the process is done,” said Santelli.

                        The Grammy Museum is a fun and affordable, small adventure into the world of music and the 58 years of the Grammy Awards. To get more info on hours, location and pricing, visit http://www.grammymuseum.org/explore/grammy-museum-gallery-at-musicians-hall-of-fame    

             

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Murfreesboro Hosts Walking Horse Show

By Jared Hennecy

Motlow Buzz Reporter

                MURFREESBORO, Tenn.—The Tennessee Walking Horse “Spring Fling Circuit” occurred from April 8-10 at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, drawing in horse trainers from across Tennessee.

                Horses and riders were judged on various areas of horsemanship, including reigning, trail pleasure and types of horses.  After winners are chosen in each category, the judges chose all-around winners of the competition.  The all-around champion for the Youth Division was Joshua Reagor and his horse, “Answer To My Dreams,” from Karnak, Illinois.  The all-around champion for the Amateur Division was Dr. Katherine Draughon and her horse, “Absolute Purple Haze,” from Mt. Vernon, Indiana. 

                A large number of horses walked past the judges’ table in various patterns.  Between competitions, the trainers draped large overcoats on the animals to keep them warm and clean.  Everyone participating wore a cowboy hat and spurs. 

Getting ready for the event, (Photo By Jared Hennecy)

The judges of the event were Michelle Tidwell, Doug Rath, Kendra Weis, Bruce Walquist, Glenn wells and Benny Sergeant.  Doors opened at 8 a.m., and the show started at 10 a.m.

                The event was free for attendees.  The cost to participate was $20 per class or $60 per horse per day.  Horse owners were required to be amateur horse trainers.  Owners who wished to compete were required to be members of the Walking Horse Owners Association, or to purchase a temporary WHOA permit for $20.

                The event was founded by Rawhide Blackwell, who was unable to attend.

                “We were located in Martin, Tennessee, until a couple of years ago,” said Mrs. Shirley Jones, a WHOA representative who works in the event planning office.    “People drive in from all around  Judges can be very strict.  They don’t mess around.” 

                Drinks and snacks were available at the concessions stand.  There was also a gift shop area with plush toys and t-shirts. 

For more information about WHOA, visit: http://www.mtsu.edu/tmc/

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Motlow State Community College Hosts Racing Event

By: Jackson Bond

Motlow Buzz Reporter

            TULLAHOMA,Tenn--Tri-Lakes Sports Car Club hosted its monthly auto-cross event at Motlow State Community College’s Tullahoma campus on April 10, 2016, drawing large numbers of racing enthusiasts.

            Tri-Lakes broke out the cones to set up for an auto-cross course on the local campus. The area used was the large parking lot next to the baseball field and tennis courts. Around 20 cars participated in the event.

            The event has been run at Motlow for several years and is generally favored over the more stringent Nashville Chapter of the Sports Car Club of America.  The more lax nature of the event does not diminish the safety preparations however. There are always three people working the course, with one to set the cars off and two others holding flags and radios watching for dangerous situations and calling time penalties.

Modified Midget hangs on in corner
(from Tri-Lakes Sports Car Club website)

All participating vehicles are required to go through a thorough tech inspection to look for dangerous faults and potential hazards for both drivers and spectators. All drivers are required to wear a DOT or Schnell-approved helmet and seatbelts.

“We are always concerned about safety out here,” Said Tri-Lakes organizer Tim Miller. “It is no fun if someone gets hurt.”

            Autocross is a type of automotive racing based on time trials on a closed course. A course is drawn out in a parking lot or similar large patch of pavement in chalk and is then lined with cones. Cars start at the starting line, tripping a timer, and proceed through the course as fast as possible while staying mostly in control of the car. If a car knocks over a cone or moves it outside of its designated area, the driver is given a two-second time penalty for every cone.

The goal of the event is to have the fastest time in your class. There are dozens of different classes a vehicle could be in depending on if they are stock or lightly modified and have a low-tread wear-rated tire, or are heavily modified. The stock classes depend on the power and performance of the vehicle and when said vehicle was produced, and street-prepared classes include things like wheel and suspension modifications.

            Jim Bond, who drove a 1966 Corvette, competed in the Classic American Muscle class.

“This is really a great event, even though there is no overall winner everyone stays competitive and has a good time” said Bond, who ran six runs. 

Jim Bond's 1966 Corvette
(from Tri-Lakes Sports Car Club website)

            There is no first place in the traditional sense for this event, but there was a fastest overall time for each class of participating car. The fastest driver of the day was Scott Mcbride who ran his Ford Focus ST. Mcbride’s best time was 50.152 seconds. The times ranged from 66.3 seconds to the winning time.

            “Every year we’ve been out here we have been able to offer a $1,000 scholarship to one Motlow student.” Said Miller “We love being able to help out students like that.”

            The vehicles participating in this event were extremely varied, ranging from more mundane and common street vehicles like a Mazda Miata or a Ford Fusion to an angry Ford Mustang or a Chevrolet Corvette. Even a purpose-built-for-racing MG Midget was there. Individuals who themselves are petrol-heads are ideal Participants and spectators for this event.

            For more information, visit the Tri-Lakes Sports Car Club page on Facebook.

                                                       https://www.facebook.com/tlscc/

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PAWS Holds Weekly Pet Adoption Fair

By Deah Williams

Motlow Buzz Reporter

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Pet Adoption and Welfare Services of Rutherford County hosted a pet adoption fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 15 at PetSmart in Smyrna, Tennessee, where many animals found a new home.

On Saturday, PAWS sent a trailer to PetSmart for its pet adoption event. The trailer was attached to one of its vehicles, providing air conditioning or heat, electricity and water. The trailer did so even without the vehicle running. This made it easy for pet owners to adopt pets straight from the trailer.

The trailer held four to eight dogs at a time depending on the size of the animals. If the dogs got along, attendants were able to put two to a kennel, making more room for more dogs to get adopted.

“In the past, we would try to go to the Murfreesboro and Smyrna PetSmarts every weekend, but it was difficult as our staff stays very busy,” said Lindsay Frierson, the public relations media specialist at PAWS of Rutherford County. 

The PAWS staff decided that it was best to send animal specialists out every third Saturday to the Smyrna location, and every fourth Saturday to Murfreesboro, to improve their pet adoption efforts.

“It is definitely a major help to the organization in finding homes for these animals,” said Frierson.

Adopting animals from PAWS has no worries behind it.  The animals come spayed or neutered and tested for heartworms and illnesses. The adoption fee varies between each animal, but will not exceed $80. Anyone who is interested in adopting for approval, should allow themselves 30 minutes to an hour to fill out paperwork.

Volunteers get to walk and play with all of the animals.
(Photo by Deah Williams)

Dozens of people visited the trailer in an effort to find new pets. Although not every animal was adopted, a few found new homes. The animal specialists shared stories about the animals and explained their personalities to help better their chances of getting adopted.

Lara, a pit-bull mix, shares her love.
(Photo by Deah Williams)

For more information on the PAWS adoption fairs, visit their Facebook page at PAWS of Rutherford County at www.facebook.com/rutherfordcountypaws. The website lists upcoming events and pet adoption fairs. 

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Pug Festival Draws Canine Lovers to Murfreesboro

     

    By Kalila Loukili

 Motlow Buzz Reporter

               

  MURFREESBORO, Tenn.— The annual “Pug Festival” at the Greenway in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, drew hundreds of people on April 9 for activities including a photo booth, a raffle, costume contest, and a contest for the curliest tail.

A pug is the cutest canine of all, so it makes sense to have a festival dedicated to it. It was the first Pug Festival of many planned for the future. The event, which was free to attend, was hosted by Murfreesboro Pug Lovers, a group that has existed long before the festival.

 “This event was created to help raise awareness within the community about pug fostering and adoption,” said Kimberly Windell, a member of the Pug Lovers group. “But people from out of state started to mention they were coming and booked hotels, so we were happy to hear that it was going to be bigger than we had planned,” said Windell.

 A station manned by the Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue Foundation featured four pugs the group was giving up for adoption or fostering.

 “We have already had two of our pugs adopted, and the turnout is amazing but next year I want it to be bigger and better,” said Windell.

Guests from out of town signed a clipboard that allowed visitors to see who traveled the farthest. The guests who traveled the farthest live in Indiana. They brought along one of the four pugs they own. Their pug named Harley was dressed in a pink jacket with a Harley Davidson Patch.

                Individuals expressed delight as they watched wrinkled faced pugs dressed up in cute costumes. Costumes included cowboys, mermaids, sharks, a geisha, a taco, and many more. The festival featured costume and curliest tail contests.

A pug in costume (photo from Mid-Tennessee Pug Festival Facebook page)

The costume contest was won by two pugs named George and Luna, who were dressed as the couple from the musical “Grease”. The curliest tail contest was won by a pug named Maybel. There was also a photo booth where the pugs and pug owners could snap a photo and have a beautiful memory of their day at the first annual “Pug Festival”. Hearts melted as some of the visitors held or took home new canine companions.

For more information about the Pug Festival, visit www.pugfestival.com.

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'SILAS' Movie Opens At Watkins College In Nashville

By Bradlee Jefferson

Motlow Buzz Reporter

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A local student director debuted the film “SILAS” on the evening of April 9 at Watkins College of Art, Design and Film in Nashville.

            This premiere was the first time “SILAS” was available for public viewing since its completion almost two years ago. Buzz regarding the event traveled around more than one might think as 23 people attended the film’s premiere. Among those who attended were half of the cast, the film’s composer, and the film’s writer, director, producer and lead star, Bralyn Stokes. Stokes and the rest of the cast are all students at Watkins College.

            “SILAS” was the first time Stokes had directed and starred in a movie role, but not his first experience with acting. Stokes had performed in various plays, and even some television roles on HBO before trying his hand at directing his own movie.

            “I have been acting for the better part of nine years now, but at that time I had yet to have much experience in working with movies,” said Stokes.

            When asked about what inspired him to create “SILAS”, Stokes mentioned that he got the idea from a song by Betty Who of the same name.

            “The song is about this girl longing for her love, Silas, to come back for her, and take her away with him,” said Stokes. “So, I wrote the movie as somewhat of a prelude to the song.”

            “SILAS” certainly manages to capture that feeling of longing. The film’s plot revolves around a girl named Mia, played by the beautiful Meg Tackett, who gets involved in a family conflict between Silas, Bralyn Stokes, and his mother, Tamiko Robinson-Steele, throughout a record-hot summer.

            “The cast was so amazing,” said Stokes. “I cannot thank them enough for how wonderful each of them were. In fact, during the scene where Silas’ mother has a breakdown, I sat Tamiko down and told her, ‘Now I know you can get loud. I need you to show some rage. Really yell at this girl,’ and she just blew it out of the water.”

            This was Tackett’s, Robinson-Steele’s, and Dylan Stephens’, who played Mia’s friend Brandon, first acting roles. Each of them did a rather impressive job for their first gigs as actors/actresses.

            The film has yet to be accepted into a film festival, but it will be released online on the film’s Facebook page and YouTube. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/silasfilm and/or https://www.facebook.com/events/579287838914354/

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‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ Opens At Springhouse Theatre

By Anthony Czelusniak

Motlow Buzz Reporter

SMYRNA, Tenn. – Springhouse Theatre in Smyrna opened its production of “Mark Twain Presents the Adventures of Tom Sawyer” on April 8, giving the classic tale a unique twist.

“The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” is the story of a boy from the mid-1800s who found himself in many adventures. Tom skipped school, dug for buried treasure, and even served as the key witness to a murder.

This particular adaptation of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” added the unique perspective of Mark Twain interjecting his thoughts on the tales between each scene. The character Tom Sawyer was based on the childhood of Mark Twain, drawing inspiration from his own experiences and the adventures of boys he grew up with. The presence of Mark Twain as a character to the story gave the classic novel a new angle. 

Jack Gilpin as Mark Twain
(Provided by Kenn Stilger)

“It was a lot of fun trying to match the way Mark Twain would speak,” said Jack Gilpin who played Mark Twain, “The famous Twain wit is hard to match but getting it right was made simple by the excellent volunteers here.”

While Mark Twain wrote the original “Adventures of Tom Sawyer”, playwright Mike Parker adapted it for the stage. Parker moved from Texas to Nashville in 1993. He is no stranger to adapting novels into stage productions. He has written two other successful plays, “Fail-Safe the Stage Play” and “Oscar Wilde’s Dorian Gray”. Parker has a long history in acting on stage as well as being a stage director in many plays.

Springhouse Theatre is local to Smyrna and part of the Springhouse Worship and Arts Center. Opened in 2004, The Theatre provides a professional and open experience to the community. Even though the theatre is operated by a Christian ministry, it is not a requirement to be part of the ministry to audition for the plays hosted there. Volunteers make of a majority of the staff at the theatre, including a board of directors, of which Parker is a member.

               Directed by Ronnie Meek, the cast is comprised of all local talent. William Hearn stars as Tom Sawyer with Jack Forte as Huckleberry Fin and Gilpin as Mark Twain.

                “Working with all local talent is fantastic, and having all these volunteers come out and give something to the community really is special,” Meek said, “I really am proud of what we can accomplish here at the theatre.”

The cast of Mark Twain Presents The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
(Provided by Springhouse Theatre)

 

Tickets can be purchased at www.springhousetheatre.com. The play runs every Friday and Saturday throughout the month of April. Doors open at 7 p.m.

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