Teed Up for an American Week

Good afternoon, everyone.

Tonight, we’re kicking off a week of activities around the Bitcoin Conference. This evening, we’re hosting Erik Prince in conjunction with IM–1776; tomorrow, we’re doing a reading of Ryan Lucas Henderson’s new book at Elder’s Bookstore at noon (review of the book below); and Friday evening, Joe Allen, editor at Steve Bannon’s War Room, will join us to talk about artificial intelligence and the looming specter of transhumanism.

Additionally, the Bitcoin Conference kicks off this weekend. If you use code PAMPHLETEER at checkout, you can get 25% off your ticket. Here’s a quick list of interesting speakers and the times they are talking.

Friday, 7/26

• Bill Hagerty @ 9:10 a.m. (Nakamoto Stage)
• Michael Saylor @ 2 p.m. (Nakamoto Stage)
• Cathie Wood @ 2:30 p.m. (Nakamoto Stage)
• Tulsi Gabbard @ 3 p.m. (Nakamoto Stage)
• Edward Snowden @ 3:30 p.m.  (Nakamoto Stage)
• RFK Jr. @ 4 p.m.  (Nakamoto Stage)
• Russell Brand @ 4:30 p.m. (Nakamoto Stage)

Saturday, 7/27

• Donald Trump @ 2 p.m. (Nakamoto Stage)
• Marsha Blackburn @ 2:35 p.m. (Nakamoto Stage)

Aside from the reading tomorrow afternoon and the conference, all of these events are sold out. However, if you’re still interested in attending at this late hour, reply to this email, plead your case, and I’ll see what I can do. No promises. 

Onward.

💫 Dazed And (Still) Confused On Monday, Chairman Mark Green and eleven of his fellow  House Homeland Security Committee members set off for Butler, Pennsylvania. Upon the group’s return, Green posted that July 13th’s events were caused by “a huge failure in planning and preparation that spilled over into the execution of this mission.” 

Last Friday, the congressman, who oversaw the impeachment of homeland security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, subpoenaed him for documents and information regarding “failed security efforts” during Trump’s Butler rally. “After over a week of investigations, DHS stonewalling, and Director Cheatle’s refusal to testify before our Committee, the American people and Congress have more questions than answers,” Green told the press on Monday, while announcing that his committee would be holding a hearing this Tuesday. 

During the hearing, Chairman Green threw back what appeared to be a much-needed energy drink after chastising Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray, US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, and other federal officials for failing to appear before the Homeland Security committee. Instead, members only heard from Colonel Christopher Paris, who serves as commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, and the president of the Fraternal Order of Police, Patrick Yoes.

In their opening statements, both Paris and Yoes thanked the committee for investigating the incident before pledging their full cooperation. To the approval of several committee members, Yoes raised the issue of the voice and data communication failures that plague local law enforcement when collaborating with outside agencies. “Law enforcement agencies provide valuable community insight that can be crucial in identifying potential risk and issues,” he told the committee. “Local law enforcement should be part of the command post and communication center to facilitate real-time information sharing and rapid response to emerging situations.” 

The body held a question and answer session with both officials that can be watched here.

📚 Back To School For Tennesseans, Christmas in July commences this weekend with the state’s unofficial sales tax holiday. Friday through Sunday, the state is suspending taxes on all back-to-school essentials. In addition to a discount on clothing and school supplies under $100, the tax break also applies to computers under $1,500. 

Meanwhile, the Nashville Fire Department's BLAZE Mentoring Program is holding a giveaway for Davidson County students this Friday. Families are invited to celebrate the start of the new school year at the firehouse while snacking on Chick-Fil-A and picking out a free backpack filled with school supplies between 3 and 5 p.m. MEGAN PODSIEDLIK

DEVELOPMENT

• New restaurant Fancypants balances serious technique with playful attitude (NBJ)
• They're asking $15M for this former strip club parking lot (NBJ)
• Start set for $211M downtown tower (Post)
• October finish slated for Bridgestone Arena update (Post)

✹ REVIEW: WEST FROM THE FALLEN WALL

Join us tomorrow afternoon for a reading and signing party of the book. RSVP here.

West from the Fallen Wall, Short Stories from the Pax Americana in Europe, is an impressive debut. Author Ryan Henderson’s unembellished yet resonant prose reminds the reader a bit of Hemingway. A photographer by training, Ryan manages to translate his skill in visual media into vividly descriptive narrative.

Fiction allows writers to explore themes that they may not even fully grasp themselves, questions that we sometimes cannot form without the medium of story. Many questions come to mind while reading this book. What is the true purpose of America’s continued military presence in Europe in the 21st century? What is the cost America pays to maintain this watch on the Rhine now eight decades on from the end of World War Two? There isn’t any answer in these stories, this is not a didactic work, but Ryan leaves his readers with plenty to chew on.

THINGS TO DO

View our calendar for the week here and our weekly film rundown here.

📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.

🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.

👨🏻‍🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide and yearly festival guide.

TONIGHT

🇺🇸 American Empire: An Evening with Erik Prince @ 6:30p, Info
+ ​co-hosted by The Pamphleteer

🧙 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in Concert @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 7:30p, $64+, Info

✨ Small Black @ The Basement East, 8p, $26.71, Info

🪕 The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys @ Station Inn, 8p, $20, Info

🪕 Bluegrass Night @ The American Legion Post 82, 7p, Free, Info