Urban & Upwardly Mobile
Live entertainment lover, carrier of briefcase, wearer of scarves... or maybe that’s just the way he sees himself. Perfect gifts for this man include uptown attire and admission to cool places to see and be seen.
Seraphin Tortoise Eyeglasses
LUTTRELL'S EYEWEAR 5030 Kingston Pike, 588-4052, luttrellseyewear.com
If your guy can get on board with what the eyewear professionals at Luttrell’s Eyewear refer to as the “retro schoolboy look,” try a pair of glasses framed with a combination of metal and tortoise shell. This modern variation of the classic “Malcom X” frame is appropriate for both actual hipster students and professional suit-and-tie types. Luttrell’s offers a variety of frames in tortoise shell patterns, ranging from light “blond” shades to darker ones ($300).
Audio Books on CD
MCKAY USED BOOKS 230 Papermill Place Way, 588-0331, mckaybooks.com
Whether he’s constantly on the (real) treadmill or a commuter or frequent flier, a guy will really enjoy some books on CD, and at McKay prices you can afford to buy instead of renting. Lots of self-help and financial, but why not remind him to relax once in a while by making it a Grisham novel or a whodunit—and dig up his CD player and earbuds while you’re at it.
Tickets to Knoxville Opera's Lucia di Lammermoor
THE KNOXVILLE OPERA 612 E. Depot Ave., 524-0795, knoxvilleopera.com
He doesn’t have the chance to be a knight in shining armor on a regular basis (besides that time he mistakenly thought that your tires needed to be changed), so give him the chance to be a hero this holiday season by escorting you to the opera with tickets to Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. He can provide a shoulder for you to lean on during the passionate murder scenes, and show off his sophisticated command of Italian (with sub-titles!) at the same time. Performed at The Tennessee Theatre, $15-$88 per adult depending on showtime and seat location, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 14 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets to Comedian Pat Godwin's at Side Splitters
SIDE SPLITTERS COMEDY CLUB 9246 Park West Blvd., 924-5233, sidesplitterscomedy.com
There are only so many nights an urban guy can spend sprawled on the deco chairs listening to classical music, so why not give your guy an opportunity for public belly-laughing? Tickets to see stand-up comedian Pat Godwin might be just the thing. He has been featured on The Tonight Show as well as HBO, and his show runs Jan. 7-10 at Side Splitters Comedy Club ($4-$8 depending on showtime). Or, if you’re unsure of Mr. Cool’s comedic tastes, gift certificates are available as well.
Tickets to A Christmas Carol
CLARENCE BROWN THEATRE 206 McClung Tower, University of Tennessee, 974-5161, theatre.utk.edu
While the new Disney movie version, starring Jim Carrey, might be appealing to the kids, the original A Christmas Carol, performed at the Clarence Brown Theatre, does not require 3-D glasses and won’t inspire images of The Mask every time Ebenezer steps onstage. This full-scale University of Tennessee production features a beautifully constructed set and stars theater standouts from across the nation. The classic script, paired with holiday-inspired songs, will surely let your guy relax that frantic business pace and put him in the Christmas spirit. Wednesday-Sunday performances through Dec. 20 ($20-$33 per adult, depending on the performance night; senior, student discounts).
Dinner at the S&W Grand
S&W GRAND 516 S. Gay St., 566-9800, swgrand.com
It’s posh and sleek and has nostalgia value—your urban guy’s gonna love that! Opened on Gay Street just a few months ago after a 28-year hiatus, the S&W Grand’s architecture is true to its Art Deco roots, and the menu pays homage to the original while incorporating a city kick. Oysters Rockafella, Beef Stroganoff, Crab Imperial, served in a sweeping setting (even the staircase is grand) where you can city-people watch. Enjoy, make memories.
