The face of Knoxville nightlife evolves this month, as ownership of some long established clubs change hands.

Both Kurt’s, 4928 Homberg Drive, and Club XYZ, 1215 North Central Avenue, are seeing a change in ownership.     

The new owners say that each club will remain part of the rainbow community, and each club plans to expand their entertainment venues to spotlight performing artists within the GLBT community.

Becky Varner and Tracy Smith, the new owners of Kurt’s, said they both fell in love with the atmosphere at Kurt’s from the first moment they walked through its doors. Varner said she was impressed by the warm ‘welcome home’ attitude that permeates the establishment and lovingly described it as “Cheers for Queers.”

Varner stated emphatically that Kurt’s will remain a hub of the rainbow community and will offer its stage to many upcoming performers through Karaoke nights and theme parties. Plans are already in the works for a pirate party in September as celebration of the transfer of ownership. 

Over at Club XYZ, Richard Cameron (a.k.a. Raz, The Clown Queen of K-Town) and Tracie Kauffman intend to maintain the star studded and upbeat venue that has set the standard for comedic entertainment in Knoxville’s GLBT community. 

Club XYZ, which includes soft pastel lights and comfortable seating in a casual and relaxed attitude, has strategically placed multi-media big screen TVs. All of this makes for one to say that there is not a bad seat in the house. 

Although I did not have the pleasure of meeting John Fail, the former owner of Club XYZ, or Kurt, the former owner of Kurt’s, I would like to wish them both the very best in all their future endeavors. I would also like to thank both Kurt and John for their past service to our community. It is an undeniable fact that endless tomorrows are always and can only be built upon the stones and bones of countless yesterdays. We always owe the freedoms we enjoy this day to the freedom fighters that have walked the path before us.