Nashville for Free

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Monday

8 off 8th at the Mercy Lounge – 9pm

It’s Ashley Spurgeon and Caligula’s birthday, so The Mercy Lounge is gonna get DOWN. Here’s the lineup: The Minor Keys (funky soul jams), Electric Mayhem (Matt Friction from Pink Spiders, Dave Paulson from The Privates, and an all-star backing group play hits from The Muppets), Twee’s Nuts (Music Journalist, DJ and former Young Livers singer Sean Maloney returns to the stage — with what? we have no idea), Powerbrrrd (formerly known as Shit Sandwich, noisy East Bay-style 90′s style punk feat. members of Tigers Con Queso and The Armed Forces) Denney and the Jets (members of Meemaw AND Jeff), Daniel Pujole and Some Beaus (former Meemaw frontman goes solo) Max and the Wild Things (reezy Jonathan Richman-with-a-banjo approach to rock, known to us at Nashville for Free as the guys who tried to convince us that KOL was playing the other week, but we still love them), and Gunslinger (proggy classic rock on the jammy tip)

Tuesday

Bows and Arrows in-store at Grimey’s – 6pm

Bows and Arrows is one of the most talked about reverb-soaked indie-pop outfits in Nashville. They’ve opened for Au Revoir Simone and the Brunnettes, and on Tuesday at Grimey’s they’re releasing their new EP – The Perils of The Polkadotapotamus, which is free at this instore, by the way. Suh-weet!

Catlin Rose plays the early show at The Basement – 7pm

I’m pretty sure that Lance is in love with Ms. Rose, and for good reason: she’s pretty friggin awesome. You should go check her out then stick around afterwards for New Faces Nite, which will feature Technology VS Horse, Edgehill Ave, Englishman, What Bird, Brandon McGuinness and Aaron Cox.

Wednesday

International Lens Series Presents The Visitor at the Sarratt Cinema on Vanderbilt’s campus – 7pm

Vanderbilt did this last year too, and while I unfortunately never got around to going to one I think it sounds great. I don’t really want to get into a whole synopsis of the movie, so I’ll just point you to the ILS website: International Lens Series

Tunesmithing on Music Row at Edgehill Studio Cafe – 7-9pm
They say it so well on Now Playing Nashville, so I’ll just have to quote them there:

Tunesmithing on Music Row will spotlight hit and emerging songwriters on Thursday, September 3 at the Edgehill Studios Cafe. The songwriting celebration will feature a closing performance by the acclaimed country group The Alvarado Road Show. Also performing will be songwriters Brittany Hamilton, Jeff Jacob and Angel Pontier. Chuck Whiting and Kimberly Maiers Shaw will emcee the show.

Thursday

NAAD Presents Art After Hours – 5-8

It’s the first Thursday of the month, which means that a bunch of the art galleries are going to be open late, handing out wine and cheese and whatnot. Click here for a map of participating galleries.

International Lens Series presents Planet B-Boy – 7pm

I’ve already posted the link for the ILS above, but I just thought I’d let you know that if you stick around after this film (about New York street dancers) you can catch a Hip Hop Dance Demo! If you go I expect to see pictures.

Shakespeare in the Park presents The Complete Works of Shakespeare – 6:30 pre-show, 7:30 curtains.

I promise that this night will not be as long as it sounds. Lance wrote about this in an earlier post, but the Complete Works of Shakespeare isn’t actually his complete works, and it wasn’t written by him. In 90 the actors will attempt to briefly cover all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays. It sounds hysterical.
Friday

Team Green Full Moon Hike at Edwin Warner Park Pavillion #9 – 7:30

Better enjoy this while it’s still warm enough to hike at night. It actually sounds really cool to me, but I just like full moons.

Shakespeare in the Park is tonight, as well.

Saturday

Shakespeare Allowed presents Romeo & Juliet at the Downtown Public Library – 1-4pm

I’ve talked about this before, so some of you probably know what this is about, but Nashville Shakespeare Company does this every first Saturday. They’re working through the entire Shakespeare catalog, reading through every play as a group. Come if you want to impress everyone with your reading ability or if you just want to listen. Everyone is welcome!

First Saturday Art Crawl – 6-10pm

This is a lot like the Thursday Art Crawl except it’s Saturday so you don’t have to go to work the next morning, so you can stay out longer, enjoy more art, and drink more wine (but please, not too much, don’t be that asshole who got drunk off the free wine at the art crawl. Lame). Also, there’s a shuttle, the route of which you can view here.

For those of you who like to plan ahead, here are the weekly highlights…brought to you by someone who recently failed to get into a free Girl Talk show.

Monday

8 off 8th at the Mercy Lounge – 9pm

No special surprise guests this time, just clean, honest fun. This week it is hosted by Daniel Tashian & BMI and sponsored by BMI & Yuengling. The lineup is Space Capone, Madi Diaz, Jeremy Lister, The Silver Seas, Team Illuminati, Andrew Belle, The Jane Shermans, and The Rustlanders. If it’s like last week the Yuengling will be $2.50 and they might run out.

Home Buyer’s Seminar at Green Hills Public Library – 6pm

I know that this isn’t entertainment, but a lot of people are looking to buy homes and just don’t know what they should be doing. This seminar will teach you what you need to know about buying a house, and it’s free. For more information, to request a flyer, or to register, call The Anderson Group, Keller Williams Realty Green Hills, at (615) 425-3952.

Tuesday

MBM Writer’s Round at Edgehill Studio Cafe – 6pm

I don’t know what MBM stands for, and I don’t know who’s playing, but I love writer’s rounds and Edgehill Studio Cafe (and the boys from Obilo who work there, but don’t tell them that)

Micah Tawlks and New Faces Nite at the Basement – 7pm
Another two free Tuesday shows at the Basement. I can’t really tell you a lot about Micah other than he goes on at 7pm because my current internet connection apparently thinks that myspace is porn, but the lineup for New Faces Nite is Eric McFadden, Tarlatans, American Aquarium, Jacob Jeffries, Tawny Ellis, Patrick Maybury and Samuel Alexader and starts at 8pm.

David Mead in-store at Grimey’s – 6pm

I love David Mead. I’ve seen him several times over the past year, mostly with Matthew Ryan (I think that he gave me an open pack of licorice Altoids, which were pretty disgusting). He can be the wonderful sensitive singer/songwriter, but I’ve also heard some of his children’s songs, which are pretty much awesome. If you have a chance go see this in-store. I highly recommend it.

Wednesday

Jessica Hopper reads from Girls Guide To Rocking plus Katie Stelmanis Performance at Grimeys – 6pm

I’m just gonna quote the Grimey’s website on this one, because they know best:

Music writer / music lover Jessica Hopper is swinging through the South, promoting her new book The Girls Guide to Rocking and she’s making a stop at Grimey’s. Perhaps best known for her essay “Emo: Where the Girls Aren’t”, Jessica’s involvement in music is not limited to gender based critiques. She has worked as a tour manager, DJ, bassist, publicist, publisher and the music consultant for Public Radio International’s This American Life. Join us Wednesday, August 26th as Jessica reads passages from her new book and fields questions about girly rock and rocking girls. Pal Katie Stelmanis and her band are joining Jessica out on the road. She’ll be serving up some killer pop music for us that afternoon. Bring your friends, your roommates and your little sister

Also, she’s the music coordinator for This American Life, which is one of my favorite radio programs.

Thursday

Shakespeare in the Park presents The Complete Works of Shakespeare – 6:30 pre-show, 7:30 curtains.

I promise that this night will not be as long as it sounds. Lance wrote about this in an earlier post, but the Complete Works of Shakespeare isn’t actually his complete works, and it wasn’t written by him. In 90 the actors will attempt to briefly cover all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays. It sounds hysterical.

Friday

On the BLVD at Belmont University – all night long, awww yeah

Come on down to our side of the BLVD and see the best music Belmont has to offer. Acts include my good friends Dan Milliken and Lindley Wolfgram along with Future, Kopecky Family Band, Neon Rain, the Westbound Rangers (who are totally awesome), and more. I’m pretty sure we’ll have more on this event later this week, so be sure to look for it.

Hatch Show Print Workshop Exhibition at Watkins College of Art, Design & Film in the Brownlee O. Currey, Jr. Gallery – 6-9pm

From the site:

This August ten upper level Graphic Design students from Watkins participated in a Workshop at Hatch Show Print. This workshop has become an annual tradition here at Watkins and a valued way to continue the relationship between two valuable Nashville institutions – Watkins and Hatch Show Print were once neighbors on Church Street in downtown Nashville.

Saturday

Ugly Tomato Festival at Nashville Farmers’ Market – 11am

Good lord, Nashville loves tomatoes like no other city on Earth! Come on down for a huge tomato tasting (as in a lot of different tomatoes, not just one big one), music, and cooking demos. I wonder how hard it is to make ketchup (asked by the girl who wants to learn how to make her own pickles).

Don't they look like a happy family?

Everyone knows that being in college allows you some perks. Waving that college ID gets you a discount at movies, some restaurants, and on Sunday, August 23rd, a 10% discount at Urban Outfitters. Now, if you’re anything like me you think that Urban has some cool clothes, but it’s mostly unfordable. 10% off could mean the difference between “no way can I afford that” and “hmmm, that’s sort of reasonable.”

Sunday is also a day of free music at Urban Outfitters. The Kopecky Family Band is one of Belmont University’s favorite bands, and for a reason: they’re really good. They’re a mix of folk and indie rock with a violin and a cello, and you’ll be surprised at how much you like it. You might hate how much you like it but damnit, you’re going to like it. If I haven’t exactly sold you on buying their record it probably has more to do with the fact that I’m not the world’s greatest music critic and less to do with how much the Kopecky Family Band brings it live.

Bottom line: the in-store is free, it starts at 4pm, and it’s gonna be awesome.

-Emily

Edit from Lance: If you leave your hipster ID card at home and miss Kopecky Family Band when they play Sunday, you can see them next Saturday, August 28 when they play a short set during On the Blvd on Belmont’s campus. More on that next week.

As some of you may remember, Flora Shakespeare is our Artist of the Week, and they’re playing a free in-store/EP release party at Grimeys this Saturday at 5pm. Michelle wrote all about it earlier this week, but I thought I’d try to bring you a little more.

This is your chance to start following a cool band at the beginning of their career. They only boast 90 something fans on MySpace, their song listens are only in the 60s, but make no mistake, they’re GOOD.

I’m not much of a music critic, but I know what I like, and I really like their sound. Their sound is very retro, and it reminds me of the 1960s channel on Sirius Radio. Their song “Out of Our Hands” bounces along cheerfully, building momentum until it ends rather suddenly. Their songs sound familiar and warm, and I’m sure they’ll have a great performance

Oh, did I mention that there will be free food, free beer, AND you’ll get the Flora Shakespeare EP for free? Did I also mention that they were produced by Joel J. Dahl from De Novo Dahl?

No? Well, there you go. They perform at Grimeys this Saturday at 5:00pm

-Emily

This is how excited I feel

Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the new Nashville for Free blog! We finally got rid of the .wordpress and have completely redesigned. There are a few cool new features such as the “Share This” button at the end of every post, which makes it east to, as the name implies, share our posts!

We hope you enjoy the new blog. Let us know what you think by leaving us a comment. Are we awesome, are we missing something, do you know of this totally awesome plugin that would make the blog totally epic? Let us know!

-Emily

This Thursday is full of cool events. I already wrote about Downtown Neighbors and Local Flavors, but if that didn’t interest you or you couldn’t get your RSVP then you’ll want to check out this event.

Every third Thursday of the month the cute, hip area located at the corner of Edgehill and Villa host a cool event. Last month there was a barista throwdown, and this month brings us A Midsummer Night at the Movies: an evening of free movies, music, and mojitos.

The event runs from 5-8pm, and, if it’s anything like last month’s event, the art galleries will be open late, there will be free wine, beer, and snacks, and you should probably avoid any fajitas that look like they may have been sitting out for awhile (unless you want whatever sickness I had for a week after I ate some)

I have no idea what movies will be shown, or where they’ll be shown, but I’m sure it’ll be a lot of fun. You’re sure to fall in love with Edgehill Village and meet some cool people.

There is plenty of (probably) free parking in a lot by the bakery. Street parking is also an option.

Check out the Edgehill Village website HERE

Let’s look at the clues…

@SimonKerr Wish we could. They’ve specifically asked us not to. It may be a contractual thing w/ All Tomorrow’s Parties: http://bit.ly/vCsiK

Today’s clue about tomorrow’s secret NINTHoff8th: They expect the entire club ends to be full of boys who love the Kings of Leon.

Today’s clue for the secret NINTHoff8th for Monday: They have a mascot who starred in a 1990 John Goodman movie where he was an exterminator

Secret band playing Monday’s 9off8th had either Kings of Leon’s drummer OR Merlin the Magician as the drummer at their 1st show

He/she/they will perform at next month’s All Tomorrow’s Parties

The secret, out-of-town band, flying in for Monday’s NINE off 8th, is very popular with boys and has had over 7 bassists

He/she/they hate Kings of Leon but love to make you dance.

FINAL CLUE about secret NINTH off 8th: This band hates Smyrna with all its guts. Kings of Leon are from Smyrna. ‘Nuff said.

KINGS OF LEON ARE NOT PLAYING AT MERCY LOUNGE TONIGHT. Damn interwebs! Go through our previous tweets for correct info.

4 all saying it’s a hoax: there really is an unannounced, out-of-town band flying in 2 play a FREE 12am show 2nite. Plane just touched down

My wild guess is going to be Animal Collective…what do you guys think?

Okay, I’m convinced it’s going to be KOL. Expect crowds. Big crowds.

Mercy Lounge says it’s not Kings of Leon, but maybe it’s one of them…I have no idea.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Arthur visits Storytime at the Barnes & Noble in Cool Springs at 11am http://snipr.com/qdidg

John Thompson reads and signs Armageddon Conspiracy @daviskiddbooks at 7pm. http://snipr.com/qdifw

Dave Pahanish (hit: “So Do You Believe Me Now”) with Don Gallardo at the Music City Bar at 9pm http://snipr.com/qdije

NINE off 8 at @mercylounge tonight. Feat Delta Saints, Moon Taxi, and 6 other Nashville bands + one surprise. Anyone know who it is? 9pm 21+

I love weekly highlights.

Here’s the list of the sweetest events this week that I know about. Leave a comment, let us know what you’re doing, tell me what I’ve missed.

(more…)

Mandy Morgan from TPAC sent me an email about this event, and it sounds amazing. The flyer image pretty much says it all, but just in case you want to know a little more about it, here’s what Mandy told me in the email…

Please join us for the 4^th Annual Downtown Neighbors and Local Flavors event on Thursday, August 20, 2009. The event is held in the main lobby (of Andrew Jackson Hall) from 5:30-7:30 p.m.  This event is always a wonderful opportunity to mingle and sample food, drink and other goodies from our Downtown Neighbors.

Like the flyer says, email localflavors@tpac.org to RSVP. It sounds like a pretty killer event.