Weekly Highlights (again? already?)

Monday

8 off 8^th at the Mercy Lounge – 9pm

This week’s 8 of 8th is hosted by Smiles Tea, and has some people we don’t see very often at 8 off 8th (I’ve heard complaining). Prepare to see Cramer and Hajacos, Vermicious K’Nids, Happy Birthday Amy, Adam and The Couch Potatoes, Jenny Wood, Gunslinger, Amerigo, and This Is Art.

The WannaBeatles at Sambuca – 7pm
The WannaBeatles aren’t just another Beatles cover band, they’re Nashville’s finest Beatles cover band, and they’re playing at Sambuca tonight. Come and check them out, and convince some fancy man to buy you a drink at the bar (it can’t be that hard, right?). Anyway, if you like the Beatles this is something you sort of need to go to.

Tuesday

Lindley Wolfgram and the Iowa Boys at Cafe Coco – 9-11pm

Do you want to hear one of the best, most unique singers in Nashville? She also has some really cute boys backing her. Lindley is great, and is totally worth checking out tonight at Cafe Coco for free. You can check her our at her Myspace or on Last.fm (oh wait, who’s her most similar artist? Me? Wow, what’d'ya know!). Go, I tell you, go! Also, Lindley is a good friend of mine, but I’d go see her even if she wasn’t. Cafe Coco has decided to suspend all live shows that aren’t open mics.

A.A. Bondy in-store at Grimey’s – 6pm

Come on down to Grimey’s and catch super-awesome folkie A. A. Bondy before his show at Mercy Lounge with the super fancy and fantastic Elvis Perkins. Expect awesomeness and free beer.

Leonids Meteor Shower Viewing with Team Green at Loveless Café – 7pm until whenever you feel like you’ve seen enough meteors

Hey, did you guys know that tonight there is going to be a sweet meteor shower? Well there is, and you can watch it away from the moderate light pollution of downtown Nashville! Team Green and the Loveless Café are getting together to watch the awesomeness that is the meteor shower. Well, I’m not sure where exactly Team Green is meeting, but I’m sure that the view is great around Loveless Café (I’d say splurge and get some biscuits too). Meteor showers are always free.

Rock Band Creator Eran Egozy lecture at Vanderbilt’s Student Life Center – 4:30pm

He’s speaking as part of the Curb Creative Leadership Series. It’s a public lecture, so even if you’re not a “Vandy,” feel free to drop by and enjoy a lecture by the creator of a ridiculously addictive game.

International Film Series Presents Gate of Flesh (Nikutai no mon) at Vanderbilt’s Sarratt Cinema – 7pm

Set immediately after WWII, this film explores the desperate lengths a devastated community must go to in order to survive. A group of prostitutes live and work in the basement of a bombed-out building in Tokyo, governing themselves with a strict code of conduct. The women’s solidarity breaks down when they shelter a wounded man as each woman claims him for herself. Originally intended as a gritty erotic tale, Suzuki uses his wartime experiences to depict the depths to which post-war urban centers fell.

Wednesday

Hip Hop Night with E.T. at Café Coco – 11pm

Because we all know how Lance loves his hip-hop. Also, I’ve been told that there may very well be breakdancing (people still do that?)

Mickey Avalon Pre-Party with D. Ryan at the 12^th and Porter Lounge – 7:30pm

I don’t know who Mickey Avalon is, but if he’s important enough to have a pre-party then I’m willing to take advantage of the fact that it’s free.

Dan Hodges Publishing Night at The Listening Room Café – 6pm

Dan Hodges Music presents Jim Peterik (“Eye Of The Tiger” for Survivor, “Hold On Loosely” for 38 Special), Brett James (“Jesus Take The Wheel” for Carrie Underwood, “Out Last Night” for Kenny Chesney, “Summer Nights” for Rascal Flatts), and Doug Johnson (“Three Wooden Crosses” for Randy Travis, “Sara Beth (Skin)” for Rascal Flatts, “Last Shot Fired” for Trace Adkins). Also, there’s no food or drink minimum at the Listening Room anymore so it now has the N4F stamp of approval, which looks a lot like a picture of Michelle and I giving something the thumbs up.

Thursday

Urinetown at Belmont’s Massy Performing Arts Center – 7:30pm

Urinetown is a very popular music, and though I’ve never seen it I’ve heard it’s great. It’s being performed by some of Belmont’s talented students, and it’s free and open to the public (you). If you can’t catch it on Thursday it will also be performed on Friday at 7:30pm, and Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Don’t hate it because it’s Belmont, love it because it’s free.

International Lens presents Tokyo Drifter (NOT Tokyo DRIFT) at Vanderbilt’s Sarratt Cinema – 7pm

In this free-jazz gangster film, reformed killer “Phoenix” Tetsu drifts around Japan, awaiting his own execution, until he’s called back to Tokyo to help battle a rival gang by his boss, who is trying to give up his life of crime. But both men have a hard time sticking to a virtuous path when associates are blackmailed, loves threatened, and deceit and treachery abound. Suzuki’s aestheticised violence, visual gags and mind-warping color effects got him in trouble with his studio heads, who had ordered him to “play it straight this time.”

Friday

Art Exhibit Opening Reception for Mandy Stoller, Now in 3D at Watkins College – 6-9pm

Yeah yeah yeah, this is a senior art reception, and no, I don’t know Mandy nor have I ever seen her art, but who knows, she could be the next big thing in the art world, and if she is you could say that you went to this and then you’d sound super cultured and whatnot. Also, art gallery receptions are always a lot of fun, even at Belmont, which is saying a lot. Watkins has to have cooler receptions (sorry Belmont, but I’ve had enough chips and dip and cheese squares for the rest of my life).

Decland McGarry Showcase at 12^th and Porter – 6pm

I don’t know who this guy is, but he was the only free show I could find for today, so it sounds like a winner to me.

Saturday

Model Railroading for Beginners at Clement Railroad Hotel Museum (Dickson, TN) – 11am

I personally love model railroads, don’t you? Did you ever have one of those whistles that sounded like a train when you were little? Yeah, this event is for us. Yes it is.

Say it So They Listen: a lecture on setting yourself apart from your competition at Nashville State CC – 9:30am

Learn “The Power of Connection” from renowned speaker and former CNN Producer Schatzie Brunner. She’ll give you 5 steps to help you set yourself apart from your competition. Learn how to “lead discussions with confidence and composure” (yes, it’s a slow Saturday, thanks for asking).

ReLeafing Nashville Day with Team Green – 8:30am

Help the world out by planting some trees with Team Green. Sign up here