Nashville for Free

First of all, I need to make a disclaimer. The photos in this blog are not from Monday night’s show, they are from some other Mercy Lounge show (although the photographed performer is the same). When I went to take the card out of my camera to edit them, it was discovered that there was no card. *gasp* I have a sneaking suspicion my darling husband has it somewhere and just has not told me. Anyway. On to 8 off 8th….

Tyler (above mentioned darling husband) and I got there way a little early because I am anal and I have to be able to sit down in a place where I  want to sit and not just wherever is left. (don’t ask, ok? just go with it.)

We got there while Rock ‘n Roll trivia was still going on. Have any of you guys ever participated in that? I never have, but Tyler and I are going to try and make it to one soon. It seems like a lot of fun and the winners get free booze. I repeat. Free. Booze. We should get a whole N4F team together and come up with an awesome name. Because there are prizes for the best team name, too. Sound like a good idea? Great.

The main attractions for me personally were Jeremy Lister and Gabe Dixon. I’ve been long time fans of both and try to catch them whenever I can. The other performances were entertaining as well.  There was everything from funky rock to peaceful, earthy tunes. Hard to believe we get this all for free every week! If you don’t take advantage of this already, you should. Yeah, you stay out kinda late, but it’s worth sacrificing your old woman/man bedtime. And I am definitely an old woman bedtime kind of person.

This week’s theme was Paul Simon and the acts that performed Paul Simon songs really brought it home. I think hearing other performer’s interpretations of songs is really cool. To hear how other people perceive a song vs. your perception is interesting to me. (I’m not the only one, right?)

The best part of going to these shows is not only being able to hear your favorite local artists, but discovering new favorites as well. There is a lot of talent in Nashville, people. I would encourage you to step outside of your pop CD’s and experience live Nashville music. Lucky for you, there is FREE live Nashville music all the time. Which is why you should check our blog often for events every week!

And don’t forget to come to 8 off 8th Monday, April 12th! Your very own Nashville For Free blog is hosting and it will be beyond fantastic! Come out and say hi!

I had to add this picture of Richie Lister because it is just so cool. Enjoy.

LOCAL COLOR - Road Less Traveled by Brenda Hasty

Just like every first Thursday of every month (unless there’s a crazy snowstorm) it’s time for Art After Hours. From 5-8pm art galleries will be open, serving refreshments while you check out some incredible art. Here are the highlights:

• The Cumberland Gallery (Green Hills) continues its exhibition of new works by Ahren Ahrenholz and collages by John Fraser
• Gallery One (Belle Meade Galleria) celebrates the gallery’s fifth year anniversary showcasing a selection of work by many popular gallery artists, including Rebecca Ruegger, Thomas Monaghan, Jean Hess, and Lorraine Glessner
• LeQuire Gallery (near Sylvan Park) continues Haitian Contemporary Art featuring the artwork of Haitian artists Guidel Presume, Armond Fleurimond, Emales Delis, Telfort, Rosaria, Estevenson, and Metellus.  A second shipment of work has just arrived!  The gallery is donating 75% of sales to the artists and to the NGO (Lambi Fund or Fonkoze)
• Local Color (on Broadway) is featuring new works from local artists Leslie Gilbert and Brenda Hasty
• Zeitgeist (Hillsboro Village) opens Terraform, Harry Gold’s latest body of bronze, steel, and concrete work continuing his exploration of balance/imbalance and human relationships to planet Earth
• Tennessee Art League & Galleries (Downtown) presents dual exhibitions Color Through Time by Nashville artist Noriko Register featuring 23 vibrant works in oil and acrylic, and Shouts and Whispers, works in oil by Nashville artist Stephanie Helmey
• Auld Alliance Gallery (Westgate Center, Hwy 100) offers artist Jennifer Padgett, who will present a painting demonstration and discuss her approach to composition.  Refreshments will be served
• Vanderbilt University Fine Arts Gallery (near Hillsboro Village) celebrates the opening of Vanderbilt’s newly renovated and expanded galleries by presenting Eye & Mind:  A Legacy of Art Collecting at Vanderbilt University, illustrating the breadth and depth of the collection, now in its 53rd year

For more information visit www.ArtAfterHours.net

Click the link below to see a sneak-peek of the art in the galleries

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What: Free Comedy show
When: Monday March 29 at 8:17pm (??)
Where: Vanderbilt’s Sarratt Cinema

Our friend Heather at Vanderbilt told us about this one. It’s a free comedy show featuring Jim Tavare, Finalist from Last Comic Standing and Tom the Barman in Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban. It’s taking place at the Sarratt Cinema, the same place the International Lens movies are shown. It is, of course, FREE. There are also a few little fun things they have going on:

• Free pizza in Sarratt with your ticket before the show
• 3 lucky audience members will get to sit on stage during the performance and try not to laugh to win $50 in Commodore Cash (this can be used for food on campus, anything for students, or anything from the Vanderbilt Bookstore)
• Free Butterbeer before the show (a heartwarming drink from Harry Potter including only cream soda, butterscotch, and butter!)

This is a great event for fans of comedy and Harry Potter. The length is an hour and fifteen minutes, so it won’t interrupt your studying too much.

Check behind the cut for directions to the event along with parking info (something I always have trouble with when trying to go to Vanderbilt events)

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Monday

Rock’n'Roll Trivia at the Mercy Lounge – 6:30pm, 21+
What, you think you know more rock minutia than I do? Well, you’re probably right, but if you really want a challenge then you should hit up this event. It consists of three rounds of questions, two rounds of “name that tune,” and the rock and roll-est of final wagers where you can bet (and possibly lose) it all. The prizes are $50, $25 or $10 to be spent at Mercy Lounge. Plus, everyone gets free parking and beer specials all night. It’s about teams, so grab some friends, yo.

8 off 8th at the Mercy Lounge – 9pm, 21+
This week brings a special special Paul Simon themed 8 off 8th. The site doesn’t say who’s hosting it, but the performers are Steve Lee, Jeremy Lister, Gabe Dixon, What Bird, Audrey Spillman, Harrison Hudson, Daniel Ellsworth, and Sam Ashworth & Matt Slocum. Yeeeaaah!

Belmont Camerata Musicale: A Trio of Trios at the Belmont Mansion – 7:30pm
It’s an evening of music featuring Bruch’s Eight Pieces for Clarinet, Viola and Piano, Op. 8, Jolivet’sPastorale de Noel for Flute, Bassoon and Harp and Beethoven’s Serenade in D Major for Flute, Violin and Viola, Op. 25.

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What: Civil Wars In-Store
Where: Grimey’s New and Preloved Music
When: Friday, March 26, 6pm

Amazingly, this is the third awesome in-store Grimey’s has had this week. They’ve really been giving us the rock, and they deserve a huge gold star for their efforts. You go, Grimey’s!

Anyway, back to the in-store. Here’s what the Grimeys.com has to say about tonight’s band, Civil Wars:

“Civil Wars are an Americana duo comprised of the lovely Joy Williams and fantastic John Paul White (self-described by the way). They recently released their debut EP Poison & Wine, produced by Grammy-winner Charlie Peacock. Both artists are acclaimed singer-songwriters with devoted followings and lately their music has been gracing bigtime TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy. Hey it’s the new radio, right? Their EP has been a consistently strong seller for us here at the Grimey’s so we know their fans are coming. Why don’t you join us?”

If you know me then you know that I have a weakness in my heart for Americana, which is why I’m super excited about this performance (even though I can’t be there because of work). It sounds like this is a pretty great way to start your weekend off right, and I’m sure that there will be free beer, so that’s something. Enjoy the free tunes, and THANK YOU GRIMEY’S!

What: Civil Wars In-Store
Where: Grimey’s New and Preloved Music
When: Friday, March 26, 6pm

Amazingly, this is the third awesome in-store Grimey’s has had this week. They’ve really been giving us the rock, and they deserve a huge gold star for their efforts. You go, Grimey’s!

Anyway, back to the in-store. Here’s what the Grimeys.com has to say about tonight’s band, Civil Wars:

“Civil Wars are an Americana duo comprised of the lovely Joy Williams and fantastic John Paul White (self-described by the way). They recently released their debut EP Poison & Wine, produced by Grammy-winner Charlie Peacock. Both artists are acclaimed singer-songwriters with devoted followings and lately their music has been gracing bigtime TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy. Hey it’s the new radio, right? Their EP has been a consistently strong seller for us here at the Grimey’s so we know their fans are coming. Why don’t you join us?”

If you know me then you know that I have a weakness in my heart for Americana, which is why I’m super excited about this performance (even though I can’t be there because of work). It sounds like this is a pretty great way to start your weekend off right, and I’m sure that there will be free beer, so that’s something. Enjoy the free tunes, and THANK YOU GRIMEY’S!

Trust me, it's funny

What: Wayne White Lecture
Where: Watkins
When: Friday, March 26 at 5:30pm

You might not know his name, but I PROMISE that you’ve seen his work. If you were half-alive you’ve seen either Pee-Wee’s Playhouse (he designed the set), the video for “Tonight, Tonight” by the Smashing Pumpkins, or Peter Gabriel’s video for “Big Time”. He did those, and more. His art has been pretty influential, and guess, what! He’s a local grad, an MTSU alum.

His pop culture connections aren’t the only important thing about him, though. His paintings are freaking awesome. Usually they feature monolithic words situated in a landscape or urban setting. Yes, you’ve seen this used in movies like Zombieland. Like I said, this dude is awesome. If you’re into art (or just really love the Smashing Pumpkins) you don’t want to miss this. I didn’t know I was a fan of this guy until I wrote this article, but man, he rocks.

I included some examples of his work behind the cut, so click it!

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If you win both giveaways you can see them twice.

It may come as no surprise to you that the writers of Nashville for Free might be described as “hipster leaning.” I don’t think that any of us have ever worn leggings instead of pants, but I think we all own several pairs of Ray-Bans (or knockoffs). Also, I lived in Brooklyn for four months and worked at the Beggars Group, so that’s gotta count for something.

I would say the most hipster thing about us is the music we listen to. We loved Garden State for the soundtrack, two of us can claim The National as our hometown heroes, and we love going to indie shows.

If you have similar tastes to us (or if you don’t but just LOVE music) then I have some good giveaways you can enter.

Big Ears Fest

The first one I’m going to mention is over at the Nashville Cream. It’s one of those caption contests that they have, but this time the prize is EPIC. It’s “Inner Ear Weekend Passes,” worth $250 each for Big Ears Fest, which is being held in Knoxville this weekend. Just so you know, the contest ends tomorrow (Thursday) at 3 p.m. so GET ON IT! Performers include Andrew W.K., The Dirty Projectors, jj (apparently a huge yawn at SXSW),Joanna Newsom, Sufjan Stevens, St. Vincent, Vampire Weekend, The xx, and the National.

Vampire Weekend at the Ryman

You might remember that we gave away a Vampire Weekend 7″ awhile back. Well, we’re not in charge of this one, but AEG Live is taking care of youz guyz. You can enter to win tickets to their sold out show at the Ryman on April 5th on Facebook or Twitter. Good luck to you, and I’ll see the lucky winner at the show!

Grimey’s

Grimey’s is always doing giveaways/drawing for free tickets. You can enter at Grimey’s, and you can win tickets to these shows:

• Japandroids – Win a FREE pair of tickets to see Japandroids at The End on March 26 and a prize pack of Japandroids vinyl rarities.
• Tegan & Sara – Win a FREE pair of tickets to see Tegan & Sara at The Ryman on March 31st.
• Robert Earl Keen – Win a FREE pair of tickets to see Robert Earl Keen at The Ryman on April 3rd. Also appearing on the show will be the Randy Rogers Band & Johnny Cooper.
• Vampire Weekend – Win a FREE pair of tickets to see VW at The Ryman on April 5th.
• Allen Toussaint – Win a FREE pair of tickets to see the New Orleans R&B legend at the Belcourt Theatre on April 12th.
• My Morning Jacket + The Preservation Hall Jazz Band – Free pair of tickets + signed poster for 2 lucky winners.

Wow. I already expect to go to at least 3 of those shows.

-Emily

PS, I’m in love with the drummer from Vampire Weekend. Look at him laying on that bench with a pained look on his face. Adorable. I’m totally serious.

So, today brought two free goodies for the world. If you went to Starbucks you might have gotten a free pastry until 10:30am, but if you missed/are missing that then you can roll on down to Ben and Jerry’s to get some free ice cream!

Do iiiitttt!

-Emily

What: screening of Fish Out of Water
Where: Vanderbilt’s SLC Board of Trust Room
When: Tonight, March 22nd, at 7pm

A Fish Out of Water is a critically acclaimed documentary exploring the seven Bible passages most frequently used to condemn homosexuality and justify marriage discrimination. The director’s journey was prompted by her own coming out experience at Vanderbilt. The film blends animation, LGBTQI community interviews, and expert analysis from theologians across the country, rendering this polarizing subject accessible and non-threatening.

Followed by a discussion and reception with Vanderbilt alumna (Class of 2000), producer/director Ky Dickens.

The film is presented as part of Rainbow ReVU, sponsored by Lambda Association.