Nashville for Free

Monday

Rock’n’Roll Trivia at the Mercy Lounge – 6:30pm
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. And to celebrate the release of the new Black Keys album on May 18, they’ll have a couple copies of “Brothers” on Cd & LP to give away as special prizes!

Road to Bonnaroo 8 off 8th at the Mercy Lounge – 9pm
Which awesome Nashville band will make it to Bonnaroo? You and a couple of local judges will decide. This week’s performers are Heartbeater, My Tyger, Pico vs. Island Trees, Cheer Up Charlie Daniels, Delta Saints, Space Capone, And the Relatives, and Deep Fried Five. Bonnarooooo!

American Idol Star Melinda Doolittle discusses and signs Beyond Me: Finding Your Way to Life’s Next Level at Davis-Kidd Books – 7pm
Remember her? Me too! She has a book now, and from what I’ve gathered it’s pretty much about how being a good person can make you happy. Yep, that sounds about right.

Groove on the Coal Train Railroad at the Green Hills Public Library – 10:30am
Coal Train Railroad is a collection of jazz songs created just for kids.  Written from a child’s perspective and covering important topics such as bellybuttons, juice, sharing and snuggling, the songs are inspiring kids all over the world to dance, play and use their voices to riff along with the musicians.

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I don’t really write a lot about family friendly events because I’ve always just assumed that people with young children aren’t really a part of my audience, what with my foul mouthed bloggers and all, but I decided to start. Tell all your hip young parent friends (12 South, I’m talking to you!).

I wanted to tell you about The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring‘s Free Day in May, which is this Saturday, May 15th. According to the Discovery Center’s mission statement they are a “hands-on museum and nature center dedicated to inspiring and educating children and strengthening families through creative play.” I went to a place like this (though it was quite a bit more pumped up) and I loved it. It’s a cliche to say that something makes learning fun, but you can’t deny that it’s more fun to actually do things hands-on rather than sit in a classroom and learn about them. I mean, that’s just how about 98% of children learn best. I made that statistic up.

In addition to all of their exhibits being open, John Balch will be there playing “clawhammer-styled” banjo, quilt square necklace making with Karin Bailey-Earith, and special birding activities celebrating Bird Migratory Day (this one is only until noon).

The free day will go from 10am-4pm. It sounds like a great thing to do with your kids on a Saturday morning. Hell, it beats sitting inside watching Veggie Tales for four hours.

Alright, so, this is the most exciting event I’ve written about in awhile. Super awesome buzztastic Pitchfork favs HARLEM are coming to Nashville to play a free show for YOU! They’ll be at Grimey’s before their show at The End later that night doin’ their rock thing for free.

If you guy’s don’t know Harlem then that’s okay! Let me tell you a little about them. They’re a 3-piece band from Austin. They have a fantastic Twitter account and their newest album (and first for Matador Records) is called “Hippies” and is one of my favorite records of the year. It got something like an 8.1 on Pitchfork, if Pitchfork reviews are important to you. I’m bad at comparing them to other bands, but they’re dirty garage rock and if you like good music you might like them.

See, I’m bad at this whole reviewing music thing.

If that little description wasn’t enough to get your body down to Grimey’s Thursday, then this might. The boys in Harlem heard about all the recent troubles we’ve been having, and they wanted to help us out (or help us help ourselves), so they’ll be accepting donations of all kinds at Grimey’s. Bring whatever you have left over, money, food, clothes, anything.

You can RSVP to the event on Facebook, which I recommend doing if for no other reason than to remind you that you’re supposed to go see Harlem at Grimey’s because it’s going to be completely bad ass.

This will take place at 6pm on Thursday May 13th. If you dig the in-store then head on down to The End later that night.

Alright, so, this is the most exciting event I’ve written about in awhile. Super awesome buzztastic Pitchfork favs HARLEM are coming to Nashville to play a free show for YOU! They’ll be at Grimey’s before their show at The End later that night doin’ their rock thing for free.

If you guy’s don’t know Harlem then that’s okay! Let me tell you a little about them. They’re a 3-piece band from Austin. They have a fantastic Twitter account and their newest album (and first for Matador Records) is called “Hippies” and is one of my favorite records of the year. It got something like an 8.1 on Pitchfork, if Pitchfork reviews are important to you. I’m bad at comparing them to other bands, but they’re dirty garage rock and if you like good music you might like them.

See, I’m bad at this whole reviewing music thing.

If that little description wasn’t enough to get your body down to Grimey’s Thursday, then this might. The boys in Harlem heard about all the recent troubles we’ve been having, and they wanted to help us out (or help us help ourselves), so they’ll be accepting donations of all kinds at Grimey’s. Bring whatever you have left over, money, food, clothes, anything.

You can RSVP to the event on Facebook, which I recommend doing if for no other reason than to remind you that you’re supposed to go see Harlem at Grimey’s because it’s going to be completely bad ass.

This will take place at 6pm on Thursday May 13th. If you dig the in-store then head on down to The End later that night.

As many of you know, I am a (fairly) proud Belmont student. Say what you will about Belmont, it has its problems, but it also has a lot of really talented students. This Thursday, May 13th, you’re going to have the opportunity to see this for yourself while enjoying some free hors d’oeuvres.

This event will go from 6-9pm and will feature the work of Studio Art Majors, Art Education Majors, and Design Communications majors. It will take place in the Belmont Mansion, Gallery 121, the lobby of the Leu Center for Visual Arts, and the lobby of the Leu Gallery in the Lila D. Bunch library.

This event has really grown over the past few years, and this year it’s bigger than ever, so come on down and help these hard-working graduating seniors make their mark on the world.

My actual birthday cake

In honor of today, my 21st birthday, I’ve decided to put together a list of the many wonderful birthday freebies around town.

I’m going to start with the one I got to enjoy: free sopapillas at Chuy’s in Cool Springs. Mmmm

Another one close to my heart: free Ben & Jerry’s.

According to my followers @thexhorde and @kellybeltran, The Villager in Hillsboro Village will give you a dog bowl full of beer if you’re of age. I don’t think I’m gonna go for that one.

Some other places in the area where you don’t have to join a club/newsletter to get free stuff are 5 & Diner in Franklin, where you’ll get a free dessert just for showing your ID, Country Kitchen, which will give you a free birthday meal, Orange Julius (minus the one at Opry Mills, obviously) will give you a free pasta dinner which includes salad, rolls, AND dessert too, and Old Spaghetti Factory will give you a free caramel pecan friazos dessert.

There are a lot of restaurants that will give you free stuff on your birthday (mostly desserts) if you sign up for their newsletter or cards, including the following

• Red Robin (thanks Jessica Zeitler)
• Firehouse Subs (thanks Becca DuBose)
• Baskin-Robbins
• Atlanta Bread Company
• Moe’s
• Maggie Moo’s
• Sonic
• TGI Friday
• Zaxby’s
• Chili’s
• Coldstone Creamery
• Denny’s (is there a Denny’s in Nashville?)
• Hard Rock Cafe
• Maggianos

Also, you can get into Disney World for free on your birthday. Road trip!

There are a ton of other freebies that you can get if you sign up for their clubs, etc. I think free stuff is worth dealing with junk email, but you’re gonna have to make that call. I got most of this info from my fantastic followers on Facebook and Twitter, and the rest from FreeBirthdayTreats.com.

Did I leave something out? Let me know in the comments! I want to milk this birthday for all its worth…

Monday

It’s my birthday, what what!

Rock’n’Roll Trivia at the Mercy Lounge – 6:30pm
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. And to celebrate the release of the new albums from The National & Dead Weather (available in stores 5/11), they will have copies of both on CD/LP as special prizes!

8 off 8th at the Mercy Lounge – 9pm
They don’t have the full lineup on the website yet, but so far the bill includes Deep Fried Five, Afro America, Deep Machine, Hide your Mammas, and Schtompa!

Pawn Shop Kings at the Basement – 6pm
PawnShop Kings play American music with equal parts rock, soul, and pop. Their inspiration stems greatly from the brilliant musical sounds and honesty of the Beatles alongside the melodic sensibility and purpose of both the Staple Singers and Bob Marley. Check them out tonight.

Jeffrey Stepakoff discusses and signs Fireworks Over Toccoa at Davis Kidd Books
An unexpected discovery takes 84-year-old Lily Davis Woodward back to 1945, and the five days that forever changed her life, in this devastating and poignant debut novel.

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Tonight Mas Tacos was at Imogen + Willie, just like usual, and they had some great music, like they often do.

Usually I drop by as Mas Tacos is opening, grab my food, and leave, but tonight was special. First of all, they were collecting donations for flood victims. Secondly, Michelle Branch and Holly Williams, two people I loved way back when, were playing.

I have to admit, I sort of made fun of myself for wanting to go. I haven’t listened to either of them in years and wasn’t sure how well the songs would hold up, but dang, I forget how much I like them.

Michelle and Holly are actually really good songwriters. Maybe my taste in Jr. High wasn’t as bad as I remember it being! Maybe I was feeling sentimental, I don’t know. All I know is that I really enjoyed it. Old songs were mixed with new songs and covers; Holly played a song about the car accident she and her sister were in a few years ago that choked me up.

Sadly, I couldn’t stay to see any of the other acts or really hang out because I have an exam bright and early tomorrow morning, but it was a really great event for a really great cause. I also heard that Imogen + Willie are matching whatever donations are collected. Before I left they had raised over $700.

Go Nashville! Go Imogen + Willie! Michelle and Holly, you two rock.

I’m going to have to actually stick around Imogen + Willie on Thursday nights now. I had no idea they events they had could be so cool.

-Emily

Tonight Mas Tacos was at Imogen + Willie, just like usual, and they had some great music, like they often do.

Usually I drop by as Mas Tacos is opening, grab my food, and leave, but tonight was special. First of all, they were collecting donations for flood victims. Secondly, Michelle Branch and Holly Williams, two people I loved way back when, were playing.

I have to admit, I sort of made fun of myself for wanting to go. I haven’t listened to either of them in years and wasn’t sure how well the songs would hold up, but dang, I forget how much I like them.

Michelle and Holly are actually really good songwriters. Maybe my taste in Jr. High wasn’t as bad as I remember it being! Maybe I was feeling sentimental, I don’t know. All I know is that I really enjoyed it. Old songs were mixed with new songs and covers; Holly played a song about the car accident she and her sister were in a few years ago that choked me up.

Sadly, I couldn’t stay to see any of the other acts or really hang out because I have an exam bright and early tomorrow morning, but it was a really great event for a really great cause. I also heard that Imogen + Willie are matching whatever donations are collected. Before I left they had raised over $700.

Go Nashville! Go Imogen + Willie! Michelle and Holly, you two rock.

I’m going to have to actually stick around Imogen + Willie on Thursday nights now. I had no idea they events they had could be so cool.

-Emily

Guys, I know it’s been rough. Between the flooding and the power outages and the rationing of water I know that we’re all stressed out. This is a depressing time for us, but it’s amazing to me how we’ve all banded together over the past few days, really helping each other out.

We all need some distractions in times of crisis, and thankfully The Frist Center and Cheekwood are offering free admission Wednesday through Friday. If you’ve been working to pile sand bags to save our second water treatment plant or have been driving around feeding the displaced homeless, or even if you just donated money and are working to spread the news, come on by and chill out. We need it.

The way Nashville has banded together, it blows my mind. I know we’ve all been complaining that national news hasn’t covered this as much as they should, but I think part of it has to do with how well we’ve been handling it. Go Nashville!

Don’t forget to check out Nashvillest for up to date information.