Nashville for Free

It hurts, and it’s sad, but there comes a time when we have to say goodbye to something great – at least until next spring. Yes, this is the last week for Musicians Corner in 2011. Oh, how we’ll miss killing 3 hours on Nashville’s most beautiful Saturdays in Centennial Park, listening to great music, eating food from food trucks, looking at adorable dogs, and meeting new people.

The good news is, this week Musicians Corner has a lineup that’s even more excellent than usual. It’s presented by our friends at Lightning 100 and their Local Lightning Spotlight and will feature Madi Diaz, Holly Maher, Jessica Campbell, The Vespers, Painted Desert, and more. I highly recommend Madi Diaz. I saw her at Soundland and she was fantastic.

As always, the event runs from 3-6pm in Centennial Park and there will be fun stuff for your kids to do, food trucks, a dog of the day contest, and more. C’mon guys, they weather is going to be great for it. It’s going to be in the 60s and sunny today. And while we don’t know how many more nice weekends like this we’ll have we do know that this is the last weekend for the rest of the year that we’ll be able to spend it with Musicians Corner, so come on out and show your support to this excellent organization.

-Emily

Nice vest.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is one of the first non-Disney live action movies I remember seeing. In case you were wondering, it was probably on TBS or something (was TBS a thing when I was 5?). When I was little I was enamored with the idea of skipping school, doing what I wanted, outsmarting teachers, random musical moments on floats in parades in Chicago – what was there to not love about this movie as a youngster? However, my dad works in public education so there was never any semblance of a chance that I could pull a Ferris.

I still adore the movie to this day. Not because I still long to be like Ferris and his friends, but because it’s a really funny, really well-done movie that brings instant feelings of nostalgia even though, you know, I wasn’t alive when the movie was released in theaters.

There’s a reason this movie is still so famous. It appeals to everyone. Adults remember it from their youth, and since the desire to skip school and stick it to one’s teachers never ends, younger generations continue to pick it up.

Tonight Ferris Bueller’s Day Off will be showing at what was supposed to be the last Movies in the Park of the season. It’ll start a sundown (around 8pm), but there will be lots of food and whatnot, so I suggest getting there early. Because there will be, uh, anyone? Anyone? Grilled cheese and cupcakes and, anyone? Bueller?

-Emily

The American Artisan Festival is a Father’s Day weekend tradition in Nashville, even though I’d venture to guess that it’s not really designed around the wants and needs of dad (assuming your dad is a stereotypical TV dad, which most aren’t). Still, even grumpy, overly-manly sitcom-dad might appreciate the sheer size and scope of the Artisan Festival, because it is simply enormous.

Now in its 41st year, the Artisan Festival will cover much of the grounds at Centennial Park for three days. There will be about 165 insanely talented exhibitors from across America, live music, food, and a Children’s Art booth where your young’ns can embark on their own free and supervised artistic endeavors.

Like I said, the festival is three days long and its hours are as follows:

• Friday, June 17 from 12 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, June 18 from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday June 19 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

So pick your day or two and get dear old dad or yourself or anyone else a unique gift that they won’t find on the shelves at Target. Obviously, it’s free to attend and looks are free, but good luck getting through the festival without seeing something you want to buy. And you can feel good about your purchase, because 10% of all profits are going to support local arts organizations and Gilda’s Club Nashville in the memory of Nancy Saturn, local arts pioneer, and the founder of the American Artisan Festival and Gallery, who died last year.

-Emily

Usually I’m pretty picky about movies. I’ll just say it, I’m kind of a snob. I am incredibly rarely seen at a Regal cinema and most of the films I see at the Belcourt are the older films they show. I’ll be the first to admit that I often miss seeing really good movies in theaters because ewww it’s a blockbuster/remake.

However, I have a massive soft spot in my heart for Robert Downey Jr.

That’s why Sherlock Holmes was one of those few times I dished out $10 to see a big blockbuster movie, and would you believe this, I absolutely LOVED it.

There’s action, mystery, Robert Downey Jr., it’s just a really good, fun movie. Is it a cinematic masterpiece? No, not at all, but it’s a blast almost from start to finish. Sherlock Holmes fans might not love it, but someone looking to be entertained for the evening is unlikely to be disappointed.

Speaking of wanting to be entertained, you’re in luck! Sherlock Holmes is this week’s installment of Movies in the Park, and it’ll start tonight at sundown. You’ll want to get there early because the police will be there keeping you safe by monitoring how many people enter the park, so entrances will be blocked. Probably. But you’ll be safer! Huzzah!

Enjoy your terribly enjoyable action mystery.

-Emily

There was obviously a lot of this going around

In Nashville there truly is no reason to be bored on a Saturday night. On Saturdays in the summer, Nashville metro parks in collaboration with WAMB radio, the Tennessee Arts Commission and a local dance studio, Dance World, offer a night of big band jazz music, and a swinging dance floor in Centennial park’s band shell. This past Saturday was one of the first of the summer, and I had the pleasure of attending with a couple friends to listen to the big band tunes of The Moonlighters and to have a couple free dance lessons on how to polka.

Every week there is a different band playing from 7-10 pm, and a different dance taught during their half-hour lessons that go from 7-7:30 and 8:30-9:00. If this past Saturday was any indication, these dances bring in a whole menagerie of different people. There were kids, teenagers, octogenarians, and everything in between. The dance floor was filled with two-left-footed college students like myself and experienced dancers that needed no lessons, elderly couples that clearly still got it and a few couples that maybe one day would, and kids that just clasped hands and swung around and children that put the rest of us to shame.

People got really into the theme of the night and there were women in full-skirted dresses fit for dancing, and men with button-down shirts and bowties, fit for a leading man. In general, people were really friendly and helpful and many attended just to sit in lawn chairs around the dance floor, chat with friends, and watch the dancers. Several families had planned-ahead and had picnics and footballs to entertain their kids while some of the adults learned to polka. There was a snow-cone stand with a decent line of customers all night, licking their lips and discussing flavor options.

Overall, the night was a fun time and I will definitely be going back next week to listen to the musical stylings of the J. Bradley Big Band and to learn to fox trot.

What: Dancing in Centennial Park
Where: Centennial Park Band Shell
When: 7-10 pm on Saturdays
Who: Everyone
What to bring: A dance partner, a lawn chair/blanket, some snacks, and your dancin’ shoes

-Meryem

Togas, shopping carts, wipeouts, and helmets. Last night was the first Red Bull event in Nashville since 2007: the Red Bull Chariot Race.

As Matt mentioned earlier, the chariots were built by all the different schools in the Nashville area. Each team had three members, two pulling and one riding, and they had to race around this tiny track with terrifying turns. As soon as I saw that track and some of those “chariots” I knew that there was the potential to see someone get hurt, and isn’t that chance of danger what we all want to see in a chariot race?

The first race began at 8pm sharp. Let me tell you something, those frat boys all looked mighty cocky, riding high in their shopping carts. But let me tell you something, you do NOT want to be riding high during this race, you want to be as low to the ground as possible. I say this because those chariots get going FAST and those turns are TIGHT. This leads to frequent wipeouts, and the ground that you’re falling from three feet in the air onto? Pavement. Guys in shopping carts, you are going to bite it. Hard.

I have to say, I had more fun at this event than I have in awhile at something like this. I was laughing, cheering, feeling pangs of adrenalin every time someone almost flipped their chariot, I even got to see a guy probably break his arm (I hope you’re okay, TSU Ninja! You are braver than I). And man, some people played dirty! There is no law in the world of chariot racing, apparently. This “sport” is face-paced, hilarious, and surprisingly exciting. I loved it.

Just in case you’re thinking about taking up chariot racing in the near future, I have a few tips for you:

• Do NOT use a shopping cart. When your team goes to take a tight turn you will fall over. It will hurt.
• The lower you can get your center of gravity, the better. It’s physics, dude.
• If you build your huge chariot frame from scratch do a test run. At least make sure it can turn without falling apart and that when the other team runs over it that it won’t completely fall apart into 10 pieces.
• Elbow and knee pads. You’ll look silly but take a second to think about how badly it will hurt when you fall without them.

There you have it, my brief review of the first Nashville Red Bull Chariot Race. It really was a blast. I hope it doesn’t take Red Bull another three years to get back to Nashville. Congrats to the winners; I think their team name was the Green Beans. They were fast. Good job, boys.

Photograph by Ben Azevedo. Check back soon for even more pics he took of the event!

-Emily

Just like every Saturday for the past few months, Musicians Corner is today, and just like everything else that’s happening this week, it’s the Next Big Nashville edition of it.

As always, there will be vendors and great music, and since the Celebration of Cultures Festival is also happening today Centennial Park seems like the place to be.

Also, the weather is just amazing.

The lineup includes:

• Yaza
• Kopecky Family Band (who killed it at the Mercy Lounge last night)
• Trent Dabbs
• New Whole Usuals
• Surprise guest

Whoa, hold on there for a second, that last picture is very familiar.

A weird black mask has been photoshopped over his eyes, so it’s kind of hard to tell…

Oh wait, yeah, holy shit, that’s Vince freaking Gill!!!!!

Well, it would seem that Vince Gill will be the surprise guest at Musicians Corner today.

Um, that’s pretty amazing. Have fun guys, and get there early to see Kopecky. Things get started at 3pm and will finish up around 6pm.

-Emily

Shakespeare in the Park, one of Nashville’s greatest park-related traditions, begins this Thursday. When I say “tradition” I mean that they’ve been doing this for 23 years. I know it’s not saying a lot in the grande scheme of things, but that’s longer than I’ve been alive, and you have to have some serious respect for them.

Sadly, I’ve never been to see a Shakespeare in the Park performance, but in my defense I wasn’t living in Nashville last August. That only makes me even more excited to be able to check everything out this year.

This year Nashville Shakes is performing Love’s Labor’s Lost, which I had never actually heard of before. If you haven’t either, here’s the synopsis:

Love’s Labor’s Lost is a witty romantic comedy about four young men who take an oath to dedicate three years to strict study, renouncing the distractions of love and the company of women.  But on that very day, four beautiful women show up, and nature takes her course!  Focusing on the theme of “the birds and the bees,” the play will be set in the late 19th century: bustles and tail coats, gloves, fans and whimsical hats will make the show look like a Victorian Valentine.  Adding a layer of physical comedy, the actors have studied birds’ courtship rituals in order to incorporate the distinctive bobbing, strutting and fluttering of birds into their performances. The show features original music, with the violinist taking on the role of Cupid.  This show will delight all ages with colorful, animated characters, clownish antics, romance and ridiculousness in the pursuit of love!

They don’t have chairs set up for this event, only bleachers, so you might want to bring your own seating unless you actually enjoy sitting on a hard, flat surface for a few hours. I suggest a blanket, which can be placed closer to the stage than lawn chairs, which have to be set farther back. Their website doesn’t say if you’re allowed to bring your own food and drinks, but there will be vendors there, so you might want to bring your cash. Also, although no one is ever turned away from this event please consider bringing a small donation, as donations are what keeps this event running year after year. They suggest $5.

Shakespeare in the Park is held at the Centennial Park Bandshell and begins on August 19th. It’s held Thursday through Sunday for four weeks, ending on September 12th. The pre-show entertainment starts at 6:30, and it seems like something worth getting there early for. Most days it’s music, but there are a few exceptions, including a day when there will be a magician (which was my career choice when I was 8). The actual performance starts at 7:30. If you have any other questions you can find the FAQ here.

Enjoy yourselves,
Emily

Shakespeare in the Park, one of Nashville’s greatest park-related traditions, begins this Thursday. When I say “tradition” I mean that they’ve been doing this for 23 years. I know it’s not saying a lot in the grande scheme of things, but that’s longer than I’ve been alive, and you have to have some serious respect for them.

Sadly, I’ve never been to see a Shakespeare in the Park performance, but in my defense I wasn’t living in Nashville last August. That only makes me even more excited to be able to check everything out this year.

This year Nashville Shakes is performing Love’s Labor’s Lost, which I had never actually heard of before. If you haven’t either, here’s the synopsis:

Love’s Labor’s Lost is a witty romantic comedy about four young men who take an oath to dedicate three years to strict study, renouncing the distractions of love and the company of women.  But on that very day, four beautiful women show up, and nature takes her course!  Focusing on the theme of “the birds and the bees,” the play will be set in the late 19th century: bustles and tail coats, gloves, fans and whimsical hats will make the show look like a Victorian Valentine.  Adding a layer of physical comedy, the actors have studied birds’ courtship rituals in order to incorporate the distinctive bobbing, strutting and fluttering of birds into their performances. The show features original music, with the violinist taking on the role of Cupid.  This show will delight all ages with colorful, animated characters, clownish antics, romance and ridiculousness in the pursuit of love!

They don’t have chairs set up for this event, only bleachers, so you might want to bring your own seating unless you actually enjoy sitting on a hard, flat surface for a few hours. I suggest a blanket, which can be placed closer to the stage than lawn chairs, which have to be set farther back. Their website doesn’t say if you’re allowed to bring your own food and drinks, but there will be vendors there, so you might want to bring your cash. Also, although no one is ever turned away from this event please consider bringing a small donation, as donations are what keeps this event running year after year. They suggest $5.

Shakespeare in the Park is held at the Centennial Park Bandshell and begins on August 19th. It’s held Thursday through Sunday for four weeks, ending on September 12th. The pre-show entertainment starts at 6:30, and it seems like something worth getting there early for. Most days it’s music, but there are a few exceptions, including a day when there will be a magician (which was my career choice when I was 8). The actual performance starts at 7:30. If you have any other questions you can find the FAQ here.

Enjoy yourselves,
Emily

One thing I love about Nashville is all the great events we have outside, especially during the summer. Tango, Big Band Dances, movies, concerts, we have great parks and great parking lots, and we like to use them!

I’ve briefly mentioned that this was coming, but I haven’t given very many details about it. It’s called Musicians Corner and it’s going to be held every Saturday afternoon starting this Saturday, June 10th.

The idea behind this event is to bring Nashville closer together through music. There will be performances by great artists, vendors, and cool people all around. There are still a lot of holes in the exact details for what we have in store, so maybe you’ll just have to go to find out what it’s all about it. The event is always slated to run from 3-6pm in Centennial Park.

This week’s artists look pretty good to me. Mayor Karl Dean will be there to kick it off, and the musicians include:

• Sam & Ruby
• Mikky Ekko
• Damien Horne
• Mindy Smith
• Charles Walker & The Dynamites

Like I said, other than the music I don’t know exactly what all is going on for the first Musicians Corner, but the music is reason enough to get out and enjoy Nashville in the summer.

I’ll see you there!

-Emily