Nashville for Free

This Saturday is the weirdest most unique Nashville festival of them all: East Nashville’s Tomato Art Festival, which takes place in 5 Points. Although the festival is about tomato art and there is plenty of art, the event has turned into more of a celebration of the tomato itself. People dress up as tomatoes (I will be one of them), cook tomato dishes, eat tomato food, drink tomato drinks and cruise around and look at tomato art.

This year there is a whole schmorgusboard of tomato-themed and loosely-tomato-themed events, so vegetables-but-actually-they’re-fruit-lovers, eat your hearts out.

Check behind the cut for a list of some of festival’s coolest events

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For the past three years one festival has been voted best festival by Nashvillians: the Tomato Art Festival. Going into its seventh year, the Tomato Art Fest has gone from a goofy neighborhood celebration to a full-on extravaganza with 20,000 in attendance.

I went last year and had a great time despite the heat. There were SO MANY freebies too! I got a free tote bag from Whole Foods, some free tomato ice cream (kind of weird, not gonna lie), a balloon, a free bloody mary, and more. There were also a lot of great thing available to buy, like Mas Tacos and fried green tomatoes.

But I have to say, it was worth braving the heat just to people watch. East Nashville is weird, and that’s a good thing. There were so many people who were completely decked out in their tomato costumes or dressed head to toe in red. It was awesome to know that there are people who don’t care if they look completely silly, they were there to have a great time and participate, and that makes them my heroes.

As for this year’s events, there are far too many to mention, but here are some of the events that caught my eye:

• Heirloom tomato tasting
• Second line parade – 9pm
• Bobbing for tomatoes at Wags and Whiskers (it’s harder than you’d think)
• Bicycle tomato art show at Eastside Cycles
• TomatOlympics in the alley behind Beyond the Edge
• Attack of the Killer Tomatoes screening at Kustom Thrills

Screw it, there are really too many awesome things to mention. You can see the whole list here.

So go, and get your tomato on. Be weird, Nashville, be weird.

-Emily

Here are some awesome Tomato Art Festival pictures from our friend Karen Alisa. Check out more of her stuff at her site, www.karenalisa.net

Thanks Karen!

Again, all images are © Karen Alisa Photography, 2009

Sorry if I repeat myself some here, but I thought we’d recap a few events that are going on this weekend and mention a few that you might not have known about. The other post is sort of buried anyway.

Click through to the free goodness!

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What does the week have in store for us? Well, let’s find out…

Monday

Steve Cross hosts 8 off 8th (Round 3) at the Mercy Lounge – 9pm
This week’s artists are Tristen, Dixie Whiskey, Pineapple Explode, Comfies/Benjamin A. Harper, Cody Blaine, Overzealous, Jug Huggers, Joel J. Dahl (from de novo dahl). That is one killer lineup, no joke.

Tuesday

William Fitzsimmons in-store at Grimey’s – 6pm
From the Grimey’s website:
“He is often compared to contemporaries Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, and the late Elliott Smith and he’s gotten the usual ink in supposed influential circles but he’s unique.  Come see for yourself at this intimate instore performance.”

The Basement’s New Faces Nite – 8pm
This week the Basement’s New Faces Nite features Jeremy Crady, Carrie Johnson (22 Brides), Adam Sullivan, Tara Holloway, Frontier Brothers, Kyle Albers, Junstin Shorey and Smart Brothers! I’d recommend going just to hear the Smart Brothers. They’re really great.

Wednesday

Arby’s Deal of the Day
Free regular roast beef sandwich with soft drink purchase.

Thursday

Screenwriting Workshop with Rich Reichman at Davis-Kidd Books – 7pm
Rich Reichman wrote the book 20 Things You Must Know to Write a Great Screenplay. This is a must for anyone interested in writing a screenplay.

Tunesmithing on Music Row at Edgehill Studio Cafe – 7-9pm
From Now Playing Nashville:
“The songwriting celebration will feature performances by Joel Atkins, Wil Comstock, Dar Frantz, Nancy Moran & Fett, Candy Paull, Kimberly Maiers Shaw, Dianne Ticknor, Steve Trinward, Betsy Warren, Brian Wright, and Chuck Whiting. Whiting and Shaw will emcee the show.”

Friday

Brenda Lee: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra on Loop at the Country Music Hall of Fame – 10am-4pm
Come and watch this 1978 performance that includes performances of her hit songs “Fool #1,” “I’m Sorry,” “Jambalaya,” and “Johnny One Time.”

Films at the Frist: Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Paris – 7pm
This is a documentary about the composer Philip Glass, famous for his film scores. In fact, he’s so famous that he was featured as a character on The Simpsons. I don’t think you get much more famous than that. There will also be a live performance from parts of his opera The Fall of the House of Usher.

Tax free weekend
The idea is to get school supplies, but I think that all small/medium items are tax-free. Correct me if I’m wrong there.

Saturday

Tomato Art Fest at Five Points – begins at 7am, full schedule here
You should wear a costume, totally. There’s even a redhead competition (Michelle, I’m looking at you!) It looks like a pretty sweet festival, I’ll probably hit it up. http://tomatoartfest.com/events/

The Second Saturday Summer Drive-In: W.W. AND THE DIXIE DANCEKINGS in the Belcourt Theater Parking Lot – 7:45
I went to the last drive-in and had a BLAST. If you like Burt Reynolds, he’s in this, along with Don Williams, Mel Tillis, Roni Stoneman, Brad Dourif  and Tootsie (yes, THAT Tootsie). This is free, but donations are appreciated.