Pose in front of this Love Y’all mural at 2028 Lindell Ave. | Photo via @pencilandpaperco
Whether it’s showing love to your friends, your significant other, or your city (wink wink) — Valentine’s Day is a day worth celebrating. Consider this list of must-dos as a special Valentine from us to you.
♥️ For friends
Is gift-giving your love language? Go on a local shopping spree at Valentine’s pop-up markets at BentoLiving Chestnut Hill + Diskin Cider (Saturday, Feb. 11). Plus, don’t forget about Galentine’s Day. Spend quality time with friends at a card-making event at The Picnic Tap (Thursday, Feb. 9), afternoon tea at The Hermitage Hotel (Friday, Feb. 10-Sunday, Feb. 12), and a create-your-own mimosa bar at Assembly Food Hall (Saturday, Feb. 11-Sunday, Feb. 12).
♥️ Date night
Love songs will be flowing throughout Music City with Andrea Bocelli + the Nashville Symphony at Bridgestone Arena (Thursday, Feb. 9), Gladys Knight at the Schermerhorn (Tuesday, Feb. 14), and Stephanie Adlington performing “love songs and murder ballads” at Rudy’s Jazz Room (Tuesday, Feb. 14). Bonus: Listen to Death Cab for Cutie’s moody love songs at the Ryman on Valentine’s Day.
If you’re looking to beat the night-of-crowds, celebrate early at this Valentine’s-themed paint and sip class at Coco’s Italian Market (Tuesday, Feb. 7).
♥️ Eat and drink
Sweet or salty? If you’re leaning sweet, decorate sugar cookies and learn royal icing techniques at Graduate Nashville (Saturday, Feb. 11) or choose from a variety of classes at Sugar Drop (dates vary). More savory offerings include Grinder’s Switch Winery’s annual wine + cheese pairing class for couples (Saturday, Feb. 11-Sunday, Feb. 12) and a brunch buffet at The Loveless Barn (Sunday, Feb. 12) with a photo booth, hot chocolate bar, and adoptable pups.
Jammin In Jammies with Megan Barker | Wednesday, Jan. 18 | 7 p.m. | City Winery, 609 Lafayette St. | $10 | Hear the stories behind your favorite songs at “Music City’s Biggest Pajama Party” — pajamas not required, but encouraged.
Thursday, Jan. 19
Salsa Night | Thursday, Jan. 19 | 7 p.m. | Plaza Mariachi, 3955 Nolensville Pk. | $10 | Enjoy Salsa Night with DJ Julian with free dance lessons at 7 p.m., followed by dancing until 12 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 20
Barry Manilow | Friday, Jan. 20 | 7 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway | $34.15+ | Barry Manilow is stopping in Music City for his seven-show arena tour.
Nashville RV and Camping Show | Friday, Jan. 20-Sunday, Jan. 22 | Times vary | The Fairgrounds Nashville, 625 Smith Ave. | $10 | Explore the latest RV models and gear and meet with exhibitors and dealers.
Saturday, Jan. 21
Pick-up for a Pint | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Jackalope Brewing Company, 429B Houston St. | Free | Help pick up litter around the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood followed by a free pint of beer.
Demetri Martin | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 8 p.m. | TPAC, James K. Polk Theatre, 505 Deaderick St. | $43+ | Prepare for a night of laughs with comedian Demetri Martin on his latest tour, “The Joke Machine.”
Sunday, Jan. 22
Plaza Mariachi Flea Market | Sunday, Jan. 22 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Plaza Mariachi, 3955 Nolensville Pk. | Cost of purchase | Find deals on fruits and vegetables, new and used clothing, furniture, and more.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
NWS Nashville will host a free event on Severe Weather Awareness Day (Saturday, Feb. 25) at Trevecca Nazarene University. Participants will have the chance to meet with local NWS Nashville meteorologists from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is now open.
Coming Soon
We’re counting down to Fryday. Loaded fries-focused eateryBag Lady’s is opening a brick-and-mortar location — 1402 Buchanan St. — on Friday, Jan. 20. Keep it simple or load up your fries with proteins + meat alternatives, toppings, and drizzles. 🍟
Biz
French wine bar The Authentique — 925 Gallatin Ave. — reopened under new ownership. Customers can expect French wines by the glass and hard-to-find champagne varieties. The new food menu is still in the works, but expect items like cheese, quiche, and more. (Nashville Scene)
Theater
Broadway musical “Into the Woods” is coming to TPAC this spring. See the award-winning musical the week of Tuesday, May 23-Sunday, May 28. Tickets go on sale Friday, Jan. 27.
Community
The National Museum of African American Music launched a new exhibit honoring Grammy Award-winning singer and Nashville native Dr. Bobby Jones. The exhibit, titled “Living Legends: Dr. Bobby Jones,” will be on display in the front lobby through Saturday, April 15. 🎵 (The Tennessean)
Calling all creatives. Nashville Public Library’s annual LEGO contest is underway, which invites builders of all ages to submit their best original creations for competition. Entries are due in mid-February, followed by an online voting period. Learn more + view last year’s winners.
Concert
Alternative rock band Wilco is coming to town. The Jeff Tweedy-fronted band will be at the Ryman Auditorium on Tuesday, April. 25. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. 🎸
Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard of The Swell Season — the folk-rock duo behind the award-winning film and musical “Once” — will visit Nashville this summer. The pair will perform at the Ryman Auditorium on Tuesday, Aug. 8. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.
Exit/In, which recently changed ownership, announced several new concerts coming to the venue beginning in April. Some of the musical acts include Vérité (April 1), Vancouver Sleep Clinic (April 14), and Megan Moroney (April 19). Get ticket information.
Eat
Following a successful line of cake mixes, Duncan Hines is launching four more baking mixes with Dolly Parton. The new products include mixes for biscuits, cornbread, and two brownie varieties and will be available in grocery stores soon.
Asked
We’re turning to you, the experts. We’re putting together a guide of things our 55+ community enjoy doing around the city, and we want to hear from you. What’s your favorite park, class to take, or activity to do? Let us know.
Travel
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Sports
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PLAN AHEAD
Happy Birthday, Dolly 🎶
Where to celebrate Dolly Parton’s birthday in Nashville
Dolly Parton mural at The Valentine Nashville. | Photo and mural by @mobeoner
Put on your party hats. Dolly Parton will be celebrated with special events this week in honor of the country star’s 77th birthday on Thursday.
🎉 The Dolly Party | Friday, Jan. 20 | 9 p.m. | Brooklyn Bowl | $25 | Wrangle your country-disco dancing queens for a night of music by Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, Whitney Houston, and more.
🎉 Opry Goes Dolly | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 7 + 9:30 p.m. | Ryman Auditorium | $50+ | Listen to Chris Young, Chapel Hart, Marty Stuart, The Fairfield Four, and Caitlyn Smith perform hits from Parton’s 1977 album “Here You Come Again.”
🎉 Dolly’s Birthday Bash | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Graduate Nashville | Free+ | Visit the hotel for a live book reading, crafts, birthday treats, and Dolly-inspired giveaways.
🎉 Dolly Parton Birthday Bash | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 8-10 p.m. | Tennessee Brew Works | Cost of purchase | Enjoy craft beer and bites at the 6th annual celebration featuring live music by Erin Hazelrig and the Dolly Parton Tribute Band.
🎉 Music of Dolly Parton for Kids | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 11 a.m. | Brooklyn Bowl | $15 | Rock out with the kids at this family-friendly dance party — children under 1 get in free.
Bonus: Opry House and Ryman tour guests will be treated to cupcakes on Thursday while supplies last.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Dylan.
Editor’s pick: East Nashville brewery and pizzeria Smith & Lentz is now offering ice cream. Flavors include Crema coffee with a miso caramel swirl, Satsuma orange sorbet, ricotta with a Satsuma orange swirl, Olive and Sinclair chocolate, and salted caramel. Beer, pizza, and ice cream under one roof? Win, win, win.
Editorial:Dylan Aycock, Skylar Webb, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
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