05.18.2023

Today’s Forecast

82º Cloudy | 50% chance of rain | Sunrise 5:38 a.m. | Sunset 7:48 p.m.

🤘 Keep things rockin’ at Nashville’s independent music venues

Get involved: Nashville is studying its independent music venue scene

Let’s set the stage — here’s what to know about the venue study underway. | Gif via GIPHY

Nashville wouldn’t be Music City without the Bluebird Cafe, 3rd & Lindsley, The Basement... you get the picture. That’s why a city-led study is underway to identify steps to protect locally-owned and operated music venues.

So, how did we get here? The Nashville Independent Venues Study arose from a resolution adopted by Metro Council to identify policies that would support the future of Nashville’s independent music venues. In 2022, the council approved $260,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to carry out the study.

How to participate

Now, who should get involved with the survey? Anyone in Nashville’s music and cultural scenes, from venue operators, promoters, and musicians to those in city government and urban planning. If you’re interested or know someone who is, take note of these two opportunities:

Join Metro Planning and the Nashville Independent Venues Study team at the Nashville Public Library’s Main Branch for an Open House on Tuesday, May 23 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature interactive activities, including discussions related to venue operations.
A series of small-group discussions and interviews will be conducted in May and June — to receive project updates or share your interest, fill out this form.

The timeline

Although there’s still time to get involved, the study is well underway. Earlier this year, the project team conducted site visits and held listening sessions with music venue owners and other stakeholders.

Following interviews and research this summer on Nashville’s venues, land use policies, economic geography, music history, and culture, the team anticipates sharing ideas for action in early 2024.

Events

Thursday, May 18

11th Annual YUM!East | Thursday, May 18 | 5-9 p.m. | East Park, 700 Woodland St. | $60+ | Admission includes unlimited food samples, a souvenir pint glass, and an open bar featuring local craft beer and wine.
Lunch and Learn: Bicentennial Mall | Thursday, May 18 | 12-1 p.m. | Tennessee State Museum + virtual | Free | The park’s lead designer Kem Hinton will discuss how the park has evolved into a cultural and educational destination since 1996.
A Tribute to Burt Bacharach | Thursday, May 18 | 9:30 p.m. | 3rd and Lindsley, 818 3rd Ave. S. | $40 | Shelby Lynne, Mandy Barnett, and Emily West pay tribute to the late songsmith.

Friday, May 19

Ethos: The Alchemy of Spirit and Light | Friday, May 19 | 10 a.m. | The Parthenon, 2500 West End Ave. | Cost of admission | Review London Amara’s work in painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography at the exhibit’s opening day.

Saturday, May 20

Adult ARTlab: Mushrooms and Meadows Mosey | Saturday, May 20 | 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Frist Art Museum and Shelby Bottoms Nature Center | $60+ | Enjoy an immersive experience inspired by the Beatrix Potter exhibition — the event begins at the museum, followed by a nature walk to search for mushrooms.
Sip + Cinema: “Casablanca” | Saturday, May 20 | 7-10 p.m. | W Nashville, 300 12th Ave. S. | Free | Join the hotel for its outdoor classic movie series — seating is first come, first served.

Sunday, May 21

Mutt Strutt 5K | Sunday, May 21 | 6:45-11 a.m. | Shelby Bottoms Greenway, 1900 Davidson St. | $20 | This pup-friendly race (1-mile and 5k) supports the Nashville Humane Association.

Monday, May 22

Mamamoo | Monday, May 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway | $44+ | K-pop group Mamamoo is bringing their “My Con” tour to Music City.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Coming Soon

UpWest plans to open at The Mall at Green Hills this fall. The shop is self-described as a “purpose-driven lifestyle brand offering apparel, sleep, wellness and home goods.” This will be the company’s first Tennessee location.

Development

East Nashville Beer Works will host a groundbreaking ceremony today at its production facility in Lebanon —1688 Callis Rd. Visit the site at 3 p.m. for project information and beer samples. The brewery anticipates a spring or summer 2024 completion. (The Tennessean)

Announced

The National Museum of African American Music announced Missy Elliott and Atlantic Records as its 2023 Celebration of Legends honorees. An invite-only ceremony will be held on Friday, June 2. The Fisk Jubilee Singers and Smokey Robinson are among past recipients.

Festival

Nashville Pride revealed the grand marshals for the 2023 parade — community leader Olivia Hill and health and wellness coach Eric Cox. The downtown parade will help kick off the festival on Saturday, June 24 at 10 a.m.

Sports

Another win for the Boys in Gold. Nashville SC won 2-1 against Inter Miami CF on Wednesday, extending the team’s unbeaten streak at home to seven matches (5-0-2). The next home match is on Sunday, May 28. (The Tennessean)

Pets

Join Metro Animal Care and Control on Saturday, May 20 for its Fabulous Foster Fair. Meet adoptable foster pups of every size, age, and energy level from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Plus, Nashville Humane Association dogs weighing over 21 pounds are available to adopt for $21 through Sunday.

Travel

Silver Airways is launching a new nonstop flight between Nashville and Greensboro, NC. Service begins on Friday, June 30, with one-way fares starting at $49.

Shop

Life hack: Order your paper towels online and avoid trekking home a giant pack from the store. This Bounty eight-pack is a best seller, or try the Amazon Basics twelve-pack.*
Our online store (Six & Main) now features Tennessee Peanut Co., a Nashville-based snack brand that pays homage to small-town culture, where community and kindness are the foundation of its existence. Products include throwback hats, Nashville sweet and hot peanuts, and roasted in-shell peanuts. Shop now.

Development

By the numbers: Belle Meade Plaza

By the numbers: Belle Meade Plaza rezoning gets final approval

A view of the development’s proposed Town Center. | Rendering via AJ Capital and Metro Planning

Plans to transform Belle Meade Plaza — a 10-acre site at the corner of Harding and White Bridge — have the green light following Metro Council approval.

AJ Capital Partners hopes to redevelop the property into a mixed-use hub with retail, dining, apartments, a hotel, and green space. The rezoning bill approved on Tuesday allows the property to include:

388 multi-family residential units
78 hotel rooms
80,000 sqft of commercial space

Some conditions include requiring the developer to contribute $250,000 for greenway improvements near the project site, as well as varying amounts of money to traffic calming, a transportation study, and traffic signal upgrades.

Answered

We asked for your help with 5 barbecue superlatives and here’s what you said:

Edley’s Nashville Style BBQ | Photo by Nathan Zucker via Edley’s Bar-B-Que

Favorite non-barbecue item at a local barbecue restaurant

“Mac and cheese at Bringle’s Smoking Oasis” — Joey C.

“Homemade chips from Martin’s” — Jess F.

Favorite barbecue sauce

“Edley’s BBQ Sauce (red or white) has the best flavor. It’s made from scratch and that shows.” — Alexis L.

“Jim ‘N Nick’s Morgan Co. white sauce is super creamy with just the right kick and tang to boost your BBQ!” — Tiffany B.

Click the button below for more superlatives, including desserts, dog-friendly patios, and the best bang for your buck.

Dig in

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Dylan

From the editor

Due to popular demand, the Adventure Science Center is bringing back two laser shows — “Taylaser” and “Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon.” Tickets are now on sale for the Saturday, June 3 events. Read: A good time and a 45-minute escape from the heat.

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