📈 Major wins

• Employment grew 5.9% from October 2021 to October 2022.
• Music City ranks sixth among large cities for short-term job growth + numbers indicate a longer job growth trend.
• Outside of the tourism and hospitality industry, health care contributes $67 billion and 328,000+ jobs annually.
• High-tech job growth has also outpaced the national average over the last five years.

📉 Areas for improvement

• Nashville has ranked between 80 and 90 for housing costs over the course of five years.
• According to the report, rising housing costs could be contributed in part to more qualified workers moving into the city.

• Turtle Day Hike | Tuesday, May 23 | 1-3 p.m. | Bells Bend Outdoor Center, 4187 Old Hickory Blvd. | Free | Hike with a naturalist to some of the park ponds and look for turtles on World Turtle Day.
• Opry Salutes the Troops | Tuesday, May 23 | 7 p.m. | Grand Ole Opry, 2804 Opryland Dr. | $50+ | This special evening for military heroes features performances by the Oak Ridge Boys, The War and Treaty, and more.

• Rick Springfield | Wednesday, May 24 | 7:30 p.m. | Ryman Auditorium, 116 Rep. John Lewis Way N. | $50+ | The Grammy Award-winning musician brings “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” and other hits to Music City.

• Creative Nashville: Book Exchange | Thursday, May 25 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Diskin Cider, 1235 Martin St. | Free | Bring some recent books to swap with other readers to refresh your bookshelf.
• 27 Live | Thursday, May 25 | 7 p.m. | L27 at The Westin Nashville, 807 Clark Pl. | Free | The rooftop music series kicks off with performances by Caylee Hammack and Catie Offerman.

• A Comedy Show at Diskin Cider | Friday, May 26 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Diskin Cider, 1235 Martin St. | $10+ | Host Corie Kellman keeps the laughs going all night while showcasing hilarious comics from Nashville and all over the country.

• Gentle Yoga with Old Friends Senior Dogs | Saturday, May 27 | 11-11:45 a.m. | Yoga Muttz Movement Lounge, 2710 Old Lebanon Rd. | $35 | Enjoy this all-levels gentle flow yoga class while dogs from Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary wander about the studio.
• Luau | Saturday, May 27 | 12-7 p.m. | The Dutch, 300 12th Ave. S. | $45+ | Food options include a whole kalua roast pig, char siu ribs, traditional lau lau, and Japanese street corn — plus, watermelon punch bowls to share, themed cocktails, and live music.

• TDOT will pause construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes beginning at 12 p.m. on Friday through Tuesday, May 30 in anticipation of the holiday weekend. Drivers may still encounter lane restrictions while traveling through long-term projects. (WSMV)

• Honest Coffee Roasters opened its fourth Middle Tennessee location, this time downtown on the lower floor of apartment building 805 Lea — 803 Lea Ave. Visit the new shop daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and order from a menu full of presidential-inspired crafted drinks, açaí, juice, and more.

• Speaking of new coffee shops, Crema Coffee Roasters’ newest and largest location in Brentwood Place (330 Franklin Rd., Brentwood) is coming along ahead of its summer opening. Pro tip: Sign-up for email updates for a pre-open invite, insider info, and giveaways.

• Niall Horan will bring his latest tour to Bridgestone Arena on June 3, 2024. Fans can expect to hear songs from all three of his solo albums, including “The Show,” which releases Friday, June 9 of this year. Tickets go on sale next Friday.

• Ryman Auditorium will host its annual Ryman Community Day on Sunday, May 28, complete with free tours, family-friendly events (think: face painting, balloon animals, and more), food truck fare, and live performances from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pro tip: Guests must have a valid Tennessee ID to participate.

• No. 49. That’s where the Nashville Metro area ranked on Wallethub’s “2023’s Best Summer Travel Destinations” list. The website analyzed the largest metros in the country and ranked them based on factors like the cheapest flights and meals + the number of attractions.

• The Franklin Theatre will launch its inaugural Summer Sessions: Student Theatre & Music Business Intensives, an educational program to enrich students in the arts, from Tuesday, June 27-Thursday, June 29. Two sessions will be available to 160 Williamson County students in grades 6-12.

• Tickets are on sale for the 23rd annual Jefferson Street Jazz & Blues Festival, which takes place on Dr. Walter S. Davis Boulevard behind TSU’s Gentry Center on Saturday, July 22. Festivities begin at 5 p.m.

• Ford Ice Center is kicking off the summer season with a free public skate on Friday at its Bellevue (11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.) and Antioch (12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m.) centers. Register now.

• The date’s been set for the 9th annual Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge and concert. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, June 6 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) at 6th & Peabody. Start placing bids to play alongside artists like Ashland Craft, Charles Esten, Craig Campbell, and more.

• Do you know how to identify stroke? For a condition where seconds count, knowing how and when to act can mean the difference between recovery and long-term brain damage (or even death). See the symptoms of stroke — and how Ascension Saint Thomas physicians can help you assess + reduce your risk.^

• Contemplating an e-bike purchase? Upway — the No. 1 certified e-bike provider — sells top-quality electric bikes up to 60% cheaper than retail. Shop top e-bike brands in new or like-new condition. Bonus: Your bike will ship right to your door, so you can immediately experience the sheer joy of effortless travel.*