Pick up a guitar and strum along — no experience required on Make Music Day. | GIF by CMA Fest via Giphy
It’s our time to shine (and sing), Music City. Make Music Day Nashville returns Wednesday, June 21 as a citywide celebration of music open to all ages, all genres, and all skill levels.
Did you know Make Music Day isn’t just local? It’s held annually on the summer solstice in cities across the world — and unlike your typical ticketed concert or festival — events are free and open to anyone who wants to take part.
From harmonica and guitar workshops to collaborative jam sessions, here’s how to join in on the festivities.
Plan your day
As of now, this year’s celebration will host ~30 musical events around the city. This interactive map includes the locations and times of each performance — from the airport, music stores, and libraries to local breweries like Yazoo and Jackalope. Use the tabs to search the artists, and use filters to find what fits your schedule and proximity.
Join the band
Don’t just listen this year. Take note of workshops and jam sessions that allow participants to hum, strum, and sing along — no experience needed.
Flowerpot Music | 1-2:30 p.m. | Shelby Bottoms Nature Center, 1900 Shelby Bottoms Greenway | Each participant will bring one flowerpot or other household container for a community performance — filling out this form is encouraged.
Free Group Guitar Lesson | 7-8:30 p.m. | Guitar Center Nashville, 721 Thompson Ln. | The shop’s instructors will guide you through rock, country, or blues — RSVP required.
Harmonica Workshop with Carlos DeFord Bailey | 12-1 p.m. | Plaza Mariachi, 3955 Nolensville Pk. | Join this group harmonica lesson inspired by the late DeFord Bailey, also known as the “Harmonica Wizard.”
Recording Studio Petting Zoo | 1:30-3 p.m. | Studio NPL, 615 Church St. | Experiment with making beats, composing melodies, and recording vocals using computer-based audio production software.
Ukulele Strum-Along | 6-7 p.m. | Fanny’s House of Music, 1101 Holly St. | Bring your uke or just yourself for a ukulele porch jam session lead by The Ukedelics.
Tenx9 Nashville Storytelling | Monday, June 19 | 6:30 p.m. | Jackalope Brewing Company, 429B Houston St. | Free | Listen to nine people share 10-minute true stories around the theme “It’s Complicated.”
Tuesday, June 20
“The Parent Trap” | Tuesday, June 20 | 8 p.m. | Belcourt Theatre, 2102 Belcourt Ave. | $8.50+ | The 1998 film starring Lindsay Lohan is a part of the Belcourt’s summer camp-themed series and features an introduction.
Tegan and Sara | Tuesday, June 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Ryman Auditorium, 116 Rep. John Lewis Way N. | $33+ | The indie pop twins known for their 2007 album “The Con” and more bring their “Crybaby” tour to Nashville.
Wednesday, June 21
International Day of Yoga 2023 | Wednesday, June 21 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Cumberland Park, 592 S. 1st St. | Donations accepted | Small World Yoga hosts an evening of yoga at the park — the session is suitable for all levels of yoga and will feature live music.
Thursday, June 22
“The Aristocats” | Friday, June 23 | 5:30 p.m. | The Catio, 2416 Music Valley Dr. #114 | $15 | Watch the classic Disney film while playing with adoptable cats.
NJW Presents Jazz in the Park | Friday, June 23 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Hadley Park, 1037 28th Ave. N. | Free | Enjoy an evening of jazz music in the park featuring trumpeter Rod McGaha.
Friday, June 23
Re:SET Concert Series | Friday, June 23-Sunday, June 25 | 3-10 p.m. | The Great Lawn in Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave. | $99.50-$275 | Re:SET was conceived as an artist and fan friendly alternative to the standard summer concert experience — each weekend in June, enjoy full sets from every artist at The Great Lawn in Centennial Park.*
The street closure plan for Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th is here. Sidewalks will mostly remain open and events shouldn’t impact foot traffic. The main stage will be at 1st Avenue and Broadway + activities will also take place at Ascend Amphitheater. See the list of road closures.
Biz
A speakeasy is slated for The Gulch on the ground floor level of Hilton’s forthcoming dual branded Canopy and Homewood Suites development — 910 Division St. The hotel project is scheduled to open in July next year and the speakeasy would occupy ~2,184 sqft. (Nashville Business Journal)
Development
The Gulch property housing the Eleven North apartment complex is slated for development, with three residential and retail towers planned. The two Eleven North apartment buildings will stay, and the new tours will offer 1,475 units + 40,000 sqft of retail space. (Nashville Post)
Sports
Nashville SC has set a new club record of 10 consecutive unbeaten matches after a 3-1 win this weekend over St. Louis CITY SC. The team will now prepare for two upcoming road matches against CF Montréal (Wednesday, June 21) and Columbus Crew (Saturday, June 24).
Number
$10. That will be the new parking rate for events at The Fairgrounds Nashville beginning July 1. The $5 change marks the first price increase in 11 years. (WSMV)
Concert
Kirk Franklin, Tye Tribbett, The Clark Sisters, David and Tamela Mann + Israel Houghton will bring “The Reunion” tour to Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 21. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 23.
Real Estate
Icon Entertainment’sSouthern Turf Lofts are now open on the second and third floors of the Southern Turf Building. The six apartments with one to two bedrooms feature 14-ft ceilings, exposed brick, and select furnishings from the 1800s. Make a reservation.
Plan Ahead
Belmont University will host the second debate in the Nashville Mayoral Debate series on Thursday, June 22 at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. Eight candidates will take part in a televised, 90-minute Q+A session. Get free tickets.
Finance
News flash: Your “high-yield savings” account may not actually be very high-yield at all. This account can grow your money at 11x the national rate without all the hassle. Learn more.*
Drink
Out with the hard, in with the high — seltzer, that is. Rebel Rabbit is leading the way with their alcohol-free, cannabis-infused seltzers that can be shipped anywhere in the US. Add to cart.*
Correction
We were so excited, we got a little ahead of ourselves. Midland will perform their free concert as part of SEC Kickoff next month on Tuesday, July 18 beginning around 7 p.m.
Today Is
Commemorate Juneteenth locally
“Path To A Higher Note” sculpture in Centennial Park. | Photo by NASHtoday
Today (Monday, June 19) is Juneteenth — which marks the end of institutional slavery in the US. It is a federal holiday, so expect closures. Here are a few ways to observe Juneteenth around Nashville:
Community Day Juneteenth Celebration | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway | Free | Guests will have free admission to the museum, workshops, and activities all day.
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom | 4-5 p.m. | Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 1 Symphony Pl. | $34 | The Nashville African American Wind Symphony takes the stage for its annual Juneteenth performance.
Juneteenth615 Celebration at Fort Negley Park | 5-10 p.m. | Fort Negley Park, 1100 Fort Negley Blvd. | Free | Commemorate Juneteenth with live music, vendors, food trucks, and a fireworks show.
Metro Parks Centennial Art Center dedicated and unveiled the “Path to A Higher Note” sculpture (pictured above) on Friday, which was created in 2021 during Nashville’s first Black on Buchanan Juneteenth Block Party by local mosaic artist Betty Turney-Turner. Creatives Beth Herrig Volz, Martha Morales-Purucker, Alfred Turney III, and Robert Lee Turney also helped envision the sculpture now located at the northeast corner of Centennial Park.
The Tennessee Titans and Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation have teamed up for “Titans Rookies Read Across Nashville!” on Wednesday, June 21. T-Rac and the team’s rookie class will host a storytime and Q+A across three Nashville locations, including the NPL Looby Branch.
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