09.07.2023

Today’s Forecast

84º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:23 a.m. | Sunset 7:06 p.m.

👋 Welcome to the family, Erbil

Erbil becomes Nashville’s 10th sister city

Nashville officials welcomed a delegation from Erbil earlier this week ahead of Saturday’s official signing ceremony. | Photo via Metro Nashville

Nashville’s sister city partnership with Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, will be made official this weekend.

Erbil becoming a sister city is a big deal for Nashville, which is home to the largest Kurdish population (read: over 20,000 residents) in the US. Earlier this year, the city dedicated a historical marker — located near the Salahadeen Center off Nolensville Pike — recognizing decades of Kurdish immigration to the city.

What is a sister city?

According to Sister Cities International, a sister city is a “broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries.” A relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities sign off on an agreement to become sister cities.

Erbil will be Nashville’s 10th sister city, with the designation creating opportunities for exchanges, cultural programs, and business connections.

It’s not every day Music City gains a new sibling. Three international cities — Tamworth, Australia, Kamakura, Japan, and Chengdu, China — have been designated as Nashville sister cities in the past decade.

A historical marker commemorating Nashville’s Kurdish community was unveiled in January 2023. | Photo via Metro Nashville

Join the celebration

A delegation from Erbil arrived in Nashville earlier this week ahead of the official signing ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 9.

Nashville Public Library’s downtown branch will host Mayor John Cooper and Erbil Governor Omed Xoshnaw for the 1 p.m. ceremony. The event is free and open to the public + a panel discussion led by Sister Cities of Nashville at will follow at 2:30 p.m.

Asked

Nashville formed its first official sister city partnership with which city in 1990?

A. Magdeburg, Germany
B. Edmonton, Canada
C. Caen, France
D. Mendoza, Argentina

How well do you know Nashville's family?

Events

Thursday, Sept. 7

“Strong Inside” | Thursday, Sept. 7-Tuesday, Sept. 26 | Times vary | Nashville Children’s Theatre, 25 Middleton St. | $22.50+ | This original world premiere tells the compelling story of Perry Wallace, who made history as the first African American basketball player in the Southeastern Conference.
Nashville Sounds vs. Memphis Redbirds | Thursday, Sept. 7-Sunday, Sept. 10 | Times vary | First Horizon Park, 19 Junior Gilliam Way | $10+ | Help celebrate Nashville Sounds manager Rick Sweet’s birthday — plus, the first 1,000 fans will receive a short sleeve hoodie.

Friday, Sept. 8

Smashing Pumpkins | Friday, Sept. 8 | 6:30 p.m. | FirstBank Amphitheater, 4525 Graystone Quarry Ln., Franklin | $48+ | The band brings their “The World Is A Vampire” tour to Franklin with special guests Interpol and Rival Sons.

Saturday, Sept. 9

Watches + Wheels | Saturday, Sept. 9-Sunday, Sept. 10 | Times vary | imogene + willie, 2601 12th Ave. S. | Cost of purchase | Check out Weiss Watch Company’s pop-up + enjoy coffee and espresso by Forevermore Coffee and craft kombucha by Walker Brothers.
Music City Stones: Stones with Strings | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 7-9 p.m. | Williamson County Performing Arts Center at Academy Park, 112 Everbright Ave., Franklin | $22.50+ | This Rolling Stones tribute show brings new life to the hits you love like “Angie,” “Ruby Tuesday,” and “Satisfaction” with a string section.

Sunday, Sept. 10

13th Annual Nashville 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb | Sunday, Sept. 10 | 8:35 a.m. | William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave. | Free | Members of the public are welcome to attend a commemorative ceremony on the plaza prior to the climb.
Americano Block Party | Sunday, Sept. 10 | 8 a.m.-8 p.m. | Americano Lounge, 434 Houston St. | Free+ | Americano Lounge’s fifth anniversary party features classic cars, a mini farmer’s market, yoga, coffee and cocktail classes, and more.

Monday, Sept. 11

“The Office” Trivia Night | Monday, Sept. 11 | 8 p.m. | M.L.Rose Craft Beer & Burgers, 401 S. Mt. Juliet Rd., Mt. Juliet | Cost of purchase | Show off your Dunder Mifflin expertise for a chance to win gift cards.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Arts

9 to 5 the Musical: A season-opener worth seeing

actors pose for a promotional shot of 9 to 5 the musical

“9 to 5" is the first of five productions in the 2023-24 season, which includes “The Color Purple” and a new version of “A Christmas Carol.” | Photo by Nashville Repertory Theatre/Chad Driver

If you don’t have FOMO about the Nashville Repertory Theatre‘s season-opener, you should.

Don’t miss your chance to get in on the fun of seeing “9 to 5" — a musical adaptation of the classic 1980 comedy film with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton herself.

Playing at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center from Friday, Sept. 8-Sunday, Sept. 17, the high-energy musical puts workplace inequality and female empowerment center stage and pairs it with big dance numbers and memorable songs.

Buy tickets (before they sell out)

News Notes

Development

Centennial Park’s next phase of park improvements will include a café, multi-modal pathways, and an events pavilion with a standing capacity of 1,250 people. The work, which is still in the design phase, is expected to cost $10 million. (Nashville Post)

Open

Evelyn’s is now open inside Hutton Hotel — 1808 West End Ave. Visit during breakfast or brunch to try brioche French toast or make dinner reservations for baby carrot ravioli or Nashville hot fish and chips. Here’s a peek inside the space.

Concert

If you missed Tyler Childers at the Opry this week, save the dates — and register for early ticket access — for his April 18-19 shows at Bridgestone Arena. The “Mule Pull” tour will feature special guest 49 Winchester. Tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 15.

Plan Ahead

In other concert news, Anita Baker is bringing her “The Songstress” tour to Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Oct. 26. Additionally, LeAnn Rimes will perform a holiday-themed show at Ryman Auditorium on Saturday, Dec. 9. Tickets go on sale tomorrow.

Eat

Rivière, Four Seasons Hotel Nashville’s rooftop restaurant and bar, launched nightly dinner service. Highlights from the French-forward menu include a shareable seafood tower, grilled branzino, and chocolate ganache. Make reservations.

Announced

The Nashville R&B Music Experience show scheduled for tomorrow, Sept. 8 is canceled due to “unforeseen circumstances.” Refunds will be issued at the point of purchase, according to Bridgestone Arena.

Sports

Play ball. First Horizon Park will host the Tennessee Volunteers and Samford Bulldogs for a fall exhibition game on Sunday, Nov. 5. Pro tip: Tennessee will be the home team in the third base dugout. Tickets are on sale.

Drink

Nashville Zoo’s BOOze at the Zoo event will take place Thursday, Oct. 12. Guests will collect treats along the Trick-or-Treat Trail, hear jokes from Gourdon the Talking Pumpkin, sip on unlimited samples, and catch a Halloween-themed animal show at the amphitheater.

Film

A star-studded concert film honoring George Jones is coming to local AMC and Regal theaters on Tuesday, Oct. 17. “Still Playin’ Possum: Music & Memories of George Jones” was filmed this spring and features performances by Brad Paisley and Jelly Roll, among others. Get tickets.

Art

Tennessee native Wayne White will open “Language Is a Trick,” a new art exhibition at Hatch Show Print’s Haley Gallery, on Thursday, Oct. 5. The exhibit will highlight 20 new “word paintings” by White, in addition to personal sketches and abstracts. Attend the opening reception.

Finance

This leading credit card touts 0% intro APR on balance transfers for guess how many months… with no annual fee. (Hint: The 0% intro APR period lasts until 2025.) Details revealed here.*

Announced

🌟 Roll out the red carpet and make room for four new stars

Here are the stars joining the Music City Walk of Fame

Walk of Fame Park is located downtown across from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. | Photo by NASHtoday

Darius Rucker, Don McLean, Duane Eddy, and Joe Galante will be inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame, representing stars 101-104 at Walk of Fame Park.

The public is invited to the induction ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m.

Darius Rucker | The three-time Grammy Award-winning musician will be inducted by professional wrestler Ric Flair.

Don McLean | The singer-songwriter is perhaps best known for the classic 1971 song “American Pie,” which for nearly 50 years held the record as the longest song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Duane Eddy | Grammy Award-winning artist and Music City Walk of Fame member Steve Wariner will induct the rock guitarist. Eddy has been a member of the Musicians Hall of Fame since 2008.

Joe Galante | The former record-label executive and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame played a role in the careers of Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Dolly Parton, and many other country artists. He will be inducted by Vince Gill.

Share NASHtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_18}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Dylan

From the editor

Speaking of Wayne White’s upcoming exhibition at Hatch Show Print, did you know he worked as a designer on “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” and is credited as the art director for the Smashing Pumpkins’ “Tonight, Tonight” music video? I’m excited to check out his latest work.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY