September 28, 2023

Today’s Forecast

83º | Mostly cloudy | 44% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:40 a.m. | Sunset 6:35 p.m.

Music City — welcome Little Amal

Little Amal leads a parade of people down a city street as they hold welcome signs.

Nashvillians are invited to join in on the free events as Amal makes her way across the US to San Diego. | Photo provided by OZ Arts Nashville

Don’t let the name fool you — there’s nothing small about Little Amal. The 12-ft puppet has pulled a few strings and is en route to make a big impact on her 6,000-mile journey across the US.

Amal (meaning “hope” in Arabic) resembles a 10-year-old Syrian refugee. She’s the handiwork of Handspring Puppet Company, which created Amal to raise awareness about the experiences of refugees and displaced peoples.

After traveling 15 countries since 2021, Amal began her 38-city American journey in Boston earlier this month. Ever since, she’s been winding her way across the map to reach Nashville on Thursday, Oct. 5. Her interactive travels will take her to Midtown before she advances to Chattanooga, Georgia, and beyond.

Want to meet Amal in Music City? At 5 p.m., a storm begins brewing as Amal reaches Centennial Park, but she’ll weather through to continue her journey. Join her on the west side of the Great Lawn for a performance with students from Rejoice School of Ballet, drummers from Global Education Center, and more. Pro tip: The celebration proceeds southward and concludes in a gathering at the Musicians Corner Amphitheater.

Events

Thursday, Sept. 28

Live at Flamingo: Comedy Show | Thursday, Sept. 28 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Flamingo Cocktail Club, 509 Houston St. | $10 | Get ready to laugh your feathers off at this Wedgewood-Houston cocktail club.

Friday, Sept. 29

HOTBOX Hangs | Friday, Sept. 29 | 5-7 p.m. | Capitol View, Charlotte Avenue and 11th Avenue North | Free | Stop by HOTBOX Hangs at Trolley Park for free drinks and tunes before checking out the kickboxing and strength training studio.
Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen and More | Friday, Sept. 29 | 7 p.m. + 9 p.m. | The Parthenon, 2500 West End Ave. | $30+ | “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Somebody to Love,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and other Queen hits performed under the glow of candlelight.
Artville & Artville Afterdark | Friday, Sept. 29-Sunday, Oct. 1 | Times vary | Wedgewood Houston + Chestnut Hill neighborhoods, Martin Street and Southgate Avenue | Free | Take in the free visual art festival featuring artisans, Community Art Show, galleries, public installations, murals, talks, live music, entertainment, food, drinks + kids’ art programming.*

Saturday, Sept. 30

Grand Celebration at Mill Ridge Park | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Mill Ridge Park, 12847 Old Hickory Blvd., Antioch | Free | The celebration will include a donation-based, family-friendly 5K (8-10 a.m.) as well as live music, dancing, food trucks, games, and exhibits.
Nashville Food Faire | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | oneC1TY, 8 City Blvd. | Cost of purchase | Shop from dozens of local vendors selling pastas, hot sauces, jams, and other provisions.
Fall Fest | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 1-3 p.m. | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S. | Cost of admission | Make suncatchers and mini pumpkins and contribute to the museum’s collaborative community thankfulness tree.

Sunday, Oct. 1

Story Pirates: The Amazing Adventure Tour | Sunday, Oct. 1 | 1 p.m. | TPAC, James K. Polk Theater, 505 Deaderick St. | $36.50+ | Plan for an afternoon of interactive songs and improv comedy from the children’s podcast “Story Pirates.”

Monday, Oct. 2

Restaurant Week Green Hills | Monday, Oct. 2-Sunday, Oct. 8 | Green Hills, Locations vary | Cost of purchase | 14 restaurants will host special deals, menus, and discounts throughout the week.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Development

Developers broke ground on a multi-agency law enforcement training academy in the Cockrill Bend area. The $415 million campus will have housing and dining for cadets + a building for the Tennessee departments of Corrections and Safety & Homeland Security.

Opening

High Notes Cannabis Bar and Lounge opens in Midtown tomorrow in a space above Dawg House — 1522 Demonbreun St. The business will focus on its beverage menu, highlighting THC shooters and mocktails made with High Notes THC spirits. (Nashville Business Journal)

Coming Soon

Supper Club on Belcourt, a steakhouse concept, will officially open its Hillsboro Village location at 2000 Belcourt Ave. on Friday, Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. Guests can begin making reservations on OpenTable next week.

Biz

The Cupcake Collection is expanding with two new locations in the works. The bakery is set to open in Hendersonville (235 E. Main St.) by November + a South Nashville shop (6900 Lenox Village Dr.) is slated for early 2024. (Nashville Post)

Shop

Hey, sneakerheads. Slim and Husky’s has its own Nike Terminator High in the works. Nods to TSU, the ownership’s alma mater, are seen throughout the design with red and blue, animal print, and a “1912" embroidery. No release date was confirmed — stay tuned. (sneakernews)

Arts

Tanger Nashville revealed there will be 13 original murals on the property when it opens next month. The installations reflect Nashville “images and expressions” + feature the work of five local artists — including Eastside Murals, Kim Radford, and Maggie Sanger. Review the brands opening.

Announced

The Nashville Zoo welcomed Pinocchio, a 10-year-old male Andean bear, from Maryland’s Salisbury Zoo in July. Pinocchio has been in quarantine since his arrival, but is slowly acclimating to his habitat before he’s introduced to the zoo’s female Andean bear, Luka, for breeding.

Try This

“Follow Your Arrow” to Madame Tussauds. The Opry Mills wax museum announced Kacey Musgraves as its newest figure — complete with a replica of her 2019 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo outfit. Fans can also sing along to tunes from four of the star’s albums beginning Friday. Get tickets.

Community

Today Is: National Good Neighbor Day

This week’s neighborhood gossip is coming in hot. | Photo by NASHtoday

It’s no cup of sugar, but consider this resource a gift from one neighbor to another — no “borrowing” necessary.

Neighbor 2 Neighbor might earn you some brownie points in your ‘hood. Whether you want to join the board or just browse the resources available on the website, you’ll be in the know when it comes to collaborating on issues that affect you and Beth next door.

The nonprofit released a 36-page State of Metro Neighborhoods report in August 2022 after conducting a biennial Census, which included feedback from 70+ neighborhood organizations. Highlights suggest litter and illegal dumping are big problems, many neighborhoods aren’t prepared for disasters like tornadoes or floods, and 75% of respondents identified neighborhood safety as a top issue.

Here’s where you come in.

Utilize this directory of neighborhood orgs — like crime watch programs and neighborhood associations — and make sure your neighborhood has included its most updated information.
Review upcoming events. Policy & Zoning 101 is free to attend next month.
Request a consultation with Neighbor 2 Neighbor or ask for referrals if your neighborhood association needs help moving forward.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Skylar

From the editor

If you’re a big fan of the Vols and Dolly Parton, you’re in for a treat. The star partnered with the team to release a live version of “Rocky Top” on an exclusive edition of her upcoming album. Plus, there’s an accompanying merch line available in the university’s store.

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