In 2022, Cheekwood celebrated the 80th anniversary of Huldah Cheek and Walter Sharp’s wedding by displaying her gown in the drawing room. | Photo via Cheekwood
The train was bound for Nashville, and two of its occupants were destined for love.
When Leslie Cheek first laid eyes on Mabel Wood in 1895, he was determined to meet her. Cheek connected with her friend John Clemens on the trip, who agreed to introduce the pair at Wood’s Clarksville home.
For a year and a half, Cheek showered Wood with gifts each week: Mitchell’s candy on Tuesdays, fruit or a book on Thursdays, and flowers every Sunday. On Oct. 3, 1896, the couple wed and planted roots in Nashville. As the family and its fortune grew, plans for the estate did as well.
On Valentine’s Day in 1942, the Cheeks’ daughter Huldah said “I do” to Walter Sharp in the Mansion’s drawing room.
We ultimately have this love story to thank for our access to the property today. In 1957, the Sharp’s offered Cheekwood to become a public garden and destination for the arts.
Fiddlers Antiques Show | Friday, Feb. 14-Saturday, Feb. 15 | Times vary | The Fairgrounds Nashville | $15+ | Pro tip: Your ticket grants you re-entry each day.
Cody Johnson | Friday, Feb. 14-Saturday, Feb. 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $68+ | The country artist makes a stop on his “Leather Deluxe” tour with special guests Randy Houser and Chayce Beckham (Friday) + Ashley McBryde and Drew Baldridge (Saturday).
Saturday, Feb. 15
Beer & Cookies | 12 p.m. | The Black Abbey Brewing Company | Cost of purchase | The brewery will serve 4-ounce beer flights to pair with four different cookies.
Sunday, Feb. 16
Chili Cook-Off | 12-2 p.m. | Southern Grist Brewing - Nations Taproom | $15 | Tickets to the third annual celebration get you up to 15 samples, a Southern Grist beer, and the opportunity to vote for your favorite dish.
Folk x Pat Martin | 6 p.m. | Folk | $70 | Chef Philip Krajeck will team up with Martin for a one-night-only menu featuring smoked mortadella sandwiches, whole hog croquettes, smoked martinis, and more.
Saturday, Feb. 22
“The Sleeping Beauty” | Saturday, Feb. 22-Sunday, Feb. 23 | Times vary | TPAC’s Jackson Hall | $53+ | The Nashville Ballet brings the timeless classic to life on stage with musical support from the Nashville Symphony.*
Brownie Batter Dream is a first-of-its-kind nighttime blend for better sleep, now available hemp-free. | Photo by Beam Organics
Say you can’t sleep? Baby, I know... that’s that anxiety. (Or high cortisol, or existential dread...)
Luckily Beam Dream’s best-selling Brownie Batter hot cocoa packed with five powerful ingredients for deep rest improves sleep for 93% of users, helping you fall asleep faster + stay asleep longer. (Plus, zero added sugar + only 15 calories.)
“Part playroom, part art studio, part office” — that’s what you get when you step into The Creativity Bar. The black-and-white-themed coworking concept near Nashville International Airport celebrated its grand opening this month and features a traditional conference room + “creative happy hours” with drawing, jewelry making, and workshops. (WSMV)
Coming Soon
Dinner Belle is about to ring in its grand opening. The prepared meals service has been in the area since 2016 and will celebrate its first brick-and-mortar space at 8120 Hwy. 100 on Friday, Feb. 21. Sample seasonal bites and stick around for the ribbon cutting between 5 and 9 p.m.
Announced
The Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival returns to Nashville at the end of next month (Tuesday, March 25-Saturday, March 29), and this year, an 11th venue was added to the lineup. Around 450 songwriters are expected to take part — the schedule and artist list will drop on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Edu
Vanderbilt University and Lipscomb University secured the No. 1 and No. 3 spots, respectively, for Tennessee on Niche’s best four-year colleges rankings. The organization combines school data, student and parent reviews + an economic mobility index to produce its findings. MTSU also placed in the top 20 at No. 13.
Health
Feel like your vision benefits are leaving you in the dark? Brighten things up with VSP® Individual Vision Plans, starting as low as $13 a month.*
The Buy
The Buy
It’s Valentine’s Day and Friday… a combo that won’t happen again for another six years. Why not treat yourself for the occasion? We’ve got five picks we think you’ll love.
A close-up of the neck tag design on Nashville SC’s 2025 secondary kit. | Photo via Nashville SC
Take a look at Nashville SC’s new threads. If you’re not heading to the team’s jersey celebration this weekend, here’s what special elements you’ll see in this year’s The Heart of Nashville kit: The classic crest on an acoustic blue jersey base, a jock tag centered around a golden heart in the pitch, and a soundwave neck tag in the shape of a heart reading “Nashville.”
}})
