19 things to do in Nashville this weekend, April 28-30, 2017
It shouldn't come as a surprise that there's another great lineup for things to do this weekend in Nashville. We've done the work for you and found the best events in Music City over the next few days, April 28-30, 2017. Share this with your friends, send us suggestions of things to do, and keep tennessean.com/thingstodo close along with our free Things to Do Nashville app on Google Play and the App Store. Questions? Visit Facebook.com/ThingstodoNashville and tweet at us @ThingstodoNash for more information.
1. St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, Saturday
Originally known as the Country Music Marathon, Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville continues to embrace the country music influence within the broader genre of rock ‘n’ roll. Starting times have been adjusted to start earlier due to expected high temperatures. Take part or cheer on the runners. Here are the starting and ending points:
- Marathon and 1/2 Marathon Start Line (6:45 a.m.): 8th Ave & Broadway
- Marathon and 1/2 Marathon Finish Line: Nissan Stadium
- 5K (6:15 a.m.) Start Line: 7th and McGavock
Online registration is now closed.
2. Franklin Main Street Festival, Saturday and Sunday
Food, arts and crafts, an old-fashioned carnival and live music will make the two-day 34th Annual Main Street Festival a memorable time. Three music stages will entertain the crowd, with Backroad Anthem as the headliner Saturday night and Justin Owens putting on Worship on the Square on Sunday morning.
The festival will run 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. For more information and schedules, visit HistoricFranklin.com.
Admission is free.
3. Nashville Music Festival with Keith Sweat, Friday
The Nashville Music Festival with Keith Sweat and special guests K-Ci and JoJo, 112 and Ginuwine is at 8 p.m. in Nashville Municipal Auditorium. Tickets are on sale at the box office and online.
Tickets range from $47 to $99.
4. Watoto Children's Choir performs in Nashville, through Sunday
The Watoto Children’s Choir, a group of 18 orphans from Uganda, will continue its six-month U.S. tour in Nashville featuring a brand new concert, "Signs & Wonders."
Watoto is a holistic child-care solution initiated to serve Africa. Each child in the choir has suffered the loss of one or both of parents but they have been rescued and now live in a Watoto village. The concert will feature worship songs that share the stories of the children and the hope they have because of God’s love, according to organizers.
Performances are Thursday at 7 p.m. in Nashville at Christ Lutheran Church (299 Haywood Lane); Friday at 10 a.m. at Mercy Multiplied (15328 Old Hickory Blvd.); First Lutheran Church (113 8th Ave. South) and in Murfreesboro at Family Worship Center (3045 Memorial Blvd.) at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
All performances are free and open to the public. Learn more at www.watoto.com/choir.
5. World TaiChi and QiGong Day, Saturday
Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville wants you to know it is 'never too late to start TaiChi and QiGong." The event is from 10 a.m. to noon at Fannie Mae Dees Park in Hillsboro Village.
There will be workshops and demonstrations. TaiChi is a low-impact, weight-bearing and aerobic gentle exercise which began as a martial art, according to organizers. Qigong ("cheegong") is a practice of postures and exercises including slow, circular movements, regulated breathing and focused meditation.
Free.
6. Nashville Chamber Music Series and singers, Sunday
Nashville Chamber Music Series founder Ben Jones (Humming House) premieres a new work for string quartet called "Family Quartet" which celebrates his family from his late father to his new wife. Performers include Travis Patton on violin, Bobby Chase on violin, Rose Rodgers on viola and Melodie Chase on cello. Free beer from Yazoo will be on hand. Consider bringing a dish to share. Nashville Chamber Music Series is a house show series that brings classical and experimental music to living rooms across Nashville. This event is at 904 B Villa Place in Nashville. Learn more on the Facebook event.
The Nashville Chamber Singers will also be in concert at 3 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church (4815 Franklin Pike in Nashville) There will be a variety of genres of music performed, according to the program's organizer. Music of Karl Jenkins, arrangements of Sacred Harp/American gospel, Mexican folk songs, even Dolly Parton are on the music program. Also included is Eriks Esenvalds' stunning setting of Sara Teasdale's "Only In Sleep." They will also welcome several instrumentalists, including Laura Ross, who will join them on Morricone's "Gabriel's Oboe." Learn more at http://music.fpcnashville.org/calendar/.
Both events are free to attend.
6 of the best Nashville arts events starting April 27
7. Watkins College's Glimpse, Saturday
This traditional spring benefit and annual gathering will introduce art lovers and the art curious to up-and-coming talents starting at 6 p.m.. This "glimpse" into the emerging masters at Watkins is a one-night-only affair, and you never know whom you might discover with the juried and curated works, according to event organizers. Guests will also be able to glimpse the silo studios, hear Third Man Records spinning vinyl, enjoy fine food and cocktails — including the specialty drink, "The Silo" — and more. Learn more at www.watkins.edu/glimpse-2017, email remalone@watkins.edu or call 615-277-7402.
Watkins is located at 2298 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard in Metro Center.
Tickets are $150 per person; alumni are $50 per person.
8. International Dance Day, Saturday
The Global Education Center hosts International Dance Day at 2 p.m. with free mini dance classes from dance forms such as salsa, African, belly dances and more from around the world. Learn more on the event's Facebook page or at www.globaleducationcenter.org/.
The Global Education Center is located at 4822 Charlotte Ave.
Free.
9. Nashville Sounds vs. New Orleans Baby Cakes (series through Sunday)
The Sounds face off against New Orleans in baseball at First Tennessee Park.
Gametimes are at 6:35 p.m. Thursday (the Sounds will wear their 1978 throwback uniforms for Throwback Thursday), Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:05 p.m.
Tickets range from $12 to $36 and can be bought online at http://tnne.ws/2oJ64ho/.
10. Plant sale, Saturday
The Herb society's annual herb sale is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds sports arena building.
Heirloom vegetables, rare varieties of annual and perennial herbs — culinary, ornamental and medicinal — handmade pottery and other favorites like The Compost Man and plant daycare will all be part of the event. Learn more at www.herbsocietynashville.org.
Free to attend.
11. Golf for a cause, Saturday
Middle Tennessee golfers will tee off for a good cause as Music City Trykes hosts the 3rd Annual Tee off for Trykes fundraising event at the Hermitage Golf Course. “Tee off for Trykes,” is an event focused on raising funds to allow local children with disabilities to receive adaptive bicycles from the non-profit organization, Music City Trykes. There are more than 80 children currently waiting on the wish list to receive their very own adaptive bicycle. To date, Music City Trykes has fundraised, built, and provided over 350 adaptive bikes for local children who otherwise would never have the opportunity to experience the childhood rite of passage and thrill of riding a bike, according to organizers.
Registration is at 7 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Breakfast and lunch are provided.
For more information on Music City Trykes, to register for the tournament, or to make a donation, visit www.musiccitytrykes.org or send email them at musiccitytrykes@gmail.com. Individual registration is $125; team registration is $500.
12. See 'Intergalactic Nemesis' at Oz Arts, Friday and Saturday
A unique mashup of old-time radio dramas and sci-fi graphic novels, “Intergalactic Nemesis” features more than 1,000 hand-drawn, full-color comic-book images projected on-screen, while three actors, a foley artist and a keyboardist create all the voices, sound effects and music live, Amy Stumpfl reports. OZ Arts Nashville presents “The Intergalactic Nemesis” — “Robot Planet Rising” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday and “Twin Infinity” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Oz Arts Nashville is located at 6172 Cockrill Bend Circle.
Learn more at ozartsnashville.org.
Tickets are $59 for adults, $29 for children. A "Double Feature Saturday" price is $95 for adults and $45 for children.
13. Visit the new Gallery of Iconic Guitars at Belmont, all weekend
Belmont University was the recipient of more than 500 vintage instruments from the collection of Nashville instrument collector Steven Kern Shaw. The initial exhibit will have about 100 on display, including premiere model acoustic guitars from Martin, electric guitars from Fender and a special exhibit showing the evolution of the mandolin.
The GIG is located inside the Lila D. Bunch Library on Belmont Boulevard. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free parking is available on the street and in designated visitor lots. Learn more at thegigatbelmont.com.
Admission is $5 for most, but free for Belmont students and children under 12.
14. Nashville Film Festival through Sunday
The 48th annual film festival continues this week at Regal Hollywood Stadium 27 in Berry Hill. Learn more at https://nashvillefilmfestival.org.
Prices vary.
15. Lightning 100's Spring Block Party feat. The Delta Saints, Saturday
Lightning 100 and Marathon Music Works are kicking off the spring concert season with the 5th annual Spring Block Party at Marathon Village on Saturday, April 29 from 3-11 p.m., accoridng to event organizers.
While there you can experience a food truck court, local artisan market and an outdoor stage with performances by The Delta Saints,Waker, LUTHI, Okey Dokey, Lister Brothers and Mr. Steve, The Music Man.
Marthon Village is located at 1305 Clifton St.
Tickets range from $10 to $55.
16. Hillsong Young and Free at WMA, Friday
The Hillsong Young and Free Youth Revival Tour stops at TPAC's War Memorial Auditorium for a performance at 7 p.m. Hillsong Young and Free comes from the youth ministry of Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia.
17. Sunday Night Jazz in the Lounge with Dara Tucker
Vocalist Dara Tucker is poised to establish herself as one of the fresh, contemporary voices that will help to move this music tradition into the 21st century. Tucker has opened for Grammy-winner Gregory Porter and has received the Nashville Music Industry Award for best jazz vocalist. This event is from 7-8:30 p.m. at City Winery Nashville.
City Winery is located at 609 Lafayette Street.
Tickets are $15.
18. The Hermitage's first Dog's Day event, Saturday
Former President Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage will host its first Dog’s Day event for pets and families from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. The Hermitage will open its lawns to canines and community to enjoy together, according to organizers from The Hermitage. All proceeds benefit Tails of the Trail and The Hermitage, both nonprofit organizations. Spend the morning listening to musical performances and explore the historic grounds, visit animal- and people-friendly booths, and enjoy offerings from local food trucks, educational talks and vendors at booths. Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is located at 4580 Rachel’s Lane in Hermitage.
Admission is $5 per person but free for dogs and children 5 and under.
19. Nashville Zoo's Autism Awareness Day, Sunday
This day in partnership with Vanderbilt Kennedy Center's Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders is included with zoo admission or membership.
Family-friendly animal experiences and games will be at Festival Field from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to event organizers. Guests will also have the opportunity to be part of a scavenger hunt or sensory tour. Learn more at www.nashvillezoo.org.
General admission is $16. Children 12 and under are $11; seniors are $14. Children under 2 and zoo members are free. Parking for nonmembers is $5 per vehicle.
Reach digital producer Tabitha Waggoner at twaggoner@tennessean.com, 615-664-2167 and on Twitter @hAfrolocks.