I applaud any effort made by anyone to bring Shakespeare to the masses. I’ve now seen Shakespeare in the Park in more parks than I can remember, have seen just about every filmed version Hollywood has churned out, and even sat through a version of Hamlet set in a modern day metropolis (you haven’t lived until you’ve seen Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in three-piece suits).

So, when I hear that there is a trio performing, all in one show, the complete works of William Shakespeare, I say this I’ve got to see. But I wonder, as do you I’m sure, how they will do it?

Well, this is how: It’s three men, 37 plays, 90 minutes. If you go to Centennial Park expecting anything deep, you didn’t do the math right. By all accounts, it’s great fun, and even the Bard needs to be brought down a peg every once in a while. Runs Aug. 27 through Sept. 13.

Dane

You’re on a family vacation. OK, parents, here’s an easy quiz:

1. It’s a hot, sticky summer’s day and you’re away from home, where do your kids clamor to go to cool off?
2. At the end of said day, when it’s too darn hot to cook, what’s your family’s favorite, easy, we’re-on-vacation meal?
3. Strange town, not sure what to do with yourselves in the evening, what’s the perfect family activity?

If you answered the pool, pizza, and a movie, the Preston has got the perfect family package for you (Keep it Simple, Where’s the Pool?). Stay a night in the hotel, enjoy the pool, then dig in to pizza and soft drinks. Take a little break, get in to your jammies, and settle in for an in-room movie, complete with popcorn. We’ll even throw in breakfast in the morning. Perfect score.

Dane

Seems these days that every city is trying to stay “weird.” First Austin, then Portland, and who knows who else. Well, if we’re trying to keep Nashville weird, too, I think this will help.

In mid-August, if you’re not too scared, check out the 4th Annual International Killer Nashville Literary Conference, Aug. 14-16 (starts today!). Turns out, upon closer examination, that no one actually gets killed at the conference, nor does it feature murderers of any kind. What is does do is celebrate the mystery, thriller, and crime literature genres.

There are three days of panel discussions, writing and promotion workshops, and author presentations. You’ll also have a chance to hobnob with some publishers, so be ready with your killer material.

Dane

On August 7, Dora and I headed over to the Frist Center for a night of theater, film, and art. The evening began with a presentation from the Nashville Opera, discussing their production of The Fall of the House of Usher, coming this fall. Soprano Sabrina Warren, followed up the presentation by singing excerpts from the opera.

Next, we took in a screening of the film Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts, chronicling the life of the extraordinary conductor. The documentary was directed by the Academy Award nominated director of Shine, Scott Hicks.

Lastly, we checked out the Chuck Close exhibit. OK, I’ve talked about this one before, but he was a friend of Glass’s and Close is actually featured throughout the film.

And, did I mention that the whole shebang is free?

Dane