Looking for an unusual and far-out evening activity that even your kids will get a kick out of? Take them over to the Dyer Observatory for their Open House Telescope Night.

Seriously. It goes on once a month from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. (this month on Aug. 8th) and they let you use their telescopes to see the sun, moon, planets, and stars up close. Plus it’s free, which you can’t say about a lot of things your kids might be interested in.

Dyer Observatory is part of Vanderbilt University and is located on one of the tallest peaks near Nashville. If it’s cloudy they do tours instead and have one of their astronomers available to answer questions.

You can also bring your own telescope if you want and they’ll help you learn how to see the most with it. Though I’m going to bet their equipment is a little better.

Dane

Have I mentioned that I’m kind of a car nut? If I had a million dollars that’s probably where a lot of it would go. Dora, you didn’t hear that.

Coming up is a pretty cool event if you’re car inclined. It’s over at the Lane Motor Museum which has a great collection of mostly European cars from the 1920s on. Once a year they do this thing called the “Magic of the Machine” where you can ride in some of the cars in their collection.

This year you can try out their Fiat Multipla, Tatra T-87, a 1963 BMW 3200 and a 1964 Amphicar. There are others and demos too like a car I’ve never even heard of called the Faunwerke Kraka Folding Car.

It goes from 11 to 4 on Saturday, July 26.

A folding car? I’ve got to see that.

Dane

I guess they’re expecting about 100,000 people at Riverfront Park for the show, so if that’s not your idea of fun, here are a couple of other options for how to celebrate the fourth:

1. Shores & Stripes — This one’s at Nashville Shores on July 3 and 4. It has a boat parade, a beach concert with the Stretta band, fireworks, and a Dive-In Movie of, you guessed it, “Independence Day.”
2. Music City Hot Chicken Festival — Head over to East Park for some hot chicken. This one runs only 12 to 3.
3. The Nashville Sound vs. Round Rock Express — It’s fireworks night and a big show is scheduled to follow the game (AAA baseball, if you didn’t know). If that’s not enough to get you there, the first 2,000 fans receive a complimentary foam guitar, courtesy of CMT.

Have a good one!
Dane

I love, love, love the fourth of July! I love the picnics, the fireworks, the summer, the whole family feeling! Everyone’s in a great mood. This year’s Nashville celebration is called Let Freedom Sing.

It will happen down at Riverfront Park and is a huge event in the city. There’s going to be all kinds of stuff happening. Festivities start at noon with the free Family Fun Zone. Music starts 3:00 pm and includes The WannaBeatles, Les Kerr and The Bayou Band and The Lost Trailers.

The main stage kicks off at 7:00 pm with Max Q (a barbershop quartet) performing the national anthem. Barry Scott, the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Phil Vassar and Michael McDonald will also perform.

It all wraps up with the South’s largest fireworks show at about 9:25 pm! Can’t wait!

Happy fourth everyone!
Dane

Bonnaroo is now officially on! I’m not even sure how to explain Bonnaroo. Last year was my first time and it was crazy! It’s a music festival but there’s also art, movies, comedy, food. Last year’s highlight was definitely seeing The Police.

This year, Bonnaroo (which is even fun to say) runs from June 12-15 out in Manchester. Just about every kind of music is there. Like this year there’s Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Pearl Jam, Kanye West (love him!), Willie Nelson, Chris Rock.

The list goes on. Just look at their web site. Every other place in the country must be empty that weekend! This year, I can’t wait to see Swell Season (the two people from the movie “Once”) and Aimee Mann. She’s great.

See you there,
Jennifer

now we’re talking summer everybody! it’s just a beautiful time to be in nashville! it’s even better coming up too because it’s almost time for the cma music festival!

if i wasn’t from nashville, and i was planning a visit, i’d probably come the first week in june just because everything is starting to happen and it’s one of best events of the year.

the festival runs june 5 through 8 at lp field but there’s just a lot going on. this year it seems like everyone’s playing, including randy travis, faith hill, sugarland, carrie underwood, alan jackson, taylor swift. and there are always shows downtown after. (check out their site for all the stuff going on.)

everything gets going with a huge party downtown on wednesday, june 4. we’ll put a pot of coffee on for you!

♥shea

If you’re looking for a great way to end your week, or start your weekend, you could do a lot worse than a Frist Friday.

It’s true that Frist Friday is technically a concert series, but there’s so much more going on, including good food, drinks and the exhibits on display at the Frist galleries at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. And then you add the beautiful summer Nashville nights, and great people watching. Hard to beat.

Things get started today, May 30, and then continue every last Friday of the month through October in the Turner Courtyard from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The first Friday’s musical stylings come courtesy of Tony Joe White.

Afterwards, we like to head over to the Broadway Brewhouse. Come on, 9 is early…

See ya later,
Dane

I have a couple of friends who are almost finished with the culinary arts program at Nashville Tech and I’ve been meaning to mention the upcoming Generous Helpings fundraiser on May 28.

If you like good food then you should definitely make time for it. Plus, it’s for a great cause. It’s basically a big meal and silent auction to benefit Nashville’s Table, a program at the Second Harvest Food Bank, and the Culinary Arts Scholarship Fund at Nashville Tech.

You pay one set price ($40 in advance or $50 at the door) and then get to try a bunch of different gourmet appetizers, entrees, desserts, beers and wines from more than 25 of the city’s best restaurants, wine shops and breweries.

It’s at the Nashville Convention Center Ballroom. Giving has never been so easy, or so tasty!

Later,
Dane

Looking for something fun to do on May 17? I know that when you’re in town for business it can be hard to get yourself to exercise. So here’s an easy solution: the 2008 Tour de Nash!

It’s an annual Nashville walk/bike event that’s held at the East Bank Greenway right on the river at Titans Stadium. It’s not a race so it’s perfect for families or anyone who just wants to get out and see a bit of Nashville.

You can do the free 6 or 12 mile ride that goes along East Nashville and part of Shelby Bottoms greenway to LP Field. There are also longer routes of 27, 50 miles and up to 67 miles that highlight a lot of Nashville’s bike paths.

The walking option is also free and is a 2 or 4 mile tour of the East Bank Greenway and downtown.

Have fun!
Jennifer

Hey, just because Amazing April is over doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do in town these days. We’re actually getting into maybe my favorite time of the year. May is just downright beautiful around here.

And it’s also time for the Iroquois Steeplechase! My family has been going ever since I was a kid. I have so many great memories, mostly of the tailgating party, which is always a blast. If you can find a spot.

But there’s other events too, such as the Hunt Ball and the Giddy-Up Gala, which are probably two of the biggest social events of the year for Nashville. They’re huge traditions, and give Nashvillians a chance to show off.

Race day is May 10 out at Percy Warner Park, and the event benefits Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Ladies, bring your biggest, wackiest hat if you want to fit in.

Later,
Dane