You really can’t imagine how challenging this is: Writing a short monthly post about what to do and see in a city like Nashville. In any given month there are more concerts, music festivals and even non-music events than just about anywhere in the country.

Suffice to say, there’s just too much to say. So, I’ll tell you what I’m most looking forward to. Tonight, at the Ryman Auditorium, one of my old favorites is teaming up with someone who will likely soon be added to that select list. You know Neil Young (one of the best live shows you could hope for), but you may not be familiar with Bert Jansch. He’s a Scottish folk singer/songwriter and really worth a listen. Hope to see you there.

Later,

Dane

Bear with me, ‘cuz this is definitely not in my wheelhouse. I’m not a crafty guy (at least not in the artsy way), but a friend of mine was going on about this event last weekend, told me I needed to pass it on to everyone at the Preston.

So, here’s the deal. On the first weekend in May, you need to head out to Centennial Park to the 39th Annual TACA Tennessee Craft Fair Image gallery. It’s a TACA (Tennessee Association of Craft Artists) gig, the biggest one of its kind in the state. There will be almost 200 artists and their work represented, with a lot of the craftspeople on hand to talk about their process and inspiration. Throw in events for kids, special exhibits and booths, and I think there’s going to be something for everyone – even me – to like.

Enjoy,

Dane

There is so much going on in Nashville this month; it’s a little something  we like to call Awesome April. For the fifth straight year, the city promises at least one major event each weekend, with plenty more to choose from throughout the month. And the really cool thing is, it’s not just concerts. There are great films, exhibits, sporting events; you can even be in the audience of a big radio show.

Start things off by catching the tail end of the Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, at venues all over the city. There’s no way for me to name everything you should see and do, but you’re crazy if you miss the Nashville Film Festival, the taping of The Prairie Home Companion, David Sedaris, Roy Clark, The Crawfish Boil, Bon Jovi, or the half marathon. Oh, and did I forget to mention Miss Aretha Franklin? Yeah, like I said, awesome.

Later,

Dane

Since I was a kid, science has always been something that’s fascinated me. Yes, I was the 5th grader who actually looked forward to the science fair (maybe you can guess some of the nicknames this earned me). So, imagine my excitement when I learned that the exhibit “Bodies Human: Anatomy in Motion” was coming to Nashville.

Having already seen it myself, I would highly suggest a trip down to the Rivergate Mall to see the exhibit of over 100 real human bodies, preserved through plastination. It’s honestly one of the most amazing exhibits ever. I assure you that there’s none of the ick factor that you might expect, just a really cool look into the way the human body works. This exhibit does show all of the human body—um, everything— so kids under 13 should probably be accompanied by an adult.

Happy learning,

Dane

The thing that’s great about New Year’s Eve is all of Nashville out on the town together, everyone living it up. The thing that isn’t so great about New Year’s Eve is being out on the road, making my way home with everyone who’s living it up a little too much.

This year I’m staying put. Not at home, that’s a little too tame for me. You’ll find me right here at the finest Nashville airport hotel, safe and sound. If you decide to follow my lead, you’ll take advantage of Hotel Preston’s New Year’s Eve deal. First you’ll hit the party at the Pink Slip Lounge, later have a glass of midnight bubbly, wake up to a great breakfast (the New Year’s deal includes a  $25 food and bev credit), and if you had just a little too good of a time, there’s a hangover kit (aspirin, Alka Seltzer, vitamin C, etc.) at the ready. Cheers!

Dane

After the gifts are unwrapped and the Christmas dinner dishes are done, the rest of the day can feel like a letdown, right? Not if all the family wraps up in all those new knit scarves and hats (I got three sets of gloves last year) and heads down to LP field to see the Titans play the Chargers. Buy tickets!

Even if not everyone in your family is a ball fan, you gotta get out of the house and do something on Christmas, especially if you’ve got out-of-towners. And, let’s face it, Jeff Fisher and his Titans may not quite have coal in their stockings, but they will have to deal with the AFC West powerhouse Chargers, and they need our support. So get out there and pray, for a victory that is.

Dane

After a long, exhausting shopping day at the mall, don’t you think you deserve a little fun? This season, Nashville’s historic Belcourt Theater, in Hillsboro Village, will be showing two great holiday flicks. They might not both be your cup of tea, but one or the other will probably pique your interest.

On December 3, the Belcourt will be hosting a special event, a screening of the modern Christmas classic, The Polar Express. The night is a benefit sponsored by Crye-Leike Real Estate with all proceeds going to Camp Hope. Tickets include dinner and a silent auction and children are welcome.

On the entirely other side of the spectrum, on December 19 & 20, the theater will screen Black Christmas, about yuletide horror at a sorority house. Hey, it’s the season of giving and the Belcourt offers something for everyone.

Happy viewing,
Dane

This is one of the Nashville events that I look forward to all year. I’m sure a lot of people think it’s nuts to go check out acres of cars most people can’t afford (especially in this economy), but I love it. It probably comes from a childhood filled with Matchbox cars (loved setting up the track, over and over) and remote-controlled cars. I just know it’s a great way to spend a day.

It’s all happening at the Nashville Convention Center on the last weekend in November. I like to see what the new trucks and SUVs are looking like, but I’m really curious, too, to see the 2010 hybrids. There will be reps from Motor Trend and all the major car makers, so it’s also a great opportunity to ask a lot of questions. And I don’t know what you drive, but I’m not parking my ride anywhere near the show.

Dane

Dora and I had a great dinner right here at the hotel the other night, at Café Isabella (Dora said it was the best Chicken Parmagiana she’s ever had). While we were eating, Dora asked me if we’d had many weddings, or things like that, at the hotel. If she was asking, I realized people needed to know what a great place we have for a big wedding event like that.

In the first place, the hotel caters the event, and the food is first-rate. The hotel itself looks great, the grounds are really cool. And if you’re like me, I need a place to wander off to during any big shindig, and the Pink Slip (our bar) is perfect for that. And, of course, at the end of the party, you can just stumble upstairs to your room. Can’t beat it.

Dane

Just in case you think that all I listen to is country music and honky tonk, I’m here to tell you that my tastes are far broader than that. That’s right; Dora and I are going to see one of the old masters at Andrew Jackson Hall (a great venue, BTW) on the fifth of November. I’ve been listening to Leonard Cohen for decades, can’t believe he’s coming our way.

I bought Songs of Love and Hate in my teens, after a girl broke up with me, and I knew Leonard knew how I felt. I defy you to listen to “Hallelujah,” one of his all-time bests (off of Various Positions), and not choke up a bit. And, Cohen isn’t just an amazing singer/songwriter—the guy writes poetry, novels, even spent a long time at a Buddhist monastery. Hey, he’s everybody’s man.

Dane