Dora actually just talked to me about that! Her mother went to see it and totally loved it. Sort of like a Vegas show, which reminds me of what we’re doing next Wed. We’re meeting some friends to see this band Burning Las Vegas at B.B. King’s who I guess play a mix of funk, rock and R&B.

They’re supposed to be incredible live performers. My friend plays the trumpet and says they have a blazing horn section. I can’t vouch for them until I see them, but B.B. King’s usually gets good acts in there.

What I told Dora was even if the music is not quite as blazing as he says, we love the gumbo there so we really can’t go wrong. By the way, Burning Las Vegas play every Wed., starting at 7.

Dane

OK, it’s not Shakespeare like you Dane, but if you’re looking for a fun show to go see this one was really great. Especially if you like good old country music. These are all songs I grew up listening to.

So the show is called The Honky Tonk Angels and it’s a dinner thing at the Nashville Dinner Theatre. If you saw Always, Patsy Cline when that ran (I missed it unfortunately), it’s the same guy who does this one.

It follows these three women who want to be singers who are all on a bus on their way to Nashville. And during their story they sing all these classics like “Stand By Your Man” and “Delta Dawn” and “Harper Valley PTA.” You’ll totally know the songs, which is fun.

It runs Wed-Sun until Nov. 23. And hey there’s dinner!

See ya!
Sabrina

I went wine tasting the other night at a place I’ve never been before that I think Preston visitors would like. I didn’t know about it, probably because I don’t know very much about jazz. When I told Dane he just shook his head and said, “Kids today.”

So it’s called F. Scott’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar. I guess a lot of celebrities go there. That’s what my friend said. Like Dolly. I would’ve loved to see Dolly! But I didn’t see anyone. Maybe you will.

They play live jazz every night of the week. And the food is supposed to all be really delicious. Next time we go we’re going to stay for dinner. We were there for the Monday wine tasting but we did share a plate of the parmesan pommes frites. Yum!

Say hi to Dolly if you see her!

See ya!
Sabrina

I think good music is good music, no matter whether it’s country, or western. Ha. Or any other kind. Personally, I think some of the best, most talented people you can see in town, outside the Opry, are at the Bluebird. That’s where I’d take someone who really loves good, well-done music.

You might’ve actually heard of the Bluebird. It’s pretty famous and if you’re a songwriter I’ll bet you know of it. Everyone wants to play there because of its reputation. A lot of really well known musicians have stopped there.
Partly it’s because of how they do it. What they do is they have three or four singers sit in a circle, and then have them each play their songs. They also talk about how they came up with it, which is really interesting. And Sunday is free. Can’t beat that.

Dane

Don’t think that everyone that lives in Nashville or comes here only loves country music. OK, I do love it, but I also like rock too! They call us the Music City, not the Country Music City! Right?

So over at Elliston Place you can rock out as loud as you want. It’s just west of downtown near Vanderbilt. I guess you could call it one of the younger, trendier areas, but it’s got lots of food places and nighttime stuff to do.

And right in the middle is what we call the Elliston Place Rock Block. This a block-long area that has like five or six rock clubs. Probably the most well known is Exit/In. It’s been around since the ’70s. But my favorite is The End across the street. Told you we’re not only country!

Rock on!
Sabrina

Hey everybody, Sabrina here! Have you all seen the movie “Once”? About the Irish singer and the woman from Czechoslovakia? (That’s where’s she from right?) It’s a wonderful movie! You have to see it. It’s on DVD.

Go rent it today. Seriously, you’ll love it. Then after you’ve seen in it I can tell you that the two people in it actually fell in love outside the movie and they actually have an real band together. They were adorable on the Academy Awards too.

Well, their band, which is called The Swell Season, is coming to our Nashville and playing at the Ryman on Sept. 24! I have to say I wish I’d never seen the movie so I could watch it now and then go see the show! See how lucky you are if you haven’t seen it?

See ya,
Sabrina

People are asking me all time, “Where should I go to see good live music?” It’s really hard because there’s so much in Nashville. I usually start by asking what kind of music and go from there.

But coming up is a show that I think anyone who loves live music shouldn’t miss. I’ve seen him half a dozen times probably and no one can touch him when he’s on stage. Plus, I guarantee you’re going to get your money’s worth.

If you’ve seen the boss Bruce Springsteen you know what I’m talking about. The guy is a performer. It’s like watching Vince Young out there. He commands the stage and his band is something you have to see.

Anyway, you get the picture. So if you’re looking for some good live music on Aug. 21 I’ve got to point you to Bruce and the band over at the Sommet Center.

Dane

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

There is this little place here in Nashville called the Wild Horse Saloon. Ever heard of it? If you’re from Nashville, or if you’ve visited, you have. It’s probably one of the most famous spots in town for music and a night out.

I just checked their web site and I would’ve guessed they’d been around a lot longer than since 1994. But they get pretty big name bands like right now I see that Little Texas, Gina Blossoms, Ringo Starr and Pat Benatar are all coming in the next month.

But you don’t have to go for the music. The place is huge and has all kinds of other stuff to do. It’s also got a restaurant, a bar, darts, pool and dancing. They even have free line dancing lessons. Line dancing skills are a good souvenir — they don’t take up any space in your luggage!

TTFN!
Jennifer

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