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

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

hey everybody! have to rave about the jason aldean show the other week! can’t stop thinking about how great it was. he was my favorite concert before, and he just beat himself out!

he was at the grand old opry and played “i use what i got,” “hicktown,” “johnny cash,” “not every man lives” which is such a great song, and “i break everything i touch”. “I can make some excuses, but darlin’ the truth is i’m just the reckless kind.” i love it!

if i could bring two celebrities with me to a deserted island, i would bring jason aldean cause his voice is so beautiful and i would make him sing and play the guitar for me. and elvis of course uhh huhh!

we had dinner at viragos, which has a very interesting environment and good sushi!

shea♥

We were having a discussion here at the front desk the other day about what animal we are in the Chinese calendar. (I’m the year of the rooster. Andrew is the year of the pig. Ha!) And a guest asked if Nashville has any Chinese New Year stuff going on. I had no idea.

So I thought I should do some checking. (I learned a lot!) Did you know that the date of Chinese New Year changes every year? It can be pretty much anytime between late January and late February.

And did you know that Nashville does have events happening for it? Yes! It’s on February 9 this year. The Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville is putting it on at the Belcourt Theater. Looks really cool, including a performance by the “Lion Dance and Drum Team”.

Have a good year of the rat!
Jennifer

My wife Dora is a huge country music fan. I myself like any kind of music from bluegrass to classic rock, whatever. But Dora she loves country, especially the classic country she grew up with that her parents listened to.

We get to the Opry now and again, but not as often as she’d like. But just the other day I think I found a Christmas gift to make up for it. It’s this Time Life series of 8 DVDs called “Opry Video Classics.” All live performances filmed at Ryman Auditorium, Grand Ole Opry House and WSM-TV here in Nashville.

It’s all stuff from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s like the Carter Family, Freddy Fender, Dolly Parton, George Jones, etc. She’d go nuts for it. Just an idea if there’s someone you haven’t taken to the Grand Ole Opry lately.

Talk to you later,
Dane