Ms. Cheap Guide to Fall 2019: Free things to do between now and Thanksgiving – Tennessean
If you are looking for interesting, free things to do this fall, my guide is just what you need.
The Ms. Cheap Guide to Fall 2019 is full of music, hikes, festivals, art, history events, family fun and more, all over Middle Tennessee — and everything on my list is free.
Happy fall!
1. Celebrate Nashville Cultural Fest
The Oct. 5 Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival in Centennial Park will showcase more than 60 music and dance performances and include a marketplace with handcrafted and imported items, more than 50 food vendors, an interactive children’s area and the Global Village, where you can experience traditional music, languages, food, colorful clothing, decorations and traditions of the cultures that are right here in Nashville. New this year is a parade of cultures and an Ambassadors Program, where multilingual volunteers will be walking through the festival, answering questions, or having conversations in another language.
Plus, admission to the Parthenon is free that day.
Details: celebratenashville.org or 615-862-8400
2. Fall Fest at Hermitage
Fall Fest is a weekend of art, music and history featuring more than 50 artisans from across the Southeast on the grounds of The Hermitage. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 6. Proceeds benefit the Andrew Jackson Foundation.
Details: fallfestatthehermitage.com
3. Kidsville at the Parthenon
Kidsville at the Parthenon story times take place at 11 a.m. on Saturdays inside the Parthenon at the foot of Athena, which is an experience in itself. Designed for children 2-12 years old and their families, the 45-minute sessions not only feature stories, crafts and exploration stations, but they also incorporate the Parthenon’s architecture and other exhibits. Plus, you get free admission to the Parthenon, the centerpiece of Centennial Park.
Details: kidsvilleonline.org or 615-862-8431
4. Fall into Science Festival
The Adventure Science Center’s Fall into Science Festival is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 19 outside the center at 800 Fort Negley Blvd. There will be science experiments and hands-on activities for families. Children are encouraged to come in costume.
Details: adventuresci.org
5. Nashville Symphony
The Nashville Symphony’s fall calendar includes two free family-friendly concerts featuring the full orchestra.
The first is at 7 p.m. on Oct. 16 at Plaza Mariachi, conducted by Enrico Lopez-Yanez. The second is at 7 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, led by new assistant conductor Nathan Aspinall.
The Symphony is also expanding its free Chamber Music series by adding morning performances. These concerts are ticketed but free. The full lineup will be announced Sept. 9, but “Variation with Strings” with violist Judith Ablon and friends exploring the art of theme and variations is confirmed for 6 p.m. Oct. 8. Tickets will be available starting Sept. 23.
The Elliston Trio Plays Beethoven and Tower, with performances at 6 p.m. Nov. 6 and 10:30 a.m. Nov. 8. This acclaimed piano trio’s program contrasts Beethoven’s classic “Ghost” trio with work from one of America’s leading female composers. Tickets will be available starting Oct. 21.
Details: nashvillesymphony.org
6. Country Music Hall of Fame
Youth from Davidson and bordering counties get in free to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum as part of the museum’s Community Counts initiative. Up to two accompanying adults receive 25% off. Fall break is a good time to check it out, with the museum’s Fall Break Fun program Oct. 4-27, where students can explore the museum with an activity pack full of gallery games, take-home activities and cool keepsakes. Programs take place in the Taylor Swift Education Center Thursday-Sunday. Proof of local residency is required for free admission. The Community Counts program also allows Davidson County residents of any age to visit for free by checking out a Community Counts Passport from any Nashville Public Library branch.
Details: countrymusichalloffame.org or 615-416-2001
7. Music at the wineries
Several Middle Tennessee wineries offer outdoor concerts. Take a picnic, buy a bottle (or not) and enjoy good live music. Some also have free wine tastings.
Arrington Vineyards, 6211 Patton Road, Arrington, has “Music in the Vines” concerts on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. You can listen to jazz in the pavilion and bluegrass in the barn. Check the event calendar on the website for the lineup. Parking is free.
Details: arringtonvineyards.com or 615-395-0102
Beachaven Winery, 1100 Dunlop Lane, Clarksville, continues its “Jazz on the Lawn” concert series, Tina Brown on Oct. 5 and Utopia on Oct. 19. The music goes from 6:30-9:30 p.m., and you can enjoy free tastings starting at 4 p.m.
Details: beachavenwinery.com/jazz-on-the-lawn or 931-645-8867
8. Art crawls
The festive First Saturday Art Crawl is a chance to explore the Fifth Avenue galleries, plus as many as 20 other downtown galleries. There is a free shuttle, and most of the galleries have free snacks and wine, as well as great art on exhibit.
Details: nashvilledowntown.com
The Franklin Art Scene is 6-9 p.m. the first Friday of every month in and around downtown Franklin, with more than 30 galleries participating.
Details: franklinartscene.org
Arts & Music at Wedgewood-Houston offers great art and receptions in several locations in this emerging neighborhood the first Saturday of every month starting at 6 p.m.
Details: am-wh.com
The East Side Art Stumble is the second Saturday of each month from 6-9 p.m. in East Nashville and Inglewood.
Details: facebook.com/eastsideartstumble
The Jefferson Street Art Crawl is the fourth Saturday of the month from 6-9 p.m. in the North Nashville/Jefferson Street areas.
Details: facebook.com/JSACTN
Murfreesboro’s Boro Art Crawl takes place on the second Friday each month in downtown Murfreesboro.
Details: boroartcrawl.com
9. Veterans Day parade
The Veterans Day parade will take place at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11. The parade will make its way along Broadway from 14th Avenue to Third Avenue in downtown Nashville with veterans from every branch of the military participating, from World War II to Afghanistan and Iraq.
10. Farm Day at Bells Bend
Bells Bend Outdoor Center’s Farm Day is 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 12. You can enjoy hayrides, farm games and a chance to see farming equipment, meet barnyard animals and enjoy old-time music, including a fiddle and banjo competition. The nature center is at 4187 W. Old Hickory Blvd.
Bells Bend also has a free mountain biking excursion for ages 10 and up at 5 p.m. Oct. 22, and a free Beginner Climbing session for ages 8 and up at 6 p.m. Nov. 19. To register, email jon.dodson@nashville.gov.
Details: 615-862-4187
11. Jazz on the Cumberland
The annual Jazz on the Cumberland concert series at Cumberland Park, 592 S. First St., features smooth and traditional jazz on scattered Sundays from 5:30-8 p.m., plus a spectacular riverfront view of the city. Dates include Nov. 3. There are food trucks, and you can bring your lawn chairs or blanket.
Details: victorchatman.com/jazz-on-the-cumberland or 615-731-9001
12. Granville festivals
The historic Granville community near the Jackson-Smith County line has its annual Fall Celebration on Oct. 5, with music, crafts and other events including quilt exhibits, a motorcycle show and a 1960s Mayberry theme.
Granville is also hosting Tennessee’s largest Scarecrow Festival throughout October, with more than 300 themed life-size folk art scarecrows on display. Anytime you go to Granville, you can check out the general store and the Sutton Homestead with its 1880s home, blacksmith shop, grist mill shop, log cabin and weaving shop.
Details: granvilletn.com or 931-653-4151
13. Lewisburg Goat Festival
The 17th annual Goats, Music and More Festival is Oct. 11-12 in Rock Creek Park in Lewisburg, with fainting goat shows, arts and crafts and live music featuring T. Graham Brown, Shelby Lee Lowe, Ronnie McDowell and Wade Hayes.
Details: goatsmusicandmore.com
14. Gallatin Main Street Festival
The annual Gallatin Main Street Festival is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5 with music, a children’s area, craftsmen and more than 200 vendors. There is also a Third Thursday concert at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19 featuring the James Story Band. The concert and festival are both on the downtown Gallatin square.
Details: downtowngallatin.com/events or 615-452-5692
15. Southern Festival of Books
The 31st Annual Southern Festival of Books, set for Oct. 11-13 on and around the Nashville Public Library and Legislative Plaza in downtown Nashville, features as many as 200 authors gathered for talks, readings, panels and book signings. Featured authors include Ann Patchett, Ottessa Moshfegh, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Samantha Power, Casey Cep, Karen Abbott, Karen Thompson Walker, Anne Byrn and Paul Theroux. Plus there are children’s story times, live music and new and used book sales.
Details: humanitiestennessee.org
More reading for book lovers:Running a used bookstore is ‘really, really hard,’ but these Nashville shops are still surviving
16. Courtyard concerts at the library
Nashville Public Library’s Courtyard Concert series returns to Nashville’s Main Library, with concerts on Tuesdays from 11:45 a.m. to to 1 p.m. in the library courtyard at 615 Church St. The series will feature the WannaBeatles on Oct. 8.
Details: library.nashville.org/event/courtyard-concerts
Bookmark it: Free Courtyard Concert series lineup is revealed
17. Vanderbilt music
Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music has a full calendar of free fall concerts.
Blair Big Band is doing a program of Charles Mingus at 8 p.m. Oct. 3.
Vanderbilt Opera Theatre and Vanderbilt University Orchestra team up to present two chamber operas: “The Ghosts of Gatsby” at 8 p.m. Oct. 17 and Oct. 19, and “Mansfield Park” at 8 p.m. Oct. 18 and 2 p.m. Oct. 20.
The Vanderbilt University Orchestra, along with Vanderbilt Chorale and Symphonic Choir, and Blair Children’s Chorus, will present “Carmina Burana” at 8 p.m. Nov. 21. The concert will feature more than 120 singers, including Blair alumnus Ben Edquist and voice professor Tyler Nelson. Carl Orff’s setting of 24 poems is a staple of classical music performances book-ended by the iconic “Oh Fortuna,” one of the more famous pieces of music from the 20th century.
These concerts and many others take place at the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt, 2400 Blakemore Ave.
Details: blair.vanderbilt.edu
18. Belmont music
The Belmont University Symphony Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in McAfee Concert Hall.
The Belmont Chorale and Women’s Choir will be in concert at 3 p.m. Oct. 27 in McAfee Concert Hall.
Belmont Pops has a concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 in Massey Concert Hall.
Details: belmont.edu/music
19. Fisk Jubilee Singers
The Fisk Jubilee Singers perform two songs at the Fisk Jubilee Day Convocation at 10 a.m. Oct. 6 at Fisk Memorial Chapel on the university campus. The convocation honors the original Jubilee Singers, who introduced “slave songs” to the world in 1871 and not only helped save Fisk from financial demise, but were instrumental in preserving the unique American musical tradition known today as Negro spirituals.
Details: fisk.edu or 615-329-8744
20. Picasso in Hendersonville
There is still time to see the Picasso exhibit at the Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center in Hendersonville. There are more than 60 Picasso-designed ceramics on display through Oct. 20, and admission is free.
Details: monthavenartsandculturalcenter.com or 615-822-0789
21. Lipscomb Academy Stampede
Lipscomb Academy has three Music City Mustang Stampede events that will take place at 4:30 p.m. before the high school football games on Oct. 10 and Nov. 1. Stampede will include live music, inflatables, games and food vendors. The pre-game festival takes place on the Lipscomb Academy baseball field adjacent to the football field at the Reese L. Smith Athletic Complex, located at the intersection of Caldwell and Lealand lanes.
22. String City
The popular “String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry,” the original puppet show chronicling the history of country music, is back for two fall performances in the Ford Theater of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Dates are Nov. 29 and 30 at 10 and 11:30 a.m.
This 75-minute production is for music lovers of all ages and uses marionettes, rod puppetry, shadow/animation puppetry and an ever-changing set to tell country music history as it relates to Nashville’s transformation into Music City. The program is co-presented by the Nashville Public Library’s Wishing Chair Productions and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Details: countrymusichalloffame.org
23. Star parties
The Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society has public star parties at various locations. You can learn about the night sky from amateur and professional astronomers who bring telescopes to share. Fall dates are 8-10 p.m. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at Bells Bend Nature Park and 6-8:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at Long Hunter State Park.
Details: bsasnashville.com
24. Haunted Museum Storytelling Festival
The Tennessee State Museum’s annual Haunted Museum Storytelling Festival is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 26. There will be chilling ghost stories from Tennessee’s past, as well as snacks, games, art activities, costume parades and performances by the Nashville Public Library’s Puppet Truck. Attendees are invited to wear costumes.
Details: tnmuseum.org
25. Story times
Nashville Public Library has about 100 story times almost every month at the Main Library and various branches. The Tuesday and Wednesday morning story times at the Main Library, 615 Church St., are popular, featuring Library Pete, The Professor and Mary Mary singing, juggling and reading at 9:30 a.m.,10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The fall calendar also has Mother Goose moments on Mondays at the Bellevue branch, the Global Education Center presentation of Grupo Balanca Zapoeira on Sept. 14 and movies at Looby on some Thursdays.
Details: library.nashville.org or 615-862-5800
Surrounding communities’ libraries, including Brentwood and Spring Hill, have a lot of story times, too, as do stores like Parnassus, Barnes & Noble and Learning Express. There are also regular story times at the Frist Art Museum, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Tennessee State Museum.
26. Library puppet shows
The Nashville Public Library’s award-winning professional Wishing Chair Productions puppeteer troupe will perform “Lorraine: The Girl who Sang the Storm Away,” a new production based on the book by Ketch Secor and Higgins Bond, on Fridays and Saturdays between Oct. 11 and Nov. 9. Times are 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. at the Main Library, 615 Church St.
Wishing Chair also offers Story Time with Wishing Chair for children most Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. at the Main Library.
The library’s puppet truck will travel to various branch locations this fall to perform “The Amazing Twins: Ancient Maya Tales from the Popol Wuj” and “Puss in Boots.”
Details: nashvillepubliclibrary.org/wishingchair or 615-862-5800
27. Other library fun
The Country Music Hall of Fame will take its musical petting zoo to several library branches in October. There are Hispanic Heritage Month programs and multiple Halloween and Thanksgiving crafts and story times at the branches in October and November. Another fall highlight is the 10:15 a.m. Oct. 22 Dance Party with Rachel Sumner at the Bellevue branch. Check the online events calendar for dates and locations.
Details: nashvillepubliclibrary.org
28. Volunteer
Hands On Nashville offers an easy way for anyone to get involved. It pairs volunteers of all ages with projects in all segments of the community. The website calendar describes dozens of fall opportunities, including Nashville City Cemetery cleanups, harvesting plants and maintaining BELL Garden and assisting with Kid’s Cafe at Martha O’Bryan Center.
Details: hon.org or 615-298-1108
29. Radnor Lake
Radnor Lake State Park, 1160 Otter Creek Road, offers ranger-led hikes, birds of prey programs, reptile programs and canoe floats. Many of the programs are free, but some have a charge and/or a reservation fee.
You can also see eagles and other birds of prey at Radnor’s Barbara J. Map Aviary Education Center, which is free and open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and 1 p.m. to sunset Saturdays.
Details: radnorlake.org or 615-373-3467
Before you go: Meet the three new eagles living in Radnor Lake’s aviary
30. Flea market
The monthly flea market at The Fairgrounds Nashville has moved from its longtime sheds and buildings to the new market complex on the Nolensville Road side of the fairgrounds property. The first flea market weekend in the new space is Sept. 27-29 Parking is $5, but admission is free. Other fall dates are Oct. 25-27 and Nov. 22-24.
Details: thefairgrounds.com/fleamarket
31. Frist Art Museum
The museum is always free for ages 18 and younger, and free on Thursday and Friday nights for college students with a college ID. There is live music from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday nights in the café. Fall exhibits include: “Murals of North Nashville Now” through Jan. 5 and “Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists” Sept. 27- Jan 12.
Access to the Martin ArtQuest Gallery, an interactive art-making space for all ages, is included with regular admission and is open until 5:30 p.m. daily. There are free architectural tours at 4:30 p.m. Saturdays.
Details: fristartmuseum.org or 615-244-3340
32. Nashville Oktoberfest
The 40th annual Nashville Oktoberfest, one of the largest festivals in the South, is expanding this year to not only include historic Germantown but also Bicentennial State Capitol Mall State Park.
The Oct. 10-13 festival anticipates more than 300,000 attendees for its performances and musical entertainment, parades, beer gardens, food trucks and artisan vendors.
Admission is free, but you can upgrade to a VIP pass that provides access to a private tent with seating, beer service and private restrooms.
Details: thenashvilleoktoberfest.com
33. Tennessee history event
“Tennessee History Timeline: de Soto to Desert Storm” will be at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18-19. The event focuses on the stories of the people of Tennessee from the days of Hernando de Soto to the Gulf War and includes living history events, weapon firing demonstrations, children’s activities and historical talks.
You can also arrange for free walking tours of this downtown park by calling 615-741-5280.
Details: tnstateparks.com or 615-741-5280
34. Pumpkinfest
The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County’s 36th annual Pumpkinfest celebrates fall and Halloween from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 26 along Main Street in downtown Franklin, with live entertainment, a Great Pumpkin display, arts and crafts vendors, extreme pumpkin-carving and costume contests for kids, pets and grown-ups. Last year it attracted more than 65,000 people.
Details: williamsonheritage.org/pumpkinfest
35. Touch-a-Truck
Williamson County Parks’ Touch-a-Truck is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Thompson Station Church parking lot, 2604 Thompson Station Road. Children can explore construction and public service vehicles, including emergency vehicles, fire trucks, military vehicles and a helicopter.
Details: 615-790-5719
36. Tootsie’s Birthday Bash
Legendary Lower Broadway honky-tonk Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge will celebrate its 59th birthday on Oct. 9 with a free street party on Broadway and live music. Also good to know is that most of the honky-tonks on Lower Broadway, including Tootsie’s and Robert’s Western World, never have a cover charge and have live music night and day.
Details: tootsies.net
37. Jack Daniel’s BBQ fest
The 31st annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue is Oct. 25-26 in Lynchburg. There will be live music, barbecue cooking competitions, games (butt bowling, bung toss and a country dog contest) and a lots of sampling.
Details: jackdaniels.com/en-us/BBQ
38. Nashville British Car Club Show
Nashville British Car Club’s 25th annual show is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 12 on the lawn at the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home, 1310 Franklin Road, Brentwood. There will be over 100 cars — MGs, Triumphs, Jaguars, Land Rovers, Rolls-Royces and Mini Coopers. The free event benefits the children helped by the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes.
Details: nashvillebritishcarclub.org
39. Dancin’ in the District
Dancin’ in the District is back for one night — from 4-10 p.m. Oct. 10 at Riverfront Park. This music lovers festival which ran from 1993 to 2005 in downtown, has not yet announced its lineup.
Details: nashvillesdancin.com
40. Cannonsburgh Harvest Days
The 43rd Harvest Days Celebration is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 26 at Cannonsburgh Village, 312 S. Front St., Murfreesboro. The event celebrates fall in pioneer fashion with old-time music (including Uptown Country Band, Cripple Creek Cloggers and South 231 band), and clogging, hayrides, a craft fair, blacksmithing, broom making, an antique car show, an art league show, food trucks and a Riverchase Posse Gun Show.
Cannonsburgh Village is a living history museum of Southern life from 1800-1925. You can see an authentic gristmill, a log home, a general store and other reminders of pioneer times. There is also a creek and an easy trail. It is open Tuesday-Sunday.
Details: murfreesborotn.gov or 615-890-0355
41. Nashville Farmers’ Market
The Nashville Farmers’ Market, 900 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., not only has local and regional produce and Tennessee products, but also seasonally themed shop, sip and dine Night Markets from 5-9 p.m. the third Friday each month. Dates include:”Monster Mash” on Oct. 18, with a costume contest for kids and dance party for all ages; and “Shop Sip Give” on Nov. 15.
There is also aPumpkinfest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 5; and a Turnip Green Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2.
Details: nashvillefarmersmarket.org
42. Tennessee State Museum
The Tennessee State Museum, which opened last fall next to the Nashville Farmers’ Market, always has free admission. The interactive museum is known for its wonderful permanent collection of state history and Civil War artifacts, and it has rotating contemporary exhibits, including “Let’s Eat! Origins and Evolution of Tennessee Food” through Feb. 2 and “Tennessee and the Great War: A Centennial Exhibition” through early 2020. The museum has monthly story times and lunch-and-learn programs on history and art. It is closed on Mondays.
The free Military Branch of the Tennessee State Museum is in the War Memorial Building, with exhibits dealing with conflicts from the Spanish American War through World War II. It is closed on Sunday and Monday.
Details: tnmuseum.org or 615-741-2692
43. See the Predators practice
If it’s hockey you like, the Nashville Predators’ practices at Centennial Sportsplex are free and frequently open to the public. Check the website for practice details (which can often come last minute).
Details: nhl.com/predators
44. State park hike days
If you want to take a hike, all 56 Tennessee state parks have free ranger-led hikes and other programs on the five designated “All Park Hike Days,” including a National Public Lands Day hike on Sept. 28 and the after-Thanksgiving Day hike on Nov. 29.
Details: tnstateparks.com/activities/hiking
45. Regional farmers markets
The Franklin Farmers Market is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in September and October and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in November at the back of The Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Road. In addition to the produce, it features live music and family events.
Details: franklinfarmersmarket.com or 615-592-1337
Hip Donelson Farmers Market is a music and market combo from 4-7 p.m. on Fridays through October on the grounds of Two Rivers Mansion.
Details: hipdonelsonfarmersmarket.org
Murfreesboro’s Saturday Market is open 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through September on the Murfreesboro Public Square.
Details: downtownmurfreesboro.com or 615-895-1887
For a full list of markets in Tennessee, see www.picktnproducts.org and click on “Farmers Markets.”
46. Franklin Family Day
Franklin’s 13th annual Family Day Celebration is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm. There will be live music, hay rides, a petting zoo, horse demonstrations, pony rides, crafts, games, face painting and more.
Details: franklintn.gov/parks or 615-794-2103
47. Brass Band
Brass Band of Nashville has a 7 p.m. Oct. 12 concert at Vine Street Christian Church, 4101 Harding Pike.
Details: brassbandofnashville.org
48. Sirens and Sweets
Williamson County Parks has a Sirens and Sweets event from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Fairview Recreation Complex, 2714 Fairview Blvd. Wear your Halloween costume and trick or treat with local EMS vehicles, meet first responders and see ambulances, fire trucks, police cars and emergency vehicles up close. Plus, there will be games, bounce houses, treats and loads of fun.
Details: 615-799-9331
49. ‘Artclectic’ at USN
University School of Nashville presents its annual “Artclectic” juried art show and sale Oct. 24-26, featuring selected artists from across the U.S. The Oct. 24 Patrons Party is a ticketed event, but the ARTbash community party is 6-9 p.m Oct. 25, and the community arts day is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 26. Both are free. Saturday activities include the art show, a Popclectic artisan market and children’s art activities. The artwork is $10 and up. USN is at 2000 Edgehill Ave.
Details and tickets: artclectic.org
50. Centennial Art Center shows
Metro Parks’ Centennial Art Center, 301 25th Ave. N. in Centennial Park, will open its annual “Get Cultured” exhibit with a reception 5-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 4. The exhibit features international artists in conjunction with the Oct. 5 Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival in the park. The exhibit will be on display through Oct. 30.
There also will be a reception 5-8 p.m. Nov. 15 to open the Holiday Season Art Exhibition and Sale, which features works by Centennial Art Center students and staff.
Details: nashville.gov/parks or 615-862-8442
51. Stones River National Battlefield
Stones River National Battlefield, 3501 Old Nashville Highway, Murfreesboro, has a visitor center that is open daily. Visitors can enjoy self-guided tours every day, as well as ranger-led bike tours of the battlefield at 9 a.m. on most Saturdays through October. It has caravan tours at 2 p.m. on most Saturdays and Sundays that take you to four or more battlefield stops with 10-15 minutes of commentary from a ranger. Special events for fall include: t the Oct. 19-20 Artillery and Battery Day with multiple cannon firings both days.
Details: nps.gov/stri or 615-893-9501
52. 30 years of Metro in photos
A photography show entitled “Some of What I Saw” features notable photographs by Gary Layda, who was the official photographer for Metro Government from 1983-2013.
The exhibition, in the downtown Nashville Public Library Courtyard Gallery through Dec. 31, features 94 photographs, which were selected from almost a million images taken over the 30 years, as Layda watched the city grow and captured many of the changes with his camera.
Details: library.nashville.org
53. Music for Seniors
“Music for Seniors FREE Daytime Concert Series” offers monthly performances for seniors at various locations. These require a reservation. The fall lineup includes: Nashville in Harmony at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Tennessee State Museum, 1000 Rosa L. Parks Blvd.; and Gypsy Hombres at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Plaza Mariachi, 3955 Nolensville Road.
Details: musicforseniors.org or 615-330-1937
54. ‘Civil War Days’
Johnsonville State Historic Park in New Johnsonville, one of Tennessee’s best-preserved Civil War sites, has a “Civil War Days” event of interpreted Civil War history from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2. You can “meet” Andrew Johnson and Gen. Grant, enjoy the music of the 52nd Regimental String Band and see infantry drills and artillery firing demonstrations through the day. There are even $5 plate lunches from Friends of Johnsonville State Park.
In addition to the Federal encampment activities at the Johnsonville Park in New Johnsonville in Humphreys County, the 155th anniversary weekend also includes Confederate activities across the Tennessee River at Nathan Bedford Forrest Park in Benton County.
Details: 931-535-2789
55. Ashland City’s Music on Main
Ashland City’s Music on Main will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 12, with live music on the main stage in front of the historic Cheatham County Courthouse. The lineup includes: Trish Kaberle and the Wayward Junction, Boomerang, Big Shoes and Clayton Quisenberry. There are also crafts, artists and food trucks.
Details: ashlandcitytn.gov/upcoming_events
56. Free yoga and Zumba at library
Enjoy free yoga with a variety of styles and levels at the Nashville Public Library. The fall schedule has several options: Main Library, 615 Church St., offers Lunchtime Yoga every Monday at 1 p.m. The Edmonson Pike branch, 5501 Edmondson Pike, hosts Yoga Tuesdays every week from 6-7 p.m. The Madison Pike branch, 610 Gallatin Pike South, has community yoga at 10:15 a.m. on Saturdays. Gentle Yoga, appropriate for all ages and skill levels, is held at multiple branches on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Check out the library’s online events calendar for more sessions.
Get your body moving with the library’s free Zumba sessions. On Mondays, head to either the Bordeaux branch, 4000 Clarksville Pike, at 5:30 p.m. or the Looby branch, 231 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., at 6:30 p.m. The Edmonson Pike branch offers Zumba every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The Old Hickory branch, 1010 Jones St., has Zumba at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays.
Details: library.nashville.org
57. Fall Fiesta
The 13th annual Fall Fiesta at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 19. This rain-or-shine celebration of Latino culture features food, music and fun.
Details: volstate.edu
58. Dog and horse shows
Enjoy one of the free horse, cattle or dog shows at area agriculture centers.
The Tennessee Miller Coliseum, 304B W. Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro, has a USDAA Dog Agility Contest Oct. 22-27.
Details: mtsu.edu/TLC or 615-494-8961
The Tennessee Livestock Center, 1720 Greenland Drive in Murfreesboro, has several shows, i an Arabian Horse Show Sept. 28-29, and the Heart of Tennessee Junior Meat Goat Show on Oct. 5.
Details: mtsu.edu/TLC or 615-898-5575
Williamson County Ag Expo Park, 4215 Long Lane in Franklin, has the “Beast of the East” Team Roping show Oct. 11-13.
Details: agexpopark.info or 615-595-1227
59. Murfreesboro art studio tour
The Stones River Craft Association’s 26th annual Rutherford County Art Studio Tour is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 23-24, featuring eight studios, most of which will have holiday refreshments, as well as all types of art.
Details: artstudiotour.org
60. Heritage Festival in Murfreesboro
Rutherford County’s first African American School is having its 15th annual Heritage Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 12, with games, and children’s activities and live music, at Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center, 415 S. Academy St. in Murfreesboro.
Details: 615-962-8773
61. Lebanon Oktoberfest
Wilson Bank & Trust has a free annual Oktoberfest Oct. 19-20 at the bank’s main office, 623 W. Main St. in Lebanon, with music, children’s games, craft booths, a youth talent show, an antique car show and contests.
Hours are 9:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 19 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 20.
Details: wilsonbank.com or 615-444-2265
Reach Ms. Cheap at 615-259-8282 or mscheap@tennessean.com. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/mscheap, and at Tennessean.com/mscheap, and on Twitter @Ms_Cheap, and catch her every Thursday at 11 a.m. on WTVF-Channel 5’s “Talk of the Town.”
Published 2:46 PM EDT Oct 7, 2019
