Events this Week

84th Annual Waffle Shop

Thurs, Dec 3. Downtown Presbyterian Church. 154 5th Avenue N. 254-7584. 11 am - 2 pm. $6. The church's long-time holiday tradition and fundraiser, the 84th Annual Waffle Shop! Brunch includes a hand-pressed waffle, cheese grits, and a choice of old fashioned turkey hash or sausage plus coffee and spiced tea. You don't want to miss this feast! Plus, a bake sale, craft sale, tours of the historic church and tours given by Milnar Organ Company featuring the newly renovated 1913 church organ. All proceeds go toward building improvements and ministries such as the DPC Wednesday Lunch.

New Holiday Show at Miss Marple's Dinner Theater

Through Sat, Dec 19. Miss Marple's Dinner Theater. 162 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard. 902-9566. Performance dates vary. 7 pm (except Wed, Dec 16 at 12:30 pm). $50. "Granny Catches the Holiday Spirit" is set in an old mansion in Nashville. Granny fears a ghost is haunting the mansion, but no one believes her. Downtown Details subscribers receive a $6 discount to the Wednesday, December 9 show. Mention this newsletter.

Art After Hours

Thurs, Dec 3. The Arts Company at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. 5 - 8 pm. Free.

The Arts Company will have Brother Mel on hand for a signing of the new book, Brother Mel: A Lifetime of Making Art. The Frist Center* is hosting a lecture at 6:30 pm and free music in the lobby. *Admission to the exhibition galleries at the Frist Center requires a fee for non-members.

Metro Christmas Tree Lighting
Fri, Dec 4. Public Square. Corner of 2nd and Union. 6 pm. 862-6000. Free. Mayor Karl Dean and Warner Brothers recording artist John Rich will launch Nashville's holiday season by lighting the city's 30-foot Norway Spruce. Musical entertainment by Country music trio Carter's Chord and a quartet from the Barbershop Harmony Society. Also, actors from the Tennessee Repertory Theatre will present a scene from this year's holiday production A Christmas Story. The mayor will flip the switch to the tree and the six wreaths decorating the Historic Courthouse and Founders Tower around 6:20 pm. $3 parking available in the Courthouse Garage for this event.
 

Rudolph's Red Nose Run

Fri, Dec 4. Start line: Juvenile Justice Center. Course: throughout downtown. Finish line: LP Field. 269-6682. 6:30 pm. This 5K run/walk kicks off the Nashville Christmas Parade. Since its inception in 1980 the run has raised over $500,000 for Big Brothers of Nashville. Runner registration is open through December 4 and race-day registration is available from 5 pm - 6:15 pm. All money raised benefits Big Brothers of Nashville.

"Share the Warmth of the Holidays" Nashville Christmas Parade
Fri, Dec 4. Broadway and 2nd Avenue. 7 pm. Free. The 57th Annual Nashville Christmas Parade celebrating Nashville's rich history of musical entertainment. The parade boasts twenty-four decorated floats, seven large helium balloons like the Macy's Parade in NYC, holiday fireworks illuminating the night sky, Santa Claus, and ten high school marching bands, plus TSU's marching band filling the streets with magical sounds of the holiday season. The route begins at 6th and Broadway, goes east to 2nd Avenue and then crosses the Woodland Street Bridge to LP Field. The parade hosted by Piedmont Natural Gas, will benefit Piedmont's Share the Warmth Round Up program and will feature country music star John Rich as the Grand Marshal. For more info click here and here. $3 parking available in the Courthouse Garage for this event. NOTE: road closures, see article below.

Brocade Design Arts Open House

Sat, Dec 5. Brocade Design Arts. 28 Arcade. 244-4926. Noon - 9 pm. A festive holiday open house. Inspirations for winter and Christmas themed-tablescapes, fresh holiday flowers, custom designed wreaths, fresh local poinsettias, Norfolk pines, hand-made gifts from local artisans, and much more. Treats from the Painted Cupcake, Chocolate Graphics, and The Peanut Shop. Plus, 10% off any purchase.

Handmade in the Arcade

Sat, Dec 5. Arcade between 4th & 5th Avenues. 1 pm - 9 pm. Free. Artisan market and craft fair. Local artists will display their work in booths on the lower level of the Arcade. Artwork available includes handmade books, printed t-shirts, cards, aprons, jewelry, scarves, clothing, prints and paintings. Items perfect for holiday gifts. All of the work is created locally and much of it is made from recycled and reclaimed materials. Prices range from $10 to $150.

Holiday Open House at the Lost Boys Center & Gallery

Sat, Dec 5. Lost Boys Center. 535 4th Avenue South. 256-8302. 2 - 9 pm. Free. Holiday open house featuring art, fun, and entertainment. Entertainment by Tammy Rochelle, Kristen Cothron, The Howling Brothers, and old time music with Ron Alt, Ron Whitlow, Mike Baugh, and Phil Sparks. Lost Boy James Makuac will paint on site and those paintings will be offered at a silent auction. Clay sculpture demonstrations by Gabriel Wal. The Lost Boys Gallery is on the free shuttle route during the First Saturday Art Crawl (from 6 - 9 pm).

First Saturday Art Crawl

Sat, Dec 5. Various locations. 6 - 9 pm. Free. Art galleries throughout downtown host receptions and art openings every month. Most galleries serve free wine and other refreshments. Four free shuttles provide transportation among the galleries from 6 pm to 10 pm. See the shuttle map and gallery listing here. Listings below include additional information about some of the openings.

The Arts Company

Sat, Dec 5. 215 5th Avenue North. 254-2040. 6 - 9 pm. Free. Holiday open house featuring the 13th Annual Holiday Arts Market and new exhibit on display. The holiday arts market features affordable gifts such as art books, new photography, paintings, sculpture, art-related merchandise and more. Plus, Bob Schatz and Christine Kreyling will be on hand for a book signing of Nashville By Design: Architectural Treasures. The holiday market continues through December 24.

Art On 5th

Sat, Dec 5. 219 5th Avenue North. 482-6118. 6 - 9 pm. Free. An international exhibit featuring artists from China, Brazil and North Africa. Exhibit on display through December 30.

Blend Studio

Sat, Dec 5. 79 Arcade. 554-1340. 6 - 9 pm. Free. "Connect with a Cause" features works by the Connect 12 Artist Collective and ASK Apparel. Exhibit on display through January 30, 2010.

Estel Gallery

Sat, Dec 5. 115 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. 251-8997. 6 - 9 pm. Free. Opening reception for "Cotton Candy Carnival" featuring wood sculptures by Sean O'Meallie. On display through December 19.

LeQuire Gallery Annex

Sat, Dec 5. 64A Arcade. 298-4611. 6 - 9 pm. Free. Handmade holiday ornaments by local artists Alan LeQuire, Ben Caldwell, and Tom Turnbull.

MIR Gallery

Sat, Dec 5. 44 Arcade. 522-8908. 6 - 9 pm. Free. "Cult of Personality" features drawings by Brandt Hardin.

O Gallery

Sat, Dec 5. 42 Arcade. 473-4753. 6 - 9 pm. Free. Grand Opening of the Arcade's newest gallery. Featuring contemporary art by Olga Alexeeva. Live music by Elena Korol.

Ronell & Co.

Sat, Dec 5. 83 Arcade. 776-7868. 6 - 9 pm. Free. "Conceptual Portraits" features works by Ronell Venter in oil on canvas.

The Rymer Gallery

Sat, Dec 5. 233 5th Avenue North. 752-6030. 6 - 9 pm. Free. "In Our Yard" features new paintings by Emily Leonard. Plus, new works by Whitney Wood. On display through January 2, 2010.

Tennessee Art League

Sat, Dec 5. 808 Broadway. 6 - 9 pm. Free. Four exhibits on display including "Monthly Members' Exhibition," "Works by Carol Wiel," "Women" featuring photographs by Malcolm Glass & Mitzi Cross and "Sanctuary" by the Underground 9. Exhibits on display through December 30.

Tinney Contemporary

Sat, Dec 5. 237 5th Avenue North. 255-7816. 6 - 9 pm. Free. "Winter Walls" features the gallery's annual holiday affordable art show. The perfect opportunity to purchase original works of art. Original paintings, works on paper, photography, fine jewelry and more.

Twist Art Gallery

Sat, Dec 5. 73 Arcade and 58 Arcade. 888-535-5286. 6 - 9 pm. Free. "Three Ways Different" features works by Dona Berotti, Rob McClurg and Cristina Viscu. At the Twist, etc. space "Seven Questions" features works by Sarah Shearer. Exhibits on display through December 26.

The Showroom

Sat, Dec 5. 77 Arcade. 347-306-1859. 6 - 9 pm. Free. "In A Nutshell, Under a Grand" features a group show including artwork priced right for gifts under the tree.

Zeitgeist at Terrazzo

Sat, Dec 5. Terrazzo. 700 12th Avenue South. 256-4805. 6 – 9 pm. Free. "Paul Harmon at Terrazzo" a new Art in Open Spaces exhibit in the 2-story gallery space at Terrazzo. In celebration of Harmon's upcoming book, Zeitgeist presents a survey of his life work. On display through December, by appointment. Terrazzo in the Gulch is on the free shuttle route and provides free garage parking (Division Street entrance).

Dunn Bros. Coffee

Sat, Dec 5. Dunn Bros. 401 Church Street #100. 252-2567. 7 - 9 pm. Free. Beau West & Band will perform at 7 pm. "In.FORM.ALL" features works by eleven local artists. On display through December. Also, during the Art Crawl, 1/2 priced drinks to anyone who mentions this newsletter.

Art-Luck

Sat, Dec 5. Downtown Presbyterian Church. 154 5th Avenue North. 254-7584. 6 - 9 pm. Free. Potluck dinner and art show = Art-Luck. Bring a dish to share, dinner at 6 pm. "Works from Home" features pieces in art collections owned by DPC members and friends.