During the month of April, Music City rolls out the red carpet and celebrates spring’s arrival like no other city. With scores of festivals, concerts, award shows and exhibitions—each exclusively unique to Nashville—the city has officially designated April as “Awesome April in Music City.”
“The great number of exciting events occurring in Nashville this April is a true testament to the continued growth and vitality of this city,” said Mayor Bill Purcell. “I invite everyone, visitors and residents alike to see and do as much as possible in our city this Spring whether it’s reacquainting yourself with the city or seeing it for the first time. This Spring will truly be an awesome time to be in Nashville.”
Here is just a sample of details regarding this year’s star-studded, chart-topping, month-long extravaganza:
GuitarTown— "Music City" will host Guitartown beginning in Awesome April and continuing throughout the year. The 10-foot-tall Gibson guitar sculptures will launch in Nashville during Awesome April and feature the artistry of many visual and musical artists. Guitartown is a public arts project created to unite Nashville's art, music and business communities to raise money for charity and non-profit organizations. The citywide exhibit will continue to grow and culminate with a gala event at the end of the year.
Gospel Music Association Week and 36th Annual GMA Music Awards—Get inspired and entertained at the Gospel Music Association’s premier annual 2005 GMA Week April 9-13, 2005. With more than 100 seminars, showcases and concerts, including performances by Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns and others, there’s something for everyone. Top off the week-long music extravaganza with the 36th Annual GMA Music Awards. From contemporary pop, rock, country, and praise and worship, the awards recognize achievement in all genres of gospel music. The nationally televised award show takes place April 13, 2005, at the Grand Ole Opry House. Tickets are $200, $145, $95 and $60.
CMT Music Awards—Country fans stand up and let their voices and votes count during the CMT Music Awards, country music’s only fan-voted awards. Honoring country music’s most outstanding videos, the star-studded event premiers live from Gaylord Entertainment Center on April 11, 2005 and will be hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy. Musical performers to date include Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson.
Nashville Film Festival—Movie buffs won’t want to miss the 36th annual Nashville Film Festival April 14-21, 2005, at the Regal Green Hills 16 Cinemas. Showcasing independently produced features, documentaries, shorts, animation, experimental works and videos by young filmmakers from around the world, there’s sure to be a flick to meet your fancy. Top prizes include the Dreammaker Award, entitling the winning feature film a week’s run at the Los Angeles County Regal Cinema theater; first prizes in Short Narrative and Animation, qualifying the winners for Academy Award® consideration; and two unique awards, Best Music In a Feature Film and Impact of Music Award, celebrating Nashville’s musical heritage. The festival also includes panel discussions, workshops, music showcases, guest appearances by nationally recognized figures in the film industry and more.
Julie Roberts Performs at Vanderbilt—Julie Roberts, who wowed everyone with her 2004 self-titled debut album (considered one of the 10 best in 2004 by the Associated Press) performs at Vanderbilt University April 22, 2005.
Música Caliente—Nashville goes Latin during Fesitval de Música Latina. This street fair celebrates Latin culture with live music, traditional foods, folk dancers and much more. Those with competitive natures can swing their hips and enter the Salsa Dance Contest or spice up their palates during the Best Salsa Recipe in Nashville Contest. Presented by Belmont University and The YMCA Hispanic Achievers Program, the street fair will be held at Belmont University April 23, 2005.
Country Music Marathon and ½ Marathon—With live music around every corner there’s no need to run with an i-Pod during Nashville’s Country Music Marathon April 30, 2005. Race through streets filled with rock, jazz, country, swing and pop as more than 50 bands perform along the course. Top off the day with a post-race concert at the Gaylord Entertainment Center featuring country music star Phil Vassar. The show opens at 7 p.m. with the internationally acclaimed Russian band, Bering Strait. Even if you don’t quite make it to the finish line, all entrants receive one free concert ticket. Registration fee for the marathon is $85 and $65 for the half-marathon.
Other Awesome April events include:
Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues l945-1970
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Currently - 12/31/05
Manuel: Star-Spangled Couture
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
Currently - 5/22/05
American Anthem: Masterworks from the American Folk Museum
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
Currently - 5/1/05
Linda Herritt: Transient Material of the Objective World
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
Currently - 5/1/05
Loretta Lynn Van Lear Rose Spotlight
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Currently - 5/4/05
Winogrand 1964
Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art
Currently - 4/17/05
Messages of Love
Art & Invention Gallery
Currently - 4/3/05
Kings of Country Couture
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Currently - 6/30/05
Living On: Portraits of Tennessee Survivors and Liberators
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
Currently - 4/24/05
Banjo Man: The Musical Journey of Earl Scruggs
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
3/4/05 - 6/16/06
Tennessee's Flag: A Centennial Celebration
Tennessee State Museum
3/11/05 - 7/24/05
Richard Ehrlich & The Digital Image
Tennessee State Museum
3/31/05 - 6/12/05
Mule Day
Columbia
3/31/05 - 4/3/05
Southern Women's Show
Nashville Convention Center
3/31/05 - 4/3/05
Temporary Contemporary: Chris Ballantyne
Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art
4/1/05 - 5/29/05
Kickoff to Awesome April WKDF's Birthday Bash
Gaylord Entertainment Center
4/1/05 - 4/1/05
Live at the Frist: Blue Mother Tupelo
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
4/1/05 - 4/1/05
Daffodil Show
Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art
4/2/05 - 4/3/05
Jammin' to Beat the Blues with Vince Gill and Amy Grant
Ryman Auditorium
4/2/05 - 4/2/05
Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival
Various Nashville nightclubs
4/4/05 - 4/9/05
Nashville Star
BellSouth Acuff Theatre
4/5/05 - 4/5/05
Music in the Grand Lobby: Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
4/7/05 - 4/7/05
Ralphie May
Zanies Comedy Showplace
4/7/05 - 4/9/05
Nashville Sounds vs. New Orleans Zephyrs
Greer Stadium
4/7/05 - 4/10/05
Nashville Opera presents Carmen
Tennessee Performing Arts Center - Andrew Jackson Hall
4/7/05 - 4/7/05
Viola Frey: Monumental Figures
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
4/8/05 - 5/22/05
2005 SuperNational Chess Championship
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
4/8/05 - 4/10/05
Bill Cosby
Murphy Center
4/8/05 - 4/8/05
Jazz at the Symphony: Smooth and Saxy
War Memorial Auditorium
4/8/05 - 4/8/05
Wildflower Fair
Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art
4/8/05 - 4/10/05
Music in the Grand Lobby: Teri Reid
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
4/8/05 - 4/8/05
Steven Curtis Chapman with Casting Crowns and Chris Tomlin
Starwood Amphitheatre
4/9/05 - 4/9/05
GMA 2005 Gospel Music Week
Renaissance Nashville Hotel and Nashville Convention Center
4/9/05 - 4/13/05
Lee Greenwood with special guest Exile
Muncipal Auditorium
4/9/05 - 4/9/05
African Elephant Savannah Opening
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
4/9/05 - 4/9/05
Nashville Opera presents Carmen
Tennessee Performing Arts Center
4/9/05 - 4/9/05
Ashlee Simpson
Ryman Auditorium
4/11/05 - 4/11/05
CMT Music Awards
Gaylord Entertainment Center
4/11/05 - 4/11/05
Nashville Sounds vs. Oklahoma RedHawks
Greer Stadium
4/11/05 - 4/14/05
Nashville Star
BellSouth Acuff Theatre
4/12/05 - 4/12/05
36th Annual Gospel Music Association Awards
Grand Ole Opry House
4/13/05 - 4/13/05
Nashville Film Festival
Regal Green Hills Cinema
4/14/05 - 4/21/05
Music in the Grand Lobby: Belmont University Guitar Ensemble
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
4/14/05 - 4/14/05
Killer Beaz
Zanies Comedy Showplace
4/14/05 - 4/17/05
Nashville Chamber Orchestra Acoustic Cafe
The Factory at Franklin
4/15/05 - 4/15/05
Nashville Symphony presents Broadway Divas!
TPAC
4/15/05 - 4/16/05
Nashville Symphony presents Tubby the Tuba
TPAC
4/16/05 - 4/16/05
Nashville Chamber Orchestra Guitar Gala with Jose Feliciano
Ryman Auditorium
4/16/05 - 4/16/05
Astronomy Day
Adventure Science Center
4/16/05 - 4/16/05
Nashville Kats vs. Los Angeles Avengers
Gaylord Entertainment Center
4/17/05 - 4/17/05
Links to Legends - Ailey II
Ryman Auditorium
4/17/05 - 4/17/05
Nashville Star
BellSouth Acuff Theatre
4/19/05 - 4/19/05
Music in the Grand Lobby: Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
4/21/05 - 4/21/05
James Gregory
Zanies Comedy Showplace
4/21/05 - 4/23/05
Music in the Grand Lobby: Wayne Avers
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
4/22/05 - 4/22/05
Julie Roberts
Vanderbilt University
4/22/05 - 4/22/05
Nashville Ballet presents The Sleeping Beauty
TPAC
4/22/05 - 4/24/05
TN Rep presents The Piano Lesson
TPAC
4/23/05 - 5/7/05
Musica Caliente - Nashville's Latin Music Street Fair
Belmont University Campus
4/23/05 - 4/23/05
22nd Annual Main Street Festival
Main Street Franklin
4/23/05 - 4/24/05
Bonsai Show
Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art
4/23/05 - 4/24/05
Nashville Sounds vs. Iowa Cubs
Greer Stadium
4/23/05 - 4/26/05
Nashville Earth Day Festival
Centennial Park
4/23/05 - 4/23/05
Nashville Kats vs. Tampa Bay Storm
Gaylord Entertainment Center
4/24/05 - 4/24/05
Nashville Children's Theatre presents Bambi: A Life In The Woods
Nashville Children's Theatre
4/25/05 - 5/14/05
Get Motivated Seminar
Gaylord Entertainment Center
4/26/05 - 4/26/05
Nashville Star Season Finale
BellSouth Acuff Theatre
4/26/05 - 4/26/05
Slightly Stoopid with Fishbone
Exit/In
4/27/05 - 4/27/05
Music in the Grand Lobby: Tennessee State University
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
4/28/05 - 4/28/05
Nashville Sounds vs. Omaha Royals
Greer Stadium
4/28/05 - 5/1/05
Los Lonely Boys with Reckless Kelly
Ryman Auditorium
4/29/05 - 4/29/05
Music in the Grand Lobby: Hans Holzen
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
4/29/05 - 4/29/05
Act I presents M. Butterfly
The Darkhorse Theater
4/29/05 - 5/14/05
Nashville Symphony presents Rachmaninoff's 2nd
TPAC
4/29/05 - 4/30/05
Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
Begins on West End Avenue adjacent to Centennial Park
4/30/05 - 4/30/05
Bering Strait and Phil Vassar
Gaylord Entertainment Center
4/30/05 - 4/30/05
Dana Carvey
Allen Arena
4/30/05