NASHVILLE, TENN. – (May 11, 2005) This summer, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts brings back the popular Frist Fridays, presented by Fifth Third Bank concert series on May 27 with Halcyon taking the Turner Courtyard stage. The 2005 series once again offers live musical performances by some of Nashville’s hottest bands, light hors d’oeuvres, cash bars, with full access to Frist Center exhibitions, the gift shop and the cafe. Live music is offered outside in the Turner Courtyard from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Admission to Frist Fridays is free for Frist Center Members and $8.50 for non-Frist Members. Parking is free in the Frist Center lots, located off Demonbreun Street, based on availability. Frist Fridays will be offered rain or shine.

Popular throughout Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, Halcyon features singer Stephanie Callahan and guitarist Deborah Hunseder. This high-powered duo promises an evening of folk-infused rock complemented with lush vocal harmonies and cleverly crafted lyrics. An audience favorite, Halcyon has independently produced four cds and enjoys a loyal grassroots following.

Other Frist Fridays are scheduled for

June 24: Delicious
Delicious has entertained across the southeast and at such prestigious Nashville events as RCA’s CMA Awards Post-Party, the Titans Charity Golf Classic kickoff and the Swine Ball 2001. RCA Chairman Joe Galante has said of the group, “Delicious was a great addition to our CMA Awards Post-Party. Their animated stage presence and high-energy performance really kept the crown dancing all night long. I was even up there wearing a purple feather boa.” Featuring songs made famous by such classic acts as ABBA, Chaka Kahn, Chic, Kool & the Gang and Earth, Wind and Fire, a Delicious performance is interactive; the music and action are non-stop.

July 29: Denny Diamond
A favorite at Chicago clubs and taverns, this Neil Diamond stylist and his band have also played at all manner of private events, including a recent party thrown by Jim Prentice, founder of Shoney’s restaurants and at a number of events hosted at the Tennessee Governor’s residence. During a performance, which generally lasts well over two hours, Denny draws from the entire Neil Diamond anthology—from “Song Sung Blue” to “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show.”

August 26: That 80s Band
Dave Webb, Tammy Fowler, Cathey Stamps and Chip Martin are That 80s Band. This acoustic act takes listeners on a musical tour of the 80s, offering such classic tunes of the era as Jenny (867-5309) and Eye of the Tiger.

These four versatile artists have flourishing careers as individual artists. Currently touring with Mercury recording act Sugarland, Dave Webb has worked with the Rolling Stone’s keyboardist Chuck Leavell and Grammy-nominated blues diva Francine Reed. Tammy Fowler was a finalist in the 1998 Atlanta Lilith Fair Competition and won the Austin Songwriters/SESAC National Songwriting Competition in 1996. Cathey Stamps is a mainstay of the Nashville music scene. She has played with a myriad of artists of note, including Mindy Smith, Jonell Mosser, Lee Roy Parnell, the Gypsy Hombres and Annie Sellick. Multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and music engineer Chip Martin has crossed the country with a number of rock and country-rock groups. He has an RIAA certified gold record to his credit and earned the Georgia Music Association’s Song of the Year for 2000 and 2001.

September 30: Sharif Iman
Guitarist/vocalist Sharif Iman has studied, performed and loved music all his life. A versatile performer, his style ranges from R&B to funk to rock. Sharif will perform at a number of venues in the Nashville area during the summer months and is planning a European tour for later in the year.

October 28: BrazilBilly
BrazilBilly, the house band at the acclaimed Robert’s Western World on Broadway in Downtown Nashville, was founded on the ideals of traditional country music. In addition to playing regular Friday and Saturday night sets at Robert’s Western World, the band has toured Europe, opened for major country music acts and played many special events, parties and benefits in Nashville.

The 2005 Frist Fridays series is supported by: Presenting Sponsor, Fifth Third Bank; Event Sponsor, Mercedes-Benz of Nashville; Print Media Sponsor, The Nashville Scene and Radio Sponsor, Lightning 100.

Regarding Fifth Third Bank’s continuing involvement with Frist Fridays, Dan Hogan, President and CEO, Fifth Third Bank commented, “Fifth Third is excited to be the presenting sponsor of Frist Fridays for the third straight year. We have been part of Frist Fridays from the start and our partnership with the Frist Center has been a great way for us to support the arts and reach out to the community at large with a unique and enjoyable event.”

"Mercedes-Benz of Nashville is excited to be a sponsor of Frist Fridays", said Harold Hamilton, general manager. "Partnering with the Frist Center for the past two years has allowed us to be part of a spectacular event in the community which highlights the arts and offers an unforgettable cultural experience."

Continuing Series

Music in the Grand Lobby
The Frist Center presents free music in the Grand Lobby from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings and 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Friday evenings. Featuring talented student and faculty musicians from area universities; musical offerings are diverse and can vary from soft jazz to classical. Cash bars and bistro seating are available. Visitors can also tour the galleries (free to members), browse through the Gift Shop and sample a variety of fine wines from the Lobby wine bar.

Senior Mondays
On select Mondays, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and WAMB-AM will continue to offer Senior Mondays, a series of events for those who admit their “senior” status. Admission to the galleries is $4.25 (1/2 price) for seniors and a special senior parking fee of $2.00 in the Frist Center lots is offered, based on availability. Seniors receive an additional 15% discount on purchases made in the Gift Shop and on refreshments purchased in the Frist Center Café.

Senior Mondays feature a live radio broadcast from the Center hosted by WAMB on-air personality Harry Stephenson from Noon until 1:00pm. Following the broadcast, live music highlighting the Great American Songbook is offered in the Frist Center’s Grand Lobby until 2:00 p.m.

Senior Mondays are scheduled for May 16, June 20, July 21, August 15, September 19, October 17, November 21 and December 19.

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts, located at 919 Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tenn., is an art exhibition center dedicated to presenting the finest visual art from local, regional, U.S. and international sources in a program of changing exhibitions. Gallery admission to the Frist Center is free for visitors 18 and under and to Frist Center members. Frist Center admission for adults is $8.50, $7.50 for seniors and military with ID and $6.50 for college students with ID. Discounts are offered for groups of 10 or more with advance reservation by calling 615.744.3246. The Frist Center is open Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Sundays 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. The Frist Center is open extended hours Thursdays until 8:00 p.m. and Fridays until 9:00 p.m. The Frist Center website can be accessed at www.fristcenter.org.