It's time to kiss the Wednesday work blues away and start your descent into full weekend mode. There is plenty going on this weekend, so why not kick it off early? From comedy to community, O&AN has your GLBT best bets.
First, the Metro Human Relations Committee (MHRC) launches its inaugural support event tonight Thursday May 16. Recognizing the kaleidoscope of Nashville’s various communities, Collage offers guests the opportunity to get involved in a one-of-a-kind art project and raise awareness and money for MHRC. For more information including tickets click here.
Janis Ian fans should hustle over to the Wightman Chapel at Scarritt-Bennett for a 2-day event featuring Janis Ian, Miriam Therese Winter and special guests. For more information, including tickets click here.
For the ladies! Don’t forget each and every Thursday night you can catch Jordan Allen, Lucas Prescott and more on the stages at Play for Ladies’ Night. Shows starts at 10:30 and the dance floor opens at 11. See some great pictures from Ladies' Night at Play.
Side note: For those staying in tonight, it will be for good reason. Can anyone say Scandal season finale?
The weekend kicks off on a musical note Friday May 17 when acclaimed (and out) singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile takes the stage for a sold out show with the Nashville Symphony. If you weren’t lucky enough to get tickets, we’ve seen some tickets popping up on 3rd party seller sites. As of this morning, Stubhub had 4 tickets and although pricey, Carlile is definitely worth the money. Congratulations to O&AN reader Stephani DeRouen, our Brandi Carlile contest winner.
Can’t get into Brandi? Maybe rugby boys are more your speed? Then plan to get pitch slapped by the Nashville Grizzlies at Play Friday night.You know they can ruck & maul, but did ya know they can sing? Well, some of 'em. Join the aca-amazing Grizzlies for a show you will not want to miss! For more information visit the Grizzlies’ Facebook event page.
Theater? We have you covered. First, you can catch Veronika Electronika and the sexy Canvas bartender Malachi Taylor on stage for their second performance of Torch Song Trilogy’s “International Stud.” The cast brought the house down last weekend at Play and raised a generous amount of money for OutCentral. For more information including reservations click here.
Craving more adventure? Maybe some kink and comedy? Let’s talk about SPANK! baby. SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody swings into the James K. Polk Theater May 17 and May 18. Handsome lead Drew Moerlein, bait for gay and straight audience members alike, promises fans and non-fans of the series will “get sexually excited and laugh [their] ass off all at the same time.” Read more here.
And let’s not forget QDP (Queer Dance Party) kicks off Friday night at 9:00 p.m. at The 5 Spot. Held the third Friday of each month, QDP is the hottest dance party in town where everyone can be who they are and have a great time doing it. For more information, ‘like’ QDP on Facebook.
Rise and shine, its Saturday May 18 and the Nashville Primetimers want you to join them for a day of noble revelry at the Tennessee Renaissance Festival. Travel back to 16th Century England as the Village of Covington Glen comes alive with the bustle of a Renaissance Marketplace. Get more information on the Tennessee Renaissance Festival here or contact Wresch from Primetimers to RSVP.
Hopefully the rain will stay away (3 Saturdays in a row is too much). Walk/Bike Nashville’s 9th annual Tour de Nash will be held on Saturday, May 18. The annual event highlights Nashville’s growing network of bikeways and greenways. In 2013 the Tour will feature the 28th-31st Avenue Connector’s protected bikeway- the first facility of its kind in Nashville- and Music City’s newest ‘complete street-’ the newly opened section of Korean Veterans Boulevard. Many other bikeways and greenways across the city will be featured. For more information click here.
Didn’t catch the Grizzlies last night? You can still get your bear fix this weekend when Canvas Lounge hosts its Bear Chested Military Night. Get your soldier attire and hang out at Nashville's hottest party for the bear community with host DJ Chris Spear. For more information on Canvas, visit their website here.
And things do not slow down for Sunday Funday. Spend some time downtown as the Music City Center celebrates its grand opening over two days. Guests will enjoy a free open house featuring live local music on both days. Phil Vassar and Ten Out of Tenn will perform on the east plaza on Sunday, May 19 and Sheryl Crow will headline the free street party and concert on Monday, May 20. For more information click here.
Pride is just over a month away but O&ANwants to get you in the spirit now with its Pride Photoshoot this Sunday and Monday. Read more about it here.
There is also some fierce competition going on this weekend when contestants compete for the title Miss Tennessee Continental and Continental Plus Sunday night at Play. Crowning since 1985, former Miss TN Continentals include Veronika Elektronika and Savannah Leigh. You can catch the competition at 8:00 p.m. at Play. Admission is $10 21+ and $15 under 21.
As tht weekend wraps up, don’t let Mondays become mondaze. The lion may sleep in the mighty jungle but he is singing May 20 at Play as part of a wonderful fundraiser with Nashville CARES and Broadway CARES Equity Fights AIDS. So Hakuna Matata. Join Disney’s The Lion King cast members and others for this star studded event. Tickets are only $20 and more information can be found here.
And on the sixth day, we rested.
Upcoming Highlights:
May 22- HIV Horizons: A Community-Focused Research Update
May 31- David Sedaris at Parnassus Books
June 22- OutCentral Gay 5K
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