May Events in Nashville

Becoming the Volunteer State: Tennessee in the War of 1812

Ongoing Event
The Tennessee State Museum (TSM) is commemorating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 with a new exhibition, Becoming the Volunteer State: Tennessee in the War of 1812. Becoming a Volunteer State: Tennessee in the War of 1812 will be on view at the Tennessee State Museum until June 24, 2012. Admission is free.

Bill Traylor

Ongoing Event
Bill Traylor: Drawings from the Collections of the High Museum of Art and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Born into slavery in 1854 on a plantation near Montgomery, Bill Traylor began making art at the age of 82. His works are notable for their flat and simply defined shapes and vibrant compositions, in which memories, folk legends and observations relating to African American life are merged. May 25-September 3, 2012

Brother Mel, Artist: A Year of Art and Accolades

Ongoing Event
Large and small abstract paintings, modern abstract guitars, signature large sculptures featuring an art bench, music bench and a reading chair; with one-of-a-kind Nashville-themed sculptures based on art, music, and books. Brother Mel will be bringing some special Nashville-themed sculptural pieces commissioned for this year's Arts Company exhibition. The public is invited to preview his latest work and to wish him well on the occasion of his 84th birthday. Opens May 5th, 2012 and continues through June 22 during regular gallery hours, Tuesday-Saturday, 11am - 5:00 pm.

Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player

Ongoing Event
The Country Music Hall of Fame pays tribute to Chet Atkins with the Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player exhibit Opening on August 11, 2011 and running through June 2012.

Church Basement Ladies

Ongoing Event
The Gaslight Dinner Theatre is excited to have the Church Basement Ladies serve up fun, food and a delicious musical comedy, April 24 – May 26. Written by husband and wife team Jim Stowell and Jessica Zuehlke, with music and lyrics by Drew Jansen, the musical comedy is based on the humorous novel Growing Up Lutheran by Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson. The story follows the ladies, from four generations, who work in the church basement, cooking meals for church functions, as they share recipes and solve the problems of a rural Minnesota church undergoing changes in mid-1960s America.

Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type

Ongoing Event
Farmer Brown's cows find an old typewriter in the barn, and next thing you know, clickclack- moo, clickety-clack-moo, Farmer Brown gets a typewritten note: "Dear Farmer Brown, The barn is very cold at night. We'd like some electric blankets. Sincerely, The Cows" When Farmer Brown refuses to comply, he gets another typed note: "Sorry. We're closed. No milk today." The cows are on strike, but with the help of a rabble-rousing duck, everything gets back on track...kind of. April 3 - May 13, 2012 All ages Adapted from the book by Doreen Cronin Illustrations by Betsy Lewin Adapted by James E. Grote Music by George Howe, Lyrics by George Howe and James E. Grote

Cross-Reference

Ongoing Event
Cheekwood's Temporary Contemporary this spring will feature Cross-Reference by Nashville artist Hans Schmitt-Matzen. A combination of library photography and painting, the work in this exhibition provides a mixed-media experience in color and movement, capturing the feeling of panning across spines of books on a shelf. Cross Reference will run March 24 through May 28.

Cyberchase: The Chase is On!

Ongoing Event
Cyberchase: The Chase Is On! is the classic good vs. evil adventure. As the dastardly Hacker attempts to overtake Cyberspace, The CyberSquad - Matt, Inez, Jackie and Digit - are determined to save Cyberspace in this out-of-this-world educational exhibit. The Cyberchase exhibit presents math in a fun, kid-friendly environment, allowing children to make use of their critical thinking skills and approach math with an investigative, positive attitude. Jan. 21 - June 3, 2012

Dream Homes

Ongoing Event
In “Dream Homes”, Milwaukee-based artist Kay Knight uses vintage 1950’s wallpaper and schematic drawings to illustrate typical middle class dreams of home and security, while often set in the turmoil of contradictory and vulnerable times. Having grown up in a family that did carpentry and home improvement, her works often include drawings of lumber and construction. The public is invited to a free reception for these shows on Saturday, May 19, 4pm – 6pm. Food and refreshments will be served. Kay Knight: “Dream Homes”, Visual Arts Gallery, April 6 – May 25. The center is also open Monday through Saturday 9am-9pm and all art gallery exhibits are free. Also on display is the Renaissance Center’s Watercolor Studio Artists Exhibit, featuring students from Jolene Clement’s watercolor class.

DinoTrek

Ongoing Event
They ruled the Earth for millions of years, and now dinosaurs are making a comeback at DinoTrek, a new exhibit at Nashville Zoo. Come face-to-face with 16 prehistoric beasts living in a hidden forest at the Zoo. Each of the dinosaurs is built on a steel frame by Texas-based Billings Productions Inc, and covered with intricately painted epoxy skin. State-of-the-art electronics and air pistons power the dinosaurs' movements that allow them to hiss, spit, move and roar. DinoTrek opens Friday, March 16, 2012 and runs through the end of July.