As Music City continues to follow the guidance of government and health officials, attractions have closed up to visitors for the time being and have brought the fun offering online. As a follow up to the initial list, new virtual Nashville experiences include cooking classes from local chefs, read-aloud bedtime stories, and shared playlists can all help you feel connected to Nashville.
COOKING UP A STORM
New offerings include online cooking classes from some of Nashville’s most beloved chefs, including James Beard Award-winner Sean Brock (Audrey, Joyland, and previously Husk), Tony Galzin (Nicky’s Coal Fired), Matthew Bell (Gray & Dudley), and more. While most are free of charge, Sean Brock is offering his classes for a fee, with every penny earned going to support his team’s wages.
DONATE A GRATITUNE
Nashville is doing the best to support the tireless medical professionals who are working on the front lines to combat COVID-19. In true Music City fashion, one way the city is showing its’ support is through Gratitunes, a shared playlist individuals add to and is shared with Vanderbilt University Medical Center staff and streamed to clinics. Musicians including Brad Paisley, Amy Grant, Sara Evans, Dustin Lynch, and more have all joined in by dedicating a tune on their social media channels. Learn more and add your favourite uplifting song.
GOODNIGHT WITH DOLLY
One of country music’s most recognised and loved artists, Dolly Parton, has started “Goodnight with Dolly,” a weekly YouTube series in which she will read aloud a children’s book from her Imagination Library project. She hopes to give parents and children “a welcome distraction during a time of unrest and also inspire a love of reading and books.” This will be a 10-week series, with the first episode having aired on Thursday, April 3.
ART ESCPAISM
For art lovers, Frist Art Museum is offering Art History Courses throughout the month of April. Art historian Jim Womack will host three classes, available on Zoom for a small fee, covering a variety of topics. Learn more and register here. Nashville’s creativity and foundation in music still shines in partnerships between restaurants and breweries and vinyl shops. Among others, Tennessee Brew Works is pairing with Third Man Records to locally deliver craft beer with a side of vinyl.
LIVE STREAM GIGS AND MORE
As previously mentioned, The Grand Ole Opry is available for live streaming on Saturday evenings, two Nashville documentaries are online for viewing (It All Begins With A Song: The Story of the Nashville Songwriter and For The Love of Music: The Story of Nashville), and many major attractions are offering unique virtual experiences. Interact with Music City.
SONGWRITER SESSION SERIES
Launching live from Nashville, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will present two of its most popular songwriting programmes, as a series on Instagram Live. Nashville is calling all creatives to pick up a guitar, put pen to paper, get the creative juices flowing and learn from the best music maestros in Music City. “Music is a powerful gift that unites us, stimulates creativity and provides relief while we stay home and implement social distancing,” said Lisa Purcell, the Museum’s Senior Vice President for Education, Development and Community Engagement. “This is why the museum will take our most popular song writing programs live online and invite the world to participate with us.” On Tuesday evenings, the museum will stream new Songwriter Sessions with talent behind hits such as ‘Space Cowboy’ by Kacey Musgraves, ‘Like I’m Gonna Lose You’ by Meghan Trainor featuring John Legend, and more. On Thursday’s, the museum will host Words & Music, which provides insight for aspiring songwriters of all ages. Tune in live or catch up later.
