Nashville City Guide - events

Tin Pan South
America's largest music festival dedicated to songs and songwriters is held in Nashville each year, highlighting all that is lyrical and legendary in the cultural heritage of Tennessee. Tin Pan South is named for New York's fabled Tin Pan Alley, and features more than 70 shows at various city venues over a week, the world's best songwriters performing close up and personal in small intimate clubs. In the past the festival has featured the likes of Art Garfunkel, Loretta Lynn and Carole King to name but a few. Besides the club shows, the week includes a songwriter's symposium.
Venue: Various clubs: 12th & Porter, Caffeine, Lobby Bar at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, The Basement, The Trap, Bluebird Cafe, Douglas Corner Cafe, Mercy Lounge and Five Spot
Date: 1-5 April 2008
Website: www.tinpansouth.com

Country Music Marathon
Music City takes to the streets in aid of charity each year when thousands of runners descend on the city to run the Country Music Marathon (or a half marathon), vying for trophies and prizes. The runners are encouraged by the strains of more than 50 bands belting out their best from about two dozen stages set up along the marathon route. The day also includes the spectacle of a cheerleading contest and the final of a Kid's Marathon. It all ends up with a massive evening concert featuring a top country music star, with free entry for runners.
Venue: The marathon begins near Centennial Park in West End Avenue, continues through downtown and finishes at the Coliseum
Date: 26 April 2008
Website: www.cmmarathon.com

Fan Fair
June is the month for country music lovers to ensure they are in Nashville, particularly during the four-day Fan Fair, when the Country Music Association lines up a feast of four big concerts and numerous other events to add up to Country Music's biggest party. What makes the CMA week so special is that the big names of country music go all out to meet the fans, happily posing for photographs and signing autographs as they wander through the event and activity venues. The Fair is all about pleasing the fans, who flock to Nashville in their tens of thousands for the nightly concerts and all-day non-stop music at Riverfront Park. Four day passes are available, though sell out quickly - for more information call 1800 262 3378.
Venue: Various throughout downtown
Date: 5-8 June 2008
Website: www.cmafest.com

Music and Molasses Festival
The country comes to the city with a celebration of the harvest season at Nashville's Agricultural Museum each year. There is music, of course, with two stages offering a homely selection of Bluegrass. Visitors can learn to make molasses like the old-timers, with demonstrations and tastings at the sorghum mill. Other ingredients for the fun day include storytellers, country cloggers, a sale of traditional crafts, delicious homemade cakes and pies, buggy rides and a touch-farm. Phone (615) 837 5197 for more information.
Venue: Tennessee Agricultural Museum, Ellington Agricultural Center
Date: October 2008, TBC
Website: