The Magic Kettle

In the year 1597, we meet Mamma Leone, an overworked, good-hearted sorceress in need of an apprentice. She hires the lazy town dreamer, Linguini, and together they tend to the comical ailments of the townspeople. Linguini hopefully learns the value of paying attention, being respectful, and not to be greedy. Our adventure unfolds with pantomime, cool music, colorful costumes, special effects, magic spells and tricks.

Note: All performances are kid-friendly.

Schedule: July 25 – August 1, 2009 | Saturdays 10:00am and 12:30pm

Tickets: $6.00 / Ticket

Venue: Olde Worlde Theatre Co.
2102 Belcourt Avenue
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: (615) 300-0374

Willy Wonka

Roald Dahl’s timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir comes to life in this stage adaptation of “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory,” which features the songs from the classic family film “Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory.” Willy Wonka is presented by the Boiler Room Theatre’s Summer Musical Theatre Intensive Camp participants. Starring Jamey Green as Willy Wonka.

Seating: House opens 30 minutes prior to show time.

Schedule: July 30 – August 2, 2009

Thursday: 7:00pm
Friday: 7:00pm
Saturday: 3:00pm and 7:00pm
Sunday: 3:00pm and 7:00pm

Tickets: $15.00 / Adults | $12.00 / Children ages 3-12

Venue: Boiler Room Theatre
230 Franklin Road, Building Six
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 794-7744

Conductor Jack and the Zinghoppers Storytime

A musical storytime with special guest Conductor Jack and the Zinghoppers.

Schedule: August 3, 2009, Monday 11:00am

Tickets: Free Admission

Venue: Barnes & Noble – Cool Springs
1701 Mallory Lane
Brentwood, TN 37027
Phone: (615) 377-9979

Frist Center Kids Club: Magnificent Monoprints

For 5-10 year olds, the Frist Center Kids Club offers exciting opportunities for children to discover, explore, and create art. In August members will create monoprint portraits. Using cotton swabs and sponges, participants will apply ink to a Plexiglas plate and print their own unique portraits.

Note: Due to a limited number of space in each class, reservations are strongly suggested and can be made two weeks prior to each class. Walk-ups are welcome as long as space is available.

Schedule: August 8, 2009, Saturday | 10:30am, 1:00pm, or 3:00pm

Tickets: Free Admission

Venue: Frist Center for the Visual Arts
919 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 744-3357

Oracle Productions presents Mirror, Mirror by Scott Crain

Oracle Productions presents “Mirror, Mirror”, a new play by Scott Craine. Set in the time of King Arthur, “Mirror, Mirror” is a delightful fairy tale for all ages based on the story of Snow White.

Schedule: July 31 – August 9, 2009 | Fridays – Sundays at 7:30pm

Tickets: $10.00 / ticket | $8.00 / ticket for groups of 10 or more

Venue: Lipscomb University – Shamblin Theatre
3901 Granny White Pike
Nashville, TN 37204
Phone: (615) 364-5199

Mayor’s First Day Festival

On Sunday, August 9th we will celebrate the 10th Annual Mayor’s First Day Festival to kick-off the first day of Metro Schools beginning the following Monday morning. Coordinated by the Mayor’s Office of Children and Youth, this free Festival features educational games, activities, giveaways, and live entertainment from many of Nashville’s premier community groups.

This event is for Nashville K-12 students and their parents.

Schedule: August 9, 2009, Sunday | 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Tickets: Free Admission

Venue: Sommet Center
501 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203

2009 Williamson County Fair

There is a great deal of excitement in the air! People from across the county are preparing for a grand get together, a kind of countywide family reunion. On August 7, the sweet smell of cotton candy, popcorn and fried dough, the sounds of carnival music, hucksters and laughter, the sights of a Ferris wheel on the horizon, farm animals carefully groomed and blue ribbons proudly on display will await children of all ages.

Schedule: August 7-August 15, 2009 | Monday through Thursday 6:00pm-11:00pm | Friday 6:00pm-12:00am | Saturday 10:00am-12:00am | Sunday 12:00pm-11:00pm

Tickets:

One-Day Tickets At The Gate (CASH ONLY):
$6.00 / Adults (ages 13 and older)
$3.00 / Children (ages 6 to 12)
Free / Children 5 and under

One-Day Advance Tickets:
$5.00 / Adults (ages 13 and older)
$2.00 / Children (ages 6 to 12)

Nine-Day Pass (CASH ONLY):
$30.00 / At the gate
$15.00 / Children (ages 6-12) at the gate

Venue: Williamson County Agricultural Expo Park
4215 Long Lane
Franklin, TN 37064

Going out on a shopping spree? Try visiting these top malls and shop ’til you drop. You’ll find tons of stores and brands that is every shopaholics dream. Visit their website later and you’ll find discounts and promos they’re having right now. Enjoy!

Green Hills Mall

(615) 298-5478
2126 Abbott Martin Rd
Nashville, TN 37215

Website: www.themallatgreenhills.com

Green Hills is an upscale mall that has some of Nashville’s specialty shops such as Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Lacoste plus more than 100 retail establishments. There are several boutiques and restaurants within to choose from. The mall is located along Hillsboro Road and it is the closest and most accessible mall located to downtown Nashville. The employees of the mall and the stores are very courteous and nice. Green Hills provides a pleasant atmosphere for shoppers. Mall hours are from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM from Mondays to Saturdays and on Sundays, the mall is open from 12:00 noon to 6:00 PM.

Cool Springs Mall

1800 Galleria Blvd
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 771-2128

Website: www.coolspringsgalleria.com

Cool Springs Mall features over 150 shops. You’ll find some major departments stores such as Macy’s and Sears and retail stores like Ann Taylor, Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic and a whole lot of other establishments. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes drive to the mall from downtown Nashville. Cool Springs Mall is open Monday to Saturdays from 10:00AM to 9:00 PM and 12:00 noon to 6:00 PM on Sundays.

Opry Mills

433 Opry Mills Drive
Nashville, TN
(615) 514-1100
Website: www.simon.com

Opry Mills has about 140 retail stores which include Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Old Navy, GAP Outlet and for your taste buds, there are 26 restaurants to choose from. The mall features live musical performances daily and for more entertainment, it also have an IMAX theater. It is located between Two Rivers Parkway and McGavock Pike, bordering the Cumberland River. The Grand Ole Opry is right next door and the Gaylord Opryland Hotel Convention Center is just within walking distance. Mall hours are from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday to Saturday and on Sundays, it is open from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Prime Outlets at Lebanon

One Outlet Village Boulevard
Lebanon, TN 37090
(615) 444-0433

Website: www.primeoutlets.com

Prime Outlets at Lebanon is a different kind of shopping center. It is not one massive mall, rows of shops are parallel to walkways or streets where it has a landscaped courtard. It provides a playground for the kids to enjoy and the mall also offers free WI-Fi. It is located less than 30 miles from Nashville which would take only about 30 minutes drive. It is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Mondays to Saturdays and from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Sundays.

Keep your cool this summer. Dip in one of the many public pools in Nashville and perhaps take up some swimming lessons. For the schedule of swimming lessons, click here for more details. Bring the whole family and have a relaxing and fun day. What are you waiting for? Pack up your swimming gear and head to the pool for a splashin’ summer.

Battle Ground Academy

Battle Ground Academy is a private school with over 120 years of history. It was established in 1889. It is named after the original location on the battle ground of the Civil War Battle of Franklin. Battle Ground Academy’s mission is to assist students in realizing their full potential for personal fulfillment and for service to others. BGA prepares students to grow intellectually, morally, creatively, and physically in order for them to excel in school and in life. It has established a tradition of academic excellence and a high expectation from its students by offering rigorous academic courses that will give them the ability to think critically and creatively in order for the to succeed in life.

Website: www.battlegroundacademy.org

Brentwood Academy

The establishment of Brentwood Academy began early in 1969. Its mission is to nurture and challenge the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – to the glory of God. Brentwood Academy is a college preparatory school for students with average and above-average academic ability. It prioritizes in nurturing strong academic work ethic and the continuous pursuit of truth as their highest ideals. Brentwood Academy cultivates students to be life-long learners and develop a meaningful worldview and healthy relationships.

Website: www.brentwoodacademy.com

Father Ryan High School

Father Ryan High School has been serving Nashville quality Catholic education for over 80 years. It is named after Father Abram J. Ryan, priest and chaplain of the South known for his compassion to the injured and for his literary contribution in poetry. Father Ryan High School creates an environment for students for personal development– spiritually, intellectually, physically and emotionally. Its mission is to be an experience of the living Gospel while challenging students to reach their spiritual, academic and personal potential. It emphasizes on nurturing the spiritual growth of its students and at the same time motivate them in pursuit of academic excellence.

Website: www.fatherryan.org

Harpeth Hall

Harpeth Hall has been educating girls to become leaders in their careers and communities for almost 60 years. Its mission is to teach girls to think critically, to lead confidently, and to live honorably. Harpeth Hall educates girls the skills to become leaders as well as be of service to others. It instills in its students the continuous desire to learn so that they will realize their full potential and achieve excellence.

Website: www.harpethhall.org

Montgomery Bell Academy

Montgomery Bell Academy has been preparing young men for college for over 142 years. As the only school for young men in Middle Tennessee, MBA offers a unique educational setting where boys are immersed in an environment where trust and support are central. Here, students develop leadership skills, become independent, resourceful and find a sense of self-worth. MBA balances the students’ activities, such as in academics, athletics and fine arts, making sure that they become well-rounded individuals.

Website: www.montgomerybell.com

University School of Nashville

The University School of Nashville has been the forefront of education in Nashville since 1915. USN is committed in developing a strong bond between a student and a teacher but at the same time fostering students’ independence and initiative. An emphasis on mutual respect and individual responsibility is at the core of USN. The campus sits in the midtown university neighborhood of Nashville with an 85 acre River Campus that offers additional athletic space and outdoor science labs. This creates a learning environment for students to develop their imagination and stimulate curiosity.

Website: www.usn.org

July 23, 2009

Family Night Out: Janet Ivey

Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art

Zoom through the Solar System with Janet Ivey. Janet has won multiple Emmy awards in the Children’s Education Programming category for her program “Janet’s Planet.” Her latest Emmy was awarded in 2006 by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. www.janetsplanet.com

July 25, 2009

Ice Day

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

To cool down for the hot summer days, on July 25, 2009, the Nashville Zoo will turn into a winter wonderland. This mid-summer event is ice-packed with fun activities, including: popsicle treats for the animals, free ice cream samples for our human guests provided by Blue Bell Ice Cream, an ice cream eating contest, a water slide inflatable and much, much more!!

July 25, 2009

Family Program: A visit from the Nashville Public Library Puppet Truck

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Watch a performance of Anansi the Spider. This colorful puppet play, based on African tales of a tricky spider who uses cleverness to achieve his wishes, features handmade marionettes and hand-and-rod puppets. Following the puppet show, participants will create their own percussion instrument. Free Admission.

June 26-July 5, 2009

Tennessee Shakespeare Festival Presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Tennessee Shakespeare Festival

The Tennessee Shakespeare Festival’s performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be held in Bell Buckle, Tennessee on June 26, 27, & 28 and July 2, 3, & 5. There will be tent seating as well as grounds seating for those preferring to bring a blanket. The director has chosen to set the play in the Deep South of the 1930’s.

July 27-July 31, 2009

Hands-on History Camp Travellers

Rest Plantation and Museum

For campers ages 7 – 14, explore 1,000 years of Tennessee history, from the ancient Mississippian Indians to early frontier history and from the Overton family through the Civil War. Experience creative projects such as candle dipping, gorget making, and even the occasional flour bomb fight. The final day of camp offers a behind the scenes glimpse at some of Travellers Rest’s historic treasures.

Le Peep Restaurant

Le Peep is a great place to get you breakfast or brunch. The food is delicious and they have about every breakfast food you can think of on the menu. They have tasty omelets with an assortment of fixings to choose from. Their waffles are great and the eggs Florentine is a must try. Their servings are huge so you will surely leave on a full stomach. The place is usually packed especially on weekends so you better be prepared to wait for about 30 minutes to get a table but it is guaranteed that the food is definitely worth the wait.

Website: www.lepeep.com

Nero’s Grill

Nero’s Grill gives a casual and cozy atmosphere to it’s diners. They have a beautiful bar and a lounge that has a warm fireplace and a grand piano in the corner. Whether you’re going for the brunch buffet or ordering ala carte you’ll definitely love their food. Their signature Corn Bread served at the beginning of your meal are absolutely wonderful. You can try their Chicken Picata or their Steak and Biscuit, whichever food you’d order, it will surely make you come back for more. It’s not just the food that’s great at Nero’s Grill their service is also wonderful.

Website: www.nerosgrill.com

Athens Family Restaurant

How about going Greek for brunch? Try the Athens Family Restaurant. It is the best place to get a quick and affordable meal. Their menu combines Greek themed to traditional American dishes. You can either go for Lamb Souvlaki and Hummus or go for the more traditional All American breakfast. Whichever type of meal you choose, Athens offers very delicious and flavourful food. It is open 24 hours from Wednesdays through Saturdays so if you get hungry at midnight or early in the morning, you can just drop by Athens for a quick bite.

Website: www.athensfamilyrestaurant.com