A selective listing of nightclubs and music venues. Some listings contain descriptions by the editorial staff.

All American Sports Grill

941 N.W. Broad St., Murfreesboro 896-9661

Alleygators Underground Lounge

207 3rd Ave. N. 255-8840

B.B. King's Blues Club

152 2nd Ave. N. 256-2727

The Bar Car

209 10th Ave. S. 259-4875

BarTwenty3

503 12th Ave. S. 963-9998

The Basement

1604 8th Ave. S. 254-1604

Located behind Grimey's record shop, The Basement has been booking an interesting mix of shows, thanks to the participation of Grimey's partners Mike Grimes and Doyle Davis. Featuring touring acts, local rock/pop bands and cool DJ nights.

Belcourt Theatre

2102 Belcourt Ave. 383-9140

Featuring great foreign, indie and classic films as well as great live shows from time to time.

Beyond the Edge

112 S. 11th St. 226-3343

Bluebird Cafe

4104 Hillsboro Rd. 383-1461

Nashville's world-famous songwriter hangout, where the tunes you hear on country radio almost always get their dry run.

Blue Sky Court

410 4th Ave. S. 242-6033

Bluesboro Rhythm & Blues Co.

114 N. Church St., Murfreesboro. 907-1115

Boardwalk Cafe

4114 Nolensville Pk. 832-5104

Listen to nightly entertainment, writers' nights, blues and rock bands.

Bongo After Hours Theatre

2007 Belmont Blvd. 385-1188

An intimate space above Bongo Java coffeehouse booking singer-songwriter, local theater events and other offbeat offerings.

Boots Reverb

209 Printers Alley. 256-3495

The Boro Bar & Grill

1211 Greenland Dr., Murfreesboro 895-4800

Bourbon St. Blues & Boogie Bar

220 Printers Alley 24-BLUES (242-5837)

An intimate music venue featuring live blues.

Bunganut Pig

1143 Columbia Ave., Franklin 794-4777

1602 W. Northfield Blvd., Murfreesboro 893-7860

Cozy bar reminiscent of an English pub.

Cafe Coco

210 Louise Ave. 321- 2626

Caffeine

1516 Demonbreun St. 259-4993

Caribbean Hut

1316 Antioch Pk. 832-3547

Featuring reggae DJ nights and West Indian cuisine.

The Chute Complex

2535 Franklin Rd. 297-4571

One of Nashville's oldest and most popular gay nightspots.

Club 612

515 2nd Ave. S. 242-3399

Coco Loco Nightclub Restaurant & Lounge

4600 Nolensville Rd. 781-9050

Commodore Sports Bar and Grill

Holiday Inn, 2613 West End Ave. 327-4707

The Connection

901 Cowan St. 742-1166

Nashville's largest gay-entertainment complex.

Dan McGuinness' Irish Pub

1538 Demonbreun St. 252-1991

Dilligaf's Bar

333 Swinging Bridge Rd. 847-5400

The Double E Bar & Grill

4957 Lebanon Rd. 885-3400

Douglas Corner Cafe

2106-A 8th Ave. S. 298-1688

One of the city's friendliest neighborhood listening rooms, located across the street from Zanies comedy club.

The End

2219 Elliston Pl. 321-4457

A 200-capacity venue specializing in the best local, regional and national indie rock and other genres.

Exit/In

2208 Elliston Pl. 321-3340

This renowned venue's quarter-century history includes everyone from Steve Martin to The Police.

F. Scott's Restaurant & Jazz Bar

2210 Crestmoor Dr. 269-5861

Cool jazz every night.

Family Wash

2038 Greenwood Ave. 226-6070

This East Nashville bar/restaurant has the friendly, low-key vibe of a neighborhood hangout and a live music schedule that features local singer-songwriters and offbeat bands.

The Fiddle & Steel Guitar Bar

210 Printers Alley 251-9002

Live country in the heart of Nashville's legendary Sin City.

The 5 Spot

1006 Forrest Ave. 650-9333

East Nashville venue booking rock, jazz and some avant-garde performers.

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

111 10th Ave. S. #310 259-7468

Largest draught beer selection in Nashville.

The Foxhole Club

101st Airborne Restaurant, 1362 Murfreesboro Pk. 361-4212

This dance club in a military-themed restaurant complex near the Nashville International Airport routinely rattles with the roar of planes overhead.

French Quarter Cafe

823 Woodland St. 227-3100

Gateway Entertainment Complex

300 2nd Ave. S. 259-1166

Gaylord Entertainment Center

501 Broadway. 770-2000

The city's largest entertainment venue, and the place to see big spectacles.

Gentleman Jim's Bar & Grill

2115 E. Main St., Murfreesboro. 896-9716

Gibson Showcase

Opry Mills, 433 Opry Mills Dr. 514-2200

Graham Central Station

128 2nd Ave. N. 251-9593

Massive multilevel entertainment facility catering to singles and 2nd Avenue partiers.

Grand Ole Opry

2840 Opryland Dr. 889-3060

One of the city's defining cultural institutions, still going strong after more than 75 years.

Hair of the Dog

1831 12th Ave. S. 386-3311

A restaurant and listening room in the 12 South neighborhood that serves up burgers in one room and bands in another.

Hall of Fame Lounge

Best Western, 1407 Division St. 256-4255

Harvey Banger's

43 1st Ave. S.

Hobo Joe's

918 Main St. 262-0096

Jackson's Bar & Bistro

4117 Hillsboro Rd. 385-9894

One of Hillsboro Village's favored hangouts, especially in the summertime, when there's live music on the patio overlooking 21st Avenue South.

Kijiji Coffee House

1207 Jefferson St. 321-0403

Features weekend jazz, poetry, R&B and Jazzy Mondays.

Layla's Bluegrass Inn

418 Broadway. 726-2799

A country dive bar on Lower Broad where hardcore honky-tonkers, hipsters and scruffy downtown denizens are all likely to feel right at home.

Legends Corner

428 Broadway 248-6334

Country music on Lower Broadway.

Level 88

609 9th Ave. S. 254-4399

Classy, attractive new bar/restaurant with a striking room and a focus on smooth jazz.

Lipstick Lounge

1400 Woodland St. 226-6343

Lobbies Bar

Renaissance Hotel, 611 Commerce St. 255-8400

Live jazz for weary travelers.

Marquiz Bar & Grill

99 Wallace Rd., Antioch. 331-7173

The Mercy Lounge

1 Cannery Row. 251-3020

Currently booking some of the best touring bands passing through town, from Stereolab to Yo La Tengo to Marah. Locals get their voices heard here too.

The Mix

1114 Charlotte Ave. 254-9323

Mulligan's Pub & Restaurant

117 2nd Ave. N. 242-8010

Erin go bragh! Hoist a Guinness and sing along lustily with Irish drinking songs at this downtown slice of the Auld Sod.

Municipal Auditorium

417 4th Ave. N. 862-6390

Beloved old downtown domed concert hall, home to the circus, Bullnanza and a curious assortment of concerts.

The Muse

835 4th Ave. S. 251-0190

One of the hubs of Nashville's underground rap/punk/political scene. Also housing Spat! Records and Kung Fu Coffeehouse.

Nashville Jazz Workshop

1312 Adams St. 242-5299

Live jazz in a cool refurbished space in the Neuhoff building.

Nashville Nightlife Theater

2620 Music Valley Dr. 885-5201

Country music variety show and weekend karaoke.

NV Bar and Niteclub

131 2nd Ave. N. 242-7007

One of Nashville's most exclusive nightspots with DJs spinning top 40, dance, house and techno.

Play Dance Bar

1519 Church St.

One of the city's newer nighclubs, plenty flashy but just as welcoming.

Radio Cafe

1313 Woodland St. 228-6045

Rcktwn

401 6th Ave. S. 843-4000

Home to skate punks, emo kidz and touring and local rock bands.

Rhythm Kitchen

174 3rd Ave. N. 329-8757

Rippy's Smokin' Bar & Grill

429 Broadway 244-7477

Robert's Western World

416 Broadway 244-9552

Favorite dive bar by night, boot store by day.

Rosepepper Cantina

1907 Eastland Ave. 227-4777

Roxy's Danceclub & Bar

207 Broadway. 255-3969

Ryman Auditorium

116 5th Ave. N. 889-3060

The "Mother Church of Country Music" has hosted some of the city's best concerts in the last decade.

The Sherlock Holmes Pub

2206 Elliston Pl. 327-1047

Springwater

115 27th Ave. N. 320-0345

Don't let Springwater's hardscrabble atmosphere intimidate you; the dive bar is known for its adventurous bookings and its tolerant, attentive crowd of folkies, hippies and punks.

The Stage on Broadway

412 Broadway. 726-0504

Starwood Amphitheatre

3839 Murfreesboro Rd., Antioch. 641-5800

The Station Inn

402 12th Ave. S. 255-3307

The place in Nashville to hear bluegrass, in a homey, family-friendly environment; it's easily one of the city's best—and longest-running—venues.

The Sutler

2608 Franklin Rd. 292-5254

Located a few doors down from Melrose Bowling Lanes, this is one of Nashville's coolest and most intimate clubs. Shows have ranged from indie rockers to jazz and gospel to country acts and a lot more.

Texas Troubadour Theatre

2416 Music Valley Dr. 889-2474

Featuring the live World Famous Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree for over 56 years.

3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill

818 3rd Ave. S. 259-9891

Hosts local, regional and national acts as well as the Sunday night WRLT-100.1 FM broadcast, a first-rate live radio show from the club featuring national touring acts.

Tin Roof

1516 Demonbreun St. 313-7103

Tootsie's Orchid Lounge

422 Broadway 726-0463

Hank Williams and Patsy Cline hung out here; so did U2 and The Clash. This legendary honky-tonk has survived both feast and famine as a constant reminder of Nashville's roots.

The Trap

201 Woodland St. 248-3100

23rd Psalm Cafe and Restaurant

2203 Buena Vista Pk. 259-2323

This de facto civic center, where city leaders and law officials periodically gather for informal public meetings, also offers lots of gospel, contemporary Christian and singer-songwriter material.

Two Doors Down

1524 Demonbreun St. 780-0020

Wall Street

121 N. Maple St. Murfreesboro 867-9090

West Rock and Blues Emporium

100 West Webster St., Madison 860-7404

The Wild Boar Piano Bar

2014 Broadway 329-1313

Wildhorse Saloon

120 2nd Ave. N. 902-8200

Gaylord's multimillion-dollar country-dance club boasts a gigantic dance floor, wall-sized video screens and frequent live sets by new country stars.

Windows on the Cumberland

112 2nd Ave. N. 251-0097

This peaceful, intimate listening room offers respite from the bustle of Second Avenue.

Wolfy's

425 Broadway 251-1621

Galleries

The Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission serves as an umbrella organization for the arts in Nashville, providing information about nonprofit and commercial art galleries. Below follows a list of selected nonprofit and private galleries. Call the MNAC at 862-6720 or visit www.artsnashville.org for more info.

Adams Gallery

Cumberland University, 1 Cumberland Square 444-2562, ext. 1181

American Artisan

4231 Harding Rd. 298-4691

A commercial store, as opposed to a gallery, showing unique, fine crafts; it's also the host of the crafts festival in Centennial Park each spring.

The Artful Dog

1201 Villa Place, Suite 101. 269-6920

Edgehill-area gallery focusing on "four-legged art" and folk art.

The Art House

2306 12th Ave. S. 238-5309

A gallery and activity center in the up-and-coming 12 South neighborhood.

Art & Invention Gallery @ The Garage Mahal

1106 Woodland St. 226-2070

East Nashville space that has earned attention and a hungry following with its summer "Tomato Art" show.

The Arts Company

215 5th Ave. N. 254-2040 www.theartscompany.com

Large downtown gallery stuffed with art of all kinds; its recent partnership with TAG Art Gallery, housed on the second floor, has added a measure of taste and cool.

Baldwin Photographic Gallery

Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro 898-2085

The Barn Gallery

MTSU, Murfreesboro. 898-5653

Campus gallery showing the work of art students at MTSU.

Batey Gallery

The Yellow House, 5109 Alabama Ave. 298-2332

Bennett Galleries

2104 Crestmoor Dr. 297-3201

Cannery Row Gallery

521 8th Avenue S., Ste 308-B. 904-8386

Caldwell Collection

2205 Bandywood Dr. 298-5800

Centennial Art Center

Centennial Park, 25th Ave. N. & Park Plaza. 862-8442

Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art

1200 Forrest Park Dr. 356-8000

One of the city's largest art institutions, with expansive gardens, an outdoor sculpture trail, and several galleries showing a range of art, from fine craft to photography to contemporary video, painting and mixed-media works.

Ed Clark Gallery

Nashville State Tech, 120 White Bridge Rd. 353-3224

Cumberland Gallery

4107 Hillsboro Cir. 297-0296

Long-running gallery focusing on paintings, prints and drawings; its stable of artists includes Vanderbilt faculty members Marilyn Murphy and Mark Hosford, along with popular Nashville painters John Baeder and Kit Reuther.

Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center

Franklin Bldg., 316 West Side Row, Vanderbilt Univ. 322-4843

Customs House Museum & Cultural Center

Commerce & S. 2nd St., Clarksville. (931) 648-5780

Clarksville institution showing a range of local and regional art.

Different Strokes Art Gallery

Belle Meade Plaza, 4540 Harding Rd. 279-0025

Aaron Douglas Gallery

Fisk University, 1000 17th Ave. N. 329-8720

Fisk University gallery housing permanent collection of African and African American art.

Eye Galleries

521 Gallatin Rd., Ste. 5. 228-1711

EZ Gallery

265 White Bridge Rd. 353-9595

Family Peace Gallery

Metro Police Domestic Violence Division, 60 Peabody St. 880-3005

Housing a permanent collection of works by local artists Carlton Wilkinson, Barbara Yontz, Jairo Prado, Greg Ridley and others, all conveying themes of healing, hope and comfort.

Finer Things

1898 Nolensville Rd. 244-3003

Noted for its outdoor sculpture garden and mix of crafts and fine art by local and national artists.

Frist Center for the Visual Arts

919 Broadway. 244-3340

Housed in a refurbished downtown post office, the Frist Center is the closest thing Nashville has to an art museum—though it has no permanent collection. Instead, visitors can see a broad range of traveling exhibits that have included everything from Rembrandt to Richter. The Gordon CAP Gallery shows work by contemporary artists.

Full Circle Art

225 2nd Ave. S., Franklin. 595-9872

Fugitive Art Gallery

440 Houston St. www.fugitiveart.com

One of the city's two galleries devoted entirely to showing contemporary art, often by artists just emerging from MFA programs. The rough, unfinished warehouse space lends a sense of gritty excitement to the experience of viewing art.

Gallery at the Belcourt

2102 Belcourt Ave. 846-3150

The lobby of the Belcourt movie theater hosts work by local artists.

Hanging Around Eclectic Arts & Framing

113 17th Ave. S. 254-4850

Hiram Van Gordon Gallery

Elliot Hall, Tennessee State University 963-7509

International Art Gallery

800 Broadway 254-0235

Showing, and selling, a broad range of African art.

In the Gallery

624-A Jefferson St. 255-0705

Owned by local photographer Carlton Wilkinson, this North Nashville gallery focuses on work by African American artists.

Larson Gallery

Austin Peay State University, Clarksville (931) 221-7334

LeQuire Gallery

4304 Charlotte Ave. 298-4611

Sculptor Alan LeQuire is known for his "Musica" sculpture in the Music Row Roundable; here, he shows more of his work (albeit smaller pieces), along with work by colleagues with similar aesthetic sensibilities.

Leu Gallery

Belmont University, 1900 Belmont Blvd. 460-6770

Showing work by Belmont students, faculty and local artists.

Local Color Gallery

1912 Broadway 321-3141

Madison Art Center

403 Gallatin Rd. S. 868-8000

Midtown Gallery & Frames

1912 Broadway 322-9966

Murfreesboro/Rutherford County Center for the Arts

110 W. College St., Murfreesboro 904-ARTS (2787)

The Parthenon

Centennial Park 862-8431

Housing Alan LeQuire's massive Athena sculpture and a couple of galleries showing paintings and more.

Plowhaus Artists' Coop

213 South 17th St. 262-2224

Cooperatively owned and operated East Nashville gallery showing a broad variety of work, with a prevailing sense of fun and can-do spirit.

Prestige Fine Art Gallery

740 Thompson Ln. 783-2597

The Renaissance Center

855 Hwy. 46 S., Dickson 740-5600

Ruby Green Contemporary Art Center

514 5th Ave. S. 244-7179 www.rubygreen.org

One of the city's two galleries committed exclusively to showing contemporary art, Ruby Green also hosts an interesting mix of musical and spoken-word performances in its cleanly appointed space just south of downtown.

Rumours Gallery

2304 12th Ave. S. 292-9400

Cozy gallery and wine bar in the 12 South neighborhood.

Sarratt Gallery

Sarratt Student Center, Vanderbilt University 322-2471

This campus student center gallery has long been known for showing thoughtful, adventurous work by national, regional and local artists, and offers Sarratt Cinema patrons plenty to ponder as they file in to see a movie.

Marnie Sheridan Gallery

Harpeth Hall School, 3801 Hobbs Rd. 297-9543

Stanford Fine Art

6608A Hwy. 100 352-5050

TAG Art gallery

215 5th Ave. N.

254-2040 or 292-4975

Housed on the second floor of The Arts Company, TAG focuses on affordable folk and outsider art by local and national artists.

Tennessee Arts Commission Gallery

401 Charlotte Ave. 741-1701

Showing work—much of it quite strong—by the diverse recipients of Tennessee Arts Commission grants.

Tennessee Art League Galleries

3011 Poston Ave. 298-4072

Tennessee State Museum

505 Deaderick St. 741-2692

Showing work of local interest; permanent collection includes paintings, quilts and displays on the history of Tennessee from the prehistoric era through the early 20th century.

Trahern Gallery

Austin Peay State University, Clarksville (931) 221-7334

Tribal Arts Inc.

427 Main St., Franklin. 790-3095

Exhibiting statues, masks and ceremonial regalia from Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Angola, Mozambique and other African nations. Open by appointment only.

Untitled Artists' Group

www.untitlednashville.org

Maverick local artist group known for putting on one-night-only exhibits packed with art that ranges from consummately professional to astoundingly amateur. Always fun.

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development

Room 241, MRL Bldg., Vanderbilt Univ. 322-8240

Showing works by artists with disabilities.

Vanderbilt University Fine Arts Gallery

23rd & West End Aves. 322-0605

Vandy campus gallery shows work by fine artists both contemporary and long-gone, encompassing paintings, sculpture, prints and photography.

Carl Van Vechten Gallery

Fisk University, D.B. Todd Blvd. & Jackson St. 329-8720

The permanent exhibition includes the Alfred Stieglitz Collection of Modern Art, feat. works by Picasso, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, O'Keeffe and others—in other words, some of the most important art you're likely to see in a Nashville gallery.

Watkins College of Art and Design

2298 MetroCenter Blvd. 383-4848

Art school gallery showing work by faculty and students, who represent the city's next generation of forward-thinking artists.

Zeitgeist Gallery

1819 21st Ave. S. 256-4805

Long-running Hillsboro Village gallery showing contemporary work in bright, welcoming space.

Dance

Blue Moves Dance Co.

865-0408 www.bluemoves.org

A modern dance company featuring progressive choreography.

Momentum Dance Group

207 Sarratt Student Center. 322-2471

Vanderbilt student dance group.

Nashville Ballet

3630 Redmond St. 297-2966 www.nashvilleballet.com

As Middle Tennessee's professional ballet company, Nashville Ballet reaches more than 50,000 adults and children annually with its performances, affiliated School of Nashville Ballet and outreach programs.

The Village Cultural Arts Center

340 West Trinity Ln. 228-9553 villageculturalartscenter.com

The Village members study, teach and perform drum, dance and story presentations with emphasis on African and Caribbean culture as they seek to enhance the community's knowledge of African American culture.

Classical Music

Alias

http://aliasmusic.org info@aliasmusic.org

Local chamber music ensemble performing adventurous works by modern composers.

Austin Peay State University Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts

Clarksville (931) 221-7876 www.apsu.edu/creativearts/

The season includes performances by artists, university groups and national performers.

Belmont University School of Music

1900 Belmont Blvd. 460-6408 www.belmont.edu

Belmont's season features faculty, student and guest performances covering all musical styles.

Blair School of Music

Vanderbilt University, 2400 Blakemore Ave. www.vanderbilt.edu/blair 322-7651

Host of some of the city's biggest classical music performances in its sparkling Ingram Center for the Performing Arts, and home to the Blair String Quartet, long a respected performing group in the city and at large.

Christ Church Cathedral

900 Broadway. 255-7729

Downtown Episcopal church hosting organ concerts.

Fisk University Jubilee Singers

1000 17th Ave. N. 329-8744 www.fisk.edu

This legendary African American spiritual ensemble, which gave Music City its name, appears on special occasions in Nashville, when not involved in its worldwide performance schedule.

Great Performances at Vanderbilt

322-2471 www.vanderbilt.edu/sarratt

Brings world-renowned music, dance and stage performances to Vanderbilt's Langford Auditorium and Ingram Center for the Performing Arts at the Blair School of Music.

Lipscomb University Music

3901 Granny White Pk. 269-1000, ext. 5929, 279-5932 or 279-5929 www.lipscomb.edu

Middle Tennessee Choral Society

Middle Tennessee State University Music Dept., Murfreesboro 898-2849

Three times a year performs major choral works including solos and orchestra.

Nashville Chamber Orchestra

2002 Blair Blvd. 256-6546 www.nco.org

One of the city's finest classical ensembles, known for its original, inventive programming, which matches accomplished composers and instrumentalists with Music City singer-songwriters and pickers.

Nashville Symphony Orchestra

2000 Glen Echo Rd. 783-1200

Presents classical and pop performances, accompaniment for the Nashville Ballet and the Nashville Opera, hosts Pied Piper concerts for children and performs a series of outdoor summer concerts. The orchestra also performs for local schools.

Stones River Chamber Players

Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro www.mtsu.edu/~music/stonesriver.html

MTSU performing ensemble.

Opera

Nashville Opera Association

3628 Trousdale Dr. 832-5242 www.nashvilleopera.org

A first-rate organization whose growing popularity with younger concertgoers bears witness to artistic director John Hoomes' accomplished, smart-minded programming and deft outreach skills.

Theater Groups

ACT I (Artists' Cooperative Theater)

726-2281

Specializing in theater classics.

Actors Bridge Ensemble

actors_bridge@ mindspring.com

Presents classics of the theater as well as edgy contemporary pieces and other new works. The ensemble offers acting classes and The New Works Lab, a project offering opportunities for writers to develop new plays.

American Negro Playwright Theatre

Tennessee State University Performing Arts Center 963-7491

Performs professional African American works under the artistic direction of Barry Scott.

Amun Ra Theatre

506-5988 info@theamunratheatre.org www.theamunratheatre.org

Local actor jeff obafemi carr's company gives voice to African American playwrights, actors, poets and musicians.

Arts Center of Cannon County

1424 John Bragg Hwy., Woodbury (615) 563-ARTS or (800) 235-9073 www.artscenterofcc.com

Belmont University Little Theater

1900 Belmont Blvd. 460-6199

Offers a slate of comedies, classics and musicals.

Big Bawl Baby

340-7148 and 373-9085 bigbawlbaby@yahoo.com

One of several new homegrown theater groups to spring up in recent years.

Boiler Room Theatre

The Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Rd., Bldg. 6, Franklin. 794-7744

Performs an eclectic selection of plays, primarily musicals, but also a combination of new shows and classic works.

Bongo After Hours Theatre

2007 Belmont Blvd. 385-1188

Offers performances of dramatic works, music, poetry readings and dance.

Broadaxe Theatre

www.broadaxetheatre.com

One of several new homegrown theater groups to spring up in recent years, known for its commitment to edgy, politically outspoken work.

Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre

8204 Hwy. 100 646-9977 www.dinnertheatre.com

Tuesday through Saturday evenings, Chaffin's offers dinner theater favorites and original works on two stages.

Circle Players

332-PLAY info@circleplayers.net www.circleplayers.net

Nashville's oldest nonprofit volunteer arts organization, the Circle Players perform musicals, comedies and contemporary drama. Performances at Father Ryan High School.

Cumberland County Playhouse

221 Tennessee Ave., Crossville (931) 484-5000 www.ccplayhouse.com

Lavish productions of musicals and classics.

Darkhorse Theater

4610 Charlotte Ave.

297-7113 www.darkhorsetheater.com

An alternative theater with new works, classical theater, live music, dance, multimedia shows and film. Check Web site for schedule info.

Green Room Projects

greenroomprojects@yahoo.com

Theater group led by local actor Mark Cabus, one of several maverick theater companies to spring up in recent years.

GroundWorks Theatre

262-5485

Local actors Sean and Robert O'Connell's newly formed theater group, performing at Darkhorse Theatre.

Ideaprov

www.ideaprov.com

Paul Bellos' group hosts improv performances around town and also holds classes and training sessions.

Lakewood Theatre Company

2211 Old Hickory Blvd. 847-0934

Now in its 24th year, Lakewood Theatre produces well-known musicals, comedies and dramas with occasional works by local playwrights. Five productions annually.

Laughing Corpse Productions

P.O. Box 140935, 37214 361-8836

Presents cleverly titled interactive murder-mystery dinner theater at The White Trash Cafe and also at private parties.

Lipscomb University Theatre

3901 Granny White Pk. 279-5715 www.theater.lipscomb.edu

Produces a wide variety of student-produced drama. Free to the public.

Middle Tennessee State University Theater

1500 Greenland Dr. 898-2640

Productions feature MTSU students and faculty.

Montgomery Bell Academy Theater

4001 Harding Rd. 298-5514

Student group; performs in the 350-capacity Paschall Theater on the campus.

Murfreesboro/Rutherford County Center for the Arts

110 W. College St., Murfreesboro. 904-ARTS

Hosting a variety of performing arts groups and events.

Mystery.COMedy Dinner Playhouse

391-2345

Presenting shows at Ellendale's Restaurant.

Nashville Children's Theatre

724 2nd Ave. S. 254-9103 www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org

A nonprofit, professional, Actors' Equity theater founded in 1931 by the Junior League of Nashville, and the oldest children's theater in the country. Strives to make theater a vital part of the childhood experience for young people in Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

Nashville Shakespeare Festival

800 4th Ave. S. 255-2273 www.nashvilleshakes.org

Stages high-quality Shakespeare productions for thousands of theatergoers every summer in Centennial Park. Also produces original works and conducts a significant outreach program that takes Shakespeare to schools throughout the state.

People's Branch Theatre

800 4th Ave. S. 254-0008 www.peoplesbranch.org

Established in 2000, PBT has become Nashville's most progressive professional theater company, with unexpected, mind-stretching theater.

Pull-Tight Theatre

112 2nd Ave. S., Franklin. 790-6782 www.pull-tight.com

Community playhouse presenting family fare.

The Renaissance Center

855 Hwy. 46 S., Dickson 740-5600 or (888) 700-2300 www.rcenter.org

Dickson's multifaceted arts/science center offers original theatrical productions through its drama and theater department.

Rhubarb Theatre Company

386-3551

One of several new homegrown theater groups to spring up in recent years.

Roxy Regional Theatre

100 Franklin St., Clarksville (931) 645-7699

Known for original musicals and regional premieres.

Steeple Players Community Theatre

City Square Shopping Center, 260 W. Main St., Hendersonville. 826-6037

Community theater group staging famiy fare.

Tennessee Performing Arts Center

505 Deaderick St. 782-4000 www.tpac.org

The place to see touring Broadway and off-Broadway shows as well as local companies.

Tennessee Repertory Theatre

244-4878 www.tnrep.org

The Rep is the state's largest producer of professional theater. A nonprofit organization, the Rep produces and constructs its productions in Nashville in collaboration with world-class actors, designers and theater-craft people.

Tennessee State University

963-7491 www.tnstate.edu

TSU presents plays in its state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center through its communications department, under the resident professional theater training program.

Vanderbilt University Theatre

322-2404 http://sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/theatre

An invigorating mix including works by some of today's most celebrated playwrights.

Museums and Sites

The Convention and Visitors Bureau is the overriding agency for Nashville-area historic sites, museums and visitor/tourist information. The following is a list of key museums and sites to seek out while in Nashville, but for more information, contact the Bureau at (615) 259-4700 or visit www.musiccityusa.com.

ADVENTURE SCIENCE CENTER

800 Fort Negley Blvd. 862-5160 www.adventuresci.com

Formerly the Cumberland Science Museum, the Adventure Science Center and Sudekum Planetarium offer interactive science exhibits (some permanent, some changing) and programs for the whole family. $8.75 for adults, $6.75 ages 3-12 and over 65; free for children 2 and under. Planetarium shows are an extra $2 with Center admission ($3 without).

BELLE MEADE PLANTATION

5025 Harding Rd. 356-0501

The 1853-built Greek Revival mansion was once part of a 5,400-acre thoroughbred horse farm. Hosts historical-themed exhibits at various times of the year. $10 adults, $8.50 sr. citizens, $4 ages 6-12, ages 5 & under free.

BELMONT MANSION

1900 Belmont Blvd. 460-5459 www.belmontmansion.com

It's hard to imagine the area near Music Row as an ideal spot to build a vacation home. Back in 1850, however, the area was decidedly different when the very wealthy Adelicia Acklen and her husband Joseph began building their summer home. Today, the home, which was built in the style of an Italian villa, is part of Belmont University and features original and period Victorian furniture and artwork. $8 adults, $7 sr. citizens, $3 ages 6-12, ages 5 & under admitted free.

CARNTON PLANTATION

1345 Carnton Ln., Franklin 794-0903 www.carnton.org

A national historic landmark featuring Randal McGavock's mansion, used as a field hospital during the Battle of Franklin; a Confederate cemetery; and an 1847-styled garden. $8 adults, $7 sr. citizens, $3 ages 6-12, ages 6 and under free. Self-guided tours $2.50.

THE CARTER HOUSE

1140 Columbia Ave., Franklin 791-1861 www.carter-house.org

An interpretive center for the 1864 Battle of Franklin feat. the 1830s home of Capt. Tod Carter, who was mortally wounded during the battle; the battlefield; and a museum, film and tour. $7 adults, $6 sr. citizens, $3 ages 6-12.

CHEEKWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN & MUSEUM OF ART

1200 Forrest Park Dr. 356-8000 www.cheekwood.org

The 55-acre estate built by the family of the Maxwell House Coffee Fortune. The Museum of Art, in a 30,000-square-foot Georgian-style mansion, includes permanent and traveling exhibitions. Gourmet restaurant. Gift shops. $10 adults, $8 sr. citizens & students w/college IDs, $5 ages 6-17, Cheekwood members free. Gate fee is half-price after 3 p.m. Family cap $25.

COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM

222 5th Avenue S. 416-2096 www.countrymusichalloffame.com

Even if you couldn't care less about country music, this museum is still a fascinating place. The museum features manuscripts, instruments, personal items of stars and more. $15.95 adults, $7.95 ages 6-17, ages 5 & under free.

CUSTOMS HOUSE MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER

Commerce & S. 2nd St., Clarksville

(931) 648-5780

Located in historic downtown Clarksville, the Customs House is the state's second largest general museum. Explore an entire city block featuring large gallery spaces filled with fine art, science & history. The Explorer's Floor features various hands-on activities & learning opportunities for children. Model trains run 1-4 pm Sun. $4 adults; $3 sr. citizens 55 & up; $2 college students w/ID; $1 ages 6-18; children under 6 free.

SAM DAVIS HOME

1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna (615) 459-2341 www.samdavishome.org

A visit to the Greek Revival home on its 169-acre site will reveal the details of how young Sam Davis died refusing to betray the Confederacy. Admission: $7 adults, $5 sr. citizens, $3 ages 6-12.

FRIST CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS

919 Broadway. 244-3340

In addition to hosting a wide range of traveling and rotating exhibits, Nashville's flagship art institution also offers film screenings, lectures, a hands-on activity center for children, a cafe, a gift shop and a schedule of educational programs for children and adults.

GRAND OLE OPRY MUSEUM

Opryland 889-3060 www.grandoleopry.com

Exhibits dedicated to Opry stars of the past and present, including Patsy Cline, Little Jimmy Dickens, George Jones, Jim Reeves and Tex Ritter. The museum is located in the Opry Plaza. Free.

HARTZLER-TOWNER MULTICULTURAL MUSEUM

Scarritt-Bennett Center, 1104 19th Ave. S. 340-7481 www.scarrittbennett.org

Human culture is explored through different exhibits and programs. The museum features three galleries of permanent, artifact-based exhibits. The museum is free, but available by appointment only. It offers both outreach and in-house education programs to community groups. Call 340-7500 to schedule a time to visit the galleries. To find out more about the museum's educational programming, call 340-7453.

THE HERMITAGE

4580 Rachel's Ln. 889-2941 www.thehermitage.com

Guided tours of the 1836 mansion, home of our nation's 7th president, Andrew Jackson. Explore several other buildings, including slave cabins and Jackson's tomb. $12 adults, $11 seniors (62+) and students (ages 13-18), $5 children 6-12, and free under 5 yrs.

LANE MOTOR MUSEUM

702 Murfreesboro Pk. 742-7445

A unique collection of mostly European automobiles. Approximately 100 cars & motorcycles not typically seen in the U.S. are on display, including the largest Tatra collection outside Europe, a substantial micro car collection, amphibious vehicles, competition cars, alternative fuel vehicles, miltary vehicles & motorcycles. $5 adults, $3 seniors (55 & over), under 18 free.

MANSKERS STATION

705 Caldwell Drive, Goodlettsville 859-3678

A living-history museum depicting life as it was for settlers in 1779 Middle Tennessee. The site features the 1896 reconstructed log station originally built by Kasper Mansker in 1779 and the restored Bowen Plantation house built in 1787. Together, the historic sites illustrate the transition from forted life to estate living. Manskers Station hosts living-history festivals throughout the year. $5 adults, $3 students ages 6-12. Group rates and senior discounts.

MONTHAVEN

109 Monthaven Blvd., Hendersonville 822-0789

A circa-1860 Greek Revival house, now home to the Hendersonville Arts Council Center and featuring original art exhibits and handmade crafts.

NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

615 Church St. 862-5800 www.library.nashville.org

NASHVILLE ZOO AT GRASSMERE

3777 Nolensville Rd. 833-1534 www.nashvillezoo.org

The Nashville Zoo exhibits a great variety of wildlife that can be seen from a trail through the zoo. Get up close and personal at Critter Encounters and see what life was like in the 19th century at the Historic Home and Working Farm. You can also catch educational shows and play on the 66,000-square-foot, community-built playground. $8 adults, $7 sr. citizens, $6 children ages 3-12, children 2 & younger admitted free. $2 parking.

THE PARTHENON

Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave. 862-8431 www.parthenon.org

Built as part of Tennessee's 1897 Centennial Exposition, the full-scale replica of the ancient Greek temple contains a 42-foot replica of the Athena statue and changing art exhibits. $3.50 adults, $2 sr. citizens & ages 4-17, children 3 & younger admitted free.

THE RENAISSANCE CENTER

855 Hwy. 46 S., Dickson 740-5600

www.rcenter.org

An arts and technology education center as well as a performing arts center. The center also includes the CyberSphere Digital Theatre, Visual Arts Gallery, Gaslight Dinner Theatre, Faraday Science Theatre, Renaissance Players community theater, the Virtually Unlimited Bookstore and Faraday Cafe. Planetarium shows are $5 adults, $3 seniors and children 12 and younger. All laser show tickets are $6.

RYMAN AUDITORIUM

116 5th Ave. N. 889-3060 www.ryman.com

Built as a church in 1892, the Ryman Auditorium housed the Grand Ole Opry from 1943-1974. Experience entertainment with a daytime tour of the Ryman including a short film hosted by Trisha Yearwood featuring the people and events that shaped the Rymans' past and present. Step onto the historic stage, have your picture taken and then stroll through the halls filled with memorabilia. $8 adults; $4 children ages 4-11.

STONES RIVER NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD

3501 Old Nashville Hwy., Murfreesboro 893-9501

The 600-acre site includes a Civil War battlefield along the Stones River, a museum, the Stones River National Cemetery, the Hazen Brigade Monument, Fortress Rosecrans, an earthen Civil War fort and offers numerous lectures and living-history programs throughout the year.

TENNESSEE AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

Ellington Agricultural Center 837-5197

www.picktnproducts.org/agmuseum

Features exhibits exploring the state's rural history, including kitchen and dairy items, wagons, machinery, heirloom vegetables and more. The site also includes log cabins, a turn-of-the-century farmhouse, a one-room school and a nature trail.

TENNESSEE BICENTENNIAL CAPITOL MALL STATE PARK

James Robertson Pkwy. & Jefferson St. 741-5280

A 19-acre park and outdoor history museum featuring an amphitheater, a 200-ft. granite map depicting every city in the state, 31 fountains representing each of Tennessee's rivers, a botanical garden, a 1,400-ft. wall engraved with Tennessee's historic events and a World War II Memorial. Free.

TENNESSEE CENTRAL RAILWAY MUSEUM

220 Willow St. 244-9001

The all-volunteer organization restores, operates & exhibits railroad equipment & excursion trains.

TENNESSEE SPORTS HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM

Gaylord Entertainment Center, 501 Broadway. 242-4750

A state-of-the-art interactive facility feat. exhibits on amateur & professional sports teams & individuals in Tennessee history. The museum's interactive virtual-reality room feat. a one-on-one basketball game, kayaking on the Ocoee River & more. $3 adults, $2 sr. citizens & ages 4-17; ages 4 & under admitted free.

TENNESSEE STATE LIBRARY & ARCHIVES

403 7th Ave. N. 741-2764

Contains manuscript collections dating from 1780, photographic collections, genealogical & census data, microfilm of county records, archival collections, literary works, equipment for the blind & physically handicapped & more.

TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM

505 Deaderick St. 741-2692 www.tnmuseum.org

Permanent collection includes paintings, quilts and displays on the history of Tennessee from the prehistoric era through the early 20th century. The museum also hosts temporary and traveling exhibitions. Free admission.

TRAVELLERS REST MUSEUM

636 Farrell Pkwy. 832-8197

The home of Judge John Overton is one of Nashville's oldest historic homes open to the public. The museum features a large collection of Tennessee-made furniture. $8 adults, $7 sr. citizens, $5 ages 13-18, $3 ages 6-12.

THE UPPER ROOM CHAPEL AND MUSEUM

1908 Grand Ave. 340-7207 www.upperroom.org

A wood carving based on Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper," religious paintings from the 1300s to 1900s, illuminated manuscripts, a 9,000-piece stained-glass window and other religious-themed objects. A presentation on the carving is given on the hour and half-hour, last presentation 4 p.m. Free, $4 donation appreciated.