February is full of love, music, learning how to swing dance, art and events to honor Black History Month. Here’s what’s going on across Tennessee this week. For a complete list, visit tnvacation.com/calendar.
Ongoing
Pulaski – Schedule a fudge tour at Milky Way Farm. See the 1930s home of candy legend Frank Mars for a hot cup of coffee, a fudge brownie and ice cream to enjoy at the historic table.
Nashville – Visit Nashville Ballet to view portraits and stories from “Living On,” a documentary project presenting stories of Holocaust survivors now living in Tennessee. The exhibit is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Knoxville – The exhibit In the Footsteps of Sergeant York at the Museum of East Tennessee History showcases the groundbreaking research and allows visitors to retrace the steps of one of America’s best-known military heroes.
Cookeville – Geared toward preschool-age, bring the little ones to the Cookeville Depot Museum for the free event Train Tales, a train story that talks about railroad friends 10:30-11 a.m. every Friday.
Memphis – Stunning photography at the Black Resistance: Ernest C. Withers and the Civil Rights Movement exhibit at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art captures pickets, sit-ins, the 1968 sanitation workers’ strike and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Memphis – “Dream Big: Engineering Our World” premieres at Pink Palace Museum. The film inspires kids of diverse backgrounds to become innovators, educators and leaders through STEM (science, technology, engineering, math).
Feb. 15
Nashville – Listen to music for free in the café at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. Duette (Duane Spencer and Paulette Licitra), an alternative acoustic band of ukulele and guitar, performs from 6-8 p.m.
Feb. 15-17
Nashville – Don’t stop believing in love as you watch the Music of Journey at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center with conductor Brent Havens, a rock band and the Nashville Symphony.
Chattanooga – Experience an intimate tour of Ruby Falls with Romance at Ruby. This romantic lantern tour of the cave and waterfall and view from Lookout Mountain Tower comes with a souvenir photo and gift.
Chattanooga – The Comedy Catch presents Rod Man, the winner of “Last Comic Standing.” Since his open mic nights, Man has become an award-winning entertainer and appeared on TV shows like “The Bad Boys of Comedy” for HBO.
Feb. 15-19
Chattanooga – Share your heart with Valentine’s at Lover’s Leap at Rock City Gardens. For just $49, you get two tickets for Rock City, two glasses of sparkling cider or wine, one souvenir photo and one slide of fudge.
Feb. 15-25
Franklin – Join Studio Tenn at The Factory at Franklin as the Tony Award-winning drama Doubt: The Parable raises questions of uncertainties and causes the audience to explore who they are.
Feb. 16
Jamestown – Gaze up at the stars to learn stories about the night sky and learn to identify the constellations. Join Ranger Hodge at the Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area Astronomy Field, 6 p.m. at Pickett CCC Memorial State Park.
Columbia – Learn how to swing dance with your sweetheart 6-9 p.m. at Puckett’s in Columbia. Tickets are $20 per person and include champagne, spinach dip, pico de gallo, chips and Southern slider favorites.
Nashville – Shop, sip and give during the Night Market at Nashville Farmers’ Market. Natchez Hills Winery will join the Market House restaurants and shops, local artisans, farmers, small businesses, non-profits, live music and activities 5-9 p.m.
Greeneville – A famous scientist with magical powers brings a friendly dinosaur to life at Dino Light: A Glow-in-the-Dark Adventure at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.
Bristol – The Birthplace of Country Music Museum presents the Listening Room Concert Series with Lauren and Jason Morrow of The Whiskey Gentry – a favorite act of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. The show starts at 7 p.m.
Union City – A perfect date night or girls’ night out, enjoy a fun Friday night as you sip wine and create masterpieces at Discovery Park of America’s Wine & Paint Class. Tickets are $25.
Nashville – Experience the music of Marvel’s Black Panther with DJ Svnny V, a dance party and art immersion, 9 p.m. at Mercy Lounge, as part of Nashville’s Black History Month celebration.
Feb. 16-17
Chattanooga – May the force be with you as Star Wars: The Last Jedi premieres on Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater’s six-story screen. The aquarium will host special indulgences including Star Wars themed cocktails, concessions and a cash bar.
Feb. 16-18
Nashville – The Illusionists: Live from Broadway dazzles audiences with outrageous and astonishing acts at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
Feb. 16-Mar. 24
Statewide – It’s the largest free fishing event of its kind in North America. The 2018 Spring Fishing Classic at all Bass Pro Shops provides opportunities for novice and experienced anglers to learn from the pros and load up on fishing gear.
Feb. 17
Roan Mountain – Escape into nature at the 11th annual Winter Naturalists’ Rally at Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center with guided hikes, area scientists, lectures and activities for kids.
Johnson City – Help gather sap from the trees and watch it boiled down to maple syrup at the Maple Syrup Festival & Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.at Tipton-Haynes Historic Site.
Jackson – Whether it’s the beauty of Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring or Grieg’s Morning Mood, Jackson Symphony Classic Favorites is an evening of classic melodies not to be missed 7:30 p.m. at Carl Perkins Civic Center.
Hendersonville – The Outstanding Duo Trevor & Sylvie get the house moving at Historic Rock Castle. The Winter House Concert series features original works by local songwriters.
Granville – Mike Compton & Friends wow at Sutton Ole Time Music Hour 6-8 p.m. at T.B. Sutton General Store. Tickets are $20 for dinner and admission. Compton, called a “master of the mandolin,” toured and recorded with Sting, Gregg Allman and Elvis Costello.
Feb. 17-18
Memphis – Say Goodnight Gracie brings the heart-warming, fascinating story of centenarian George Burns to life with a stunning solo performance by Alan Safier as Burns at the Halloran Centre.
Jackson – Face painting, monkeys, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, snakes and lizards are just some of what you can expect as the Exotic Pet Expo takes over Fairgrounds Park. Admission is $2 for adults. Children 12 and under get in free.
Nashville – Grab your friends and a bottle of wine at Rhythm & Vine at Natchez Hills Winery at Fontanel. The free concert series on Saturdays and Sundays showcases regular performing artists, as well as new and upcoming Nashville talent.
Knoxville – Join your favorite Disney characters, mesmerizing worlds and grand illusions with Disney Live! Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic at Knoxville Civic Auditorium.
Feb. 17-19
Columbia – In honor of Presidents’ Day weekend, The President James K. Polk Home and Museum will offer half-price admission to the main house, the adjacent Sisters’ House museum, and the special exhibit “A Delicate Game to Play: James K. Polk’s Cabinet” at Polk Presidential Hall.
Feb. 17+24
Franklin – Meet the makers who craft spirits and brew hops along the Williamson County’s Masters & Makers Trail in the downtown Franklin Visitor Center 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each weekend. Feb. 17 features H. Clark Distillery and Feb. 24 features Mantra Artisan Ales.
Feb. 18
Elizabethton – Step back in time with An Early 19th Century Formal Sweetheart Tea at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center 2-4 p.m. Tickets are $12 and include finger foods, appetizers, pastries, coffee and tea.
Knoxville – Singer-songwriter Todd Snider with Rorey Carroll blend Americana, alt-country and folk 8 p.m. at Bijou Theatre.
Feb. 19
Nashville – Spend your Valentine’s with Nashville native and singer-songwriter KEM in a one-night-only performance at Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Feb. 19-21
Spencer, Monteagle –The Winter Waterfall Tour is a three-day, two-night exploration of some of the most beautiful falls in the state, including legends and folklore of the falls and interactive programs at Fall Creek Falls and South Cumberland State Park.
Feb. 20
Memphis – A musically jam-packed performance In The Mood will have audiences cheering at The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts with treasures like “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “I’ll Be Seeing You,” and “The Last Time I Saw Paris.”
Gray – Discover fun facts about mastodons, mammoths and elephants at Mastodon Madness at Gray Fossil Site.
Feb. 21
Knoxville – It’s the next best thing to seeing Paul, John, George and Ringo. Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles takes you back in time with the legendary foursome’s tunes at Tennessee Theatre.
Feb. 22
Memphis – The Pure Memphis Music Series presents songwriter and Americana icon Jim Lauderdale at Old Dominick Distillery.
Franklin – The Grammy-winning band The Indigo Girls, performing together for 35 years, steal the hearts of generations of fans as they take the stage at the Franklin Theatre.
Feb. 23
Bristol – Merlefest on the Road makes a stop 7:30 p.m. at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum for an intimate 1927 Society Concert experience featuring live music from The Way Down Wanderers, The Barefoot Movement and Andy May.
Nashville – Rome: City and Empire brings more than 200 of the British Museum’s most engaging and beautiful Roman objects that tell the story of how Rome grew to a mighty empire on display at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.
Memphis – African-Print Fashion Now! introduces audiences to the dynamic traditions of African dress featuring colorful, boldly-patterned, printed cloth at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.
Jackson – Brian Hoffman’s Remembering Red: A Tribute to Red Skelton re-creates some of Red’s best known characters. The family-friendly show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Ned R. McWherter West TN Cultural Arts Center.
Feb. 23-24
Memphis – Get ready to laugh as Guess Who Showed Up at Dinner, a play about a quirky musician who journeys to his roots in the Deep South to find inspiration for a new project, excites audiences at the Orpheum Theatre.
Feb. 23-24, Mar. 2-3
Huntingdon – Escape to Medieval England with King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table as The Dixie Players present “Camelot the Musical” at The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center.
Feb. 23-25
Red Boiling Springs – Thrills and chills abound at the Haunted Hotel Overnight Ghost Hunt at Thomas House Hotel. The event includes lodging, meals, fully-guided tours of the property and ghost hunt training. Choose either Friday or Saturday night.
Feb. 23-25, Mar. 2-4
Jonesborough – The play “I Am Home” at the McKinney Center tells the stories of the people who helped shape the Jonesborough of today. Tickets are $14, $12 for seniors and students.
Feb. 24
Murfreesboro – Kick back for a fiesta at the Murfreesboro Taco and Tequila Festival, 1 p.m. at The Grove at Williamson Place. The festival will include live music, a variety of tacos and tequila and loads of fun.
Nashville – Have a perfect date day learning how to cook at Saturday Cooking with Cousin Maria at Coco’s Banquet & Event Center, featuring a full four-course meal including desserts, wine and cookbook with all the recipes.
Nashville – May the Zen be with you as you practice Yoga Under the Stars at Adventure Science Center’s Sudekum Planetarium.
Nashville – Head to Nissan Stadium for an afternoon of live music, Bloody Marys, mimosas, beer and wine and food from some of Nashville’s best restaurants for the Nashville Brunch Festival noon to4 p.m. Tickets start at $15.
Cookeville – Select a full marathon, half-Marathon, 10k or 5k scenic race routes along the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River for the Cummins Falls Marathon. Money raised protects Cummins Falls State Park.
Clarksville – Uniformed soldiers will host a living history event and cannon firing demonstrations to commemorate the significance of the surrender of Fort Defiance to Union soldiers in 1862 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fort Defiance Interpretive Center.
Nashville – The Black History Month Memorial Service features 150 flowers laid and marked with names of all those known to have been enslaved at The Hermitage. There will be a procession to the slavery memorial “Follow the Drinking Gourd.”
Greeneville – The many talents of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver will have you tapping your feet at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.
Granville– Steeped with tradition and gospel bluegrass with a contemporary twist, Tom Brantley & Missionary Ridge take the stage at Sutton Ole Time Music Hour 6-8 p.m. at the T.B. Sutton General Store. Tickets are $20 for dinner and admission.
Union City – The 2018 Miss Main Street and Miss Historic Union City Pageants take over Masquerade Theatre at 1:30 p.m.
Feb. 24-25
Clarksville – Get inspiration to plan your next project with spring products and vendors at the 9th Annual Home & Garden Show at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center.
Nashville – Grammy-winners The Earls of Leicester perform live in the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. Tickets are $34.50. These shows will be recorded for the band’s upcoming live record.
