City Cast Nashville
🏎️ Do you want NASCAR at the Fairgrounds?
August 21, 2025 · — Natalia Aldana
Hello there! City Cast editor Natalia Aldana here. Nashville Pride has launched the #SaveNashvillePride campaign to raise $250,000 by Oct. 11 to overcome financial shortfalls that could endanger Nashville’s largest LGBTQ+ gathering. Check out the campaign here to learn what you can do to help 🏳️🌈
What's CITY Talking About?
🎭 Is Music City a Great Theater City, Too?
The Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s Summer Shakespeare run of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” opens tonight at The Yard at oneC1TY. Host Marie Cecile Anderson takes us inside this year’s production to discuss the state of Nashville theater. [City Cast Nashville 🎧]
👀 Downtown Changes Concern Unhoused Advocates
Many who support Nashville’s unhoused community say the merger of the Central Business Improvement District with the Gulch Business Improvement District puts unhoused people at risk. [Nashville Scene]
- Related: The removal of benches along Korean Veterans Boulevard, which were often used by unhoused people, has sparked a backlash. [Nashville Scene]
⚖️ Metro Council Erupts Over Zoning
A tense third and final vote on rezoning The Nations sparked explosive debate over housing density, infrastructure improvements, and neighborhood sustainability. Councilmembers clashed, with accusations of intimidation and one CM reportedly telling the vice mayor, “You’re not my momma.” [Nashville Banner]
🏎️ Should NASCAR Return to the Fairgrounds?
A deal between Metro and Speedway Motorsports, Inc. to bring NASCAR races back to the Fairgrounds Speedway is nearly ready to announce, according to Jasper Hendricks, chair of the Fair Board. Hendricks claims the deal will include "no financial obligation" from the city. [Nashville Banner]
- A coalition of groups that oppose bringing NASCAR to the Fairgrounds is urging Nashville officials to let voters decide the racetrack’s future. [Axios]
- What are your thoughts on the racetrack? Email us!
What To Do
Thursday, Aug. 21
- 🧑🌾 Nature Center Garden Help at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center, 9:30-11 a.m. (Volunteer)
- 🧑🎓 Lunch and Learn: 100 Years of Grand Ole Opry at Tennessee State Museum, Noon-1 p.m. (Free)
- 🪕 Bluegrass on 3rd Presents Shelby Means at 3rd and Lindsley, 12:30 p.m.
- 👩🏽💼 TEDxNashville Women: Wired at Category 10, 1-5 p.m.
- 🔪 2025 Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference starts at Embassy Suites Hotel & Convention Center, 1-9 p.m.
- 🐕 Dog Nights of Summer at Cheekwood, 5-9 p.m.
- 🎵 Music in the Café: Raihanna Estrada at The Frist’s Café Cheeserie, 6-7:30 p.m. (Free)
- 🍪 Back-to-School Cookie Decorating With Shy Girl Baking Co at Kinda Collected, 6-8 p.m.
- 🎭 Summer Shakespeare: “The Merry Wives of Windsor” opens at The Yard at oneC1TY, 7 p.m.
- 🎬 Nightlight Outdoor Movie Series: “The Hangover” at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park Amphitheater, 7 p.m.
- 🎤 LINKIN PARK: From Zero World Tour at Bridgestone Arena, 7:30 p.m.
- 🎶 Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox at Ryman Auditorium, 8 p.m.
- 🎸 Ozzy Forever: Celebrating the Prince of Darkness — A Benefit for Cure Parkinson’s at The Basement East, 8 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 22
- 🛍️ Nashville Flea Market at The Fairgrounds Nashville, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Free entry)
- 🩸 American Red Cross Blood Drive at Coleman Park Community Center, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Volunteer)
- 👙 Adult Pool Party at Nashville Shores, 5-10 p.m.
- 🎥 10th Annual Defy Film Festival at Studio615, 6:45-10:30 p.m.
- 🎶 Songwriters Under the Stars at Cheekwood, 7 p.m.
- 🏈 Minnesota Vikings vs. Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium, 7 p.m.
- 🎨 Frist Fridays: Mediterranean Mixer at Frist Art Museum, 7-10 p.m.
- 🎵 Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas at Ascend Amphitheater, 7:30 p.m.
- 🤠 Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country at Ryman Auditorium, 8 p.m.
- 🎙️ Ron Artis II at Analog at Hutton Hotel, 8 p.m.
- 🎸 Gyasi at Eastside Bowl, 8 p.m.
- 🦴 Dark & Dirty Showcase at The Lab at Zanies, 9:15 p.m.
🤗 Before I go, I have a favor to ask you: Please take our reader survey!
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