This Week's Tennessee Tourism Round Up

  • Thursday, February 1, 2018
  • Jill Killgore

Kick off the month of February with art, theatre, music, food, fun and plenty of unique experiences with your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day. For a complete list of events happening across Tennessee, visit tnvacation.com/calendar.

Ongoing 

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.

Collierville – An exhibit at the Morton Museum highlights the contributions made by volunteers during World War I through organizations like the American Field Service, the YMCA and YWCA.

Memphis – The West Tennessee Day Trippin: Heritage and Roots Tour is every Tuesday in February, highlighting African American historic sites, including the Alex Haley House Museum. The tour costs $40 and the first 10 seats are free, thanks to the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. Reserve your seat at 901-527-3427.

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.

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.

Cookeville – Geared toward preschool-age, bring the little ones to the Cookeville Depot Museum for Train Tales, a train story and talks about our railroad friends. Free. 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., every Friday.

Feb. 1

Nashville – Nashville House Concerts is a new music variety show at the historic War Memorial AuditoriumThis Thursday’s performance features Kristian Bush, Natalie Hemby and Chuck Wicks.

Nashville – Riffs on the Rails gets up close and personal with some of the city’s local singers and songwriters happening 5 to 7 p.m. and is free in the grand lobby of the Union Station Hotel.

Feb. 1-3

Murfreesboro – Prince Hamlet is torn between two unbearable situations as the talented cast of Hamlet takes the stage at MTSU’s Tucker Theater to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Nashville Shakespeare Festival.

Cookeville – Spend an evening at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center as their award-winning Backstage Series will present “Noises Off” Feb. 1-37:30 p.m. In this play-within-a-play comedy, a myriad of characters rehearse for a show called “Nothing On.”

Feb. 3-March 3

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. 3 features Arrington Vineyards and Feb. 10 features Leiper’s Fork Distillery.

Feb. 2

Knoxville – Art, music, fun and food fill the streets of downtown for the free First Friday Art Walk. Explore art galleries, studios, exhibits and live music in the streets and a variety of venues.

Knoxville – The Black Jacket Symphony presents Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers “Damn the Torpedoes” 8 p.m. at the Tennessee Theatre, now celebrating its 90th year.

Chattanooga – Take an intimate journey on the Ruby Falls Lantern Tours with a rarely seen view deep within Lookout Mountain. Limited-sized groups start the adventure with a 260-foot elevator ride into the mountain.

Franklin – An unforgettable kick off to the month of love. Nat King Cole comes back to life at Rodeo & Juliet on the Franklin Theatre stage through the amazing vocal gift of gospel artist Michael Tait.

Memphis – Don’t miss Stax Music Academy Alumna and ASCAP Award-winning songwriter and recording artist KIRBY 8:30 p.m. at Minglewood Hall.

Feb. 2-3

Memphis – Now more than ever, we need the power of dance to bring us all together, connected by our common humanity. Engage your emotions as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater takes the stage at the Orpheum Theater.

Feb. 2 - 4

Nashville – Explore, discover, shop and stroll through four lovely gardens. The 28th Annual Antiques & Garden Show features more than 150 dealers in antiques, fine arts and horticulture at Music City Center.

Tiptonville – Enjoy a weekend of family fun with eagle tours, kids’ activities, live bird-of-prey shows and more at the Reelfoot Lake Eagle Festival at Reelfoot Lake State Park.

Feb. 2-17

Woodbury – Disney’s classic songs are brought to life on stage in the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Arts Center of Cannon County.

Feb. 3

Granville – The sounds of bluegrass fill the Sutton General Store with The Carolina Blue Band during Sutton Ole Time Music Hour. Watch the show and get a southern style, home-cooked meal for $20, $3 admission.

Nashville – Art galleries and venues along the Fifth Avenue of the Arts and in the Historic Arcade host receptions and art openings for the free First Saturday Art Crawl 6-9 p.m.downtown.

Nashville – Use your body to explore ratios, shadows, shapes, motion and sound as the Math Moves exhibit opens at Adventure Science Center.

Nashville – Nashville’s only daytime hit songwriters’ show Backstage Nashville features Phillip White, Buddy Owens, Ray Stephenson and Josh O’Keefe 12:30 p.m. at 3rd & Lindsley.

Huntingdon – A score of rock hits from rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, the musical Million Dollar Quartet takes you back in time at The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center.

Memphis – With their rich a cappella harmonies, the seven musicians of Naturally 7 use their voices to recreate musical instruments at the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education.

Memphis – Learn how to juggle, act and dance under the big top at “Imagine That! Circus! Circus!” 1-2:30 p.m. at Ballet Memphis. The event is $15 and inspired by the Clyde Park Miniature Circus at the Pink Palace.

Smithville – Sip back at the Calfkiller Brewery Beer Tasting, paired with appetizers and a Mardi Gras inspired dinner buffet prepared by Chef Evans, starting at 6 p.m. at Evins Mill.

Clarksville – A sweet taste for sweethearts at A Chocolate Affair at Wilma Rudolph Event Center. Vendors offer bite-sized samples of creative chocolate treats.

Union City – Kick off the first weekend of February with Superhero Saturday at Discovery Park of America. Kids 12 and under dressed as their favorite superhero get in free.

Lewisburg – Lace up your shoes for the Frosty Penguin 5K Run/Walk at Lewisburg Recreation Center. Proceeds go to We Heart Babies, a foundation supporting families whose babies will undergo life-saving heart surgeries.

Knoxville – Take a trip back in time to the early era of country music as old-time string band Georgia Crackers takes the stage at 8 p.m. at the Laurel Theatre. Tickets are $15.

Feb. 4

Sevierville – Readers of all ages celebrate authors and literature at the annual Rose Glen Literary Festival, featuring book signings, workshops, well-known speakers, lectures and more.

Feb. 5

Nashville - Woolworth on 5th, the site of some of the first lunch counter sit-ins during the Civil Rights Movement, opens as a restaurant with food, music, dancing, honoring the history of this space by serving as a welcome table for all.

Feb. 6

Nashville – Favorites for Four features selections from some of the greatest string quartets of all time, with music by Beethoven, Borodin, Dvorak, Mozart and Schubert 6 p.m. atSchermerhorn Symphony Center.

Feb. 7

Memphis - After a sold-out performance in 2016, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson returns to Memphis to teach the “Ten Things You Should Know about the Universe” at the Orpheum Theatre.

Feb. 8

Bristol - Radio Bristol presents the Farm & Fun Time variety show live 7 to 9 p.m. at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum with modern folk artist Willie Watson, Larry Sigmon and Martha Spencer.

Nashville – Gumshoes unite! Old school detective methods go up against new school spy tactics for Adventure Science Center’s Way Late Play Date: Sherlock vs. Bond.

Nashville – Pop trio East Side Story charms listeners with an eclectic mix of tunes 6-8 p.m. at Frist Center for the Visual Arts. Admission is free.

Nashville – Take a tour of Italy at City Winery. The guided wine tasting experience will have a flight of four different wines, antipasto plate with cheese, crackers and charcuterie. Tickets are $40.

Knoxville – Dancing with the Stars: Live! Light Up the Night sizzles at Knoxville Civic Auditorium, from salsas to elegant waltzes and high energy group numbers.

Memphis – Dine where the stars perform. The $75 ticket for Orpheum Theatre’s Valentine’s-themed Dinner on Stage includes a cocktail reception, theatre and backstage tour, a three-course meal, wine, trivia and performance.

McKenzie – Spend the evening laughing with Facebook and Snapchat instant celebrity Heather Land’s “I Ain’t Doing It!” Show is 9 to 11 p.m. at the Park Theatre. Tickets range from $15-20.

Feb. 9

Murfreesboro – To celebrate the Chinese New Year, the Boro Art Crawl will have a special dragon dance performance downtown. The event will have pet rescues and pet related artists to mark the year of the dog.

Murfreesboro – Wear your favorite princess costume for the “Wedding Dresses Through the Decades” exhibit at Oaklands Mansion 4-7 p.m. Tickets include admission, photos with princesses, princess crafts and snacks.

Memphis – Discover the scientific hurdles of space travel 6:30 p.m. at the Halloran Centre. “Doctor Kaboom! It’s Just Rocket Science” combines high-energy interactive comedy and an explosive lineup of science topics.

Feb. 9-10

Nashville – Witness bulls, broncos and edge-of-your -seat action as the gates swing open for the 2018 Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo at Bridgestone Arena.

Feb. 9 -11

Nashville - The Nashville Ballet performs Light / The Holocaust and Humanity Project, a groundbreaking exploration of devastating loss, resiliency and triumph of the human spirit atTennessee Performing Arts Center.

South Pittsburg – Things may go bump in the night at the overnight Ghost Hunt at the Old South Pittsburg Hospital. The event includes indoor style camping, light snacks and drinks and a fully guided tour.

Feb. 9-17

Chattanooga – Experience an intimate tour of Ruby Falls with Romance at Ruby. This romantic lantern tour of the cave and waterfall and romantic view from Lookout Mountain Tower comes with a souvenir photo and gift.

Feb. 10

Pigeon Forge – Make your Valentine’s Day special with a romantic first-class dinner aboard the Titanic Museum.

Townsend – Grab vino and toast your love this Valentine’s Day at the Sweetheart Market at Cades Cove Cellars, offering award-winning, locally-made wines.

Sweetwater – If you’re looking for something different for your Valentine, renew your vows at The Lost Sea. Space is limited, so reserve your spot at 423-337-6616.

Covington – Take a Chocolate Tour around Covington’s Historic Square while sampling delicious chocolate candies and desserts from local shops.

Jonesborough – Spend Valentine’s weekend in downtown Jonesborough’s third annual Chocolate Fest tasting delicious chocolate treats like barks, fudges, chocolate covered strawberries and more, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Union City – The Diamonds & Dinosaurs Bridal Expo at Discovery Park of America helps future brides find the perfect dress, caterer, florist and planner. There will be door prizes and chance to win 50% off a bridal package.

Nashville – Music and Magic: A Family Concert with the Nashville Symphony starts at 10 a.m. at Schermerhorn Symphony Center with crafts, an instrument petting zoo, music from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and more.

Nashville – Grab your friends and enjoy a bottle of wine at Natchez Hills Winery at Fontanel. The free Rhythm and Vine concert series is every Saturday and Sunday night in the tasting room or on the patio if weather permits.

Nashville – A cooking class is perfect for Valentine’s Day. Saturday Cooking with Cousin Maria at Coco’s Banquet & Event Center features a full four-course meal including desserts, wine and cookbook with all the recipes.

Nashville - The first-ever Music City Masquerade at Ed Nash's Studio features, silent auctions, prizes, dancing and celebrity DJ's. Tickets start at $65 and raise money for Caring Hearts Ministry.

Greeneville – The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra brings timeless classics like “Chattanooga Choo Choo” back to the stage at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

Memphis – Experience the beloved classic E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in Concert, the award-winning score performed live by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra at the Orpheum Theatre.

Knoxville – Stand-up comedian and New York Times bestselling author Eddie Izzard drums up laughs at the historic Tennessee Theatre.

Land Between the Lakes – The Homeplace 1850s Working Farm and Living History Museum remembers the 156th Anniversary of the battle of Fort Henry with a historic program and guided walk along the trails.

Cookeville – Explore Cookeville’s historic WestSide cultural district using your phone or digital camera for a WestSide Scavenger Hunt. Entry forms available at the Cookeville Depot Museum between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Cookeville – Get ready for a battle of the best, as the “Fittest on Earth” gear up for the 2018 Mayhem Showdown at CrossFit Mayhem, home box/gym of 4x Fittest on Earth Rich Froning and the CrossFit Mayhem Freedom team.

Feb. 11+14

Nashville – Celebrate Valentine’s Day listening to tales of forbidden love at Romance in the Stars at Adventure Science Center’s Sudekum Planetarium. $10 tickets include the planetarium show and box of chocolates, custom made by Paul’s Chocolate Gallery in Franklin.   

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