Your Kids

from Your Williamson March 2020 Issue

News From the Schools

Special Predators WubbaNub Created to Raise Money for Children’s Charity

If you are the parent of a baby, you are probably very familiar with the WubbaNub pacifiers. Recently, creator Carla Schneider, added a Predators’ Gnash embroidered bear to her collection of familiar and furry friends atop a pacifier. The Nashville Predators Foundation empowered by SmileDirectClub, recently hosted Hockey Has Heart Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Night in support of the cardiac research and support that takes place at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. CHD, which impacts 40,000 newborns in the United States per year, results when the heart, or blood vessels near the heart, don’t develop normally before birth.

Prior to the match-up between the Predators and Islanders, joined by two young CHD patients, country music super star Luke Bryan performed the National Anthem. When Luke and his wife Caroline Boyer Bryan lost their niece, Sadie Brett Boyer, to complications of CHD in 2017, they came together with Brett’s parents, Ellen and Bo Boyer, to create The Brett Boyer Foundation in her honor. Since the foundation’s inception, the Bryan and Boyer family has been committed to raising awareness and funding research surrounding CHD.

“We were thrilled by Luke Bryan’s support of our Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Night,” Predators Vice President of Community Relations Rebecca King said. “This disease impacts thousands of U.S. families annually, so we were excited to join forces with Luke in support of a cause that means as much to him as it does to us. We were able to raise awareness and funds for CHD, which affects over 760 babies born in Tennessee each year.”

In addition to Luke’s presence on behalf of The Brett Boyer Foundation, multiple CHD non-profits also participated to promote CHD awareness and research. Bright Heart Foundation, Adult Congenital Heart Association, Hearts World and WubbaNub hosted a mixer in the Bridgestone Arena for over 200 heart warriors and their families who attended the game. WubbaNub Founder and CEO Carla Schneider, attended and was instrumental in collaborating with the Preds to create the special Preds CHD Bear.

As part of the fundraising efforts for this important cause, Carla Schneider created the special Predators WubbaNub pacifier, and it is available online. All proceeds will benefit CHD research and support at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. Additionally, limited CHD t-shirts will be available for purchase. Donations will also be accepted.

What better way to soothe your baby than with a locally themed and beneficial WubbaNub!

Photography Submitted

The Battle Ground Academy Parent Association hosted its annual Denim & Diamonds fundraiser in January at Liberty Hall at the Factory. More than 300 attended the event which raised more than $100,000 for the school. Funds raised at Denim & Diamonds go toward the purchase of “wish list” items that are not covered by the school’s annual operating budget. Past purchases have included covered team benches for the soccer field, a potter’s wheel for the arts department, robotics equipment, athletic scoreboards, playground equipment, a 3D printer and more. Denim & Diamonds was co-hosted by Alice and Curtis Finn, parents of a current student and a BGA alumnus. During the event, guests enjoyed a catered dinner from Pink Lady Catering, music from three talented songwriters and dancing to the music of the 12 South Band. Established in 1889, Battle Ground Academy is a co-educational, college preparatory school for grades kindergarten through 12 th grade. More information on the school can be found at battlegroundacademy.org.

Ken & Anne Marie Buettner, Candy & Lawrence Sullivan

Amy & Scott Cranford

Meredith Schultenover, Anissa Nelson-Carlisle & Melinda Brown

Alice & Curtis Finn Christian Casey, Donna & Derek Johnson, Nora Jewell, Anne Marie Buettner, Michelle Arnold & Michelle Dominguez

There never seems to be a shortage of arts and culture events to attend in middle Tennessee! Here are just a handful of upcoming art exhibits, music events, plays and more that we can’t wait to see! ARTS & CULTURE

JUDY COLLINS WITH THE NASHVILLE SYMPHONY

MARCH 24 TH | SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER

NASHVILLESYMPHONY.ORG It’s a history-making Schermerhorn debut as the iconic Judy Collins joins your Nashville Symphony. A modern-day Renaissance woman, Collins has inspired generations with her sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal triumphs and fervent activism. Be there as this transcendent artist takes you through gorgeous renditions of standards from the American Songbook, as well as some of the most beloved songs from her catalog of more than fifty releases.

“ T H E A R E T H A L E G A C Y ” FROM STUDIO TENN FEATURING TONY N O M I N E E , H O N O R S THE QUEEN OF SOUL

THE COLOR PURPLE

MARCH 27 TH - 29 TH | TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

TPAC.ORG The Color Purple is the 2016 Tony Award® winner for Best Musical Revival! Hailed as “a direct hit to the heart” (The Hollywood Reporter), this joyous American classic conquered Broadway in an all-new “ravishingly re-conceived production that is a glory to behold” (The New York Times). With a soul-raising, Grammy®-winning score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, The Color Purple gives an exhilarating new spirit to this Pulitzer Prize-winning story. Don’t miss this stunning re-imagining of an epic story about a young woman’s journey to love and triumph in the American South. Experience the exhilarating power of this Tony-winning triumph that New York Magazine calls “one of the greatest revivals ever.” Studio Tenn Artistic Director Patrick Cassidy will make his directorial debut in the company’s production of “The Aretha Legacy,” a theatrical concert celebrating the life and work of Aretha Franklin, at the Franklin Theatre from March 26 th through 29 th . Cassidy chose a cast of six performers from diverse backgrounds to star in the original show honoring Aretha, which will tell the story of her musical career, as well as her life and social legacy.

“I believe Aretha is the greatest soul and gospel singer of all time,” Cassidy said. “She became the voice for multiple generations, not only as a musician, but because of what she stood for as an artist, an activist and a person. We are excited to tell her full story through this Legacy Series.”

“The Aretha Legacy” will comprise six shows in the Franklin Theatre, which Cassidy said is ideal for musical artists.

“The Franklin Theatre is such an intimate venue, and it’s the perfect setting for telling a rich story. We’ll have a band on the stage as well as performers, so that we can create a club effect, a speakeasy effect and even a church effect. We’re going to explore all the sides of Aretha, and to do so, we’ll use the space for storytelling as well.”

Current cast members include Piper Jones, Jaimee Paul, Whitney Coleman, Malachi Burrow and Jack Cassidy, Patrick’s son.

THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND

MARCH 27 TH - APRIL 11 TH | PULL-TIGHT THEATRE

Cassidy’s wife, Melissa Hurley Cassidy, is an acclaimed dancer with a vast career of performing, teaching and choreographing. Melissa recently accepted a teaching position at Nashville Ballet, and she will take part in “The Aretha Legacy” by working with the performers on choreograph staging.

74 MARCH 2020 ARTS & CULTURE PULL-TIGHT.COM Tony and Academy Award-winning playwright Tom Stoppard delivers the ultimate cozy mystery parody in this play within a play within a play. A comic spoof of the whodunits popularized by Agatha Christie, The Real Inspector Hound blends a secluded English country manor house, ominous radio reports of a criminal on the loose, suspicious visitors, a relative with a shady past, a dead body, and fourth walls broken down left, right and center to create a riotous evening of immense proportions and answer the ultimate question: Who is the real Inspector Hound? “This show includes people of immense talent, from production to performance and beyond, which is only fitting for a tribute to the Queen of Soul,” Cassidy said. Studio Tenn is a professional regional theater company and a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Franklin. Its programming centers around innovative, custom-designed presentations of classic plays and musicals as well as an original “Legacy” series of theatrical concerts celebrating the work of time-honored musicians. Learn more at studiotenn.com.

NASHVILLE ELVIS FESTIVAL N A S H V I L L E E L V I S F E S T I V A L M O V E S T O T H E F A C T O R Y I N F R A N K L I N , ADDS PAT BOONE TO STELLAR LINEUP

Elvis™ fans from around the world will gather in middle Tennessee March 19 th through 22 nd for the fourth annual Nashville Elvis Festival, celebrating the music and legacy of the King of Rock & Roll™. The four-day festival will be filled with celebrity appearances, special guests, live music performances and more. Tickets are on sale now at NashvilleElvisFestival.com. Nashville Elvis Festival has moved to Jamison Theater in The Factory at Franklin, located in Franklin. The festival’s new venue will allow for new vendor space, free parking and larger crowds, as most shows sell out each year.

Legendary entertainer Pat Boone, will close out the festival with what he says will be his final Nashville concert appearance. Billed as an evening of stories and songs, Boone will perform his biggest hits such as Love Letters in the Sand and April Love, reminisce about his incredible career, and share some loving memories of his friend Elvis as well. One of America’s most beloved performers, Boone has sold over forty-five million records worldwide, starred in fifteen feature films, hosted his own hit ABC television series, and he has three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Other special guests confirmed to appear include Larry Strickland of The Stamps, who recorded and toured with Elvis; Charles Stone, who worked for Colonel Parker assisting on Elvis tours as a promoter, booking agent and security; multi-platinum recording artist Michael Sweet (Stryper/Boston); Award-winning singer-songwriter and TV/Radio personality Gary Chapman; Charlie Mattos of WSM Radio’s Coffee, Country &Cody; Grand Ole Opry’s Gina Keltner and more. The festival will also feature headliner performances from Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest® world champions Bill Cherry (2009); Dean Z (2013); Ben Thompson (2018); and reigning champion Taylor Rodriguez (2019). Also appearing are Nashville’s reigning champion, Al Joslin; fan favorites Michael Cillipher and Riley Jenkin; and King of the Elvis Festival late night parties, Jeff Lewis — an award-winning Elvis Tribute artist, GRAMMY® nominated singer-songwriter, actor and emcee.

A highlight of each Nashville Elvis Festival is the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest preliminary round, with the winner moving on to Graceland's Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinal & Finals in Memphis during Elvis Week each August. Twenty contestants have been hand-selected and invited to compete in Nashville, coming from all over the USA as well as Australia, Canada, Norway, Chile, England, Germany and Ireland. Backing all live performances will be Australia’s TIC Band, known for their performances all over the world backing tribute artists and giving the feeling and excitement of being at an actual Elvis concert.

Tom Brown returns as the festival’s host and emcee. For nearly two decades, he has served as a host for Graceland's Elvis Week, theTupelo Elvis Festival and numerous other Elvis events around the country. He can be seen on Graceland's popular Gates of Graceland web series, and heard each weekday hosting Tom Brown in the Morning, on Sunny 93.3 in his hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi. Nashville Elvis Festival is produced by Tom Brown and Brian Mayes for Music City Festivals. For tickets or more information, please visit the official website at NashvilleElvisFestival.com.

A PREMIER ELVIS EVENT UNLIKE ANY OTHER, CELEBRATING THE MUSIC & LEGACY OF ELVIS PRESLEY.

The 4-day festival will be filled with celebrity appearances, special guests and performances from 28 of the top Elvis tribute artists from all over the world!

For more information, visit www.NashvilleElvisFestival.com.

join us FOR A SPECTACULAR SEASON!

The Real Inspector Hound BY TOM STOPPARD

SHOW RUNS MARCH 27 - APRIL 11. Purchase tickets beginning March 16. Go to www.pull-tight.com any time, or call 615-791-5007 Tuesday-Friday, 10 am-4 pm.

112 2nd Avenue, South • Historic Downtown Franklin www.pull-tight.com Discover a treasure.

THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND IS PRESENTED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

FRANKLIN THEATRE H I S T O R I C F R A N K L I N T H E A T R E ANNOUNCES NEW VISION & NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Since its original opening in 1937, the historic Franklin Theatre has seen many exciting changes, and 2020 is proving to be no different. The Franklin Theatre kicked off the year with two major announcements including the naming of Paul T. Couch as the theatre’s permanent executive director as well as introducing an entirely new lineup of performing arts programming which will build upon the excellent track record the Franklin Theatre already has for its live music and movie showings by adding programming that features diverse musical, dance and family performances.

The new season of programming season will begin September 19th with Black Violin and run through April of 2021. The new season consists of three series, each made up of five shows doing three performances each. Tickets for each series went on sale this month, with individual performance tickets going on sale in April.

Another important aspect of the Performing Arts Series is the implementation of educational outreach with these performers. Couch and his team will be seeking opportunities to bring these international acts into schools and working with area non-profits and organizations to offer young people the chance to benefit from the talents, skills and knowledge of these accomplished artists.

With this new season, the theater has also created new mission and vision statements to better reflect the overarching goals moving into 2020 and beyond. The theater’s vision is to be a catalyst for social change, where diverse peoples are unified, lives are touched, and memories are made. The mission is to provide world-class performing arts experiences to diverse Williamson County residents and visitors and to be a platform for local philanthropic engagement and education, while providing unparalleled guest service.

Tickets for the entire series are on sale now, with individual performance tickets going on sale in April. For more information or to buy series tickets, go to franklintheatre.com.