Arts & Culture

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!

Joanne Shaw Taylor

January 20 | Franklin Theatre franklintheatre.com

Joanne Shaw Taylor was discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at the age of 1sixteen who, having watched her play, immediately invited her on the road with his supergroup D.U.P. - a career in music was born and in the proceeding years, her incredible guitar playing saw her build an army of plaudits including Jimmy Cliff, Joe Bonamassa, Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox. Still only in her 30’s, she has become one of the most sought-after guitarists in the world of blues-rock.

Mean Girls

February 8-13 | TPAC tpac.org

Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. Soon, this naive newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies, led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung.

Attitude

February 11 – 20 | TPAC nashvilleballet.com

Known for its game changing choreographers and uniquely Nashville musical collaborations, this season’s Attitude production offers a one-of-a-kind immersive dance experience. Staged on site at The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet, audiences will enjoy iconic contemporary works like internationally-renowned choreographer Val Caniparoli’s effervescent Tutto Eccetto il Lavandino (everything but the kitchen sink), and modern master Twyla Tharp’s 20th century classic Nine Sinatra Songs. Rocketman in Concert with the Nashville Symphony

February 17 & 18 Schermerhorn Symphony Center nashvillesymphony.org

Experience Taron Egerton’s standout performance as Elton John in a whole new way, as this Oscar- and Golden Globewinning film is screened in HD while your Nashville Symphony and a rock band perform the score live.

The Prom

February 22-27 | TPAC tpac.org

Everyone’s invited to the joyous Broadway hit that New York Magazine hails as “smart and big-hearted” while The New York Times declares it “makes you believe in musical comedy again!” The Prom is a new musical comedy about big Broadway stars on a mission to change the world and the love they discover that unites them all.

Popovich Pet Comedy Theatre

February 27 Franklin Theatre franklintheatre.com

The Popovich Comedy Pet Theater is entertainment for the whole family, featuring the unique blend of comedy and juggling skills of former Moscow Circus veteran Gregory Popovich and the extraordinary talents of his performing pets. His entourage consists of world-class jugglers, Diamond the Shetland Pony and over 30 performing pets including house cats and dogs (all rescued from animal shelters!), geese, white doves and parrots. The Popovich Comedy Pet Theater has a rich performance history, presenting thousands of shows in more than 20 countries.

Nashville Symphony Welcomes Music Legends

This spring at the Nashville Symphony promises an exciting classical program with world-class soloists and composers along with special performances from iconic artists.

After an autumn of social distancing on stage to help protect musicians and audiences, the spring performances were chosen to showcase the musical power and virtuosity of the reunited Grammy® Awardwinning orchestra. Master composers such as Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Mendellsohn are highlights along with American composers Brad Warnaar and Nashville’s own C.F. “Kip” Winger, who is premiering his first symphony in March. Closing out the 2021/22 classical season – and the Symphony’s season-long celebration of their 75th anniversary – is June’s performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. Also, a part of that concert’s repertoire is a commissioned work from Nashville Symphony violist and composer Christopher Farrell to commemorate the anniversary.

This year also sees the Symphony welcoming musical legends such as The Police’s Stewart Copeland, Broadway’s Leslie Odom, Jr. and Bernadette Peters, Ronnie Milsap, Wynton Marsalis and Ben Folds.

Their popular movie series returns, where audiences can experience beloved films while hearing the scores live. Upcoming movies include Rocketman, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Harry Potter and the HalfBlood Prince, Back to the Future and Toy Story.

In addition to being home to the Symphony, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center is easily one of the country’s most beautiful and acoustically impressive venues. This year’s presentations without the orchestra include Brian McKnight, Chaka Khan, Tower of Power, The Righteous Brothers, Gregory Porter, Grand Funk Railroad and Little River Band.

For dates, tickets, and other information, visit their concert calendar at nashvillesymphony.org.

WHERE

BONDS WITH CREATION

WITH KEN MEANS CAROUSEL

BY ANNA ROBERTSON HAM

If you have walked into The Factory at Franklin, you have been greeted by a magical array of carousel animals on display in a space near the front entrance. These beautiful pieces are part of Ken Means Carousel and are stopping people in their tracks. You cannot help but marvel at the intricate designs and mythical mastering that are truly a sight to see.

Ken Means and his wife, Betty, moved to Williamson County in 2019. “Our daughter, Tsianina, felt Franklin needed a carousel,” explains Ken. “She acquired the space at the Factory to promote the Ken Means Carousel.” Ken’s interest in carousels was acquired as a young boy when he visited the Lincoln Park Carousel in Los Angeles, California. Ken, who started his career as an easel painter, is a creative sculptor and works in wood, clay and bronze. He has been teaching art for over forty years and had a carousel carving school, where students came from many states and several

countries to learn to carve carousel animals. The first piece he created was a rocking horse for his daughter Julia, and he has spent the last twenty-five years creating the animals on display at The Factory at Franklin. “I haven’t created an entire carousel, except for the one I am creating now. However, I have done restoration work on numerous carousels,” he says. “Many of my creations can take up to a year to design, build, carve and do the final painting and finish.”

“The challenge…each and every animal is a challenge of its own,” Ken says. “I have created what is called - in the carousel world - a menagerie carousel. There are many different animals, not just horses. I have created giraffes, donkeys, lions, tigers, bears - oh my! - chickens, wolves, goats, rabbits and Puff the magic dragon chariot. We have different projects in progress. I design, build, carve and paint each of my menagerie pieces. Each of my pieces I finish in oil paints and, at times, they may have gold leaf and jewels.” “I am especially motivated and inspired by the joy my creations bring to all children and the young at heart…and that can include any age.”

Ken and Betty often go back to Oregon, where they still have a home and most of the tools for building the carousel. They hope to move everything to their home in Franklin, where they also want to find the perfect location for the complete carousel. “My goal right now is to find a permanent home for my menagerie carousel. Our dreams are that my carousel will be enjoyed by the young and old for decades to come. Making memories for families in its permanent location.”

The carousel showroom is by appointment only at the time. You can learn more about Ken and set up your appointment at kenmeanscarousel.com.

“Our dreams are that my carousel will be enjoyed by the young and old for decades to come... Making memories for families in its permanent location.”