April Events In/Around Nashville

April 1 – 5:  NashFash, various locations
Nashville Fashion Week is a city-wide celebration of Nashville’s thriving fashion and retail community and its vast array of creative talent.  Local, regional and national design talent will be represented, and Nashvillians are encouraged to explore the city’s diverse fashion and retail spaces throughout the week with promotions, partnerships and educational workshops. Ticket proceeds from Nashville Fashion Week will benefit the newly established Nashville Fashion Forward Fund.  nashfash.com

April 5, 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm: Hoppin’ Hounds Easter Egg Hunt
At Edwin Warner Park, Shelter 3, dogs are invited to hunt for hundreds of eggs filled with dog treats and prizes for them and their owners.  This event benefits the Nashville Humane Association and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Nashville.  Spring photos of you and your pet will be taken.  Teddy’s Wagon, the Nashville Humane Association’s mobile pet adoption unit, will be at the park with ready-to-adopt canine companions.  Suggested $10 registration donation.  In case of rain, event will be held April 12 instead.  www.facebook.com/hoppinhounds

April 6 – 8:  2014 NCAA Women’s Final Four, Bridgestone Arena
Nashville bid for this tournament in 2008, and if we’re lucky, we’ll have some great Tennessee teams appearing in the semifinals (big shout out to Ebony Rowe/MTSU!).  The NCAA Women’s Final Four concludes Division I Women’s Basketball, but let’s get real: this is more than a game for many!

April 7: B. B. King with special guest Robert Cray.  Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Since B.B. started recording in the late 1940s, he has released more than 60 albums and won 15 Grammy Awards.  As a member of both the Rock and Roll and the Blues Hall of Fame, B.B. has one of the most identifiable guitar styles in music. Blues singer/guitarist and recent Blues Hall of Fame inductee Robert Cray will open the show with his band.

April 11, 7:00-10:00 pm: Highballs and Hydrangeas, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
With live music by Regi Wooten & Friends, cocktails, wine, scrumptious food, art, and fresh spring flora throughout Cheekwood, what’s not to love?  http://highballsandhydrangeas.com

April 12, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm: Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival, Public Square
This family-friendly celebration of Spring and Japanese culture begins with the Cherry Blossom Walk. The festival includes live Japanese music and dance, martial arts demonstrations, children’s activities, Japanese merchandise, an artist avenue, and a variety of Japanese food.  nashvillecherryblossomfestival.org

April 17 – 26: Nashville Film Festival.  Green Hills Regal Cinema 16.
The Nashville Film Festival is proud to celebrate the diversity of the human spirit expressed through the art of film and to build a more informed, collaborative, and alive community.  Founded in 1969 by Mary Jane Coleman, the Nashville Film Festival was originally known as the Sinking Creek Film Celebration.  It has been named  one of 25 film festivals worth the entry fee (MovieMaker magazine),  one of the best film festival prizes (Film Festival Today), and one of the top 5 film festivals in the US (Brooks Institute).

April 19, time depends on age of child: 16th Annual Eggstravaganzoo
A hopping time at the Nashville Zoo with egg hunts for the children (30,000 eggs!), games, and general merriment all day.  Special guests include the Zoo’s giraffe mascot Twiga and a white-haired, long-eared fellow lovingly known as the Easter Bunny!  Rain or shine.   You are encouraged to arrive at least an hour before the egg hunt schedule.  For those 2 and under (10:00 am OR 12:30 pm); for age 3 (10:30 am OR 1:00 pm), for age 4-5 (11:00 am OR 1:30 pm); for age 6-7 (11:30 am OR 2:00 pm), and for age 8-10 (noon OR 2:30 pm).  Parents accompany children up to age 5 onto egg-hunt field.

April 23:  Santana is playing at the Ryman, but the show’s sold out (and has been since opening day).  Maybe someone you know has a spare ticket – and a darling pet unicorn?

April 24 – 26: Rivers & Spires Festival, Clarksville.
Rivers & Spires Festival is a three-day outdoor event in Historic Downtown Clarksville. It features a night of patriotic tribute to military heroes, seven stages of entertainment, an International Streetfest, International House of Brewers, Kids Zone, Jazz ‘N Wine area, marketplace, car shows, parades, Quilts of the Cumberland, arts galore and more. Free admission!