Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2023 i Nashville Lifestyles Magazine

There’s something comforting about the Christmas music classics—a warm-and-fuzzy feeling we all get from pulling out the old Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, or Mariah Carey favorites. But let’s be honest, it can get a bit repetitive year after year. Enter country star Jon Pardi, whose new take on Christmas music will liven up your holiday season. With Merry Christmas from Jon Pardi, 12 fresh songs deliver unorthodox takes on a diverse array of seasonal favorites—plus a handful of quirky, Pardi-style originals. It adds up to a holiday set filled with Christmas spirit and the good times twang this rising star has become known for. “I like that my album’s in the mix because I feel like something’s been missing from the Christmas records—a little fresh energy,” Pardi says. “We attempted…

ZACH RUSSELL WHERE THE FLOWERS MEET THE DEW Zach Russell studies the duality of music with Where the Flowers Meet the Dew, 10 songs split down the middle in sonic scope. Half earnest and unadorned country, half electric roots rock, quiet moments and a raging spirit combine to form the down-home musings of a back-porch philosopher. (Available Dec. 1.) BREEZE SOUR GRAPES A frenzied five-piece mixing new-wave rock and electronic punk, Breeze bottles up bitterness and strife on Sour Grapes, featuring nine audio energy drinks with battery acid as the base ingredient. Sometimes raw and feral, other times lush and flowy, romantic frustration is served up ice cold. (Available Dec. 8.) DILLON FRANCIS THIS MIXTAPE IS FIRE TOO Hit-making DJ Dillon Francis pushes listeners to the edge of rhythmic ecstasy…

1 KITCHEN NASHVILLE’S WINTER SQUASH RISOTTO Courtesy of Culinary Director Chris Crary The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are the perfect time to experiment with cozy cuisine. This decadent dish from 1 Kitchen’s Chef Chris Crary is a great way to use seasonal ingredients to create a meal that’s warming for the body and soul. “This dish is really inspired by the season,” says Crary. “I really like making dishes that visually describe the season. The risotto turns an orange color and that reminds me of fall going into winter.” It’s also a great alternative to some of the more common meat-heavy dishes of the season. “Most people are used to seeing risotto with seafood, this a fun vegetarian twist,” he says. “It’s also a great way to sneak in…

Attendees sampled brunch cocktails made with Fords Gin and Cathead Vodka, crafted by local Nashville bartenders. At the end of the event, guests turned in their ballots and voted for both their favorite gin and vodka craft cocktails. In addition to sampling all the delicious drinks, guests enjoyed tasty brunch bites like chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, French toast, and a charcuterie board, from Hotel Fraye’s restaurant, Gathre. Fords Gin cocktail winners: WINNER: Max Nishida with Conrad – Bad Moon RUNNER UP: Josh Scheller with The Rutledge – Morning Horchata Cathead Vodka cocktail winners: WINNER: Kerolos Eskander with STK – French Toast Kiss RUNNER UP: Nia Morris with Noelle – Bright-Eyed & Bushy-Tailed Participating restaurants included: Common Ground, STK, Noelle, Layer Cake, Proof, The Rutledge, Conrad, Church & Union,…

In the immortal words of the great poet Taylor Swift “’tis the damn season.” The season for giving, the season for celebrating with family, the season for overeating…you name it, it’s that time of year! In what I personally consider to be a Christmas miracle, we have the queen herself—Dolly Parton—on our cover this month! Dolly not only gifts us with her presence to chat about her latest album, Rockstar, but also to talk about her very own holiday traditions. If your holiday tradition includes gift-giving (and whose doesn’t?), we’ve got you covered with our annual Holiday Gift Guide. We’ve filled your list with tons of finds from some of our favorite local retailers. Whether you’re on the hunt for gifts small or large, we’ve got the perfect present for…

Company culture is a critical component of any successful business, and creating a positive environment starts with the leadership. This is a concept that seasoned hospitality vet and Brooklyn Bowl Nashville’s General Manager, Sara Barnett, knows all too well. From keeping a new venue that was set to open at the height of a global pandemic afloat to growing the space into one of Music City’s favorite live music locales, Barnett has adopted a leadership through service approach every step of the way. The result? A welcoming neighborhood spot for great music, great food and drinks, and great times, where employees and guests alike are treated like family. Getting Started: I’m originally from Middle Tennessee and have lived in Nashville since 2006. I first started working in the food and…

At 2000 Belcourt Avenue in Hillsboro Village sits a storied house. In 1982, it became home to Faison’s, a beloved independent restaurant that spearheaded the transformation of Music City’s culinary scene while making its neighborhood a dining destination. It had a long run but was sold in 1997. In the ensuing years, other establishments, such as The Trace and Bombasha Brazilian Steakhouse, took up residence. As the evolution of Nashville dining expanded into other parts of the city, this one faltered. The most recent incarnation of 2000 Belcourt was a hookah lounge. Bringing new vision and vitality to the space is Supper Club on Belcourt, opened in early October by Make a Play Hospitality Group. They patterned the concept after its sibling restaurant in Memphis, Supper Club on Second, which…

CALENDAR 1-3 HOME ALONE IN CONCERT WITH THE NASHVILLE SYMPHONY Experience the beloved classic, Home Alone, like never before as the film is accompanied by the Nashville Symphony. In this delightful production, composer John Williams’ score will be performed live to picture for a festive outing to get the whole family in the holiday spirit. (Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; nashvillesymphony.org) 13-23AMY GRANT & VINCE GILL CHRISTMAS AT THE RYMAN Musical icons Amy Grant and Vince Gill’s Christmas at the Ryman residency is back for a 12-concert run celebrating the season. This year marks the 13th year of this fan-favorite show and features classic holiday songs performed by the husband-and-wife duo that radiate Christmas cheer. (Ryman Auditorium, 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; ryman.com) 8-24 NASHVILLE’S NUTCRACKER Holiday…

It may be referred to as the most wonderful time of the year, but for many the holiday season can be accompanied by an overwhelming mix of emotions. As magical as this time of year can be, it can also be a reminder of loss, heartbreak, and stress that makes putting on a happy face to attend holiday events feel daunting. This is the inspiration behind Hope For The Holidays, an engaging holiday benefit event that is meeting audiences where they are during this emotionally heightened season. Whether you’re celebrating or feeling melancholy, Hope For The Holidays aims to make everyone feel seen, valued, and cared for at this exceptional event. Presented by True West Foundation, Hope For The Holidays: An Evening with Louis York & Friends will be held…

Holiday Break After a holiday season of playing host, treat a friend to some serious R&R with a gift card to Escape Day Spa & Salon for a bit of pampering and self-care. (Escape Day Spa & Salon; escapenashville.com) Bucket List Buys Keep the pups in mind this holiday season (and long after) with the latest of Chris Santella’s bestselling Fifty Places series, Fifty Places to Travel with Your Dog Before You Die. A true gift of inspiration, each page of this book is filled with dog-friendly destinations for adventure-loving pets and their owners alike. $27.50 (Epergne, 6592 TN-100 Ste. 100, shopepergne.com) Gas Lamp Owl This mid-century modern owl sculpture is an adorable antique that makes for a perfect gift. A unique figurine to bring character into any space, you’ll…

AT THE TABLEIT’S A BAD IDEA, RIGHT? Advanced sommelier Alex Burch always said it was a bad idea to open a wine bar in Nashville. Restrictive state liquor laws and taxes impede both the creation of a program with depth and legally procuring bottles of age. Plus, it requires a climate-controlled room onsite to properly store the collection. To keep prices down for your guests, you’ll need to offer substantial and complementary food. All told, the investment is huge. It’s a daunting prospect. And yet, he took the leap. Bad Idea, which Burch opened in the former sanctuary of an East Nashville church, is a glorious confluence of food and wine, art and aesthetics, hospitality and community: the culmination of many good ideas. It starts with the expansive space itself:…