NASHVILLE, Tenn. – From morning to night, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens will celebrate Black artists with music, visual art, dance, and more. Guests can explore and experience Black traditions and artistic expression courtesy of a variety of activities and special events.
The 5th annual Black Arts Bash will be on Saturday, August 16, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. This is the second of four multicultural festivals celebrated throughout the year at Cheekwood. Tickets for Black Arts Bash are on sale now at cheekwood.org.
New this year, Cheekwood and WNXP 91.1 FM are proud to present Black Women in Music. A dynamic and diverse lineup of local Black female songwriters, vocalists, and performers will take the stage throughout the festival to celebrate music, culture, and community.
In addition to musical performances, guests can participate in a collaborative art project, enjoy hands-on activities inspired by the work of Black female artists, a lounge featuring African American-owned spirits brands, homecooked favorites made by local Black chefs, and storytime with a local author. The event also includes the premiere of the Faces of the Community Fine Arts Exhibition, a portrait exhibition featuring local artists.
Black Women in Music
Arboretum Lawn | 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Amber Ais | 1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Amber Ais is an indie pop singer/songwriter. She aims to connect with listeners through her honest and relatable songwriting. She draws inspiration from artists like John Mayer, Julia Michaels, and Tori Kelly. Her lyrics are often described as genuine and like a page ripped from her own diary.
Kyleigh | 2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
With a sound that combines elements of R&B and alternative pop, Kyleigh has been writing songs featuring poignant and honest lyrics since she was 8 years old. R&B legends like Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, and Boyz II Men have shaped her style and influenced her sound.
Lizzie No | 3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
As a singer-songwriter, harpist, and guitarist, Lizzie No has established herself as one of the most exciting new voices in indie folk music. She has performed at the Newport Folk Festival, Americanafest, and South by Southwest, and classical arrangements of her songs have been performed at the Louisville Orchestra's Festival of American Music and the Downtown Chamber Series.
SistaStrings | 5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
SistaStrings is a dynamic musical duo comprised of sisters Chauntee and Monique Ross. Their style features a blend of classical training, soulful melodies, and contemporary sounds. The Ross sisters are members of Brandi Carlile’s touring band and have performed with Joni Mitchell, Ed Sheeran, Maggie Rogers, Margo Price, Allison Russell, and Jason Isbell.
The New Respects | 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The New Respects is a family affair. The band consists of singer/guitarist Jasmine Mullen, her cousin, guitarist Zandy Mowry, and her brother, Darius Fitzgerald. They are part of the second generation of a successful musical family and were influenced by the gospel music they were surrounded by growing up. They will uplift audiences with their throwback pop-rock sound and catchy lyrics.
The Urbaanite Nashville Lounge
Beer Garden | 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Long-time Black Arts Bash collaborator Urbaanite is returning to host an exciting and educational cocktail tasting experience featuring African American-owned spirits brands. The 21+ crowd can enjoy free samples while a DJ keeps the music and fun going. It’s a perfect place to hang out and socialize before catching the evening’s headline musical performance.
Faces of the Community Fine Arts Exhibition
Frist Learning Center Great Hall | 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Black Arts Bash aims to elevate Black arts in all forms—performing, culinary, literary, and, in this space, visual. The 2025 Fine Arts Exhibition will spotlight portraits, showcasing works by both emerging and established artists. Selected portrait submissions will be displayed alongside a photography exhibition created especially for Black Arts Bash. The exhibition opens concurrently with Black Arts Bash on August 16 and runs through August 29. Artists interested in participating in the exhibition can still submit their work. For more information visit: cheekwood.org.
The Faces of the Community Fine Arts Exhibition is supported by the William Rollins Fund for the Arts at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
Collaborative Art Project
Arboretum Lawn | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Join Nashville artist Destiney Powell to create a mural celebrating Black women. Powell’s work is inspired by the experiences of Black women and features a vibrant and imaginative twist. Shewill create the design of the mural, and guests will fill in the colors. She will be on-hand to assist with the completion of the project.
Special Performance-Sankofa African Drum and Dance
Massey Auditorium | 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Join Sankofa African Drum and Dance group for a heart-pounding performance featuring traditional African drumming and dance. Sankofa is a Tennessee-based performing arts company whose mission is to rally communities around the beat of the drum to unify, heal, and inspire.
Art Activity Across from Botanic Hall | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Guests of all ageswill have the chance to use their creative skills tocreate cardboard relief portraits inspired by Augusta Savage's sculptures. Savage was a sculptor associated with the Harlem Renaissance who worked for equal rights for African Americans in the arts.
Storytime with Dorena Williamson Across from Botanic Hall | 10 a.m. and 11a.m.
Dorena Williamson is a bestselling author who is passionate about showing children—and adults—that differences can be curiously explored and joyfully celebrated. Using a graceful approach, Williamson’s books tackle tough subjects with storytelling that enriches young hearts and minds.
Food Vendors
Homecooked favorites provided by local Black chefs from will be available in Lot B from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. An exciting lineup of local food trucks will offer tasty fare including sandwiches, burgers, and barbecue.
Arts and Goods Vendors
Local artisans will sell their creations in Lot B from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Ticket Information
Black Arts Bash is free for Cheekwood members. For not-yet members, tickets for adults cost $20, and youth (3-17) are free. All tickets include access to the Historic Mansion & Museum. Visit Cheekwood.org to reserve tickets. Reserving a timed-entry ticket in advance is required for all guests. During busy seasons and events, Cheekwood may reach parking capacity. If parking capacity is reached, walk-up tickets will only be available for those utilizing rideshare services.
Black Arts Bash is sponsored by HCA Healthcare and Nissan Foundation and supported by Asurion. Urbaanite Nashville and WNXP 91.1 FM are media partners.
About Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
With its intact and picturesque vistas, Cheekwood is distinguished as one of the leading Country Place Era estates in the nation. Formerly the family home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, the 1930s estate, with its 30,000-square-foot Mansion and 55-acres of gardens, today serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and art museum with furnished period rooms and galleries devoted to American art from the 18th to mid-20th centuries. The property includes 13 distinct gardens including the Blevins Japanese Garden and the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, as well as a 1.5-mile woodland trail featuring outdoor monumental sculpture. Each year, Cheekwood hosts seasonal festivals including Cheekwood in Bloom, Summertime at Cheekwood, Cheekwood Harvest and Holiday LIGHTS. Cheekwood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and nationally as a Level II Arboretum. It is a three-time voted USA Today Top 10 Botanical Garden, in 2024 received a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, and in 2021 was named by Fodors as one of the 12 Most Beautiful Gardens in the American South. Cheekwood is located eight miles southwest of downtown Nashville at 1200 Forrest Park Drive. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., with extended days and hours of operation depending on the season. Visit cheekwood.org for current hours and to purchase advance tickets required for admission.
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