by Mckenzi Harris and Erika Plunkett | Jun 10, 2019 | Arts and Entertainment, Galleries, News Slider
Nashville has been packed all weekend with fans from all over the world attending the city’s biggest music event of the year: CMA Fest. Our editor-in-chief, Mckenzi Harris, and co-managing editor, Erika Plunkett, were there all weekend to cover the events of the festival. This weekend was full of rain, yet the fans showed out every day. Due to the rain, several of the daytime stages were delayed on and off throughout the daytime hours. The Chevy Riverfront stage is the largest daytime stage of the festival and was packed for each performance. The Riverfront stage featured mainly big names: Hunter Hayes, LOCASH, Ashley McBryde and many others. Between the rain delays of the afternoons, the fans indulged themselves in the food trucks as well as checked out the booths in Fan Fair X. The CMA Festival is not all outdoors. There are indoor stages such as the Nashville Acoustic Corner, Close Up Stage, Radio Disney Stage and the HGTV Lodge. The Lodge had a very special theme this year as HGTV used this venue to promote their upcoming series A Very Brady Renovation. Joining the host Susanne Alexander were Susan Olson, Maureen McCormick, and Barry Williams, who played Cindy, Marcia, and Gregg Brady in the 1970s sitcom. The Brady Bunch cast is a part of new series that brought to life the Bradys’ home with the help of many of HGTV’s talents. The interior of the home — which formerly served as the exterior of the television home of the Brady family –has now been completely reconstructed to match the interior shown on the show’s Hollywood soundstage set....
by Mckenzi Harris | Jun 6, 2019 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
CMA Fest is one of the biggest events in Nashville and visitors are arriving from all over to attend. While tickets to the main nighttime concert can be expensive, there are many free stages around town. During CMA Fest, fans can hear hundreds of artist, enjoy the downtown Nashville scene and attend six stages of free concerts. Organizers of the festival have said there will be more than 300 artists performing on the free stages this weekend. Some are up-and-coming artists, but there are many big name artist as well. A few of the big names include: Billy Currington, Gavin Degraw, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Chase Rice and Ashley McBryde. Free stages are as follow… The Chevy Riverfront Stage is the largest daytime stage at the festival and is located in Riverfront Park. Nashville Acoustic Center is a small stage located in the glass tower of Nashville visitor center just inside Bridgestone Arena. The Chevy Breakout Stage showcases the so-called next big country acts and is located in Walk of Fame Park. Budweiser Forever Country Stage is inside Forever Country Park behind Ascend Amphitheater. Maui Jim Broadway Stage is on the corner of fifth and Broadway and contains a lineup of an emerging artists. Along with the many free stages, there is also a cheap night show going on at Ascend Amphitheater at the same time as the big headliner concerts at Nissan Stadium. The Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend is a $10 admission for lawn seats and $25 for reserved seating. The Xfinity Fan Fair X is another cheap event to attend, costing $10 each day or...
by Mckenzi Harris | May 28, 2019 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Lipscomb alumnus Thomas Rhett has released the title track to his new album, and it features fellow Lipscomb alum Kelsea Ballerini. None of the album was expected to be released until May 31, but Rhett dropped “Center Point Road” last week. Center Point Road — located 30 minutes from campus in Hendersonville — is a road familiar to many Lipscomb students, particularly those who live in or commute from that part of Middle Tennessee. The song has a strong piano in the background and even starts and ends with the sound of an old projector rolling. The album is sure to have diversity as the vibe of the song is much different from the other tracks Rhett has released from the album. This new title track brings back high school nostalgia saying, “Hold on forever (Hold on forever) / Yeah, hold onto it (Hold onto it) / Yeah, hold on forever (Hold on forever) / And never let go of it / Everyone says when you’re younger / It’s gonna go fast / It suddenly hits you like thunder / And you’re gonna wanna go back/ Wanna go back/ Wanna go back / Wanna go back.” Center Point Road, Rhett’s fourth album, is the first on which he has co-written all the songs on the entire album. He also co-produced the album with Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure and Julian Bunetta. Rhett and Ballerini were both communication majors at Lipscomb, Rhett from 2008 to 2011 and Ballerini from 2011 to 2013. Ballerini wrote a blog in Dr. Jimmy McCollum’s 21st Century Media course, and Professor Tim Ghianni, a long-time professional journalist,...
by George Wong | Apr 18, 2019 | Arts and Entertainment, Fashion, News Slider
This is the last edition of LU’s GQ this semester. I wish everyone all the best in their exams and hope everyone has a relaxing summer. Speaking of summer, are you sick and tired of sweat marks and feeling uncomfortable in the heat? Need to go to work and feel like you’re wearing a wet suit? Then worry no more, this is how to remain cool in the heat this season while still being fashionable. Shirt: Keep in mind that we are wanting to look stylish and separate from the pack of guys wearing graphic tees and frat tanks. If you read last week’s post on ‘What to Wear on a First Date?”, it explains the importance of a simple, classic and timeless tee shirt. Neutral colors are the best, however because of the heat, stick with lighter colors like white. Earth tone colors are also trending this year, so you might want to explore khaki, olive and tan. If you’re planning to spend the whole day at the beach and then go out during the night, it is a great idea to wear a button-up shirt. The great thing about shirts is that they can be dressed up or down, in the summer I love to wear either a white or light blue button-up with contrasting shorts. It is also important to keep in mind what material and fabrics you’re wearing. Lightweight and breathable material helps reduce sweat marks and also hides them as they can dry quickly. Linen shirts will always be a gentlemen’s classic. Just imagine middle-aged Italian men basking in the Milan sunlight while wearing...
by Charissa Ricker | Apr 16, 2019 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Lipscomb University invited donors of $1,000 or more annually to a night highlighting innovation on Monday. The fourth annual IMAGINE event featured special musical performers Dr. Wintley Phipps and Natalie Grant and guest speakers Mark Cleveland and Walter Isaacson. IMAGINE serves as a celebration of Lipscomb’s achievements and has also been the platform of several big announcements for the university, such as a $23 million donation at last year’s IMAGINE. This year’s focus was Lipscomb Leads, the $250 million fundraising campaign. Student body president Sierra Sparks shared with the guests the 200,000 hours of service students have pledged to contribute to the Lipscomb Leads campaign. After a performance by Phipps, Lipscomb alumnus and CEO of Hytch Mark Cleveland was welcomed to the stage. Lipscomb is a huge supporter of the rideshare app, and Cleveland shared with the donors his vision for the company and the innovative steps it’s taking. “We have a strategy to protect our cities by taking pressure off our infrastructure,” Cleveland said. “We are on a mission to reward people for reducing their carbon footprint every time they share a ride with Hytch.” Cleveland said that he wanted to be a part of the Lipscomb community because he wanted to join a group of problem-solvers. He joked about getting an A on his paper about Hytch, and he urged the audience to find their community of innovators. “On your daily commute the empty seat in your car is both a problem and an opportunity,” Cleveland said. The event’s second musical guest was seven-time Grammy nominee and five-time Dove Award winner for Female Vocalist of the Year...
by LeBron Hill | Apr 12, 2019 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Childhood is one of the most memorable times in our life — a time where dreams of becoming princesses, astronauts and cowboys are never questioned — when being a superhero was as easy as climbing up the top of the stairs with a blanket tied to your neck, jumping as far as you can, until being defeated by the ultimate super villain. Gravity. Shazam takes those memories, along with action, humor and childhood antics and then wraps it up all in one for a great time for everyone. Zachary Levi (Shazam) was a dark horse for the role of the Great Wizard once the movie was announced in 2017, but his performance captures the warmness and wit that makes Shazam such a great character in all of comic books. Billy Batson (Asher Angel) has been in the foster care system since he was a young child, and he’s only had one person to look out for — himself. That changes when a family takes in the rebellious teen. While reluctantly adjusting to life with a family, he encounters the Great Wizard, Shazam, who champions Batson and bestows his powers to him when Batson says one word, SHAZAM! The highlight of the film is the accuracy of how it would be should a 14-year-old boy actually be granted super powers. The child in everyone relates to Billy with his decisions while being the Great Champion. Again, Levi does an amazing job of harnessing the joy and newness of youth. Angel also gives a wonderful performance as the rebellious teenager creating a sense of understanding from the audience. Originality of Shazam’s...
