Black Women in Music

Cheekwood and WNXP proudly present Black Women in Music at the 2025 Black Arts Bash! From 1 – 8 PM on the Arboretum Lawn Stage, experience a dynamic and diverse lineup of local Black female songwriters, vocalists, and performers. Join us for a powerful day of music, culture, and community. Check back for upcoming performer announcements!

Performance: Sankofa African Drum and Dance

Massey Auditorium | 12 PM and 2 PM
Join Sankofa African Drum and Dance group for a heart-pounding performance featuring traditional African drumming and dance. Come prepared to be moved by the beat.

Main Stage

Arboretum Lawn | 1 – 8 PM
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.

Amber Ais | 1 – 1:45 PM
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 – 3:15 PM
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 – 4:30 PM
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 – 6:15 PM
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 – 8 PM
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.

Art Activity: Learn about August Savage

Across from Botanic Hall | 9 AM – 3 PM
Born in Florida in 1892, Augusta Savage began creating art as a child by using the natural clay found in her hometown. After attending Cooper Union in New York City, she made a name for herself as a sculptor during the Harlem Renaissance and was awarded fellowships to study abroad. Savage later served as a director for the Harlem Community Center and created the monumental work The Harp for the 1939 New York World’s Fair. She spent most of her later years in Saugerties, New York, before her death from cancer in 1962.

Storytime with Dorena Williamson

Across from Botanic Hall | 10:00 am & 11:00 am
Dorena Williamson is a best-selling author of nine children’s books showing how differences are a delightful part of our humanity. She is a longtime bridge-builder and clergy in a multicultural faith community in Nashville. Her latest book, Every Breath, Every Blessing: Finding Hope on Tough Days, is being released on August 12.

Community Activity with Destiney Powell

Arboretum Lawn | 9 am – 4 pm
Nashville artist Destiney Powell has created a multigenerational piece in reference to the feeling of connection. Celebrate the women in your life by adding a petal, thread, or thought to this incredible artistic vision.

The Urbaanite Nashville Lounge

Beer Garden | 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Note: 21+
Visit the Urbaanite Nashville Lounge powered by Bevmatic Brands for a fun and free cocktail tasting experience by African American owned spirits brands. Stick around for the evening’s headlining performance.

Black Arts Bash Visual Art Exhibition

Frist Learning Center Great Hall
Artist Panel | 5:00 pm
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 by local artists DaShawn Lewis and Kimberly Manson.

Food Vendors

Lot B | 10 AM – 8 PM

TBA

Arts and Goods Vendors

Lot B | 10 AM – 8 PM

Floradayleaf
Erihii Nyamor
Black Candle Company
Nailed My Nails
Outside/In Home Decor
Friends of the William Edmondson Homesite