MusicFest & Battle of the Bands. Fans will converge on 2nd Avenue for the outdoor party Dec. 29 featuring MSU & Wake Forest bands and cheerleaders. Love and Theft will perform a free concert prior to the Battle of the Bands. Admission to the Battle of the Bands is free and open to the public. 5-7 p.m.

Thursday, December 29

Franklin American Mortgage Bowl Coaches Luncheon

Fans have a chance to interact with SEC and ACC student-athletes and coaches including an opportunity to have a Q&A session with both head coaches from the participating schools. The event is open to the public but RSVP is required. Wild Horse Saloon, 11:30 p.m. Information: [email protected].

2011 All Academy and ROTC Ball

Gen. John A. Bradley, USAF (retired), will be the Keynote Speaker for the 2011 All Academy and ROTC Ball. The Ball, along with a silent auction, is an annual charity fundraiser supporting the Wounded Warrior Project. This year’s silent auction items include Southwest Airline Vouchers, a week at St. Simmons Beach, Music City Bowl tickets, autographed Titans items, various restaurant gift cards, jewelry and lots more. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. at Lowes Vanderbilt Hotel. Information: tennesseemilitaryball.org.

FRIDAY, DEC. 30

Music City Bowl

Mississippi State and Wake Forest play in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl at LP Field. 5:40 p.m.

FRIDAY, JAN. 13

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

US Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis will be the featured speaker at luncheon celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., hosted by the law of firm Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP. The event also will include the presentation of the Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis Endowed Diversity Scholarship, awarded annually to a UT Law school student whose life has been guided by the legacy of Dr. King. 11:30 a.m., Doubletree Hotel. Information: 244-6380.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

College to Career Fair

The Nashville Chamber annually partners with 13 area universities in welcoming bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates, MBAs and alumni to two of the largest recruiting events in the region. The Nashville Area College to Career Fair and the Nashville Area Teacher Recruitment Fair is scheduled for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Williamson County Ag Expo. Information: nashvillefairs.org/.

Through Dec. 31

Restaurants help the homeless

Nashville diners at select restaurants this holiday season can participate in “StreetSmart: Helping the Homeless” and give a unique gift. This inaugural program invites patrons to add a $1 donation to their check in support of Room in the Inn, a nonprofit organization providing a continuum of care for Nashvillians struggling with the short- and long-term effects of homelessness. The campaign, which originated in England, runs through New Year’s Eve. Participating restaurants include 360 Bistro, Burger Up, Cabana, Chagos, Cooper’s, Giovanni’s, Mad Platter, Mambu Restaurant & Bar, Merchants, Miel, Midtown Café, Sunset Grill, and The Patterson House. For more information and continued updates on participating restaurants please visit Room in the Inn on Facebook (facebook.com/roomintheinn).

THROUGH JAN. 15

Works of Rev. Howard Finster

The Tennessee State Museum presents a special exhibition featuring the work of the late folk artist Howard Finster. The exhibition, Stranger in Paradise: The Works of Reverend Howard Finster, is free and available through Jan. 15 in the museum’s Changing Galleries. Finster was one of America’s most widely known and prolific self-taught artists, producing more than 46,000 pieces of art before his death in 2001. Information: tnmuseum.org.