Live on the Green’s third season begins Thursday with a unique collaboration between Nashville-based artist K.S. Rhoads and the Nashville Symphony. The performance is the first in a free, six-week concert series taking place Thursday nights through Oct. 13 at Public Square Park (Metro Courthouse). The show starts at 6 p.m. with performances by Will Hoge and other local opening acts. Information: liveonthegreen.net. Additional shows:
Sept. 15: Los Lonely Boys; Rumba
Sept. 22: Robert Randolph & The Family Band; The Dirty Guv’nahs; Moon Taxi
Sept. 29: Ten Out of Tenn; Edwin McCain
Oct. 6: Brett Dennen; Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors
Oct. 13: Here Come the Mummies

Thursday, Sept. 8

Sunset Safari 2011

Fundraiser for the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere features Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, along with food from more than 40 of the area’s restaurants, caterers and beverage purveyors. Tickets: are $150 (main event) and $300 (patron level). Information: 833-1534, nashvillezoo.org.

Sept. 9-10

Path & Pen Spiritual Writers’ Conference

Wisdom House at Scarritt-Bennett will host the Nashville Path & Pen Spiritual Writers’ Conference. The conference, now in its fifth year, brings writers and aspiring writers together to explore writing as a spiritual practice through a series of workshops. Accomplished writers serving as conference facilitators include Debra Moffitt, Charlotte Rains Dixon and Terry Price. Information: scarrittbennett.org, 340-7557.

SEPT. 9-11

Home Decorating & Remodeling Show

The 28th annual Home Decorating & Remodeling Show will be held at the Nashville Convention Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit 600 booths and attend free seminars. Friday, noon-9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Information: nashvillehomeshow.com.

24th annual Nashville Greek Festival

Experience Greek food, dancing and entertainment at the 24th Annual Nashville Greek Festival, Friday, Sept. 9th from10 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, Sept 10th. from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 11th from noon -7 p.m. Located at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4905 Franklin Rd. (at the corner of Tyne Boulevard). Admission $2. Free parking, and children under 12 are admitted free.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 10

27th Annual Fairview Nature Fest

This one-day, park-wide, family festival will celebrate the important role nature plays in our lives. A highlight on this year’s festival will be a demonstration by the Sons of Confederate Veterans re-enactors. The festival will also kick off the opening of the “1861 Civil War” exhibit in Bowie Nature Center, on loan from the Tennessee State Library. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 799-9290, fairviewchamber.org.

12th annual Gift of Life Walk

The Tennessee Kidney Foundation will host the event at River Park in Brentwood. The Walk is held to honor those individuals and their families suffering from kidney-related health issues, to raise awareness about kidney disease, and to promote organ donation. Registration,: 7:30 a.m. Walk begins at 9. Information: [email protected]

Sept. 10-17

Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee

Originating at Montgomery Bell State Park, this year’s route will feature a combination of rolling hills, valleys and some flat terrain. Cyclists can expect to experience beautiful, rural Tennessee scenery and interesting back roads along the way, including the Natchez Trace Parkway and visits to several Tennessee State Parks such as Dunbar Cave. Riders will camp overnight at four Tennessee State Parks along the route, including David Crockett, Henry Horton, Montgomery Bell and Paris Landing. The city of Clarksville will host one overnight stay at Swan Lake Park. Cost: $325. Single day cost: $50. Information: thebrat.org, or Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee on Facebook.

Monday, Sept. 12

Art: Up Close & Personal

Artist Deborah Gall of Franklin will trace her career in art during “Art: Up Close & Personal,” a free educational program of the Arts Council of Williamson County (ACWC), 6-7:30 p.m. at the Williamson County Public Library. The lecture series is free and open to the public. Information: artscouncilwc.org.

Sept. 12-15

Color of Silence Retreat

Scarritt-Bennett Center will host the Color of Silence Retreat to provide rest, renewal and spiritual enrichment for those who would like to get away to reenergize. Though described as a silent retreat, there are scheduled times when participants may socialize with other attendees if desired. The retreat will utilize spiritual disciplines such as meditative reading and listening, journaling, centering prayer, silence, and labyrinth walking. Materials and resources will be provided. Group worship services will be held. Photographer Susan Hay will lead a session about the effect of color on spiritual journey. Information: conta.cc/my9F21, 340-7557.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 17

Tour de Bottoms

The 2nd annual bike ride and walk benefiting the Epilepsy Foundation Middle and West Tennessee will be held at Shelby Bottoms, 7:30 a.m. Registration (bike ride, $30, walk, $25, 12 and younger free), includes an official Tour de Bottoms T-shirt, food and entertainment. Information: epilepsytn.org, 269-7091, 800 244-0768.

Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society

James Taulman, vice president of MTGS and genealogical researcher, will speak on “How to Publish Your Genealogicial Research.” 1 p.m., FiftyForward Knowles Center, 174 Rains Ave. Information, mtgs.org.

Dog Day Festival

The Music City Mutt Strutt kicks off this day-long event at Centennial Park, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. With a goal of raising $40,000 through dog walk participants, prizes such as a weekend trip to Indianapolis for the Brickyard 400 and Brickfest, a Nashville weekend package, and a “Love your Pup” package will be up for grabs for those who raise the most money. The top fundraiser’s pooch will even earn the title of “Nashville’s Top Dog” and be pictured on all promotional materials for Dog Day 2012. Information: nashvillehumane.org.

Hustle for the House

5K race and 1-Mile fun run to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Nashville. The race begins and ends at the Nashville Ronald McDonald House, 2144 Fairfax Ave., and follows a scenic, certified route through the Hillsboro-West End neighborhood. Participants are welcome to run in their favorite disco attire. Information: firstgiving.com/rmhcnashville/hustleforthehouse. Only pre-registered participants are guaranteed a T-shirt. T-shirts for day-of-race registrants are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

MONDAY, SEPT. 19

GNAR New Member Orientation

Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, 4540 Trousdale Drive, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. For GNAR applicants only, who must attend new member orientation in the GNAR classroom within three months of application. Lunch provided. Information: gnar.org, 254-7516.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 20

International Business Council Breakfast

Kiichiro Sato, president, JETRO New York, is the guest speaker for a discussion of the economic impact of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Other panelists include Hiroshi Sato, consul-general of Japan in Nashville, Keisuke Honda, general manager, Mitsui Corporate Planning, New York, and moderator Eduardo Minardi, IBC board chairman and COO, Bridgestone Americas, Inc.; chairman, CEO and president, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC. 8-10 a.m., AT&T Auditorium, 333 Commerce Street. Advance registration: $15 Chamber members; $30 future members. Information: web.nashvillechamber.com.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 22

Realtors Convention & Trade Show

The Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Middle Tennessee Realtors Convention & Trade Show is set for the Nashville Convention Center. Realtors from throughout the Greater Nashville/Middle Tennessee region will gather for the event, which includes professional development sessions, informative presentations, a full trade show and a variety of other valuable components. 2-8 p.m. Information: 254-7516, gnar.org.

Saturday, Sept. 24

20th annual Hands On Nashville Day

The event is Nashville’s largest annual day of service to public schools and is presented in partnership with Grainger. Hands On Nashville and more than 1,200 volunteers will participate in improvement projects such as painting, landscaping and cleaning across the city at Metro Nashville Public Schools. A $25 donation per participant is suggested, and all volunteers receive a T-shirt and invitation to the post-work CMT One Country Celebration. All funds raised are tax-deductible and assist Hands On Nashville in connecting volunteers with more than 400 Middle Tennessee nonprofits, government agencies and schools each year. 8 a.m.-noon. CMT One Country Celebration, noon-2 p.m. Lunch, entertainment and prizes will be provided. Registration: Beginning Sept. 1 at hon.org. Information: hon.org, 298-1108, ext. 110.

Octoberfest Celebration

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Montessori School holds its seventh annual Oktoberfest Celebration, noon-4 p.m. on the church grounds, 525 Sneed Road, Nashville. Authentic German-American lunch will be served, for $5/adult and $3/child, with children 3 and younger eating free. Games, contests and German music, as well as hay rides, a bake sale, face painting and inflatables. Information: 673-6289, holytrinitynashville.com.