Eighth Annual Nashville Emerging Leader Awards. The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and YP Nashville are proud to present the eighth annual Nashville Emerging Leader Awards. The NELAs recognize young professionals in 15 industry classifications who are excelling in their careers and making a difference in the community. Young professionals are one of the most important demographic groups in Nashville today. 5-10 p.m., Lipscomb University, Collins Alumni Auditorium, One University Park Drive. Information, visit www.nashvillechamber.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 31

Nashville Next Lounges

Learn more about and get involved in shaping the master plan for Nashville-Davidson County growth and development. NashvilleNext is a two-year process to update the city’s General Plan for the next 25 years, during which the county is expected to gain up to 200,000 new residents. Upcoming “lounges” include:

  • Thursday, July 31, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., Easley Community Center, 1000 Edgehill Avenue
  • Monday, Aug. 4, 5 – 7 p.m., West Nashville Police Precinct, 5500 Charlotte Pike
  • Thursday, Aug. 7, 5 – 7 p.m., Hadley Park Community Center, 1037 28th Ave. North
  • Friday, Aug. 8, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., Donelson Farmer’s Market, 2730 Lebanon Pike
  • Monday, Aug. 11, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., East Park Community Center, 700 Woodland Street
  • Tuesday, Aug. 12, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Downtown Farmers Market, 900 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard

Information: http://www.nashville.gov/Government/NashvilleNext/Pick.aspx

SATURDAY, AUG. 2

First Saturday Art Crawl

The monthly visual arts event is presented by 5th Avenue of the Arts and takes place in that historic entertainment district of downtown Nashville. On the first Saturday of every month, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., an alliance of art galleries and museums collectively invite the public to explore the vibrant Nashville downtown art scene. More than 20 art venues participate. Admission free. Information: www.nashvilledowntown.com/play/first-saturday-art-crawl.

Songwriters Night at Rock Castle

A night of great talent, activities, and food. Food & soft drinks available for purchase or BYOB. Children’s activities for all ages. Gates open at 5pm. $3 cover charge. 12 and younger free. Information: www.historicrockcastle.com. 139 Rock Castle Lane, Hendersonville

MONDAY, AUG. 11

Music for Seniors

A free daytime concert at The Jazz Cave, 1318 Adams Street, featuring Connye Florance. 10:30 a.m. RSVP: [email protected].

TUESDAY, AUG. 12

Spark Series

Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is kicking off its new Spark Series, offering professional development workshops in partnership with c3/consulting. For teams or individuals, these full- and half-day workshops help organizations increase productivity, improve collaboration, enhance leadership skills and learn techniques for strategic planning. This workshop topic is “Negotiation: Strategies to Build Your Business,” and is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at C3 Consulting, LLC, 2975 Sidco Drive, Nashville. $400 per person for Chamber members, $550 per person for future members. Information: www.nashvillechamber.com, 743-3067. Additional sessions include:

  • Friday, Aug. 22: Breakthrough Thinking: Avoid Thinking Biases. 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Sept. 11: Strategy Boot Camp: From Vision to Execution. 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 17: The Seven Separators of Facilitation Excellence. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUG. 14

Live on the Green

Since its inception in 2009, more than 200,000 fans from 29 states and 10 countries have attended the free outdoor music festival. It also has hosted more than 70 artists, including Alabama Shakes, Local Natives, Band of Horses, Matt & Kim, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Matt Nathanson, The Wallflowers, Citizen Cope, Dr. John, The Wailers and more. This year’s lineup:

  • Thursday, Aug. 14, 6 p.m.: Spanish Gold, The Weeks, City and Colour
  • Thursday, Aug. 21, 6 p.m.: Goodbye June, Wild Cub, The Head and the Heart
  • Thursday, Aug. 28, 6:15 p.m.: All Them Witches, The Features, Capital Cities
  • Thursday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m.: Johnnyswim, Delta Spirit, Cage the Elephant
  • Friday, Sept. 5, 5 p.m.: Daniel Ellsworth and the Great Lakes, Augustana, G. Love and Special Sauce, The Wild Feathers and the Hi Lows, Ingrid Michaelson, LP, The Lone Bellow, Jake Bugg

FRIDAY, AUG. 15

Junior Achievement Awareness Breakfast

More than 300 business people will gather at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel to learn about the Junior Achievement organization and what it offers to the community. Dr. Randy Lowry, president of Lipscomb University, will offer the keynote address. Attendees are being invited to the event by Junior Achievement Board Members and other supporters. Members of the public are invited to attend as well. In addition to Lowry, Junior Achievement students, volunteers, teachers, and Board Members will speak, sharing about their experiences in the program and the impact it has made in their lives. Junior Achievement offers programming for kindergarten through twelfth grade students focusing on entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy. There is no cost to attend the event; however, attendees will have the opportunity to sign up to volunteer in an area classroom, support the organization financially, or get involved with future events. 7:15-8:30 a.m. RSVP: www.janash.com/events/awareness-breakfast.

SATURDAY, AUG. 16

Solar Workshop for Homeowners

LightWave Solar will present a Solar Workshop for Homeowners to explain the process of installing solar at your home. Presentation will cover the basics: How solar works, solar equipment and costs, roof and shade requirements, and an overview of available tax and utility incentives. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP: [email protected], 641-4050.