NMAAM

Nissan Free Wednesdays
2026-08-05 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-01 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-03 10:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | NMAAM, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
Experience NMAAM without the cost on our special Free Admission Days, sponsored by our generous partner, the Nissan Foundation.
Free Wednesdays: Every first Wednesday of the month, enjoy complimentary access to the museum galleries.
On these days, simply show up, check in at the front desk, and immerse yourself in the history and influence of African American music at no cost!

RFID Interactive Wristbands are $5.00 each on Nissan Free Wednesdays and Community Days.

Museum Closure
2026-08-03 | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
Please note that the National Museum of African American Music will be closed to the public all day on Monday, August 3, 2026.
We will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, the 4th.

Heartbeat Saturdays
2026-08-01 11:30 - 14:30, 2026-07-25 11:30 - 14:30, 2026-07-18 11:30 - 14:30, 2026-07-11 11:30 - 14:30, 2026-07-04 11:30 - 14:30, 2026-06-27 11:30 - 14:30, 2026-06-20 11:30 - 14:30, 2026-05-30 11:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) and 2 more dates | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
Join us every Saturday in the NMAAM lobby from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM for Heartbeat Saturday, a curated event that is free and open to the public. Experience vibrant music and community engagement with our resident DJ, Smoke!
DJ Smoke is a dynamic force in the music scene, known for blending contemporary beats with classic tracks to create an unforgettable atmosphere. With a keen ear for rhythm and an unmatched ability to read the crowd, DJ Smoke transforms every performance into a high-energy experience.
Heartbeat Saturdays are NMAAM’s community health initiative, meant to get your heart pumping and your feet grooving. We can’t wait to welcome you to our dance floor!

Catching Songs | A Rock 'n' Roll Songwriting Experience
2026-07-12 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
Catching Songs
A hands-on songwriting experience for all ages
Date: Sunday, July 12th
Doors: 2:00 PM
Workshop: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Celebrate National Rock ‘n’ Roll Day at the museum with Catching Songs, a free, family-friendly songwriting workshop led by Cameron Lavi-Jones, founder and frontman of King Youngblood and co-founder of Black & Loud, alongside musician Chet Peterson. Whether you’re an aspiring songwriter or simply love music, this interactive experience invites guests of all ages to explore the creative process behind writing songs and discover the power of rock ‘n’ roll through collaboration and storytelling.
Location: The National Museum of African American Music | 510 Broadway | Community Education Corner
Parking: Discounted Parking Validations Available
RSVP HERE

Rock N Roll Playhouse Presents: Little Royals – A Prince Celebration
2026-07-12 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
National Museum of African American Music
Sunday, July 12 | 12:00 PM

Bring the whole family to the National Museum of African American Music for Rock N Roll Playhouse: Little Royals – A Prince Celebration, a joyful, interactive concert experience celebrating the music and legacy of the one and only Prince.
Designed for kids and families, this high-energy performance features a live band playing Prince-inspired favorites while encouraging singing, dancing, and creative movement. Through playful interaction and musical exploration, young audiences are introduced to Prince’s groundbreaking sound and lasting cultural impact in a fun, welcoming environment.
Rock N Roll Playhouse shows are crafted to inspire a love of music at an early age—making this the perfect way to experience the museum together while honoring one of the most influential artists of all time.
All ages welcome. Families are encouraged to come ready to dance and celebrate!
Get Tickets

An Exquisite Evening of Song | An Intimate Rock 'n' Roll Concert Experience
2026-07-11 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
An Exquisite Evening of Song
with
Cameron Lavi-Jones of King Youngblood

Date: Saturday, July 11th
Doors: 6:00 PM
Performance: 7:00 PM
Celebrate National Rock ‘n’ Roll Day at NMAAM with An Exquisite Evening of Song — a free, family-friendly concert paying homage to the spirit and legacy of rock ‘n’ roll. Led by Cameron Lavi-Jones —founder and frontman of King Youngblood and co-founder of Black & Loud — alongside Chet Peterson and special guests, this unforgettable evening will feature captivating performances, powerful storytelling, and music that honors the genre’s enduring influence while celebrating its future.
Location: The National Museum of African American Music | 510 Broadway | Amplify Lounge
Parking: Discounted Parking Validations Available
RSVP HERE

Interludes Summer Showcase
2026-07-10 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
Join us for this summer’s final showcase as NMAAM’s Interludes students present live performances, original music, digital storytelling, and creative projects they’ve been building all summer long. Come celebrate six weeks of imagination, collaboration, and unforgettable talent as NMAAM’s next generation of artists takes the stage!
Friday, July 10, 2026
6:00–8:00 PM
Roots Theater | National Museum of African American Music | 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Free and open to the public!
RSVP for Free
Interludes is a 6-week immersive program for students in grades 6–12, where they dive into hands-on learning, music production, storytelling, and performance—all while learning from industry professionals and teaching artists.
Park in the 5th & Broadway Metropolis Retail Garage and enter your license plate number in NMAAM’s lobby kiosk to receive a discounted flat rate of $25 for the day.

NMAAM Presents: Sounds In Cinema
2026-07-01 15:30 - 17:30, 2026-06-03 15:30 - 17:30 (America/Chicago) | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
SOUNDS IN CINEMA
Where film meets music history. Join us for curated documentary screenings that explore the intersection of African American music and cinema, featuring authentic industry conversations and special guest appearances. Part of our Nissan Free Wednesdays programming, these screenings often include live discussions with the artists, producers, and music professionals who created the stories we preserve.
Free admission | Presented by Nissan
ABOUT NISSAN FREE WEDNESDAYS

Experience NMAAM without the cost on our special Free Admission Days, sponsored by our generous partner, Nissan.
Free Wednesdays: Every first Wednesday of the month, all visitors enjoy complimentary access to the museum galleries. On these days, simply show up and immerse yourself in the history and influence of African American music at no cost!

RFID Interactive Wristbands are $5.00 each on Nissan Free Wednesdays and Community Days.

FRONT ROW at NMAAM presents: Mýa!
2026-06-26 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
Grammy-Award Winner. Soul of the 90s Honoree. NMAAM BMM 2026 Soundtrack Marshal.
Friday, June 26, 2026 | 7:00 PM doors / 8:00 PM start
National Museum of African American Music | 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN
The night BET Awards Weekend lands in Nashville, NMAAM closes Black Music Month 2026 with the Grammy-winning voice behind a generation of R&B. Lady Marmalade. Ghetto Supastar. Case of the Ex. It’s All About Me. The catalog is the soundtrack. The artist is in the room.
This is not a concert. It is something rarer.

ABOUT FRONT ROW AT NMAAM
FRONT ROW is the museum’s signature artist series, an intimate, in-conversation experience where the audience sits close enough to hear the artist breathe between answers. No stage between the artist and the room. No barrier between the music and the truth of how it got made. Past honorees include Jon Batiste, Michelle Williams, PJ Morton, and The War & Treaty.
FRONT ROW w/ Mýa is the closing chapter of NMAAM’s Black Music Month 2026 season, the final marshal moment in a four-marshal family that includes PJ Morton as Grand Marshal, Summer Joy as Emerging Marshal, and Rissi Palmer as Mission Marshal. Mýa joins them as Soundtrack Marshal, recognizing her quarter-century contribution to the soundtrack of contemporary R&B.
The evening is built in three movements: a Soul of the 90s Honor presentation, a moderated conversation with Dyana Williams, and a DJ-led listening celebration that lets the catalog breathe alongside her new album, Retrospect.

ABOUT MÝA
Grammy-Award winner Mýa is one of contemporary R&B’s most consistently reinventive voices. Since her 1998 debut, she has built a 25-year career defined by versatility, longevity, and the rare ability to keep landing on the charts while never repeating herself. Her catalog includes It’s All About Me, Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are), Case of the Ex, and the Grammy-winning Lady Marmalade, a song that defined a Billboard moment and is now marking its 25th anniversary.
Beyond the music, Mýa is a Screen Actors Guild Award-winning actress whose credits include the Academy Award-winning Chicago, Cursed, NCIS, and EA’s James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing. She founded Planet 9, an independent platform that produced the Grammy-nominated Smoove Jones, and she has been recognized by Billboard as one of the Top Female Artists of the 21st Century.
In 2026, Mýa marks the 25th anniversaries of both Lady Marmalade and Fear of Flying with her new album Retrospect, a body of work that looks both backward and forward at once. FRONT ROW w/ Mýa is the conversation around all of it.

ABOUT THE MODERATOR
Dyana Williams is the Mother of Black Music Month.
A founding board member of NMAAM, co-founder of the federal recognition of June as Black Music Month, and CEO of Influence Entertainment, Williams has spent more than 50 years shaping how American radio talks about Black music. Her client work has included Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Fantasia, and ASAP Rocky. Her commentary work spans BET, VH1, and TV One’s Unsung. Her advocacy founded the International Association of African American Music (IAAAM).
She is the rare interviewer who has lived inside the industry that made Mýa’s career possible. The conversation will be a real one.

ABOUT NMAAM
The National Museum of African American Music is the only museum in the world dedicated to preserving and celebrating the music African Americans created, influenced, and inspired. The American soundtrack would not exist without the African American contribution. NMAAM tells that story in full.
NMAAM is the designated home of Black Music Month. Located at 510 Broadway in downtown Nashville. Visit nmaam.org for membership, exhibitions, and upcoming programming.

WHY THIS NIGHT MATTERS
This is the only ticketed FRONT ROW of BMM 2026. The only Mýa moment in Nashville. The closing of a season that began on June 1 with The Prelude and ends with this room.
Tickets are limited. The room holds 400. Members get first access. Public tickets open after.
Come early. Stay through the conversation. Stay through the celebration. The soundtrack continues.

Get Tickets!

Juneteenth Community Day!
2026-06-19 10:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
Come celebrate Juneteenth with us at the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM)! It’s a day packed with fun, culture, and community spirit. Join friends and family in person to enjoy music, art, and stories that honor freedom and heritage. Don’t miss out on this amazing chance to connect and celebrate together!
From 10am – 5pm, gather with us at the museum (510 Broadway) for a day jam-packed with free community programming: live performances, new exhibition unveilings, local vendors, and our beloved interactive galleries. Although this event is free and open to the public, we do ask that all guests check in at the front desk upon arrival so that we can collect accurate attendance numbers.
From 5pm – 9pm, join us as we head to Centennial Park for Juneteenth615, where DJ Smoke will keep the party going at our cooling tent, brought to you in partnership with our Broadway neighbors, the Nashville Predators! Enjoy food trucks, live bands, merch giveaways, and of course the annual fireworks show!
RSVP

PJ Morton Exhibition Opening + Listening Party
2026-06-18 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
“Saturday Night / Sunday Morning” is the vibe! Join us at the National Museum of African American Music on Thursday night, June 18th, at 6pm, for an exclusive evening celebrating PJ Morton’s new album, Saturday Night / Sunday Morning, which brilliantly bridges the gap between lively R&B and more traditional Gospel music. Come soak up the art, chill with great music, hear remarks from PJ himself, and connect with other fans in a cozy, laid-back atmosphere. Don’t miss this unique exhibition opening paired with a listening party that’s all about good times and great tunes.

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Wilson Bank & Trust presenting First Note: Summer Joy
2026-06-13 20:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | TN
Overview

Catch Wilson Bank & Trust’s First Note: Black Creators Night live—showcasing fresh talent, big vibes!

Wilson Bank & Trust presents First Note: Summer Joy
Presented by Wilson Bank & Trust, First Note: Black Creators Night is NMAAM’s celebration of Nashville’s next generation. Headlined by rising star Summer Joy, this intimate showcase brings together artists, makers, and music lovers for a night of live performance, connection, and discovery in the heart of Broadway. With an opening performance to get the evening started and elevated concessions in the Amplify Lounge, this is the kind of night Nashville has been waiting for.
Purchase Ticket

Tiny Beatz
2026-06-13 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
Join us for Tiny Beatz, a hands-on music and movement program designed for young learners!
Children will explore rhythm, sound, and creativity through playful music-making and movement activities. Tiny Beatz helps build listening skills, coordination, and confidence—all while having fun making music together.
This month, NMAAM is partnering with Love Learning Music for a special session, “Little Sounds, Big Legacy: Jazz Jamboree!” Families will discover the joyful sounds of jazz through singing, movement, instruments, and imaginative play while celebrating one of America’s most influential musical genres.

Register Here

Swamp Dogg Contemplates The Afterlife
2026-06-06 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
SWAMP DOGG CONTEMPLATES THE AFTERLIFE
June 6 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon with legendary singer, songwriter, producer, and cultural icon Swamp Dogg as we celebrate the release of Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife. This intimate experience will feature an in-conversation discussion reflecting on his remarkable six-decade career, the stories and inspirations behind the new album, and the enduring impact of one of music’s most fearless and influential voices.
Guests will enjoy a special acoustic performance featuring selections from the new record, along with a meaningful artifact donation presentation honoring Swamp Dogg’s lasting contribution to American music and culture. The afternoon will conclude with an exclusive meet & greet opportunity, offering guests a rare chance to connect with a true living legend.
Blending soul, country, blues, funk, gospel, and rock ’n’ roll, Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife is a powerful reflection on legacy, resilience, humor, and creativity from an artist whose story continues to evolve.
RSVP Here

June Is Black Music Month!
2026-06-01 - 2026-06-30 | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
We can’t wait to celebrate with you! We have a separate page dedicated to our special June community programming!
All our Black Music Month event info can be found HERE.

R&B Bingo: Roots & Boots | Black Rodeo Edition
2026-05-29 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
Experience an unforgettable evening where soulful sounds and rodeo culture come together at NMAAM’s R&B Bingo: Roots & Boots — Black Rodeo Edition.
On May 29th from 6:00–9:00 PM, join the National Museum of African American Music for a lively celebration honoring the rich legacy, style, and influence of Black cowboys and cowgirls in partnership with the Black Rodeo.
Enjoy a night packed with classic R&B anthems, exciting rounds of bingo, dancing, and community vibes that bring Nashville together. From cowboy boots to smooth grooves, guests are invited to embrace the spirit of the culture while competing for prizes and creating unforgettable memories.
Whether you’re coming for the music, the energy, or the celebration of Black rodeo traditions, Roots & Boots promises a night full of rhythm, connection, and Southern flair.

Purchase Tickets Here!

API Middle Tennessee Night
2026-05-28 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
NMAAM x API Middle Tennessee Night
Presented by the National Museum of African American Music
Thursday, May 28 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 AM | Feature Gallery
Join us for an evening celebrating the vibrant intersections of African American and Asian & Pacific Islander cultures. Guests will enjoy full gallery access, food and drink from local African American and API chefs and vendors, and a live DJ bringing the soundtrack that connects our communities.
This immersive night invites guests to explore shared histories, creative influence, and the cultural threads that shape our collective story. Come experience connection, conversation, and culture at NMAAM.
RSVP HERE

20 Feet From Stardom
2026-05-16 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | TN
Join us for a special installment of Sounds in Cinema — NMAAM’s curated film series that explores the powerful intersection of Black music and storytelling on screen. Each program highlights the voices, cultural impact, and legacy behind the sounds that have shaped generations—brought to life through film, conversation, and special guest appearances.
This month’s featured film consists of a special screening of 20 Feet from Stardom, the Academy Award–winning documentary that honors the extraordinary backup singers behind some of music’s most iconic moments.
The experience begins with a Heartbeat Saturday pre-screening reception in the NMAAM Lobby from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM, featuring a live DJ and curated cocktails.
Following the film, guests are invited to an engaging panel with acclaimed singer-songwriter Janice Pendarvis, moderated by Grammy and Dove Award-nominated artist Bob Bailey, offering deeper insight into the artistry, influence, and untold stories of these unsung voices who helped define the soundtrack of our time.

RSVP HERE
