Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium today announced its annual Ryman Community Day will take place Sunday, May 29, a day when Tennessee residents are invited to experience the Ryman’s daytime tour experience free of charge. This year’s event is set to be the biggest Ryman Community Day yet, in celebration of the historic venue’s 130th anniversary.
Complimentary self-guided tours will be available from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. with the presentation of a valid Tennessee state ID at the Ryman box office. The first 300 guests will also receive free admission to the National Museum of African American Music, located across the street from the Ryman.
Outside the Ryman, PNC Plaza at Ryman Auditorium will be transformed into an outdoor festival offering free live music all day long and family-friendly activities, including balloon animals, face painting, caricatures and an instrument petting zoo provided by the Nashville Symphony. Additionally, Hatch Show Print will be onsite to help guests create their own do-it-yourself prints in celebration of the Ryman’s 130th anniversary.
“Ryman Community Day presented by PNC Bank is about bringing people together and making this legendary venue accessible to all,” said Mike Johnson, PNC regional president for Tennessee. “We look forward to welcoming visitors as we celebrate the power of music, the vibrancy of our region and the cultural gem we have in the Ryman.”
Tours of the Ryman begin with a stop in the state-of-the-art Soul of Nashville experience. The film puts the audience at the center of the Ryman’s fascinating history as more than a century of iconic performances comes to life on all sides of the room. The dramatic story of the building’s near demolition and rebirth culminates with a new collaboration featuring Darius Rucker, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Sheryl Crow and Vince Gill. Once Soul of Nashville has introduced the Ryman story, visitors can explore the auditorium and enjoy the exhibits.
Once inside the Ryman, guests will see genuine artifacts and enjoy videos that highlight each chapter of the Ryman’s illustrious history, hosted by Sheryl Crow, Marty Stuart, Nicole Kidman, Ricky Skaggs, Robin Roberts and Trisha Yearwood. Fans also will be able to have their pictures taken onstage, where so many legends have stood before them.
For additional information, visit Ryman Community Day online.