Giving back to our Nashville community is something Forest Home Media partners Dana Tucker and Nancy McNulty try to do as possible, and, in March, Forest Home Media has donated their marketing services to help the current production of The Bethlehem Players’ “The Foreigner,” benefiting Love on Wheels which helps children taken into Department of Children Services custody, and, this weekend’sYork & Friends Third Anniversary Party and Benefit and the Keb’ Mo’ and Friends Concert for Abintra Montessori.

Chosen as a Tennessean’s Weekend Best Bets today, “The Foreigner” is being presented March 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. at the BPAC, Bethlehem UMC’s performing arts center, 2419 Bethlehem Loop Road in Franklin, TN. In their 17th year of community theater excellence, the production will help provide suitcases and toiletries for children unexpectedly taken into DCS custody with more than just a garbage bag for their possessions. Tickets at 615-669-BPAC (2722) or ticketsnashville.com.

On Saturday, March 8, local artist and gallery owner Ron York is opening the doors of his newly expanded gallery in Belle Meade to host a free party from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a portion of any art sales benefiting Nashville nonprofit, Students Taking A Right Stand (STARS).

A super exciting part of this event is York’s special offering of the works of renown Nashville artist, the late Creason Clayton.

“This is a once in a lifetime offering of one of Nashville’s most celebrated artists and we are honored to have been chosen to present his works. We have a big tent with delicious complimentary food and drink provided by neighborhood restaurants and caterers including Miss Daisy and West Meade Wine & Liquor Mart,” York said. “It will be a fun afternoon of art with a portion of the proceeds benefitting STARS, a group I help annually as art chair for the Vince Gill & Friends STARS Concert.”

York represented Clayton for nearly 15 years until his death in 2006. The works reflect the styles and subject matters for which Clayton was well-known at various price points including his signature tall, thin ladies of the ball, New Orleans and French town houses, florals, landscapes and continuous line drawings in black and white.

During the event, many of the gallery artists will be greeting guests with new works available as well as a jewelry trunk show from popular Franklin jewelry artist Ruthie Cherry.

With artist work featured in the upcoming HGTV Smart Home 2014 in Green Hills, York & Friends Fine Art Gallery represents 46 artists across the eastern portion of the United including well-established local artists as well as new talent for a fresh, eclectic blend of artwork in an inviting environment of approachable art with a broad spectrum of styles from impressionistic, contemporary and fresh-whimsical to folk art and plein air.

On Sunday, head over to the pretty Fontanel Studio Gallery  as the multiple Grammy-winning Keb’ Mo’ hosts an evening in the round benefiting Abintra Montessori, a preschool through eighth grade independent, nonprofit school and Nashville’s first Montessori elementary program.

Rescheduled from it’s original January date due to weather conditions, Keb’ Mo’ hosts an intimate evening with Grammy nominee Beth Nielsen Chapman, JT Hodges, Casey Wasner and, just added to the line-up, country artist John Rich making for an eclectic singer/songwriter, country and blues evening of music. Chaired by Keb’ Mo’s wife, Robbie Brooks Moore, CEO of Kind of Blue Music Label, the couple are teaming up with co-chair Bob Bernstein, Bongo Java owner to present the night which will help fund needed scholarship and improvements for the 10-acre campus.

VIP tickets are sold out. The Abintra Montessori Music Benefit with Keb’ Mo’ & Friends, featuring Beth Nielsen Chapman, John Rich, JT Hodges and Casey Wasner, takes place on March 9th beginning at 7:00 p.m. with doors to the Studio Gallery opening at 6:30 pm.  General Admission theatre seating is $75. The event is being sponsored by Fontanel, Infiniti of Cool Springs, Two Old Hippies and Bedell Guitars. A beautiful acoustic Bedell Guitar played by Keb’ Mo’ and signed by all the artists will be raffled off during the evening.  For more information, contact  Abintra Montessori at 615-352-4317 or go to  www.fontanelmansion.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Oh, and just so you know, the fabulous Blues Americana artist is releasing his next album in April! The Wall Street Journal’s Arts & Entertainment section gives a preview of my favorite new Keb’ Mo’ song “The Old Me Better” by clicking here which begs the question has his wife been makin’ him wear some ugly sweater? Inquiring minds need to know! Set your alarm and buy this new CD on April 22.

Forest Home Media is a Nashville area integrated marketing company weaving traditional and new media with a content marketing foundation delivering a powerful fusion result for their home-related industry clients. They are currently not accepting any new pro bono projects but are proud to support the worthy causes of their Nashville community!