Summer officially arrived in the early morning hours of Father’s Day last Sunday, during a long Juneteenth holiday weekend. Late June and early July are prime times for fun events between Juneteenth and July 4th and here are a few to consider.

AkaiCon returns June 26th – 28th for its “Delinquent Dozen” iteration. AkaiCon is a multi-fandom, pop-culture convention in Lebanon, Tennessee, that celebrates anime, cosplay, gaming, and other fandoms with a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere that also includes mature programming. 

The volunteer-run event features a dealer’s room with over 80 artists and vendors, gaming tournaments, cosplay contests, and guest appearances, with free parking available. It is held annually at the Farm Bureau Expo Center and Wilson County Fairgrounds. Learn all about it at: akaicon.com.

“Love Wins,” a staged reading presented by Dream 7 Productions, is showing at the Darkhorse Theatre June 26 & June 27. Written by William Anthony and directed by Vida Finley, this immersive reading explores the unique dynamics between autism and romantic relationships. This production goes beyond a traditional seated reading, featuring fully blocked scenes, movement, props, lighting, and sound design. https://darkhorsetheater.weebly.com/

This Friday, June 26, is the last Frist Friday until October 30. Enjoy it and see their current exhibitions. If you miss it, make plans to attend the Frist Arts Festival on Sunday, July 12. Learn all about these and all things Frist on their website:https://fristartmuseum.org/

Next Wednesday, July 1, visit the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) free, courtesy of Nissan. While there, be sure to check out the new exhibition featuring the Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands in the Feature Gallery.  At 3:30 pm, enjoy Sounds in Cinema, where film meets music history. These curated documentary screenings that explore the intersection of