In this week's cover package, we have a look at the state’s long and complicated relationship with cannabis — both industrial hemp, which can be grown by licensed farmers as part of a state pilot program, and marijuana, the use of which is still illegal both for medical and recreational purposes. Pick up a copy or visit nashvillescene.com to read more about that.

But flip to the back of the paper and you'll find our run-down of this year's Academy Award nominees. In our latest Scenecast, Scene editor D. Patrick Rodgers, Nfocus editor Nancy Floyd, Scene and Nashville Post staffer Stephen Elliott, and Scene staffer Steven Hale discuss our picks for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress in a Leading Role, and more. We cover everything from the cultural impact of 'Get Out' and 'Lady Bird' to the performances in 'I, Tonya,' sound design in 'Dunkirk' and everything that's wrong with 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.' Fair warning: At least one of us did not like 'Three Billboards.' At all.

Ep. 22 — The Scene's Oscar Picks

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

In this week’s issue of the Scene, we explore the impending mayoral election in several parts. We look at the race’s best known candidates, examine those who are vying for Nashville’s conservative vote, explore prominent local figures who are conspicuously absent from the ballot and more. 

On this week’s Scenecast, we sit down with staffers Steven Hale and Stephen Elliott and contributor Steve Cavendish to talk about the mayoral candidates — and we even take a little quiz to see if we can ID all 13 candidates.

Ep. 32 — Examining Nashville's Mayoral Candidates

This week's issue of the Scene is our annual Summer Guide, in which we point to the most enticing events going on this summer, and take a look at interesting folks from all over town. That includes artists, a drag queen and a very charismatic chef. 

But on this week's Scenecast, we talk about the 49th annual Nashville Film Festival, which takes place May 10-19 at Regal Hollywood 27. In the May 3 issue of the Scene, we picked out 25 interesting titles from this year's programming. We spoke to Nashville native Alex O Eaton about the world premiere of her debut feature 'Mountain Rest,' and we had a look at some of the festival's short-film programming.

On this week's Scenecast, we speak to Jason Shawhan. If you know film in Nashville, you know Jason. He's a Scene contributor, a Belcourt employee, a Nashville Film Festival programmer and a self-described media prophet. He programs the festival's Graveyard Shift competition category. On this Scenecast, we talk to Jason about this year's Graveyard Shift films and a lot more. Fair warning: If you haven't yet seen 'Avengers: Infinity War,' there's some very lightly spoiler-y content from minute 21 to minute 23.

Ep. 31 — This Year's Nashville Film Festival

In this week’s issue of the Scene, contributor Erica Ciccarone explores the art scene in historically black North Nashville. She speaks with members of the artists’ group Norf Art Collective, as well as business owners and community members who participate in the monthly Jefferson Street Art Crawl. Erica’s story focuses on the role of art in creating an inclusive space and a sense of ownership in a culturally rich part of Nashville.

On this week’s Scenecast, we sit down to talk with Erica about her cover story and more.

Ep. 30 — The North Nashville Art Scene

On May 1, Nashville will conclude one of the most significant public referendums it has ever held, on the most expensive municipal project the city has ever proposed: a citywide transit overhaul. The initiative, called Let’s Move Nashville, includes upgrades in the bus system and the building of light rail on the city’s major corridors. The plan also includes a tunnel to be dug beneath downtown, from Charlotte Avenue to SoBro. Part of the plan to pay for Let’s Move Nashville is four tax increases: sales, hotel-occupancy, business and rental-car taxes. 

In this week’s issue of the Scene, staffers Steven Hale and Stephen Elliott highlight the cases for and against passage of the transit initiative. Also in the cover package, Stephen Elliott runs through some of the primaries on the ballot, among them the offices of sheriff, public defender, register of deeds and county clerk. Today on the Scenecast, Hale and Elliott join me to talk transit.

Ep. 29 — Talking Transit

Songwriter John Prine has been making records for nearly 50 years. He’s won Grammys and Americana Music and Honors Awards, and over the years his avowed fans have included the likes of Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and modern-day collaborators like Brandy Carlile, Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires and The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach.

On Friday, April 13th, Prine will release 'The Tree of Forgiveness,' his first album of new material in 13 years. For this week’s Scene cover story, contributor Marissa R. Moss spoke with Prine about the record, his career, his collaborators and more. On this week’s Scenecast, we invite Marissa in to talk about her story.

Ep. 22 — The Scene's Oscar Picks

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