2020 Local Arrangements

CMS South/SMT South Central 2020 Joint Conference
Improvisation: Science, Practice, Pedagogy
Preliminary Local Arrangements

Travel and Accommodations info:

The conference will be held February 28 – March 1 at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music, 2400 Blakemore Ave., Nashville, TN 37212.

Parking is available free of charge across Children’s Way from the Blair School in the West Garage on weekends, and Friday afternoon AFTER 4 P.M. Additional parking is available in the South Garage, one building to the east of the West Garage.

  • It is recommended that Friday attendees park in the South Garage during the daytime hours, where visitors to the medical center may park.

A campus map showing available parking spaces can be found at https://www.vanderbilt.edu/traffic_parking/maps/parking.php

Hotels: two nearby Hampton Inns are offering a special rate ($149/night plus fees) for conference attendees, links to hotel information and booking are below. These special rates will only be held until January 13th, 2020; to ensure the rate, please reserve before that date.
The Hampton Inns offer free on-site parking and complimentary breakfast, among other amenities, and both are approximately ten blocks from the Blair School of Music.

Hampton Inn—Nashville/Vanderbilt
Registration:
https://secure3.hilton.com/en_US/hp/reservation/book.htm?inputModule=HOTEL&ctyhocn=BNAVNHX&spec_plan=CHHBSM&arrival=20200227&departure=20200301&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT

Hampton Inn—Elliston Place
Registration:
https://secure3.hilton.com/en_US/hp/reservation/book.htm?inputModule=HOTEL&ctyhocn=BNAUVHX&spec_plan=CHHBSM&arrival=20200228&departure=20200301&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT

Attendees flying into Nashville at Nashville International Airport (BNA) can find many hotels close to the airport, all of which are 15 minutes away from the Blair School of Music and the Vanderbilt campus. Be advised, however, that travel times to and from campus can increase greatly on Friday morning and afternoon due to rush hour traffic.

Blair School of Music facilities map
https://blair.vanderbilt.edu/pdfs/Blair-Building-Map.pdf

Dining
Google offers a nice interactive map of dining options near Vanderbilt

For options near the conference hotels, look at the “West End” area of the interactive map.
Here is more information about options near the conference (in the Hillsboro Village area of map):

  • Biscuit Love (Hillsboro Village)
    2001 Belcourt Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212
    Southern brunch
    7am – 3pm
  • Cabana
    1910 Belcourt Ave, Nashville, TN 37212
    A bit of everything (pizzas, salads, pastas, sandwiches, fish/meat, kids menu, beer, cocktails)
    4pm-12am
  • The Donut + Dog
    2127 Belcourt Ave, Nashville, TN 37212
    Donut burgers and hotdogs, sweet donuts, coffee and beer
    8am-6pm
  • Double Dogs Restaurant
    1807 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
    A bit of everything (pizzas, salads, hot dogs, sandwiches, wings, kids menu)
    11am-1am
  • Fido
    1812 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
    Upscale all-day breakfast food, salads, kids menu
    6:30am-10pm
  • Hopdoddy Burger Bar
    1805 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
    Burgers, salads, kids menu, shakes, beer, cocktails
    11am-11pm
  • Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
    1819 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
    12pm-12am
  • Kay Bob’s Grill & Ale
    1602 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
    Grilled platters, flatbread sandwiches, salads, beer
    11am-10pm
  • McDougal’s Chicken Fingers & Wings
    2115 Belcourt Ave, Nashville, TN 37212
    Fried chicken everything (combos, sandwiches, salads, fingers, wings, kids menu)
    11am-10pm
  • Pancake Pantry
    1796 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
    Pancakes and brunch
    6am-4pm
  • Pizza Perfect
    1602 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
    Pizza, subs, pasta, calzones, beer
    10:30am-12am (Friday & Saturday)
    12-11pm (Sunday)
  • Sushi 88
    2119 Belcourt Ave, Nashville, TN 37212
    11am-10pm
  • Taco Mama – Hillsboro Village
    1612 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
    Tacos, burritos, salads, kids menu, margaritas, wine
    11am-10pm
  • The Urban Juicer
    1622 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
    Burritos, acai bowls, salads, sandwiches, wraps, juices, smoothies
    7am-6pm (Friday)
    8am-6pm (Saturday)
    10am-6pm (Sunday)

Things to Do in Nashville
There is a comprehensive listing of local tours, attractions and general things-to-do on the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau website: https://www.visitmusiccity.com/

A selection of family-friendly attractions:

  • Adventure Science Center
  • Belmont University
  • Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art
  • Country Music Hall of Fame
  • Frist Center for the Visual Arts
  • Grand Ole Opry
  • Nashville’s Main Public Library
  • Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
  • Ryman Auditorium
  • Schermerhorn Symphony Center
  • Tenneessee State Museum
  • The Parthenon