2010 First Night Honorees Will Be Announced at Hard Rock Cafe 8/2

Eight of the best-known names in Nashville theater will be announced next Monday, August 2, as the Class of 2010 for The First Night Nashville Theatre Honors. The newly remodeled Hard Rock Cafe, at 100 Broadway in downtown Nashville, will play host to the preview party from 6 to 8 p.m., when the names of the honorees will be revealed publicly for the first time.

"This event will really kick off First Night Season in Nashville," explained Jeffrey Ellis, founder and executive producer of The First Night Nashville Theatre Honors. "And we are delighted that Hard Rock Cafe will be hosting the event for us. It's going to be an exciting night for members of the local theater community, as we move toward September 19 and the presentation of The First Night Nashville Theatre Honors at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre."

Sponsored by Macy's, BroadwayWorld.com and Hard Rock Cafe, The First Night Nashville Theatre Honors benefit RIF (Reading is Fundamental) and will pay tribute to eight individuals who have long been important members of the local theatrical community. According to Ellis, the eight honorees were chosen on the basis of "their years of achievement and their timeless, unyielding commitment to theater in Nashville."

The preview party, which is free and open to the public, will also include the reveal of some of the highlights of the September 19th event, as well as recognition of past First Night Award winners.

Among other events on the First Night Season schedule are The First Night Fashion Extravaganza, set for Monday, August 16, at 7 p.m. at Macy's at The Mall of Green Hills, and The First Night Symposium, to be held Monday, September 13 at 7 p.m. at the Black Box Theatre at Belmont University.

Throughout the month of July, members of the Nashville theater community took part in RIF/First Night Reads events at Macy's at the Mall of Green Hills. On Saturday afternoons in July, theater types read from their favorite children's books to young patrons of Macy's. Among Nashville theater personalities taking part in RIF/First Night Reads were Carol Ponder, Robert Kiefer, Joyce Jeffries, Phil Perry, Lane Wright, L.B. Gaiters, Melissa Bedinger Hade, Christi Dortch, Heather Vaughn Alexander, Lynda Cameron-Bayer and Anne-Geri Fann.

For further information about First Night Nashville, call (615) 503-6178 or email firstnightnashville@clearwire.net.