More than 145 events planned for Dolly Day
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A Dolly tribute in London. Photo: Simon Ackerman/Getty Images
Fans everywhere are coming together Friday to celebrate Dolly Parton, with Nashville, her home base during decades of superstardom, leading the way.
Why it matters: While court disputes over Parton's estate are prickling up, the cornerstones of her legacy — music, generosity and joy — are unshakable.
- Those tenets will be on full display in Nashville and around the world throughout the new "Dolly Day" holiday.
The big picture: Grief is giving way to something much more Parton-approved: expanded literacy programs and an international day of giving.
- The celebration falling on 9/25 also honors Parton's love of wordplay, paying homage to one of several signature songs: "9 to 5."
Zoom in: The massive effort to cement Dolly's legacy includes more than 145 special events, parties and fundraisers in Nashville, with more coming by the minute.
- Coffee shops and bars are launching special Dolly-themed menu items, many of them featuring her signature shades of pink.
- More than 30 local music venues will host performances of "9 to 5" at 5pm.
- A downtown fireworks show at 9:25pm will cap the celebration.
Follow the money: The list of businesses contributing to Parton's well-known causes is extensive.
- The Grand Ole Opry is giving $5 from each ticket sold for Friday's shows and tours to the Imagination Library.
- Hattie B's is donating one book for every qualifying entrée purchased at Tennessee locations outside of the airport.
- Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are sending all of the day's proceeds from their Friends in Low Places honky-tonk to the Nashville Public Library and Imagination Library.
State of play: The Give Like Dolly campaign overseen by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee drew applications from 555 nonprofits.
- Twenty were selected to share donations across four causes connected to Dolly's philanthropy: helping children succeed, helping people heal, assisting neighbors in need and opening doors through music and the arts.
- Participating nonprofits include Nashville CARES, Dismas House, Girls Write Nashville, Nashville Children's Theatre and the Country Music Hall of Fame's Words & Music program.
Zoom out: Nashville is the epicenter of the outpouring, but Parton's influence is already guiding an international movement.
- In Florida, Virginia and Ohio, Imagination Library affiliates have seen a surge in both donations and registrations since Parton's death on Aug. 25.
- In West Virginia, literacy nonprofit Read Aloud West Virginia is matching this month's donations to local Imagination Library affiliates when donors write "in memory of Dolly" with their contributions.
- In London, the Imagination Library is doubling the number of boroughs it covers.