At 100 years old, The Belcourt Theatre is still scaling new heights.

Why it matters: The Belcourt's support has surged to record-setting levels since the pandemic.

• A sharp uptick in paid memberships is laying a foundation for the independent movie house's second century.

Flashback: Attendance and membership cratered during the pandemic, when the nonprofit theater's future — and the fate of many local arts venues — was uncertain.

By the numbers: Paid memberships, a key barometer of the theater's financial support, bottomed out at about 5,300 in 2021. But they have since rebounded beyond the pre-COVID benchmark.

• The Belcourt's development director, Brooke Bernard, tells Axios she hopes the tally will top 8,000 by the end of the year.

What they're saying: "People still desire and seek out a type of community," Bernard tells Axios. "Places like The Belcourt really provide that."

Zoom in: Some of Nashville's most famous residents are members, including Nicole Kidman, who has hosted movie premieres and other special events there.

The vibe: Many of The Belcourt's events extend beyond what's on the screen.

• Midnight movies or the annual 12 Hours of Terror series can feel like a slumber party in a friend's living room.
• A recent showing of "Brokeback Mountain" was paired with a cowboy costume contest that recalled a Pride parade.

Between the lines: "People like to be a part of something," Bernard says. "They know that their $50 or $100 membership is supporting something they love in Nashville."

• Contributions and memberships accounted for nearly a quarter of The Belcourt's revenue in the last fiscal year, when total revenue was about $4 million.

The big picture: The Trump administration has slashed public funding this year for arts organizations like The Belcourt. Bernard says those cuts make paid memberships even more significant to the bottom line.

• "We are having to rely a lot more on private foundations and individual donations," she says.
• "Our members truly are what helps keep the lights on."

What's next: The Belcourt is in the midst of a yearlong celebration of its 100th birthday. An event tonight examines seven months when the theater hosted the Grand Ole Opry in the 1930s, when it was known as the Hillsboro Theatre.

• The 7pm seminar will explore the ways the theater "helped professionalize the show and elevate its cultural presence."
• Tickets are $13 for Belcourt members and $16 for nonmembers.

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Todd Snider, the witty, sarcastic and occasionally dark singer-songwriter whose alt-country catalog is inextricably linked to the East Nashville neighborhood, died on Saturday.

• According to a social media post, Snider suffered from "an undiagnosed case of walking pneumonia" prior to his death. He was 59.

Snider was not the most successful artist to come out of Nashville, but he had the knack for becoming the favorite artist of hardcore music fans.

• His fiercely independent music represented a less commercial version of the country genre. In a town of musical exports, Snider's alt-country folk especially meant a great deal to Nashvillians.
• Artists such as Loretta Lynn and Robert Earl Keen cut Snider's songs.

After a tornado outbreak smashed East Nashville in 1998, the neighborhood found a renaissance thanks in no small part to a fresh batch of singer-songwriters who moved in and a fresh batch of smokey dive bars that set up shop. Snider had a foot in both camps.

• Perhaps his most vital album is "East Nashville Skyline."

Read Snider's obituary by Rolling Stone.

Mayor Freddie O'Connell reiterated his optimism last week that a deal to build a new Tennessee Performing Arts Center building on the East Bank is close, saying he expects an announcement "by the end of the year."

• Sources tell Axios the announcement could come as soon as today.

State of play: The agreement with TPAC will not be finished in time for the Metro Council to sign off on a plan before the end of the year.

Friction Point: Under their current memorandum of understanding, the two sides have a Dec. 31 deadline to finalize a deal, or else the prime parcel of land near the Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge reverts to master developer the Fallon Company.

• To meet that deadline, the council legislation needed to be filed by Nov. 7, which didn't happen. The Fallon Company is likely to sign an extension so the city has more time to approve the plan.

What he's saying: "The major stakeholders on the East Bank and our office agree that the location is the correct one," O'Connell says. "So I think there's a lot of consensus that getting this to align is important."

The Trump organization is eyeing a hotel in Nashville, according to recent business filings. (Nashville Business Journal, subscription)

The Titans turned in a scrappy performance but lost yet again 16-13 to the Texans. (ESPN)

Despite the federal government reopening, Nashville nonprofits continue to brace for continued food insecurity (Tennessean)

Oasis is selling out massive stadiums all over the world, Radiohead is touring Europe and Paul McCartney is still going as strong as ever. British rock seems to be alive and well.

Why it matters: Our Music Monday playlist this week features songs by British rock artists.

Between the lines: Nate missed out on Oasis tickets when they came to the U.S. earlier this year, so this playlist is the closest he'll get to experiencing what seems to be an all-time great rock tour.

In case you missed it: Oasis shows have featured the communal euphoria of a Taylor Swift concert, but for middle-aged dudes.

🇬🇧 Reply to this email with songs you want to see us add.

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