Nashville celebrates Tupac Shakur with weeklong festival

Dave Paulson | The Tennessean

Show Caption Hide Caption Tupac lives forever in 'All Eyez on Me' Tupac Shakur biopic "All Eyez on Me" premieres in L.A., with actress Kat Graham saying "a lot of people are going to heal from this film." (June 15)

In the past two months, Nashville has hosted a massive concert tribute to Merle Haggard and a multiday celebration of all things Elvis.

This week another musical legend will be remembered in grand fashion in Music City: Tupac Shakur. The late rapper is among the most iconic musical figures to emerge in the last 30 years, and his legend has only grown since his death in 1996.

Nashville's "PacFest" kicks off Friday and continues through Friday, June 23, with seven days of concerts, film screenings, panel discussions and more. It's being presented by "inspired artists and avid Tupac fans," and the aim isn't just to celebrate his music, but his spirit and social consciousness.

June 16 would have been Shakur's 46th birthday, so they'll kick things off with a birthday party at Mercy Lounge, complete with cake and ice cream and DJs Coach and Rate spinning Tupac classics all night long. Activist and comedian Dick Gregory will perform at the Basement East on Saturday, and other highlights include a screening of "Tupac: Resurrection," a visual art show, and a concert featuring rapper/producer Drumma Boy.

See the full schedule of events at www.tupacfestival.com.