Second Saturday concert series begins

Songbirds Guitar Museum continues to reveal itself as more than just the world’s largest collection of rare and vintage guitars. Since opening in February, the space above Revelry Room at the Chattanooga Choo Choo has been used as a venue hosting shows by Tommy Emmanuel, Vince Gill, Dick Dale and the California Guitar Trio.

It also has created the Songbirds Foundation to provide and support educational opportunities for young people and emerging artists. On Saturday, it will host the first of six free Second Saturdays on Station Street.

Station Street is the short stretch of road between Market Street and Rossville Avenue. When remodeled last year, it was designed to be closed and utilized for block parties such as Second Saturdays, says Comedy Catch co-owner Michael Alfano.

The Comedy Catch is just one business on Station Street that will be participating in the event Saturday. Stir and Frothy Monkey, also opened there in the last year, and nearby businesses Flying Squirrel and The Terminal will be participating.

“It was t he vi s i on behind Station Street’s creation, or dream, to have festivals on a regular basis. It was designed so we could close it down and have a pedestrian-friendly gathering. Part of the vision is to have as many outdoor gatherings as possible,” says Alfano.

Foundation Director Reed Caldwell says the monthly concerts will take place in the afternoon so that families can participate and kids can enjoy activities designed for them, and so people will still have the evening for dinner and perhaps a show downtown.

“We hope people will come down, eat lunch, hang outside and watch some great music,” Caldwell says.

“Then, maybe wander up to Songbirds to take a tour, eat dinner and go see a show at the Comedy Catch, or Revelry Room or the Tivoli. It activates this part of the neighborhood for the whole day and evening.”

A large stage will be erected in front of Song- birds Guitar Museum, where local and regional acts will perform. Vendor booths along the south side of the street will showcase local businesses and artists.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Mountain Cove Bluegrass will perform at 3:15 p.m. Saturday during Second Saturdays on Station Street. Also on the program are Barefoot Nellie & Co. at 2 p.m. and Fletcher Bright and the Dismembered Tennesseans at 4:45 p.m.