This weekend: Easter celebrations, Hug A Bunny, roller derby home opener
This weekend is full of activities to celebrate Easter and the springtime, including Chattanooga Zoo’s annual Hug A Bunny event, The Chattery’s adult egg hunt and two offerings from Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors. For sports fans, the Chattanooga Red Wolves and Chattanooga Roller Derby will both have home openers this weekend. Here’s the chronology.
ARTS
› Photographic Society of Chattanooga continues its spring show at the Gallery at Blackwell, 71 Eastgate Loop. Society members will have their work displayed, and prints will be available for purchase. Gallery hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The exhibition will run through May 3. Learn more at chattanoogaphoto.org.
› Association for Visual Arts, 30 Frazier Ave., continues its exhibition, “Nature’s Generosity: Wilderness Photography Foundation,” featuring the works of 46 nature photographers that showcase the beauty and diversity of plant and animal life. Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. WednesdayThursday, noon-6 p.m. FridaySaturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The exhibition will run through April 17. Learn more at avarts.org.
› Townsend Atelier, 301 E. 11th St., will conclude Saturday its exhibition, “Resonance,” featuring new paintings on aluminum, paper, panel and canvas by Ukrainian-born, Chattanooga-based artist Elena Burykina. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. or by appointment Monday-Friday. Learn more at townsendatelier.com.
› Mountain Arts Community Center, 809 Kentucky Ave., Signal Mountain, will conclude Sunday its current exhibition, showcasing works by members of the Civic Arts League of Chattanooga. Works in the exhibition encompass a variety of mediums, including oils, acrylics, watercolors, multimedia, textiles and jewelry. Center hours are 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday. Learn more at signalmacc.org.
› Creative Arts Guild, 520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, will conclude Sunday its Student Arts Expo, in honor of Arts in Education Month, with works by public, private and home school students in Dalton, Whitfield and Murray counties. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and by appointment Saturday-Sunday. Learn more at creativeartsguild.org.
› In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave., will conclude Sunday its exhibition, “Enchanted Treescapes,” featuring the photographic works of Anh Bao Tran-Le. Works in the exhibition celebrate the beauty and majestic presence of trees. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Learn more at intowngallery.com.
› North River Civic Center, 1009 Executive Drive, Suite 102, Hixson, will conclude Monday its exhibition, “Fine Art of the West,” featuring the works of artist David Fishman that depict “the energy and emotion of the timeless American West.” Civic center hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday. Learn more by contacting the civic center at 423-870-8924.
› University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Department of Art and the Institute of Contemporary Art will host the 2024 Bachelor of Fine Arts Senior Thesis Exhibition through April 20, featuring works in multiple disciplines by 28 student artists. As part of the exhibition, half of the featured students will have artist talks from 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Benwood Auditorium inside the Engineering and Computer Science Building, 735 Vine St.; an opening reception will follow until 8 p.m. in the UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Vine St. Works by the first half will be on view through April 6. The second half of featured students will have artist talks and an opening reception April 12; their works will be on view from April 12-20. Learn more at icachatt.org.
› Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View, will host an opening reception at 6 p.m. Thursday to unveil several recently acquired artworks. One of the works to be unveiled is by artist Kehinde Wiley, who was the first African American to paint a presidential portrait. The evening will also include dance and music performances, docent tours and art activities for all ages. The event is free and open to all. Learn more at huntermuseum.org.
› River Gallery, 400 E. Second St., will host a ceramics demonstration with artist Susan Lawless from 1-3 p.m. Saturday. Learn more at river-gallery.com.
COMEDY
› The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Suite 108, will host an introduction to improv class at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Improv comedy teacher and performer Jason Parker will lead the class. Registration is free and required. Learn more at thechattery.org.
› Comedian John Crist will perform as part of the Emotional Support Tour at 7 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. Tickets cost $39-$64. Learn more at tivolichattanooga.com.
› Improv Chattanooga will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. Tickets cost $10-$15. Learn more at barkinglegs.org.
DANCE
› Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave., will host an evening of dance and music at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Dancer Susan Hefner and musician Evan Lipson will be joined by Ann Law and Bruce Kaplan for the performance. Tickets cost $15. Learn more at barkinglegs.org.
FILM
› Halfway to Halloween Film Festival will take place from Friday-Tuesday at AMC Chattanooga 18, 5080 South Terrace Road. The festival, presented by film production company Blumhouse and movie theater chain AMC Theatres, will feature screenings of five Blumhouse films: “Sinister” (Friday), “The Purge” (Saturday), “Ouija: Origin of Evil” (Sunday), “Insidious” (Monday) and “The Invisible Man” (Tuesday). Tickets are $8 per film. Learn more at amctheatres.com.
MUSIC
› BIAS with Jake Hess will perform at 7 p.m. Friday at Songbirds, 206 W. Main St. General admission tickets cost $20. Learn more at songbirdsfoundation.org.
› Ratboys with Ducks Ltd. will perform at 7 p.m. Friday at Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. Tickets cost $20 in advance or $22 the day of show. Learn more at barkinglegs.org.
› Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., will have two shows this weekend. At 8 p.m. Friday, Drivin’ N Cryin’ with Abe Partridge will perform. At 9 p.m. Saturday, The Dave Matthews Tribute Band will perform. Tickets to each show cost $20 in advance or $25 the day of show. Learn more at barrelhouseballroom.com.
› Blue October will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave. Tickets cost $49-$60. Learn more at tivolichattanooga.com.
› Murray County Singing
Convention will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Smyrna Baptist Church, 1913 Smyrna Church Road, Chatsworth. The convention will feature favorites from earlier days, songs from new convention songbooks and some special pieces. Food and fellowship will follow. Learn more at smyrnabaptistchurch.org.
› Dan Spencer with Alex the
Band will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Woodshop Listening Room, 5500 St. Elmo Ave. There is no cover cost; $10 for suggested support ticket. Learn more at thewoodshoplisteningroom.com.
OUT & ABOUT
› Deconstruction Workshop, hosted by the Deconstruction Advisory Board, will be from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursday and 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday at the Edney Innovation Center, 1100 Market St. The free workshop will provide attendees with an understanding of deconstruction and local opportunities for the process. David Bennink, director of the Building Deconstruction Institute, will be a guest instructor for the workshop. Reservation is required. For more information, contact Pat Smith at 765-729-4678.
› National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, 2 W. Aquarium Way, will host a free breakfast from 8:30-11 a.m. Friday in honor of Vietnam Veterans Day and Medal of Honor Week. There will also be a mix and mingle opportunity with Medal of Honor recipient and retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Sammy Davis, who will be signing his book, “You Don’t Lose ’Til You Quit Trying: Lessons in Adversity and Victory from a Vietnam Veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient.” Admission is free for Vietnam veterans. Learn more at mohhc.org.
› Rock the Riverfront continues with this weekend’s theme, “Hip N Hop,” from 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. FridaySunday at the Chattanooga Green, 140 Riverfront Parkway. The event features “Loop,” an interactive work that plays short flip-book-style movies inspired by Quebec literature; live performances; food trucks; artist vendors; and more. On Saturday, there will be an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m., a Best Bunny Contest at 1 p.m. and performances by Rhyme N Chatt at 5 p.m. Rock the Riverfront is a free event and will continue through April 14. Learn more at rivercitycompany. com/rock.
› Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave., will host Hug A Bunny from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday. The annual springtime event will feature a bounce house, games, treats, crafts, an egg hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny and live rabbit encounters. Tickets cost $16.95-$19.95 for nonmembers and $5.95 for members; tickets include general admission to the zoo. Learn more at chattzoo.org.
› Good Friday Chattanooga, hosted by Chattanooga House of Prayer and local churches, will take place from 7-9 p.m. Friday at The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave. It is a free Good Friday service. The House of Prayer’s mission is “the transformation of Chattanooga through unified prayer, worship and action,” according to its website. Learn more at chatthop.org and goodfridaychattanooga.com.
› Lula Lake Land Trust will have its bimonthly open gate days from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at its core preserve, 5000 Lula Lake Road, Lookout Mountain. Visitors can view Lula Lake, the 110-foot Lula Falls and a bluff overlook. Entry costs $16; a guided hike is also available for $40, which includes entry to the preserve. Registration is required. Learn more at lulalake.org.
› The Ministry Center, 2929 Hamill Road, Hixson, will host an Easter Eggstravaganza at 10 a.m. Saturday. The free, community-wide Easter celebration will feature inflatables, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, games, photos with the Easter Bunny and a massive Easter egg hunt. Learn more at theministrycenter.org.
› Chattanooga River Market will be from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, 1 Broad St. The market features a variety of vendors, selling handmade art, crafts and food. The river market will be open Saturdays only through October. Learn more at chattanoogamarket.com.
› Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors will have two Easter events this weekend. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, there will be a free Easter egg hunt and celebration at Warner Park, 1254 E. Third St. The celebration will feature games, music, food vendors, a variety of activities and an egg hunt at 1:30 p.m. with thousands of hidden eggs. From 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday, there will be a Glow Night for teenagers aged 12-15 at the Brainerd Recreation Center, 1010 N. Moore Road. The free event will feature black-light dodgeball, music, refreshments and a 3D photo booth. Learn more on Parks and Outdoors’ Facebook page.
› Friends of the GordonLee Mansion will host tours from noon-2 p.m. Saturday at the mansion, 217 Cove Road, Chickamauga. Additional tours will take place April 6 and 13 and May 4, 11, 18, 19 and 25 in support of the Tennessee Valley Railroad’s Chickamauga Turn visitors. Admission costs $5 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under; proceeds benefit the group’s efforts to improve and enhance the mansion. Learn more at friendsofthegordonleemansion.org.
› The Chattery will again host its Great Adult Egg Hunt and Hoppy Hour on Saturday. The main event will take place from 1-3 p.m. at the Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, 1800 Polk St. There will be live music, a $5 champagne bar and a pop-up market with local vendors. The egg hunt will feature artist-designed eggs, traditional eggs with candy and egg prizes such as gift cards. The “hoppy hour” will take place from 3-5 p.m. at 43 Station St. General admission tickets cost $7 in advance or $10 at the door. Learn more at thechattery.org.
› Salvation Army of Chattanooga will host the 48th annual Easter Sunrise Service at 7 a.m. Sunday at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave. The event will honor both the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the military service members laid to rest at the national cemetery. There will be complimentary coffee and donuts at 7 a.m., and the service will begin at 7:30 a.m. Learn more at csarmy.org.
SPORTS
› Chattanooga Roller Derby will have its 2024 season opener at 2 p.m. Saturday at Camp Jordan Arena, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge. Doors open at 2 p.m., the Ruby Regulators will play at 3 p.m., the All-Stars will play at 5 p.m., and the B-Railers will play at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $12-$14 for adults, $10-12 for veterans, $6 for children 6-12; children 5 and under get in free. The triple header game will benefit the Bethlehem Center. Learn more at chattanoogarollerderby.com.
› Chattanooga Red Wolves will have its 2024 season home opener against the Union Omaha at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at CHI Memorial Stadium, 1 Stadium Way. General admission tickets cost $17. Learn more at chattanoogaredwolves-sc.com.
THEATER
› “Jagged Little Pill,” a touring production of the musical based on Alanis Morissette’s music, will have shows at 7:30 p.m. WednesdayThursday at Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. Tickets cost $50-$97. Learn more at tivolichattanooga.com.
› Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St., continues its production of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” with shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The show is rated PG-13. Tickets cost $20-$30, including fees. The production will run through April 7. Learn more at theatrecentre.com.
› Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave., in partnership with Winder Binder and Follow Ladybug, will host “Storm Bugs Rejoice!” at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Local author and educator Andrea Zoppo will present an educational program about pollinators, featuring puppets, sound effects and interactive play. Tickets are $5 per child in advance or $10 at the door; adults get in free. Learn more at barkinglegs.org.
› Shrek the Musical will have shows at 7 p.m. TuesdayWednesday at Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. Tickets cost $48-$97. Learn more at tivolichattanooga.com.
Find more events, and add your own, at timesfreepress.com/cnevents.
Contact Sam Still at sstill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6579.