This weekend: festivals, strawberries and the Running of the Chihuahuas
This weekend is full of festivals and celebrations, including Chattanooga Market’s Strawberry Festival, the Chattanooga Taco Festival and the annual Running of the Chihuahuas. There will also be Star Wars Day festivities, a rock and mineral show and the annual Armed Forces Parade. Here’s the chronology.
ARTS
› Creative Arts Guild, 520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, continues its exhibition, “ATL Imported: A Showcase of Atlanta Art,” featuring works by artists who live and create in the Atlanta area to showcase the variety of talents within Georgia’s capital city. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and by appointment Saturday-Sunday. The exhibition will run through May 31. Learn more at creativeartsguild.org. ›
In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave., will have an opening reception from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday for its 50th All Member Show. The gallery’s 32 artists will present new works in a variety of artistic mediums during the exhibition. The reception will feature demonstrations by five artists. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The exhibition will run through May 31. Learn more at intowngallery.com.
› ArtsBuild will present its inaugural cohort of artists and entrepreneurs at its Periscope CHA Pitch Night and Artist Entrepeneur Showcase, taking place at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Rise Chattanooga, 2901 Taylor St. The event will feature six pitches and expo booths from artists presenting their artistic and entrepreneurial endeavors. There will also be live music as well as food and beverages for purchase from Windy City Eatz. The event is free, but tickets should be acquired in advance. Learn more at eventbrite.com.
› Scenic City Clay Arts, in partnership with the Association for Visual Arts, will have an opening reception for its exhibition, “Forces of Creativity,” from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday at the association’s gallery, 30 Frazier Ave. The exhibition features ceramic creations by Scenic City Clay Arts’ veteran and military family students. Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, noon-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The exhibition will run through June 14. Learn more at sceniccityclayarts.org.
› Photographic Society of Chattanooga will conclude Friday 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. Learn more at chattanoogaphoto.org.
› ClearStory Arts, 1673 S. Holtzclaw Ave., will host an opening reception for its exhibition, “A Forgetful Place,” in conjunction with its First Friday event, from 6-8 p.m. Friday. The solo exhibition features largeformat photographic works by Bruno Poco, exploring historical erasure in Chattanooga. The gallery’s First Friday event features new works, open studios, a mini market, live demonstrations and more. Gallery hours are by appointment Tuesday-Friday. The exhibition will run through May 11. Learn more at clearstoryarts.com.
COMEDY
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Ambush Improv will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. Tickets cost $10. Learn more at barkinglegs.org.
MUSIC
› MacDowell Music Club will have its final meeting until October at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1505 N. Moore Road. Performers include: Bruce Clark and Steven Hollingsworth, pianos; and trio Gabrielle Sweets, violin; Suzanne Sims, cello; and Wesley Roberts, fortepiano. Learn more at facebook.com/ MacDowellChatt.
› Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., will have multiple shows through the weekend. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Junior Brown will perform; tickets
cost $25 in advance or $30 the day of show. At 8 p.m. Friday, John Paul White, with Alexa Rose, will perform; tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 the day of show. At 9 p.m. Saturday, Dizgo, with Et Cetera, will perform; tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 the day of show. Learn more at barrelhouseballroom.com. › Chattanooga Symphony
and Opera will present multiple performances going into next week. There will be “Declassified” concerts, dressed-down performances by the symphony’s wind and string quintets in new, intimate settings, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Yellow Racket Records, 2311 E. Main St.; at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Museum and Cultural Center at Five Points, 200 Inman St. E., Cleveland, Tenn.; and at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Pax Breu Ruim, 516 E. Main St.; cost is a pay-what-youcan donation, with a suggested donation of $20. At 6:30 p.m. Monday at the UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Vine St., the Chattanooga Youth Symphony will present its spring concert; tickets cost $10. Learn more at chattanoogasymphony.org. ›
Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave., will host two performances going into next week. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, there will be an evening of folk music with The Ballroom Thieves; tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 the day of show. At 7:30 p.m. Monday, the Monday Nite Big Band will perform; tickets cost $15. Learn more at barkinglegs.org. › Mikaela Davis and Sean Thompson’s Weird Ears
will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at The Woodshop Listening Room, 5500 St. Elmo Ave. Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 the day of show. Learn more at thewoodshoplisteningroom.com.
› The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave., will have two shows this weekend. At 8 p.m. Friday, Mustache the Band will perform; tickets start at $23. At 8 p.m. Saturday, Charles Wesley Godwin, with Kashus Culpepper, will perform; tickets start at $53. Learn more at thesignaltn.com.
› Friction Farm, a modern folk acoustic duo, will have a free concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at LaFayette Presbyterian Church, 107 N. Main St., LaFayette. The husband and wife team of Aidan Quinn and Christine Stay combine storytelling, social commentary and humor to create songs of everyday life, local heroes and quirky observations. A reception will follow the concert. Learn more at frictionfarm.com.
OUT & ABOUT
› Tennessee Whiskey Week, presented by the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, will commence Friday and run through May 11. During the statewide event, participating restaurants, bars and distilleries will serve up cocktail specials, showcasing Tennessee’s whiskey heritage. There will also be several events such as dining experiences and food tours during the week. Learn more about the statewide event at tnwhiskeytrail.com and about Whiskey Week in Chattanooga at visitchattanooga.com.
› 75th Armed Forces Parade will commence at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the intersection of
M.L. King Boulevard and Market Street. The parade, honoring all branches of the U.S. military, will proceed on Market Street to West Aquarium Way, turning left and finishing at Chestnut Street. Retired Army Gen. B.B. Bell will serve as parade marshal. The Armed Forces Parade luncheon will follow at noon at the Chattanooga Convention Center; reservations required. Bell will be the luncheon keynote speaker. For more information, visit chattareaveterans.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.
› St. Alban’s Farmers Market will have its opening weekend from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 7514 Hixson Pike, Hixson. The market features a variety of local vendors, live music, refreshments and a free children’s craft booth. The market will be each Saturday through October. The first Saturday of each month will feature live music, and the third Saturday of each month will feature a free pancake breakfast. Learn more at facebook.com/StAlbansFarmersMarket.
› Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors will host a free spring carnival and movie night Saturday at Warner Park, 1254 E. Third St. The carnival, taking place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., will feature inflatables, lawn games, music and performers. The movie night will feature games starting at 7 p.m., with the 2023 live action version of “The Little Mermaid,” screening at dark. Learn more at facebook.com/CHAParksDept.
› Mother’s Day Gala will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Mountain Arts Community Center, 809 Kentucky Ave., Signal Mountain. The art and farmers market will feature a variety of vendors selling flowers, chocolate, jewelry and more. There will also be a champagne and mimosa bar, with other speciality drinks. There will be an additional Mother’s Day market May 11 in Collegedale. Learn more at facebook.com/shopthemarketat.
› Red Bank will host its 43rd annual Red Bank Jubilee from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Red Bank City Park, 3817 Redding Road. The celebration will feature a variety of craft vendors, food trucks, live music, a beer garden and free activities such as a petting zoo, bicycle rodeo and axe throwing. New this year is the “May the Fourth Be With You” space-themed costume contest for people of all ages and dogs. Learn more at facebook.com/redbanktn.
› Rock Your World, hosted by the Tennessee Valley Rock and Mineral Society, will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at the Chester Frost Park pavilion, 7989 Causeway Road, Hixson. The rock, mineral, gem, jewelry and fossil show will feature vendors, children’s activities such as breaking open geodes and digging for fossils,
demonstrations of jewelry making and lapidary arts, and more. Admission and parking are free. Learn more at tennesseevalleyrockandmineralsociety.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 Taco Festival will take place from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at the Camp Jordan amphitheater, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge. The event will feature a variety of vendors, food trucks, a petting zoo, pony rides, inflatables, entertainment and more. Admission and parking are free. This is a rain or shine event. Learn more at touchtheskyevents.com.
› Hits 96 will host its annual Running of the Chihuahuas at noon Saturday at First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd. The event will feature live music, food trucks, a photo booth, children’s activities and more. In addition to the running of chihuahuas, there will be contests for best dressed, most team spirit and most territory marked. Learn more at hits96.com.
› Friends of the GordonLee Mansion will host self-guided tours from noon-2 p.m. Saturday at the mansion, 217 Cove Road, Chickamauga. Additional tours will take place May 11, 18, 19 and 25. 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.
› Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host a 45-minute, ranger-led presentation at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Chickamauga Battlefield, 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe. The presentation will focus on the life of Mark Thrash, who was born enslaved and gained freedom after the Civil War. Thrash worked as a laborer at the national military park for more than two decades, and he died at 122 years old. The presentation is free. Learn more at nps.gov/chch.
› Collegedale Parks and Recreation will host its “May the Fourth Be With You” event, in observance of Star Wars Day, from 4-7 p.m. Saturday at the Commons, 4750 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale. The family-friendly celebration will include agility and combat instruction, character meet and greets, crafts, photo opportunities and themed beverages. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 423-468-1971 or parksandrec@collegedaletn.gov.
› East Ridge Needy Child Fund will host a Kentucky Derby party from 4-7 p.m. Saturday at Local Coffee of East Ridge, 4104 Ringgold Road, East Ridge. The party is a fundraiser benefiting the fund which works to ensure every child in East Ridge is not forgotten at Christmastime. The event will feature a watch party for the derby, derby bingo and scratch-offs, a derby hat/bow tie contest, silent auction, food table and photo booth. Cost is $20 per person. For more information, call 423-667-9855.
› Chattanooga Market will host its Strawberry Festival from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd. The market will feature products incorporating strawberries such as salsa, desserts and candles, in addition to the market’s variety of vendors, live music and food trucks. In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, there will be a live mariachi band and margaritas. Learn more at chattanoogamarket.com.
› Kiwanis Club of Ooltewah-Collegedale will present its second annual premier golf tournament, Kiwanis Fore the Kids, at noon Monday at the Ooltewah Club, 7502 Snow Hill Road, Ooltewah. The tournament will raise funds for local charities and nonprofits that align with the club’s mission of helping children and families. There will be grab-and-go lunches, a practice range and golf simulator, an awards buffet and more. Registration costs $150-$600. Learn more at k4k.golfgenius.com.
SPORTS
› Tennessee Association of Vintage Base Ball will have two Chattanooga-area games Saturday at the 6th Cavalry Museum, 6 Barnhardt Circle, Fort Oglethorpe. At noon, the Lightfoot Club of Chattanooga will take on the Phoenix of East Nashville. At 2:30 p.m., the Mountain City Club of Chattanooga will take on the Phoenix. Learn more at tennesseevintagebaseball.com.
› Chattanooga Football Club will have a home game against Orlando City SC at 5 p.m. Saturday at Finley Stadium, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. Tickets start at $8. Learn more at mlsnextpro.com/chattanoogafc.
THEATER
› Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St., will conclude its production of “Ain’t Misbehavin,” a jazz musical revue exploring the music of composer Thomas “Fats” Waller and the energy and spirit of the Harlem Renaissance, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $30-$35, including fees. Learn more at theatrecentre.com.
› Oak Street Playhouse will conclude its production of “The Butler Did It” with shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at 408 Oak St. The comedy production parodies English mystery plays, with “a decidedly American flair.” General admission costs $17. Learn more at firstcentenary.com/the-oak-street-playhouse.
› Scenic City Shakespeare will present a double feature performance of two comedies by William Shakespeare at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday at the Sniteman Cabin at Greenway Farms, 3008 Hamill Road, Hixson. The theater company will perform condensed versions of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Comedy of Errors,” with an intermission between performances. Admission is free; donations are appreciated. The production will take place every Friday and Saturday in May. Learn more at sceniccityshakespeare.org.
› Mean Girls, the touring production of the Broadway musical, will have shows at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. Tickets cost $50-$97. Learn more at tivolichattanooga.com.