2008 Nightfall concert schedule

The Nightfall Concert Series, presented by Chattanooga Downtown Partnership, kicks off its 20th anniversary season May 23 with the Mike Farris Band. The following week, the first-ever Nightfall act, Karla Bonoff, returns to the Miller Plaza Stage.

“It’s a big deal for us,” said Carla Pritchard, director of the Downtown Partnership.

Mrs. Pritchard said fans of the Fridaynight series can expect several surprises throughout the season as a way to celebrate the anniversary.

“We will be offering a special-edition poster with the history on the back,” she said. “People will be able to take a look at all of the people that have performed here.”

Twenty prizes, provided by downtown businesses, will be given away each night as well she said. Each winner then will be eligible to win a grand prize given away on the final night on Sept. 26.

Nightfall was born in 1988, the year Miller Plaza opened. It was designed as a way to draw people to downtown.

Originally created by the Center City Corp., which developed Miller Plaza, the first Nightfall series consisted of five shows, featuring Karla Bonoff, Dave Mason, local musicians Suzanne Carter and Walt Meyer, and excerpts from the musical “Pump Boys & Dinettes.” Over the years, the series has exposed Chattanoogans to a variety of music, including jazz, bluegrass, Celtic, blues and world.

Past performers have included Keb’ Mo’, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Richard Thompson, Lucinda Williams, Tuck & Patti, John Prine, John Hiatt, Junior Walker, Anjelique Kidjo, Laura Love and Dave Hole.