Classical music takes center stage this week

GET OFF THE COUCH

BARRY COURTER: Lisa, it looks like high-faluting music is the key phrase for things to do this week. There are two cool events on Thursday and one on Wednesday. Finckel and Han will present a benefit concert for the String Theory series at the Hunter Museum of American Art on Wednesday, and the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera performs its Masterworks series on Thursday. That show also features the final guest conductor/candidate to replace Maestro Bob Bernhardt. Oh, and the same night Israeli woodwind master Amir Gwirtsman is at the Jewish Cultural Center.

LISA DENTON: Wednesday and Thursday are also the first chances for Chattanoogans to help pick one of this year's Nightfall acts. This first-time contest, called Road to Nightfall, is sponsored by McKay Used Books & CDs to give local bands a little more exposure. Local bands are always the opening acts during Nightfall, but this gives one a chance to shine as the headliner. This week, 12 bands will perform over two nights at Rhythm & Brews, then 12 more will play March 30-31. The top four, the winner from each night, will perform in the finals.

BARRY: This is a good idea that was conceived as a way to showcase the talent that we have in town, and the list of bands that have qualified is impressive. The ultimate reward might be headlining a future Nightfall date, but, as a fan, being able to see all of these guys in one place over several nights is also a big bonus.

LISA: Oh, you know what else I'm excited about this week? Moustache Friday. (Yes, that's the way they spell it.) We'll have more about it in Friday's Current section, but suffice to say there will be bands and drink specials at area bars to celebrate manly men and their facial hair.

BARRY: I'm waiting for Unibrow Wednesday. Remember the old Carol Burnett skit where Lyle Waggoner comments on her "eyebrow"? She says, "Thanks, I used to have two, but I shaved the top one off." Apropos of nothing, but it still makes me laugh.

From high-brow to low-brow, there is something for everyone this week.

Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354. Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.

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