Fundraiser
THE FOURTH ANNUAL Palate 2 Palette, a fundraiser benefiting the Craniofacial Foundation of America, gets under way Friday at 7 p.m.
The two-day event celebrates Chattanooga's Southside arts community, as well as the city's young artists.
Palate 2 Palette kicks off at the new Youth Gallery at 1601 Rossville Ave. A reception will be held ($5 adults, $2 students) featuring the art of students from 16 area high schools, event spokeswoman Terry Smyth said.
"This gallery promises to be as spectacular as always. This year we have a 'Mad Hatter' twist to the gallery," she said. The location of the gallery is at the new Church on Main on Rossville Avenue.
Local artists Alan Shruptrine, Ann Nichols and Frances McDonald judged the students' art and chose 128 pieces from the 240 submitted.
"They (the judges) enjoyed being part of this and were taken back by the talent of these students," Smyth said.
The Gallery Stroll ($75 per person or $150 VIP) will be held from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, followed by the Bubbles & Sweets After-Party at Loose Cannon from 8 p.m.-10 p.m.
Special guests on Saturday night will be balloon artists Marie Dadow from Arizona and Christopher Cope from Nevada. The duo will be at the Living Art Gallery (Green Spaces) at 63 E. Main St.
"Marie is a fashion couture balloon artist who was on Victoria Secrets Runway in '09, and her art has been showcased in Disney's "Wizards of Waverly Place'' and numerous European runways," Smyth said. "She will design dresses on three live models for the event."
"Bubbles & Sweets," sponsored by Volkswagen, will offer "quite a few surprises this year," she said. "You will see 'Avatar' come to life. Jimmy Adams, owner of Nell's, is the designer. Jennifer Young and Danielle Alverez Jones are co-chairwomen of the after-party. Willie Kitchens will provide the music for the evening."
A trolley car will be available for those opting to ride instead of strolling, she said.
The galleries include Photography Gallery, Living Art Gallery, Area 61, Gallery 1401, Ignis Glass, Chenoweth & Halligan Studios, Hart Gallery, Miki Boni Studios and Planet Altered.
Food and beverages are provided by Sodexo, Easy Bistro, Urban Spoon, St. John's Restaurant, Events with Taste, Azraa Ali, 212 Market, Broad Street Grille, Jason's Deli, On the List Catering & Events, Bluewater Grille and Niko's Southside Grille.
Designers and florists participating are Nell's, Bud, Ensign Florist, Grafe Studios, Making Arrangements, Line's Orchids, Atlantis Indoor Garden Supply, Flowers by Gil & Curt, Divine Designs by Amanda, Chattanooga Florist and Art Warehouse.
Volkswagen is sponsoring "Bubbles & Sweets." The gallery sponsors are Chattem, Erlanger, The Plastic Surgery Group, Dr. Mark and Jayne Brzezienski, Apple Smoked Cheese Company, SMP Industries, Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, the Craniofacial Foundation of America board of directors, and Kelly Infiniti Chattanooga.
For more information about the event, visit p2pchattanooga.org or call Smyth at 778-9176.
Ear to the ground
THE ANNUAL Rockwood Thunder Road Festival will be held on April 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Rockwood, Tenn. Festival officials said it's one of the city's annual highlights.
"It's just so much fun," said event volunteer Janice Osborne. "It's a family event, and there's something for everyone."
Event coordinator John Evans said there will many exhibits, a classic car show, arts and crafts, live entertainment and pageants.
Additional festival committee members are Bill Anderson and Diane Cox.
"Performing this year will be Amy Duggar from the TV show '19 Kids and Counting' (airing on TLC)," Evans said. "Amy filmed some of her first music video, 'Crazy in Love', in downtown Rockwood. The song has just been released to mainstream country."
Also entertaining will be Billy Wright and the original Thunder Road Band, and more.
"The car show will award the top 25 cars and give awards in 12 special classes including Best Moonshine Runner and Most Unique, Evans said.
Pageant competitions will be held for people of all ages beginning with the "Itty Bitty Hillbilly" for participants from birth to 4 years old; "Lil' Miss Daisy & Mr. Doodyville" for ages 5 to 12; "Miss Ellie May" for ages 13-19, and the "Ms. Belle and Hard-Headed Hillbilly" for contestants 20-years-old and older. There is a $7 entry fee per contestant.
For more information about the festival, visit rockwoodthunderroadfestival.com.
YOUNG ATHLETES are invited to participate in the Sports Barn Iron Junior Triathlon, presented by BlueCross BlueShield, on April 10 at Sports Barn North beginning at 8 a.m. The competition is for youngsters ages 3 to 13.
The course will have three distances depending on age, said event organizer Denny Marshall. Ages 9-13 will swim 125 meters, bike 4 miles and run a mile. Ages 6-8 will swim 75 meters, bike 2 miles and run one-half mile.
Children 5 and under will swim 25 meters, bike 400 yards and run 100 yards, he said.
The cost is $30 for children 6-13. Five and under are free.
Packet pick-up will be on April 9 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sports Barn.
Marshall said the purpose of the event is to promote health and fitness in children.
"We all see what is going on with childhood obesity, and hopefully having races like this will give kids a goal to shoot for and motivation to stay healthy while having fun," he said.
For registration details and more information on youth-related sports events, visit sceniccitymultisport.com.