Barry CourterFor the last decade and a half or so, I've used this space to point out how the entertainment world has evolved in this city and to ask when we will stop being surprised when we get a show that seemed to elude us before.
Things like Brian Wilson, Graham Nash or Moon River appearing on the calendar. This might be the weekend when we officially stop feeling like everybody else's smaller, less funny or less talented younger brother.
Maybe I'm overstating, but one thing is for sure: Unless you are into Gregorian chants or Congolese rumba, there is very likely a live music event that should suit your tastes this week.
I won't try to list them all here because, well, this tabloid is full of all the information you need, but a highlight is the 3 Sisters Music Festival on Friday and Saturday at the 21st Century Waterfront.
The free festival is again loaded with the biggest names in the business, including the Steep Canyon Rangers, Dan Tyminski and the Travelin' McCourys.
If you're looking for something a little funkier or more soulful, the Big 9 Roots Festival at Bessie Smith Cultural Center should have what you need. A whole slate of local acts including Love, Peace & Happiness, Jimmy Tawater and Deacon Bluz will pay homage to some of the greats to have come out of Chattanooga such as Clyde "The Funky Drummer" Stubblefield, Wilson Meadows and Thomas "Tee" Bumpass, among others.
Deacon Bluz will also be performing Friday night at Cadek Hall at UTC as part of the River City Sessions series. It will be an evening of musical and historical education with stories, tall tales, toasts and music.
If you're feeling nostalgic, whether for '60s and '70s British Invasion hits, or '80s and '90s bar band stuff, Friday is your night. The Pool will celebrate 30 years as a band in the Songbirds museum space upstairs, and The White Animals will be joined by Walk the West downstairs in Songbirds South.
Contemporary Christian artist Michael W. Smith plays the Tivoli the same night.
Lyle Lovett brings his big hair and Acoustic Group to town on Sunday at the Tivoli.
Today alone is a pretty a good day, with the Levitt Amp Series offering the punk/funk sounds of B. Slade, and later today at Cadek Hall, Knoxville-based jazz trio Domino Ensemble performing.
These are just some of the shows, and just for good measure, Wine Over Water is this weekend.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.