IF YOU GOWhat: Concert by Michael Kaeshammer and 3-D Projection Mapping light show.When: 7-8:30 p.m. today (concert), 9-9:15 p.m. (3-D light show).Where: Stage at Riverfront Parkway and Second Avenue, directly in front of Hunter Museum.Admission: Free.Phone: 265-0771.Website: www.chattanoogapresents.com.
If it looks like the mansion at the Hunter Museum of American Art is falling down tonight, don't worry; it's all smoke and mirrors. Or, more specifically, it's all 3-D lights.
It's a little tough to explain -- "that's our challenge," said Carla Pritchard, director at Chattanooga Presents, "to communicate something that's never been done here before."
Essentially, a 3-D light show uses light to create optical illusions, such as, say, pieces of a building coming off.
"It's not your typical light show," said Pritchard, who called the visual effects "unbelieveable" and "mind-boggling."
"The structure itself will look like it's come to life," she added. "It'll be all kinds of fun ways to play with a Chattanooga landmark."
The light show, which is about the length of a typical fireworks display, Pritchard said, is part of the RiverRocks festival, one of Chattanooga Presents' premiere annual programs.
The display will be preceded by a performance from Canadian jazz and boogie-woogie pianist Michael Kaeshammer. Kaeshammer played Nightfall earlier this season and made quite an impression.
"We had overwhelming response to him from all sorts of people," she said.
Kaeshammer will be accompanied by a six-piece band. In searching for a musician to play at tonight's event, the organizers were looking for someone who was "classy, with a lot of energy and really dynamic and fun." Kaeshammer, she said, came to mind immediately.
"He represented a real class act, something that appealed to all kinds of ages. We've heard from all kinds of folks who really, really enjoyed his music. He's a showman. He's nice-looking, he's got a great voice, he does all kinds of tricks on the stage. He's got it all. He's great to listen to and also fun to watch."