Get Off The Couch: Eating, Elvis among the week's highlights

BARRY COURTER: Lisa, if you've ever wanted to get out and try what local chefs are doing with all the fresh produce, meats and cheeses that are produced locally, this is the week. Gaining Ground, which promotes such things, has organized Harvested Here, a weeklong event in which more than 25 restaurants have redone their menus to focus on local-only products. It's a great idea and a great opportunity to venture out a little bit.

LISA DENTON: I like home cooking that I don't have to cook at home, so this sounds really appealing to me. But it's more than meat-and-three plates. Local ingredients run the gamut -- the variety would probably surprise a lot of people. But that means that you can get everything from fancy fixings at Hennen's or St. John's to the more down-to-earth specialties at Good Dog or Urban Stack Burger Lounge to the through-the-window fare at Famous Nater's food truck. You can find the menus and participating restaurants at facebook.com/growchattanooga.

BARRY: Many of these restaurants have been utilizing local stuff for years, but for this event they've been asked to "challenge" themselves and try new farms and new ideas.

It is also a good week, or weekend, for getting out and watching a play. The Chattanooga Theatre Centre opened "Legally Blonde: The Musical." Ensemble Theatre at Eastgate Town Center is presenting "Balconies" and our good friend Jason Ross is starring in "Man of La Mancha" at Cumberland County Playhouse.

LISA: We should also mention that Matt Cordell will bring his Elvis tribute show to the Alhambra Shrine Temple on Saturday. You know how I love me some Elvis.

BARRY: Me, too. And Matt is one of the better tribute artists.

LISA: And the folks up in Dayton, Tenn., will be putting on the Scopes Trial Play & Festival this weekend. They have two new plays set to debut, plus music by Norman and Nancy Blake. You can't beat that with a stick.

BARRY: It seems like it's been a while since Norman and Nancy have performed around here, so for folks who haven't seen them, this is a chance to hear true musical treasures living amongst us.

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

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