Get Off the Couch: Music, dancing, comedy ahead

Contributed PhotoStrikepoint handbell ensemble
Contributed PhotoStrikepoint handbell ensemble
photo Lisa Denton and Barry Courter

LISA DENTON: Barry, I know you heard all kinds of music at Bonnaroo over the weekend, but I'd bet money there was nothing like what you can hear tonight at Christ United Methodist Church.

Strikepoint, I'm told, is one of the world's top handbell ensembles. I know what you're thinking ("world's tallest midget"), but I'm here to tell you that they don't simply play dulcet church tones but songs from Bach to The Beach Boys, Glenn Miller to Lady Gaga.

They've even been praised for their athleticism and showmanship. Not to brag, but I've drawn similar praise for my tambourine prowess.

BARRY COURTER: I do not think I saw any handbell ensembles at Bonnaroo, though I certainly saw just about everything else. That's an impressively diverse playlist for handbells. I can't imagine Lady Gaga gets mentioned too often in conversations that also include Glenn Miller.

LISA: Speaking of the big-band musician, the Tivoli stage will be swinging Saturday for Dancing With the Chattanooga Stars, a fundraiser for the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults. Eight Chattanooga movers and shakers - literally! - will be paired with local professional dancers. Special guests are Karina Smirnoff and Louis Van Amstel, two of the whiz-bang dancers from the ABC show "Dancing With the Stars."

Then the Oak Ridge Boys will perform Sunday at the Tivoli. There were just announced among the newest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

BARRY: For folks who want a little more festival fun, JFest is this weekend. Coming so close to Riverbend and Bonnaroo, it doesn't get the attention it might if it were another time of year, but it has become a very big deal in the Christian music world. J103 does a good job with it, and Camp Jordan is a good setting with the amphitheater, parking and space it has.

Set to perform are Capital Kings, For King & Country, Sanctus Real, Royal Tailor, Finding Favour, I Am They, Tim Timmons, Moriah Peters and Blanca. Things get underway Saturday at 10:45 a.m. and will go until about 11 p.m.

LISA: It's a good idea to get your wristbands early for JFest. They're $15 in advance, $20 at the gate. And there'll be fireworks between King & Country's headline set and the Capital Kings' after-party.

BARRY: If you're looking for some acoustic guitar music, Beppe Gambetta, a bluegrass/traditional artist from Italy, returns to Barking Legs Theater on Saturday. He'll be there with guitarist Tony McManus. Beppe is really good.

LISA: McManus is no slouch, either. He's billed as a Celtic fingerstyle master. They both have new CDs to introduce.

BARRY: And it might just be a law that James Gregory returns to The Comedy Catch on a regular basis because he's there this weekend.

Get event details every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.

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

Upcoming Events