Riverbend has more artist announcements to make, but its latest news concerns kids.
For the first time, Friends of the Festival will partner with Creative Discovery Museum to offer Camp Riverbend, giving Chattanooga's future rock stars a taste of the music industry this summer.
The children's museum and Friends of the Festival will offer this first-time camp for older children, ages 10-14. Campers will investigate the Coke Stage at Riverbend, go backstage to work with sound and lighting professionals and spend time asking questions of some of the performers.
Also on the agenda are a field trip to Songbirds Guitar Museum and a chance for campers to step into the spotlight themselves as they sing or play onstage.
"What young person doesn't dream of being on a stage at some point? This is the perfect way to share the spotlight and give them a chance to learn the highlights and fun side of music production," says Chip Baker, Friends of the Festival executive director. "Creative Discovery Museum is the perfect partner for sharing the mystique of Riverbend with our young people."
This is the first summer camp CDM has offered to older children. Programs manager Suzanne Ness says it's "perfect for a child who is constantly singing, playing an instrument or even interested to see what goes on behind the scenes in the music industry."
Camp Riverbend runs June 12-16 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Cost is $195 for museum members, $225 for nonmembers.
Several sessions for younger campers this summer will explore themes related to the upcoming summer exhibit, "Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit."
Each camp has limited space. Payment is due at the time of registration. To register, visit cdmfun.org/camp or call Nancy McCurdy at 423-648-6045 or Sheila Woody at 423-648-6040.