There are just six weeks remaining until Chattanooga's summer music festival, Riverbend, gets underway on June 8. The nine-day festival on the riverfront will feature headlining performances by Hank Williams Jr., Third Eye Blind, Switchfoot, Flo Rida, Dustin Lynch, Bret Michaels, The Wallflowers and Luke Combs.
Until then, here are 13 musical acts and events happening in the area to entertain you and help the time pass.
May 3
Nelly at AT&T Field
The "Hot in Herre" singer will headline a triple bill of '90s hip-hop that includes Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Juvenile. Tickets start at $35. For tickets, go to ticketfly.com and search "Nelly."
May 5
Derby de Mayo
This mash-up of a Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo party includes margaritas and mint juleps, a silent auction, hors d'oeuvres, Grand Hat and Best-Dressed Gentleman contests and watching the 144th Run for the Roses on a big screen. Must be 21 or older with valid photo ID to attend. Tickets cost $75 for individuals or $550 table for eight. Call 423-624-6144.
Running of the Chihuahuas
Six little canines run in preheat races with the first to cross the finish line advancing to the next race until a winner is declared. Serapes and sombreros optional, but many pets and their owners come dressed for the occasion. Music starts at 2 p.m. with the Chihuahua races kicking off at 5 p.m. Call 423-321-6200.
May 5-6
Fence Posts and Fireflies Festival
Combine arts and crafts vendors, live music and lots of free stuff for kids with The Venue Barn at Kimsey Acres' beautiful setting on 20 acres of Cleveland farmland, and you've got the makings of a fun family day. The festival is free, but visit the venuebarn.com/fence-posts- fireflies-festival for full details.
May 7-12
Tennessee Strawberry Festival
A celebration of the sweet crop is combined with good, old-fashioned fun in downtown Dayton, Tenn. The festivities begin with Family Fun Night in Pendergrass Park on May 7. The festival's carnival opens at 6 p.m. nightly beginning May 8. There will be the traditional pie- and cake-baking contest and Strawberry Shortcake Night on May 9, and an art show hosted by the Dayton Art League in the courthouse on May 10. The festival May 11-12 will include music on Centennial Park stage on Friday, the Strawberry Festival Parade Saturday afternoon and music throughout that day. Some events charge admission - such as the $5 ticket for the Strawberry Pancake Breakfast on May 12 or $20 for a carnival armband - but most events are free. For a full schedule: www.daytontnchamber.org/tnsf.
May 11-12
Stomp
These eight musicians beat and bang on everything but percussion instruments - matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, hubcaps, paint cans - to entertain their audience with syncopated rhythms that will hook you. Call the Tivoli Theatre box office at 423-757-5580 for tickets, which can be purchased for $37, $52, $67 or $77.
May 12
Chattabrewga
Tickets include unlimited samples (no tokens) of more than two dozen craft beers. DJ Jut Rut will entertain. Must be 21 or older with valid photo ID to attend.
General admission costs $54.77, which includes 5-ounce tulip tasting glass, drinking/rinse water and samples of all beers. VIP costs $96.97 and includes that, plus access to the Food Pairing Lounge. There's even a designated-driver ticket for food and nonalcoholic drinks for $23.12. Visit chattanoogacraftbeerfest.com.
May 10-13
Cirque du Soleil - Corteo
Corteo means cortege in Italian - "a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown," says a spokesperson for Cirque du Soleil. The result is a theatrical display of acrobatics, death-defying aerials and comic entertainment that will be taking over UTC's McKenzie Arena. Tickets start at $35. Call 423-266-MOCS.
May 16
Chicago
What baby boomer didn't slow-dance to "Color My World" in high school? The band who changed rock music of the 1960s with the addition of horns brings a night of nostalgia into the Tivoli Theatre. Chicago is the first American rock band to chart Top 40 albums in six consecutive decades. Sing along with "25 or 6 to 4," "Saturday in the Park," "Make Me Smile" and "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" Tickets are $69.50, $85.50, $99.50 and $149.50. For more information: 423-757-5580.
May 18
Country music at AT&T Field
Jake Owen, the country music star known for his love of sand and surf, launches his "Life's Whatcha Make It" tour at AT&T Field. Owen's hit, "I Was Jack (You Were Diane)" cracked Billboard's Hot Country Singles Top 20 two weeks ago. One $34.50 ticket gets you three big acts: Owen, Chris Janson ("Drunk Girl," "Buy Me a Boat") and Jordan Davis ("Singles You Up.") For tickets, visit Lookouts.com, call Ticketfly at 877-987-6487 or buy them in person at AT&F field box office.
May 19
Jfest
The longest-running, largest Christian music festival in the region celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with Tenth Avenue, Mallory Hope, Calling Glory, Brit Nicole and Unspoken before the show closes with fireworks. Kick off the day with the Jfest 5K at 8 a.m. before the music starts at 10 a.m. Festival tickets cost $20; children 11 and younger free. Visit jfest.com.
Down Home Days
The Chickamauga, Ga., Lions Club sponsors this celebration of all things small-town held in charming downtown Chickamauga. Pancake breakfast, food and craft vendors, parade, dancing, cruise-in, kids games and more entertainment throughout the day. Visit facebook.com/chickamaugalionsclub for all the details on this free event.
June 2
Magician David Blaine
Known for high-profile stunts such as being buried alive for a week, holding his breath underwater for 17 minutes or being encased in a 6-ton block of ice for three days and nights, Blaine will work his magic on the Tivoli's audience. Tickets run $50-$100. Call 423-757-5580.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.