BARRY COURTER: Lisa, normally this time of year we are starting to pull the sweaters out of the closets and thinking about indoor things to do, but there are still a couple of really cool (see what I did there) things to do outside this week.
LISA DENTON: I know people who wear flip-flops through November, so I figure there's plenty more warm weather to come even if the first day of autumn is Saturday. So what's up outdoors?
Dr. B and the Ease will play Sept. 19 in Miller Park. / Facebook.com photo
Lisa Denton and Barry Courter
BARRY: The Levitt Amp series continues at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center with Jason Eskridge performing on Thursday on the Bessie lawn. What a great series. Also, one of my favorite local acts, Spinster, will be playing at the newly reopened Miller Park as part of Noontunes. It used to be held in the summer at Miller Plaza.
Noontunes is presented by SoundCorps, the local group that promotes local music, and it is a free concert every Wednesday at noon. Funk band Dr. B and the Ease will kick off the 2018 season on Wednesday, Sept. 19. Spinster will perform on Sept. 26.
LISA: The switch to fall is a good way to showcase the newly renovated Miller Park, which can now accommodate food trucks and larger crowds and give the performers more visibility.
And I'm all for giving Spinster more visibility. This is a group of sisters who got interested in music after they unearthed their grandfather's accordion in a closet. They taught themselves pop covers on instruments ranging from washboard to glockenspiel to upright bass. I mean, you have to give props to anybody who plays accordion and especially glockenspiel - even if it's only because I like to say glockenspiel. Try it. It feels good. Glockenspiel, glockenspiel, glockenspiel.
BARRY: I knew you were going to say that, only because if you didn't, I was going to. It's a fun word, and they are a fun trio with a fun story. It is going to be interesting to see how the new edition of the park is utilized.
LISA: Friday is also Park(ing) Day, which takes over metered parking spaces for a few hours to set up games and music and art projects for people to enjoy.
This year, they'll be set up at Patten Parkway, which keeps the action confined to one area instead of spread out around downtown. And there are several great places to eat nearby (shout-out to Mindy B's Deli).
BARRY: Hey, Mindy, flip-flops in November, huh? Even to work? No way.
Get event details every Thursday in Chattanooga Now or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354. Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.