LEISURE
BARTENDER BRAWL – Waterhouse Pavilion, 850 Market St. Four bartenders compete for Best Drink in Chattanooga Friends’ fundraiser for Siskin Children’s Institute, Northside Neighborhood House and Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga. Tickets $30 in advance, $40 at gate. 6-9 p.m. today, April 27. bartenderbrawl2017.eventbrite.com.
BBQ BOOGIE & BLUES – Calhoun Depot, 109 S. King St., Calhoun, Ga. KCBS-sanctioned barbecue contest, food and crafts vendors, kids zone, Amazing Race contest, antique car cruise-in and Georgia String Band Festival. 6-10 p.m. Friday, April 28; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday April 29. 706-625-3200.
BIKERS AGAINST BREAST CANCER – Depart from and return to Thunder Creek Harley Davidson, 7720 Lee Highway. Eighty-mile ride benefits Breast Cancer Support Services; suggested donation of $20 per bike. Registration 9 a.m., ride leaves at noon. Saturday, April 29. 423-602-6638. Rain date is May 6.
BUBBA BLACKWELL STUNT SHOW – Thunder Creek Harley Davidson, 7720 Lee Highway. Show by daredevil and stunt rider Bubba Blackwell. Noon-1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 29. 423-892-4888.
CHATTANOOGA GHOST TOURS – Meet at The Little Curiosity Shoppe, 138 Market St. Walking tours through downtown, ghost hunts through University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Citizens Cemetery. Adults $16.95, ages 12 and under $10. Tours 8:30 p.m. nightly by appointment. 423-821-7125.
DERBY FUNDRAISER PARTY – Renaissance Center, 630 North Ave., Rossville, Ga. Games, music, silent auction, catered meal, hat contests to benefit North Georgia Healthcare Center; $75 per person. 4 p.m. May 6. 706-935-6442, xt. 119.
CHATTANOOGA’S TOP MODEL – Hamilton Place, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. Finals of competition to win scholarship to the International Modeling and Talent Association contest in New York City this summer, photo shoot and $300. Participants already selected at April 22 preliminary round. 2 p.m. Saturday, April 29. 423-265-2121.
CLEAN AND GREEN – Miller Plaza, 850 Market St. Volunteer cleanup and beautification effort to remove litter from downtown Chattanooga. Check in at 8 a.m. for breakfast and T-shirt at Miller Plaza, 850 Market St., before leaving for assignment. 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 29. 423-265-3700
CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK – Located near Trenton, Ga., on western side of Lookout Mountain, 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, Ga. 706-657-4050.
» Saturday, April 29: Sunset Stroll to Sunset Point, 9 p.m., $5 parking, meet at West Rim Access parking lot for 45-minute hike.
» Saturday, April 29: Waterfall workout, 4-6 p.m., $5 parking. Learn about natural features of park in 2-mile hike with 1,200 stair steps and 750-feet of elevation gain. Bring drinking water.
» Sunday, April 30: Sitton’s Gulch Hike, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $15 plus $5 parking, start at the bottom of gulch and hike to top of falls, then return on 3-mile downhill hike.
CRABTREE FARMS – 1000 E. 30th St. Learn to weave an Appalachian egg basket using kudzu, taught by Bill Haley; $30 Crabtree Farm members, $35 nonmembers. All materials included in fee, but bring garden clippers if you have them. 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 29. 423-493-9155.
CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN STATE PARK – 24 Office Drive, Crossville, Tenn. Wildflower photography workshop with photographer Anthony Ladd includes photography tips, wildflower identification and hike. 9 a.m-noon CDT. Saturday, April 29. Reservations required. 931-484-6138
CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN STORYTELLING FESTIVAL – Palace Theater, 72 S. Main St., Crossville, Tenn. Ninth annual program of historical, children’s and original stories, folk tales and music. 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 29. 931-484-6133. Adults $5, students and children $2.
DALTON DANCING WITH THE STARS – Dalton Convention Center, 2211 Dug Gap Battle Road, Dalton, Ga. Local amateurs paired with professional dancers in competition to benefit Alzheimer’s Association; $150 per person. 5-8 p.m. Saturday, April 29. 706-275-0819.
DOLL SHOW AND SALE – Catoosa County Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga. Chattanooga Doll Club’s annual show and sale of antique, composition and fashion dolls, doll clothing and accessories. $5 ages 12 and older. 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 29. 706-965-6031.
DUCK DERBY – Clark Park on Robin Road, Ringgold, Ga. Rubber duck race for cash prizes to benefit Communities in Schools. Ducks start at $10, may be purchased at event prior to race. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 29. 706-858-0529.
FAMILY CARNIVAL – Baylor School, 171 Baylor School Road. Chattanooga Moms Blog hosts its first family event with carnival games, cornhole, treasure dig, recycled bottled water craft and more; $8. 3-5:30 p.m. May 7. www.eventbrite.com.
FARLEYCON – East Ridge Community Center, 1517 Tombras Ave. Pop culture convention with author Bobby Nash, “Walking Dead’s” Keith Brooks, former World Tag Team Champion Bobby Eaton, artist Matthew Atchley. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday April 29. www.farleycon.com. $10 ages 13 and older, free for children 12 and younger with paid adult admission.
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY – Infinity Flux, 3643 Hixson Pike. UNN crew broadcasting live from store interviewing patrons coming in for comic books. noon-9 p.m. May 6.
» May 6: McKay Books, 7734 Lee Highway, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., photo-ops with costume characters, comic-themed crafts and board games.
GARDENING WORKSHOP – The Barn Nursery, 1801 E. 24th St. Place. Children can fill a small basket with flowers to make a May Day basket; plants are event-priced. 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 29. 423- 698-2276
GIG CITY SUNSETS DE MAYO – Edney Rooftop, 1100 Market St. Latin food and beverage with country, soul and hip-hop music. 7-10 p.m. May 6. $32.64 per person. eventbrite.com
HIKES, TENNESSEE – Led by Soddy-Daisy Hiking Club. Bring water and snack. Carpool locations given for those who want to meet group. For more information, contact George Bonneau at george.r.bonneau@gmail.com or 423-842-3619.
» Saturday, April 29: No hike scheduled.
» Tuesday, May 2: Audubon property off Leggett Road, moderate 3 miles. Will stage vehicles. Meet at Durham Street parking lot in Soddy-Daisy at 7 a.m.
» Saturday, May 6: North Chick to Boston Overlook, moderate 5 miles. Meet at Walmart parking lot in Soddy-Daisy at 7 a.m.
JOCKEYS AND JULEPS – Tellus Science Museum, 100 Tellus Drive, Cartersville, Ga. Derby party with juleps, derby-themed games, silent auction and bluegrass band. 5:30-10:30 p.m. May 6. $75 individual or $1,000 VIP table of eight. 770-606-5700, ext. 414
LADIES NIGHT OUT – Georgia Winery, 6469 Battlefield Parkway, Ringgold, Ga. Dance to music by DJ Reece, shop vendors and sip wines. One door prize ticket, two glasses of wine and small sample plate included in $20 ticket. 6-9 p.m. Friday, April 28. Bring chair for seating. 706-937-9463.
LOCAL HISTORY TALK – Bachman Community Center, 2815 Anderson Pike, Signal Mountain. The Rev. James Douthat, historian and author, speaks on the history of Walden’s Ridge. Free. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 29. 423-886-4842.
LOOKOUTS BASEBALL – AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley. Lookouts vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos; tickets $4-$10. 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 3. 423-267-4849.
LOVE WINS WOMEN’S LUNCHEON – Stratton Hall, 3146 Broad St. Author Jan Harrison is speaker at fundraiser for On Point; $75 per person. 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 4. 423-899-9188.
MEL’S DERBY DAY – The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. Luncheon and silent auction to benefit MaryEllen Locher Foundation; $50 per person. 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 30. melfoundation.org/#/upcoming-events/mels-derby-day.
RAISE THE ROOF – Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga fundraising dinner; $100 individual, $600 for table of eight. 5:30-10 p.m. Friday, April 28. 423-756-0507.
REFLECTION RIDING ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER- 400 Garden Road. Hours of operation 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 12:30-4 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays. Admission $10 adults, $7 ages 4-11 and ages 65 and older. All events require preregistration: 423-821-1160.
» May 3: Birding tram tour, 10 a.m., Dr. David Aborn leads birding tour of grounds. Reservations required.
REPTICON – Camp Jordan Arena, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway. Reptile and exotic animal show with animals, cages, feeders and other supplies with hourly programs. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 29; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday April 30. repticon.com/repticon-chatta nooga. One-day ticket $10 adults, $5 ages 5-12; two-day tickets $15 adult, $5 ages 5-12.
RUBY FALLS LANTERN TOURS – Ruby Falls, 1720 S. Scenic Highway. After-hours tour of underground cavern with only lanterns to light the pathway. 8:30-10;30 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 8. Reservations required, $26.95: www.rubyfalls.com/lanterntours.
SPRING HIKE NIGHT – Greenway Farm, meet at barn facility near gardens, 5051 Gann Store Road. Hikers of all ages and experience levels welcome for night hike led by Outdoor Chattanooga naturalist; bring flashlight. 8:30-10 p.m. Friday, April 28. 423-643-6888.
TASTE OF OOLTEWAH AND HARRISON – Cambridge Square, intersection of Ooltewah-Georgetown Road and Old Lee Highway. Sample specialties of 30 local restaurants at fundraiser for five Hamilton County elementary schools in Ooltewah area. 12:30-4 p.m. May 7. www.eventbrite.com. Admission is free, taste sample tickets are $20 for 10 tickets.
TELL ME SOMETHING DERBY – Black Creek Clubhouse, 4700 Cummings Cove Drive. Hors d’oeuvres, hat contest, silent auction, Kentucky Derby viewing on big screen to benefit Chattanooga Room in the Inn; $100 per person. 4:30-8 p.m. May 6. 423-624-6144 xt. 7.
TRAIN RIDES, CHATTANOOGA – Departing from Tennessee Valley Railroad, 4119 Cromwell Road. 894-8028. Check website for designated weekend train rides such as Chickamauga Turn, Dinner on the Diner and Hiwassee River Rail Adventure. www.tvrail.com.
» Missionary Ridge Local: Six-mile, 55-minute ride through East Chattanooga to TVRM’s repair shop. $17 adults, $11 ages 2-12. April schedule: Trains depart every Saturday and Sunday at 10:40 a.m., 12:05, 1:15, 2:25 and 3:35 p.m. Trains also depart Mondays through Fridays at 10:40 a.m. and 12:05.
» Day Out With Thomas: Thomas the Tank Engine’s Friendship Tour, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. April 29-30 and May 6-7, $21.
VINTAGE PICKIN’ SPRING BARN SALE – White Oaks Farm, 202 Farmer Road, Fyffe, Ala. Items from 45 artists and pickers include vintage finds, antiques, repurposed pieces and homemade goods. 3-7 p.m. Friday, May 5, early picking for $18; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 6, $6.
BOOKS/AUTHORS
BOOK SIGNING – Lodge Factory Store, 220 E. Third St., South Pittsburg, Tenn. Author J. Wayne Fears signs “The Lodge Book of Dutch Oven Cooking.” Members of the Middle Tennessee Dutch Oven Society will be preparing camp Dutch-oven recipes from the book. 9 a.m. -5 p.m. CDT Saturday, April 29; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.CDT Sunday, April 30.
BOOK SIGNING – Barnes & Noble, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. Author Cathey Graham Nickell and illustrator Bill Meganhardt sign “Arthur Zarr’s Amazing Art Car.” Meganhardt will create a whimsical drawing based on audience input, and the finished piece will be raffled to benefit Art 120 programs. 2-4 p.m. Sunday, April 30. 423-893-0186.
WRITERS GUILD – Creative Arts Guild, 520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, Ga. Guild hosts monthly meetings to improve writing skills, provide listening and feedback to local writers and to present regional authors. Third Monday of each month. 706-259-1822.
CHILDREN/TEENS
CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY
All locations of the Chattanooga public library system have preschool story time. The Downtown, Eastgate and Northgate libraries have Adventure Club for children ages 6 and up. The library’s teen center, Teen Stack, is located in the Downtown Library. For more information about all programming held in the Downtown, Eastgate, Northgate or South Chattanooga libraries, call 757-5310 or visit www.chattlibrary.org.
» Lego Clubs: Downtown branch, every Monday, 5-6 p.m., for ages 5-11, free; Northgate branch, first Saturday of each month, 2-3 p.m., for ages 3 and up, free. 757-5314.
» Toddler Time: Learning program for ages 18-36 months and parents/guardians, preregistration not required. Wednesdays: 10:30 a.m. Eastgate Library, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Northgate Library. Saturday: 11 a.m., downtown branch.
» Baby Bounce: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10-10:30 a.m., Eastgate branch. Finger play, songs and stories for infants up to 18 months and their parent/caregiver.
» May 2: Paws to Read, 4 p.m., downtown branch, children read to animals from McKamey Animal Shelter.
» May 6: Free Comic Book Day, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Northgate branch.
CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM – 321 Chestnut St. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. $13.95 adults and children.756-2738, www.cdmfun.org.
» Current Exhibit: Kings, Queens and Castles, a family chess exhibit with interactive elements for children ages 3-11.
» Thursday, May 4: Sensory Night, 5:30-8 p.m., free, for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families. Included in CDM admission, but reservations required.
DANCES
BALLROOM – The Ballroom, 7001 Middle Valley Road. Learn ballroom dancing, no partner required, casual dress. Group class, 7:30 p.m., $5. Dancing 8:30 p.m., $10. Saturdays. 423-394-6428.
BALLROOM – Ballroom Magic Dance Center, 4200 N. Access Road. $10 per person. 8:30-10:30 p.m. Fridays. 423-771-3646.
LINE/COUPLES DANCE – VFW Post 4848, 1491 Riverside Drive. Beginner two-step lesson at 7 p.m., dance at 7:30 p.m., $5. 7-11 p.m. Friday, April 28. 423-624-6687.
RHYTHM BALLROOM – The Ballroom, 7001 Middle Valley Road. Learn fundamentals of rumba, cha cha, East Coast Swing. Casual dress. No partner required, $5 per person. 6 p.m. Mondays, 8 p.m. Wednesdays. www.theballroomathixson.com.
SHAG, BOP, SWING, JITTERBUG – Elks Lodge 91, 1067 Graysville Road at East Brainerd Road. $5 members, $7 guests. 7-10 p.m. Thursdays. www.choochooshagclub.com.
SQUARE DANCING – 175 Emergency Road, Grandview, Tenn. Grandview Twirlers host square dances with caller Johnny Chambers. No partners required, $5 per person, casual dress. 7:30-10 p.m. Friday, April 28. 931-707-0766 or find them on Facebook at GrandviewTwirlers.