THEATER
ATHENS ARTS CENTER – Sue E. Trotter Theater, 320 *. White St., Athens, Tenn. 423-745-8781, www.athensartscouncil.org. Auditions for children’s roles for “Annie” (title character and 13 orphans, girls ages 13-under, 2 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 (show dates, Feb. 17-27). 423-593-8713.
CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE – 400 River St. Box office: 267-8534, www.theatrecentre.com. “Times Square Angel,” CircleStage production of campy holiday melodrama that is satire of Hollywood fantasy films of the 1940s, 8 p.m. Dec. 3-4, Dec. 10-11, Dec. 17-18. $18.
COLONNADE – 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga. 706-935-9000, www.colonnadecenter.org. “A Christmas Story,” Community Players’ production of story of Ralphie and his 1940s quest for a Red Ryder BB gun, 7:30 p.m. today, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $11 adults, $9 seniors/children, $8 groups.
COWAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS – Cowan, Tenn. 931-691-0722. “A Christmas With C.S. Lewis,” one-act play portrays writer C.S. Lewis as he hosts a group of American writers at his home, 7 p.m. CST Dec. 3-4. Written and performed by British actor David Payne. $10 (not recommended for young children).
CUMBERLAND COUNTY PLAYHOUSE – Crossville, Tenn. All times Central. 931-484-5000, www.ccplayhouse.com.
* “She Loves Me,” romantic Christmastime musical comedy set in Paris in the 1930s follows anonymous pen pals who are feuding employees in a gift shop, through Dec. 18. $13-$26.
* “A Sanders Family Christmas,” stars of “Smoke on the Mountain” reunite at Mount Pleasant Baptist shortly after the start of World War II, through Dec. 19. $12-$26.
* “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” holiday tale focuses on the church Christmas pageant and what happens when the “worst kids in the entire history of the world” get involved, through Dec. 19. $12-$26.
DALTON LITTLE THEATRE – 210 *. Pentz St., Dalton, Ga. 706-226-6618, www.daltonlittletheatre.com. “A Christmas Story,” Youth Ensemble Theatre production of modern Christmas classic focusing on Ralphie and his Christmas wish, Dec. 3-5. $5.
DESTINY THEATRE COMPANY – Chauncey-Goode Auditorium of Tennessee Temple University, 1815 Union Ave. 242-5156, www.destinyentertainment.org. “Black Nativity,” third annual gospel musical stage play, Dec. 3-5, Dec. 10-12. $18 adults, $15 groups, $13 seniors/students (all seats $20 day of show).
GEM THEATER – L& * Depot, 700 S. Tennessee Ave. (Highway 411), Etowah, Tenn. 423-263-3270, www.gemplayers.com. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” the terror of the town Herdman children take on the annual town pageant, 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3-4 (dinner at adjacent L& * Depot and show available Dec. 4), 2:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-11 (dinner at adjacent L& * Depot and show available Dec. 11), 2:30 p.m. Dec. 12. Adults $12, children (10-under) $8, dinner/show $25.
OAK STREET PLAYHOUSE – Flo Summitt Theatre, First-Centenary United Methodist Church, 419 McCallie Ave. 756-2428. “Happy Hollandaise!” dinner theater production finds mischief, mayhem and comedy interrupting a dinner with the new vicar, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3-4, Dec. 10-12. $20 adults, groups $18.
TENNESSEE VALLEY THEATRE – 184 W. Jackson Ave., Spring City, Tenn. 423-365-7529. www.tennesseevalleytheatre.com. “Honk,” play based on Hans Christian Anderson tale focuses on an odd-looking duck, Ugly, and his quest to find his mother, Dec. 3-12.
VAUDEVILLE CAFE – 138 Market St. 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com. All shows feature Italian dinner plus audience-interactive comedy-mysteries. Schedule subject to change.
* “Mystery at the TV Talk Show,” 7 p.m. each Thursday. $21.50 adults, $14 children (ages 3-11).
* “Mystery of the Nightmare Office Party,” 6 p.m., and “Mystery of Flight 138,” 8:30 p.m. each Friday. $26. 50 adults, $14 children for either show.
* “Mystery of the Nightmare High School Reunion,” 6 p.m., and “Mystery at the Redneck-Italian Wedding,” 8:30 p.m. each Saturday. $26.50/$14 for either show.
WHOLE BACKSTAGE THEATRE – 1120 Rayburn Ave., Guntersville, Ala. 256-582-7469, www.wholebackstage.com. “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” musical chronicles the biblical story of Joseph, who is sold into slavery after his father favored him with the gift of a multicolored coat, 7 p.m. CST today and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Thursday and Dec. 3-4, 2 p.m. Dec. 5. $15 adults, $12 students/seniors.
DANCE PERFORMANCE
COLONNADE – 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga. 706-935-9000, www.colonnadecenter.org. Dalton Arts Project presentation of “Nutcracker 2010,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11. 706-529-2787.
ARTISTS/EXHIBITS
AVA GALLERY – 30 Frazier Ave. Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. 265-5233, www.avarts.org. All-Member Salon Show, nonjuried, salon-style exhibition featuring work of AVA members, through Dec. 19.
BESSIE SMITH CULTURAL CENTER – 200 E. M.L. King Blvd. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-4 p.m. Saturday. Admission: $7 adults, $3 children 6-12, $5 seniors and students. 266-8658.
* Permanent exhibit: a look back at black history through African artifacts, oral histories, documents, photographs, art and personal effects.
* “Charlie Newton: A Retrospective Exhibition,” exhibition of 30 years of work encompassing 38 oil, mixed media and watercolor paintings, through Thursday.
CHATTOOGA ACADEMY SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUM – 304 *. Main St., LaFayette, Ga. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 1-3 p.m. Sunday. 706-639-1519. Exhibit of Lionel trains in a rural setting, through Tuesday.
CIVIC ARTS LEAGUE – 264 Catoosa Circle (Catoosa County Colonnade), Ringgold, Ga. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. 991-7533 or e-mail sherryh592@charter.net. “Bold and Beautiful,” juried exhibit of original works by Civic Arts League members, through Dec. 17.
CREATIVE ARTS GUILD – Dalton, Ga. 520 W. Waugh St. Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, and by appointment. 706-278-0168, www.creativeartsguild.org.
* “Recent Works,” Gallery 111 exhibit of work by Michael Jenkins, through Tuesday.
* “Small Works,” Gallery 111 exhibit, Wednesday-Dec. 31. Opening reception, 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
CRESS GALLERY OF ART – UTC Fine Arts Center, corner of Vine and Palmetto streets. Hours: 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday. Free. 425-4600. www.utc.edu/cressgallery. “le deluge, aprés mao,” exhibit of sculpture, painting, photography, digital and video art by contemporary Chinese artists, through Dec. 14.
HOUSTON MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS – 201 High St. Hours: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and by appointment Saturday and Sunday. $9 nonmembers, $3.50 children. 267-7176. www.thehoustonmuseum.com. “Happy Holidays” through Dec. 21.
HUNTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART – 10 Bluff View. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; noon-5 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. $9.95 adults, $4.95 children, free to younger visitors and to members. 267-0968. www.huntermuseum.org. “Tradition – Tennessee Lives and Legacies” uses selections of Tennessee Arts Commission Folklife Program director Robert Cogswell and photography of Nashville photographer Dean Dixon to highlight state’s folk heritage through profiles of 25 subjects , through Dec. 5.
IN-TOWN GALLERY – 26A Frazier Ave. Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. 267-9214. www.intowngallery.com.
* “Block Friday,” featuring 6- by 6-inch wooden blocks decorated by gallery artists and discounts on purchases, today.
* “Artanooga Holidays,” open house exhibit of new work by 34 regional artists, through Tuesday.
* “Different Strokes,” collection of new acrylic paintings on canvas and board with a tree theme by Peggy Huffstutler, Dec. 1-31. Opening reception, 5-8 p.m. Dec. 3.
JEWISH CULTURAL CENTER – 5461 *. Terrace. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. 493-0270, ext. 13. “Spirituality of Light,” Monday-Jan. 21. Opening reception, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
LUPTON LIBRARY – University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Hours: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday or by appointment. http://www.lib.utc.edu/ “In Rare Form: Seven Centuries of the Printed Word,” exhibit showcases rarest books and printed materials, 1479-2010, from library’s Special Collections, through mid-December.
MCKEE LIBRARY – 4865 Promenade, Southern Adventist University, Collegedale. Hours: Noon-11 p.m. Sunday, 7:45 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-noon Friday. 236-2791. Exhibit of works by Chattanooga book illustrator/designer Barry Moser, through Dec. 15.
MEDAL OF HONOR EXHIBIT – Northgate Mall, next to Piccadilly Cafeteria, 5000 Hixson Pike. Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History, exhibit that examines exploits of America’s heroes through pictures, narratives, uniforms and artifacts from Revolutionary War through Iraqi Freedom. Free admission. 394-0710. www.mohm.org.
NORTH RIVER CIVIC CENTER – 1009 Executive Drive, Suite 102, Hixson. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Free. 870-8924.
* “Flavors of Tuscany,” exhibit of work by Cam Busch, through Tuesday.
* “It’s Not Easy Being Green,” exhibit by Civic Arts League of Chattanooga, Wednesday-Feb. 28.
RIVER GALLERY – Bluff View Art District, 400 E. Second St. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday and by appointment. Free. 265-5033, ext. 5. www.river-gallery.com.
* “Celebration! 15 Year With Scott Hill,” solo exhibit of artist’s dramatic and mood-evoking paintings, through Tuesday.
* “Triple Whipple,” exhibit includes work of a skewed reality by jewelry artist Marty Whipple, paintings of John Whipple and mixed media of Lynn Whipple. Wednesday-31. Opening reception, 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 3.
SHUPTRINE FINE ART GROUP – 2646 Broad St. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and by appointment. 266-4453, www.ShuptrineFineArtGroup.com. “A Vested Interest,” through Dec. 31.
THE ART CENTER – 420 W. Main St., Blue Ridge, Ga. 706-632-2144, www.blueridgearts.net. 2010 Holiday Show and Sale, exhibit of paintings, prints, pottery, sculpture, woodturning, jewelry, quilts and more from artists across the Southeast, through Dec. 23.
THE GALLERY – 3918 Dayton Blvd. Hours: 3-7 p.m. Tuesday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, and by appointment. 870-2443 or www.redbankgallery.com. Furniture by Joseph Brogden, new works by craftsman using traditional methods and tools, advanced joinery and contemporary design, through Dec. 15.
UTC UNIVERSITY CENTER – University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Vine Street. Exhibition of work of photographers from Wuxi, China, Chattanooga’s sister city, through Monday.