Ever feel like a weekend goes by and you didn’t really do anything? These events might just get you out of the bar scene rut (mostly) and leave you feeling cultured, learned and engaged come Monday.
Govinda at J.J.’s Bohemia – Friday
Govinda is Austin-based Shane Madden, a trained musician who fell in love with electronic music production in college. Trying to learn about his gypsy roots sparked his current artistic incarnation, Govinda. His sound is electronic, but far from dub step, with elements of world music and multifaceted vocal and musical samples laced throughout. He has played with Thievery Corporation, Bassnectar and Sphongle and performed at SXSW and Coachella, to name just a few. The project’s website claims that Govinda’s live shows feature professional dancers, live projections and a “sonical sound-scape.”
“Cascades-Perpendiculars XXVII” by Louise NevelsonArtful Yoga at the Hunter Museum – Saturday
Louise Nevelson called herself an “architect of shadows.” Her sculptures are comprised of found objects meticulously arranged and painted in monochrome, so that the eye sees the contrast between the objects shape and size in a single form. Nevelson’s standing sculpture “Cascades-Perpendiculars XXVII” is on exhibit at the Hunter, a tower of wood parts and organ pipes.
The Artful Yoga program at the Hunter on Saturday will explore the relationship between Nevelson’s sculpture and the art of yoga. If the connection seems like a stretch, consider the practice of Shadow Yoga, which is based on the Hatha Yogic texts that describe the human body as “nothing but layers of frozen shadows.” Standing, pumping, sitting, weighing, lying (face-down, face-up, and on sides) turning and twisting are all forms of creating these “physical shadows” with the body (source: shadowyoga.com).
“We do these every month and they’ve been incredibly popular,” said Adera Causey, Hunter Museum’s Curator of Education. “We spend time in the galleries looking at one work of art, exploring our intentionality, meditating towards our practice. Then we go to the beautiful open space of the lobby and begin the practice – each month with a new guest yoga instructor.” This month’s instructor is Jessica Ewart, a native who has moved to Colorado but came back for the event. Bring your own mat if possible, because the practice is on an uneven rock floor.
Nike recently announced it will release a shoe modeled after Marty McFly’s futuristic sneakers in “Back to the Future 2.”“Sneaker heads” are known for their extreme passion for the casual shoe many people take for granted, spending top dollar on the shoes, collecting them and keeping them in pristine condition. Sole Junkies claims to be Chattanooga’ first sneaker event where sneaker aficionados can buy, sell, or trade the latest, rare and in-demand sneakers. Participants can bring up to three pairs of their own sneakers to the event to trade or sell them. Admission is just $5, so even casual sneaker wearers can browse.
LOOKING AHEAD
9 United for Equality – Monday, February 24
As NAACP president, James Mapp was integral to the long fight for desegregation of schools in Chattanooga; his house was bombed in 1970. The Office of Equity and Diversity and the Tennessee Human Rights Commission are honoring nine locals, including Mapp, who were pivotal players in the Civil Rights Movement here in Chattanooga Monday night at UTC. Their stories will be told in a documentary called “9 United for Equality: Reflections on the Struggle for Civil Rights in Chattanooga.”
Why you should go: Because the Civil Rights Movement was more than just Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. You might even know some of the honorees.
State of Human Rights Hearing at UTC – Monday, February 24
The Tennessee Human Rights Commission is holding hearings all over the state to talk frankly about the status of human lives at a local level. Chattanooga’s hearing is Monday night, and will bring together community leaders, advocacy groups and researchers, with a hearing from Chattanooga Organized for Action.
Why you should go: “These are the facts and experiences of the other Chattanooga,” said Perrin Lance, Executive Director of Chattanooga Organized for Action. “Too many Chattanoogans suffer from unemployment and poverty. It’s time to set the record straight and make sure their voices are heard.”