This weekend's roundup of Chattanooga-area events:
MUSIC
- Premier Jazz Orchestra will celebrate Cinco de Mayo in a concert at 7 p.m. Thursday at Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. Tickets are $15-$20. theatrecentre.com
- Choral Arts of Chattanooga will present a Cinco de Mayo concert of Hispanic American folk music with East Lake Expression Engine children's choir at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Second Presbyterian Church, 700 Pine St. The centerpiece of the program is Ariel Ramírez's "Misa Criolla" (Creole Mass). Tickets are $10-$15. choralartsofchattanooga.weebly.com
- Boxcar Pinion Forever Bluegrass Festival is this weekend at Mountain Cove Farms, 994 Dougherty Gap Road, Chickamauga, Ga. Fifteen bands, including Crowe Brothers, Lonesome River Band, Randy Steele & High Cold Wind and Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out will perform. Hours are 5-9 p.m. Thursday ($20 for a daily ticket), 1-10 p.m. Friday ($30) and noon-10 p.m. Saturday ($36). A three-day pass is $87. foreverbluegrass.com
- Road to Nightfall, a competition to find the local band that will headline a night of the Nightfall summer concert series, will have its finale at 7 p.m. Friday. Bands in contention are Adjective Trio, The Cosmic Twelve, The Smoky Nights and Lilac Line, who won by popular vote in four nights of competition among 20 total bands in April. Admission is free. gigcityproductions.com
- Mercy Baptist Church, 8526 Ooltewah Harrison Road, Ooltewah, will host Dove Award-winning gospel group The Perrys at 7 p.m. Friday. perrysministries.com
- Sequoyah Baptist Tabernacle, 8405 Daisy Dallas Road, Hixson, will welcome the Dove Award-nominated gospel group Tribute Quartet at 7 p.m. Friday. tributequartet.com
- Songbirds, 35 Station St., has two shows this weekend. Friday features Who's Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $22 day of show. Saturday features Chattanooga alt-rockers The Afternooners, with The Orange Constant opening, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of show. songbirdsfoundation.org
- The Signal, 1810 Chestnut St., has two shows on the books. Thunderstruck, billed as America's ultimate tribute to Australian rockers AC/DC, will perform at 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $20-$40. Heavy-metal band Black Label Society will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, with Nita Strauss and Jared James Nichols opening. Tickets are $20-$65. thesignaltn.com
- Nooga Noise, a music festival with a dozen bands, live comedy, an art market and food trucks, is noon-11 p.m. Saturday at Redbud Venue, 2314 E. 13th St. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. valleyvibesmusicfestival.com/nooga-noise
- Kane Brown, the Chattanooga-born country music superstar, brings his Blessed & Free Tour to Finley Stadium, 1826 Carter St., at 7 p.m. Saturday. Be sure to practice your "Fancy Like" choreography for special guest Walker Hayes' set. Tickets are $22-$299. kanebrownmusic.com. NOTE: Several road closures are taking place due to the concert.
(READ MORE: Kane Brown making his own way back to Chattanooga)
- Northwest Georgia Amphitheater, 220 Catoosa Circle in Ringgold, Ga., will welcome country stars John Michael Montgomery and Montgomery Gentry, with special guest Walker Montgomery (John Michael's son), at 8 p.m. Saturday, rain or shine. Tickets are $50 general admission (bring your own chair), $100 VIP (chair provided, private bar, early entry). Parking is $5. hometownpromotions.net
- Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave., welcomes rock band Daughtry, fronted by Season 5 "American Idol" finalist Chris Daughtry, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $54-$94. tivolichattanooga.com
ARTS
- "Art & The Library," an exhibition coinciding with Valley Fest in Dunlap, Tenn., opens with a reception for the 40 featured artists 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Fair Building, 103 Heard St. The exhibit continues noon-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday (all times CST). n1hunt@aol.com
- Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View, has these events on the weekend calendar. Throwback Thursday, offering free admission to the permanent collection, is 4-8 p.m. Thursday (see We Make in the Out & About listings on Page A2 for information on the fashion show at 6 p.m.). The Sunday Studio session, 2-4 p.m., offers kite-themed art activities. huntermuseum.org
- Northside Gallery, inside Northside Presbyterian Church, 923 Mississippi Ave., will host an open house 5-7 p.m. Friday for "Moments With Monet." 423-266-1766
- In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave., will host an artist reception for its May exhibit, "Whack and Blite Show," featuring black and white art in multiple media, 5-8 p.m. Friday. intowngallery.com
- Creative Arts Guild, 520 W. Waugh St. in Dalton, Ga., plans a gallery opening and artist reception for "Formed by Fire & Songs of the Sacred Harp," works by Dan DeFoor and Mary Hall DeFoor, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday. creativeartsguild.org
- Area 61 Gallery, 721 Broad St., debuts "Eat, Drink & Be Merry," a new collection of food and beverage still lifes by realist painter Cindy Procious, with an opening reception 6-8 p.m. Friday. Her works will remain on view through June. area61gallery.com
- Storytelling Spaces, a campaign aimed at sharing the arts in more neighborhoods, has two events this weekend. Works by eight local artists who received $500 grants to complete pitched projects will be on view 5:30-7 p.m. Friday at Avondale Community Center, 1305 Dodson Ave. A meet-and-greet with the artists and interactive exhibits will be at the Bethlehem Center, 200 W. 38th St., 1-3 p.m. Saturday. Facebook.com/Events
- ClearStory Arts, 1673 S. Holtzclaw Ave., has two events this weekend. An artist reception for "In Bloom: A Creative Collective" is 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday. The exhibit continues through May 29. An indoor/outdoor Spring Art Market, with more than 40 local artists and makers, is 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. clearstoryarts.com
- Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, 1800 Polk St., is encouraging Mother's Day picnics in the park to accompany a ribbon-cutting at 3 p.m. Sunday for "Lime Green Wedding Cake," a new steel sculpture by Austin I. Collins. sculpturefields.org
DANCE
- Creative Arts Guild and Ballet Dalton will present their annual spring recital, "All Things Bright and Beautiful," this weekend in the Dalton High School theater, 1500 Manly St., Dalton, Ga. The evening performance by the company's most experienced dancers is at 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $10-$15. Performances at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. include the company's younger dancers. Tickets are $5. creativeartsguild.org
- Chattanooga Ballet will perform "Cinderella" and new works at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. Tickets are $12-$18. tinyurl.com/chacinderella
THEATER
- Back Alley Productions presents Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" the next two weekends at the Mars Theatre, 117 N. Chattanooga St., LaFayette, Ga. Shows start at 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday and May 13-14, 3 p.m. May 15. Tickets are $12-$15. bapshows.com
- Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St., closes its Youth Theatre production "The Velveteen Rabbit" with final performances at 7 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10-$12. Also, Friday is a Coffeehouse Cabaret, an evening of entertainment written, directed and performed by TheatreQuest teens. Admission is free. theatrecentre.com
- Southeast Whitfield High School Theatre Department presents final performances of "The Addams Family Musical" at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 1954 Riverbend Road, Dalton, Ga. Tickets are $7-$10. 706-876-7000
OUT & ABOUT
- National Day of Prayer, an observance coordinated locally by the Chattanooga House of Prayer, is noon-1 p.m. Thursday on the front lawn of the Hamilton County Courthouse, 625 Georgia Ave. chatthop.org
- Downtown Dine Around, a tasting tour to sample specialties at 13 locally owned restaurants in Cleveland, Tenn., is 5-8 p.m. Thursday, rain or shine. Street musicians will play along the route. Tickets are $30. mainstreetcleveland.com
- Cinco de Mayo spirit release: Gate 11 Distillery, 1400 Market St., will host an early release of an agave spirit, Once (Spanish for the number 11 and pronounced ahn-say), 7-10 p.m. Thursday. The celebration includes music by Chattanooga artists Tyler Martelli, Danimal Pinson and Zach Bridges. gate11distillery.com
- The Comedy Catch, 29 Station St., welcomes Jeff Allen, known for his clean humor about marriage and family, in a special engagement. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 6 and 8:15 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $30-$35. thecomedycatch.com
- Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park, 1730 Lakeview Drive, Rossville, opens its "dry" side this weekend. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Through May 27, unlimited rides cost $31 for ages 3-59 ($32 at gate); younger and older visitors must purchase tickets at the gate for discounts. Tickets will cost $8 more when the adjacent water park, SoakYa, opens May 28. Other discounts are available on designated days (check the website for offers), and Sunday features a Mother's Day carload rate of $120 for up to five guests. lakewinnie.com
- Scenic City State Fair, aka Thrillville, continues through Sunday at Camp Jordan, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge. The attraction includes carnival rides by Kissel Entertainment, games, food booths and daily shows (Aquatic Acrobatics, Sea Lion Splash, Dominguez Circus, Wild West Medicine Show). Hours are 5-10 p.m. weekdays, 1-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $10 (free for kids under 36 inches and seniors 65 and older). Unlimited rides cost $30 weekdays, $35 weekends. Individual ride tickets also are available. thethrillville.com/eastridge
- We Make, a multiday event celebrating Chattanooga's creative spirit, kicks off Thursday with visits by art cars, vehicles that have been decorated in a variety of themes, to area schools. Public events begin with Teen Night: An Upcycle Fashion Show 6-7 p.m. Thursday at the Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. The free runway show features designs created and modeled by Hamilton County students. The main event is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Coolidge Park, 200 River St. The free family festival includes international food, student art exhibits, activities and art cars. The celebration concludes with Carnaval: The Art Car Ball, with fire dancers, Latin food, music by Eliment and illuminated puppets, 7-10 p.m. Saturday at The Granfalloon, 400 E. Main St. Tickets are $55. Proceeds support Art 120 programming. art120.org
- Armed Forces Day Parade: Chattanooga's 73rd annual parade saluting America's military starts at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the intersection of Market Street and M.L. King Boulevard, following Market toward the riverfront. Hosted by the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council, the parade features participants from military service units, veterans groups, high school bands and patriotic organizations, among others. The U.S. Marine Corps will be spotlighted this year, and the New Orleans-based Marine Forces Reserve Band will be featured. chattareaveterans.com
- Lunchtime Speaker Series: The last in a series of programs on Tennessee's 225-year history is noon-1 p.m. CDT Friday at the Tennessee State Library & Archives in Nashville. The program by journalist and author Elaine Weiss is about "Tennessee and the Fight To Win Women's Right To Vote," detailing a 1920 episode in which a McMinn County lawmaker, urged on by his mother, played a pivotal role. Watch on Facebook or YouTube. sos.tn.gov/tsla
- Blooms, Bluegrass & BBQ Festival is this weekend in downtown Sweetwater, Tenn. The event includes a barbecue competition, bluegrass bands, vendors, a carnival and music-themed topiaries decorating the streets. Hours are noon-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday. bloomsbluegrassbbq.com
- Special Olympics fundraiser: Chattanooga's Special Olympics Unified Volleyball team is raising money for a trip to the USA Games in Orlando, Fla., in June with a live auction 6-8 p.m. Friday at Mac Avenue Event Space, 1304 McCallie Ave. Prizes include gift certificates to local businesses, restaurants and attractions. The co-ed team has eight players with and without disabilities. Facebook.com/events
- Cinco de Mayo Festival & Rodeo is this weekend at Limón's Mexican Restaurant, 50 Lloyd Crye Drive, Henagar, Ala. Festival activities begin at 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and double-sanctioned events hosted by Bar W Rodeo Co. begin at 8 p.m. (all times CDT). Rodeo admission is $20-$60. 256-605-1245
- Gran Fondo Hincapie, a professional cycling series that takes its name from the Italian words for "big ride" and its founding brothers George and Rich Hincapie, will be in Chattanooga this weekend. Chattanooga Night With the Stars, a party with the cyclists, is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday at the Whiskey Thief, the rooftop bar at The Edwin Hotel, 102 Walnut St. Tickets are $150. Saturday's competition kicks off at 8 a.m. at Bessie Smith Cultural Center 200 E. M.L. King Blvd. The ride has 10-, 55- and 77-mile segments, with the longest climbing Sequatchie Mountain in Marion County. A Family Festival & Expo is scheduled 10 a.m.-4 p.m., with an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. An after-party is 7-10 p.m. at Foodworks, 205 Manufacturers Road. Tickets are $50. hincapie.com/granfondo/ chattanooga
- Ten Toda Days, a series of events to show gratitude and appreciation for Israel, nears its send with a Sip and Paint session for adults at 7 p.m. Friday at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace (unless otherwise noted). Saturday, participants in any of the 10 events may pick up their souvenir T-shirt and goodie bag between 2 and 4 p.m. Reservations are required. jewishchattanooga.com
- Valley Fest, an annual festival in Dunlap, Tenn., is this weekend at Coops Creek Commons, 287 Pine St. Events include music, car show, Kids Zone, concessions and a 5K race. New this year is a Welcome Home Concert for Vets presented by Freedom Sings USA at 8:30 p.m. Friday. Festival hours are noon-9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday (all times CDT). Admission is free, but you can pay $40 for VIP concert seating Friday and Saturday. valleyfestonline.com
- Wildflower Saturday, with free hikes and programs highlighting the many species of plants growing at DeSoto State Park, 7104 DeSoto Parkway NE in Fort Payne, Ala., is 7 a.m.- 7:15 p.m. CDT Saturday. alapark.com/DSP-Wildflower-Saturday
- Etowah Friendly Garden Club will have its annual sale of plants, trees and seeds 8 a.m.-noon Saturday on the grounds of the L&N Depot, 831 Tennessee Ave., Etowah, Tenn. Proceeds fund an agriculture scholarship and community projects. Facebook.com/etowahgardenclub
- The Language of Birds hike, exploring the nuanced communication of area bird species, is 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday at Stringer's Ridge Park, starting from the Spears Avenue parking lot. Laura Marsh, founder of Nova Conservation, will lead the outing. Cost is $25. thechattery.org
- Rabbit Valley Farmers Market opens its season with a Mother's Day celebration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at 96 Depot St. in Ringgold, Ga. In addition to vendors, the day includes live music and food trucks. rabbitvalleyfarmersmarket.com
- Memories of Mayberry Festival, which starts at 9 a.m. CDT Saturday, in downtown Valley Head, Ala., will include favorite characters from "The Andy Griffith Show," arts and crafts, entertainment, a cruise-in and dill pickle and pie contests. Proceeds benefit the Valley Head Fire Department. 256-899-3776
- History program: A free, ranger-led program on "Cave Art of the American Indians of the Southeast," starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Moccasin Bend National Archaeological District's gateway site, 10 Hamm Road. Portable chairs are recommended. nps.gov/chch
- Bees on a Bicycle, a garden shop at 1909 Market St., will celebrate motherhood 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday. Bees Garden Day includes a performance by Ballet Esprit at 11 a.m., beverages from Be Caffeinated, products from Olivine Glass Recycling, jewelry from Colefire, tables for potting plants to take home (cost varies) and the chance to make a photo inside a giant flower pot (must wear ballet slippers or socks). beesonabicycle.com
- World's Best Mom Market, offering gift merchandise from local vendors and small businesses, is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave. thechattery.org
- Red Bank Jubilee, a family festival with live music, craft vendors, food trucks, beer garden and children's activities, is 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Red Bank City Park, 3817 Redding Road. Admission is free. The MoonPie Move, a 5K and 10K run, precedes the festival at 8 a.m.; cost is $40 to participate. redbanktn.gov
- Seersucker Saturday, a Kentucky Derby party with live entertainment and food and drink specials, is 3:30- 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Bar & Billiards Room at the Read House, 107 W. M.L. King Blvd. Prizes for best seersucker outfit and best hat will be awarded. thereadhousehotel.com
- Southern Blooms Festival, an ode to the colors of spring, is the next two weekends at Rock City, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga. The flower-filled event includes living sculptures, children's art activities, plant market and old-time music by Matt Downer. Timed entry is 8:30-5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and May 14-15. Tickets are $18-$28. seerockcity.com
- Southern Fried Food Truck Festival, featuring more than 100 food, arts, crafts and merchandise vendors, is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Collegedale Commons, 4950 Swinyar Drive. Musicians will entertain, and activities for children include a trackless train, petting zoo and pony rides. Eventbrite.com
- Chattanooga Market, a weekly offering of local produce, arts and crafts, plans a Mother's Day celebration 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Carter St. Admission is free. chattanoogamarket.com
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.