Vintage baseball, a Hardy concert and Thomas the Tank Engine are among the highlights of the weekend around the Chattanooga area. Also, a play inspired by a Supreme Court case opens at Chattanooga Theatre Centre this weekend. It's one of eight productions around the area.
Additionally, National Poetry Month events offer a chance to perform your own poetry or the work of a favorite author.
Two programming notes: Alhambra Shrine’s All American Gun Show has been canceled, and weekend concerts by John Summit and The Avett Brothers at The Caverns in Pelham, Tenn., are sold out.
ARTS
– Athens Arts Center, 320 N. White St., Athens, Tenn., will host a reception for “Color Is My Middle Name,” an art show by Paul Fontana, 5:30-7 p.m. Friday. The show continues through May 1. athensartscouncil.org.
– Stove Works, 1250 E. 13th St., will offer artist talks 6-7:30 p.m. Friday. Jequise Beverly, Sean G. Clark and Jordan Scruggs will discuss the ideas and processes that led to their works in “And I Shall Still Be Lonely,” part of the Tennessee Triennial for Contemporary Art “Re-Pair” installation inspired by artist/activist Lorraine Hansberry. It will be followed at 8 p.m. by Chattanooga Noise Night: Volume 13 by regional noise musicians. stoveworks.org.
– Houston Museum of Decorative Arts, 201 High St., will host a glass blowing demonstration noon-2 p.m. Saturday to celebrate the birthday of its founder, Anna Safley Houston (1876-1951), who is remembered for having nine husbands and 15,000 pieces of glassware. Local artist Susan Parry of Torched in the Head Glass will lead the demonstration on the museum’s front porch. The gift shop will have items for sale. The $20 ticket also includes a tour of the museum, wine and dessert. thehoustonmuseum.org.
– First-Centenary United Methodist Church, 419 McCallie Ave., is hosting an art auction of 110 watercolor works by artist John McLean, who died in 2022. Bidding will start Sunday at 8 a.m. virtually and noon-2 p.m. in person. The works may be viewed during select hours for the next two weeks: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays, 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, noon-2 p.m. Sundays through May 7. Attendees may register to win one of McLean’s larger paintings. firstcentenary.com/johnmcleanartshow.
– Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View, will have special guests in the gallery 1:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday for an Art Wise program tied to the continuing exhibition of “Really Free: The Radical Art of Nellie Mae Rowe.” The exhibit’s curator, Katherine Jentleson of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, will lead a walking tour that includes three of Rowe’s descendants: great-nieces Cathi Perry and Cheryl Mashack and great-nephew Ken Brown. huntermuseum.org.
MUSIC
– Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave., will welcome Dexter Bell & Friends for the weekly installment of Jazz in the Lounge at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Cover is $5. barkinglegs.org.
– Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., has four upcoming shows. Folk band The Arcadian Wild will play at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in a benefit for Dynamo Studios’ mentoring program. Tickets are $25-$35. Progressive bluegrass band Kitchen Dwellers will play at 9 p.m. Thursday, with support from Sicard Hollow. Tickets are $18-$20. St. Owsley: A Modern Tribute to the Music of Jerry Garcia, will play at 9 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $12-$15. Local artist Brandon Davis, who opened for country superstar Tim McGraw last spring, will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, with support from Camden Smith. Tickets are $15-$20. barrelhouseballroom.com.
– Southern Adventist University, 4881 Taylor Circle, Collegedale, has three campus ensembles in concert. A Steel Band recital is at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Ackerman Auditorium in Mabel Wood Hall. Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4829 E. College Drive, will host the next two events: Evensong with the Harp Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and a Symphony Orchestra performance at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Livestreams: southern.edu/events/concerts.html.
– Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave., will welcome country/rock artist Hardy on The Mockingbird & The Crow tour at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Jameson Rodgers and Blame My Youth will open the show. Verified resale ticket are available for $142-$728. tivolichattanooga.com
– Chattanooga Community Orchestra will perform the last in a series of spring concerts at 7 p.m. Friday at North River Civic Center, 1009 Executive Drive. The ensemble originated in 1967 as the Senior Neighbors Orchestra. Admission is free. facebook.com/seniorneighborsorchestra.
– Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave., has two upcoming shows. Rock band The Wallflowers, fronted by Jakob Dylan, will play at 8 p.m. Friday. Platinum tickets are available for $207-$227. Verified resale tickets are $39-$178. Indie folk band The Lone Bellow Trio will stop on the Love Songs for Losers tour at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with The Watson Twins supporting. Tickets are $25-$35. tivolichattanooga.com.
– Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., will host two musical performances, beginning with a masterworks concert by the Choral Union, Chorale and Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Conn Center, 150 11th St. NE. The Faculty Brass Quintet will present “¡Olé! Music of Spain and Latin America” at 2 p.m. Saturday in Squires Recital Hall in the Humanities Center, 1250 Parker St. NE. A masterclass for brass players will precede the performance at 11 a.m. Both concerts are free and nonticketed. Livestream: leeu.live
– Songbirds, 35 Station St., has four upcoming shows. First up, at 6:30 p.m. Friday, is a Youth Talent Show for ages 12-18 hosted by Amber Carrington, a top five finalist on the fourth season of NBC’s “The Voice,” who now lives in Chattanooga. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers. Tickets are $10 for ages 18 and older. An Evening With Deana Carter, the country artist known for “Strawberry Wine” and “Did I Shave My Legs for This?” starts at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $35-$40. At 7 p.m. Sunday, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Jazz Ensemble will perform with the Singing Mocs. Tickets are $10. The monthly New Music Monday, an industry mixer, starts at 7 p.m. with host C-Grimey and featuring DJ Prophet. Tickets are $7. songbirdsfoundation.org.
– Campfire Concert Series leads off its spring lineup with local reggae band Milele Roots 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday at Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Road. The evening includes Hutton & Smith beer and s’mores. Tickets are $30-$35, with an optional dinner by The Island Vibe for an extra $10. Add on overnight field camping for $5 per person. reflectionriding.org/events.
– Gem Theatre, 114 N. Wall St., Calhoun, Ga., will welcome country artist Ronnie McDowell at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $40-$70. calhoungemtheatre.org.
– Chattanooga Symphony & Opera has two upcoming shows. A sensory-friendly concert is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. Tickets are free, but should be reserved. The CSO Youth Orchestras’ Chamber Players will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday at First Christian Church, 650 McCallie Ave. Admission is free. chattanoogasymphony.org.
– Choo Choo Chorus, the Chattanooga Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, will entertain at 12:45 p.m. Sunday as part of the 4 Bridges Arts Festival at First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. The full chorus and quartets will be featured. Prospective members are encouraged to stop by. The festival has a $5 gate admission. choochoochorus.org.
– Sale Creek Church of God, 14919 Dayton Pike, will host gospel singer Jason Crabb in a free concert at 6 p.m. Sunday. facebook.com/salecreekchurch.
– Cleveland State Community College, 3535 Adkisson Drive, Cleveland, Tenn., will host an end-of-semester concert by the Blue Notes Jazz Ensemble and the Vocal Rhapsody Choir at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium of the George R. Johnson Cultural Heritage Center. The groups will perform selections ranging from choral and jazz hits from musical theater classics to Latin jazz masterpieces. Admission is free. 423-473-2303
OUT & ABOUT
– The Comedy Catch, 29 Station St., starts the weekend with an Open Mic Night at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $7. Steven Ho, a former hospital emergency room worker known for his “Tips From the ER” on social media, will headline at 7:30 p.m. Thursday ($25 tickets) and appear as part of a combined comedy tour with Jack Assadourian Jr. at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $25-$30. thecomedycatch.com.
– Cleveland Bradley County Public Library, 795 Church St. NE, Cleveland, Tenn., has two events scheduled Thursday. A book launch and signing of “Changed Eyes: Pandemic, Protests and Proclamation” by Joel Huffstetler is 6-7 p.m. in the Community Room. The $35 ticket includes a copy of the book and heavy hors d’oeuvres. RSVP at 423-472-2163, ext. 119. Tours of the new and old facilities, part of the Centennial Celebration, are scheduled 7-8:30 p.m. Register at clevelandlibrary.org.
– Chair-ries Jubilee, a Cleveland/Bradley County Chamber of Commerce fundraiser for its Arts in Education program, starts at 6 p.m. Friday at the Museum Center at Five Points, 200 E. Inman St., Cleveland, Tenn. Attendees can bid on chairs and other furniture transformed by local artists. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. 423-472-6587
– Drink and Discover: Proms From the Past, an adult party to relive vintage prom nights, is 7-10 p.m. Friday at Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. Dance and costume contests are included. Tickets are $75 for couples, $40 for solo partiers. Bode Chattanooga will host an after-party. cdmfun.org.
– Ringgold Junk Market is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday in downtown Ringgold, Ga. Multiple storefronts will showcase a variety of antiques and other merchandise. nothinlikeringgold.com.
– Creation Celebration is Friday through Sunday at Southern Adventist University, 4881 Taylor Circle, Collegedale. Academic experts will share scientific evidence for creation in free sessions. Exhibits, tours, music, rock climbing and a feature film also are scheduled. Sessions are free, but registration is requested. highpointsda.org/creation.
– Point Park, 110 Point Park Road, Lookout Mountain, Tenn., will not charge a gate fee Saturday, the first day of National Park Week. The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park property will be open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Rangers will lead programs on the Civil War’s “Battle Above the Clouds” at 11 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m. nps.gov/chch.
– River City Corvette Club will have an open car show 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Soddy-Daisy Veterans Park, 9009 Dayton Pike. Trophies will be awarded in several categories. The vehicle entry fee is $20, with proceeds going to local charities. Food, line dancing and a DJ are included in activities. rivercitycorvetteclub.com.
– Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Road, has two plant-related events Saturday. The final Wildflower Walk to see spring ephemerals is 10-11 a.m. The Community Prop Swap is 1-2 p.m. For this, participants are invited to bring native seeds, cuttings and divisions to share, and they can take new plant material home. The staff will provide propagation demonstrations in the native plant nursery. Registration is required for either. The nonprofit also has weekly programs highlighting its native animals. Full schedule: reflectionriding.org/events.
– Battle Below the Clouds, an amateur barbecue competition, will mark its eighth year Saturday at Ruby Falls, 1720 Scenic Highway. The contest, set for 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., has five judged categories and a People’s Choice Award. Two bluegrass bands will provide entertainment: Barefoot Nellie & Company, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and Lou Wamp and The Bluetastics, 2-5 p.m. Children’s activities include character appearances, face painting, balloon twisting, caricature artist and cornhole. Proceeds from team entries benefit Lana’s Love Foundation, which serves families of children with cancer. Spectator admission is free. Tickets to tour the cave must be bought online in advance. rubyfalls.com
Staff file photo / A Chevrolet Bel Air is seen during the MainStreet Cruise-In on Aug. 24, 2019, in Cleveland, Tenn. The cruise-In is held on the fourth Saturday of each month April through October.– MainStreet Cruise-In, a monthly gathering of classic and special-interest vehicles, kicks off its next season 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday on the Bradley County Courthouse square, 155 N. Ocoee St., Cleveland, Tenn. mainstreetcleveland.com
– 423 Night Market, a vendor expo by the Student Association of Southern Adventist University, will be set up 9-11 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4829 College Drive. The market features live music and 60 booths with handcrafted items for sale. 423-236-2600
– Day Out With Thomas, an immersion in the storybook land of Sodor, highlighted by an interactive train ride on Thomas the Tank Engine, is the next two Saturdays and Sundays at Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road. Families also will find multiple activities before and after train rides, which depart hourly, 9 a.m.-noon and 1:30-6:30 p.m. train ride. Tickets, required for ages 1 and older, are $24. tvrail.com
– Flea market: American Legion Post 257 will host arts, crafts and food vendors 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday in the Collegedale Community Church parking lot, 9305 Four Corners Place. Proceeds from the $20 vendor fee will be put toward service projects that help veterans and military families in the Collegedale, Ooltewah, Apison and Harrison areas. The rain date is April 30. collegedalefleamarket.com
– Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga will observe Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s official remembrance day, at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace. Enacted into Israeli law in 1963, the observance traditionally has been dedicated to fallen soldiers but has been extended to civilian victims of terrorism. Admission is free. RSVP: israel@jewishchattanooga.com
POETRY
– Rhyme N Chatt, an interactive poetry organization, has two more April events to celebrate National Poetry Month. The Fresh Out the Shoebox open mic starts at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Edney building, 1100 Market St. This event repeats third Thursdays every month. Friday is a Rhyme Over Wine open mic at Lady Naps Winery, 6940 Lee Highway. rhymenchatt.com
– Poetry in the Park, a celebration of National Poetry Month, invites members of the community to read the poems of favorite authors or present their own works 5-8 p.m. Monday at Imagination Station park behind Collegedale City Hall, 4910 Swinyar Drive. The Collegedale Public Library will have books to read from and resources on writing poetry. Attendees are encouraged to bring camp chairs and blankets for seating. A food truck and shaved ice vendor will have concessions. 423-468-1971
SPECTATOR SPORTS
– Chattanooga Football Club, a men’s professional team in the National Independent Soccer Association, will test its 5-0 record against Flower City Union of Rochester, N.Y., at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Finley Stadium, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. General-admission tickets are $11-$16. chattanoogafc.com
– Chattanooga Lookouts will start a six-game home series at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday against the Rocket City Trash Pandas at AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley. The night’s promotions are buy-one, get-one general-admission tickets with a Food City ValuCard and Kids Run the Bases after the game. Tickets are $7-$12. lookouts.com
– Tennessee Association of Vintage Base Ball has two Chattanooga teams opening their home season Saturday with a doubleheader against the Phoenix of East Nashville at the 6th Cavalry Museum, 6 Barnhardt Circle, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. The Lightfoot Club will play at noon and Mountain City Club at 2:30 p.m. Teams in the league follow the rules and customs of 19th-century baseball. Admission is free. tennesseevintagebaseball.com
THEATER
– UTC Theatre Company is presenting "Everybody," a modern adaptation of the 15th century morality play "Everyman," this week in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Fine Arts Center, 752 Roland Carter St. Shows start at 7:30 nightly through Friday and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10-$12. utc.edu
– Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga offers the final weekend of the world premiere of Artur Solomonov's "How We Buried Joseph Stalin" at Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. Show time is 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Tickets are $15-$20. our.show/ensemble-theatre-of-chattanooga/44718
– Dalton Little Theatre, 210 N. Pentz St., Dalton, Ga., concludes its run of "Sylvia," a modern romantic comedy about a marriage and a dog, in shows at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $11-$16. daltonlittletheatre.com
– The Seed Theatre, 6237 Vance Road, is in the final weekend of the world premiere of "Pennywhistle" by local playwright Brenton Haley. Shows, meant for mature audiences, are scheduled at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20. theseedtheatre.org
– Athens Community Theatre will present the ACT Children's Theatre production "The Little Prince" the next two weekends at The Arts Center, 320 N. White St., Athens, Tenn. The play is about a boy who discovers the unpredictable nature of adults as he travels the universe seeking wisdom. Show time is at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday (same schedule next weekend). Tickets are $15-$20. athensartscouncil.org
– Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St., will offer "The Cake" from North Carolina-born playwright Bekah Brunstetter, a writer for TV's "This Is Us," the next three weekends. The play was inspired by the refusal of a Colorado baker to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. In an email, theater marketing manager Rachel Carroll said this story "is a bit more nuanced." In Brunstetter's version, the baker is a Southern conservative woman who must grapple with her beliefs when the person requesting the cake for a lesbian wedding is her goddaughter. Carroll said "the whole show is written in a hilarious, yet thoughtful, manner." Shows opening weekend start at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, with the same schedule through May 7, plus Thursdays at 7 p.m. starting April 27. Tickets are $20-$25. theatrecentre.com
– Rivermont Presbyterian Church, 3319 Hixson Pike, will present "Cotton Patch Gospel," a musical that reimagines Jesus' life if set in modern-day rural Georgia. Shows are scheduled at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and April 29-30. Admission is free; donations are welcome. 423-877-8527
– Lee University Opera Theatre will present Opera Scenes at 3 p.m. Sunday in Squires Recital Hall in the Humanities Building, 1250 Parker St. NE, Cleveland, Tenn. The performance, which is the class's final project, will include various scenes from Rossini's "Cenerentola (Cinderella)," Massenet's "Werther," Nicolai's "Merry Wives of Windsor," Beethoven's "Fidelio" and von Weber's "Der Freischütz." The performance is free and nonticketed. Livestream: leeu.live
Find more events, and add your own, at times freepress.com/cnevents.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.
Photo by Jeremy Lee Campbell / In "The Cake," a Chattanooga Theatre Centre production, E'tienne Easley, left, and Morgan Perez star as the couple whose request for a wedding cake causes a crisis of conscience for the baker, a family friend.