This weekend's events include an inaugural Jeep Jam, a rubber duck race and a comic book and pop culture convention. Here's a chronology.
ARTS
— The Arts Center, 320 N. White St., Athens, Tenn., continues its exhibition of "The Magic of Watercolor" through Aug. 14. The exhibition features water media artwork by artists with the Eastern Tennessee chapters of the Tennessee Watercolor Society. The exhibition is free and open to the public. The center is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Learn more at athensartscouncil.org.
— In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave., continues its exhibition "Creating Waves With Wax," featuring the encaustic paintings of Margaret Park. Encaustic is an ancient artistic medium made from beeswax and damar resin, which are melted together, receive added pigment for color and are applied to a surface such as wood while still hot. The exhibition will run through Aug. 31. The gallery is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Learn more at intowngallery.com.
— Association for Visual Arts, 30 Frazier Ave., Suite A, is hosting its juried member exhibition through Sept. 8. All works featured were judged and scored by three regional arts professionals. The works were scored based on technique, creativity, design, visual impact and professional presentation. Out of 87 local artists, 30 were selected for the exhibition. The works represent a variety of mediums, including painting, photography, sculpture, textile and mosaic. The gallery is open noon-5 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and noon-6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Learn more at avarts.org.
— ClearStory Arts, 1673 S. Holtzclaw Ave., continues its two-year anniversary exhibition, which showcases the works of the gallery's studio and workspace artists. The exhibition will run through Aug. 26. The gallery is open 2-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Learn more at clearstoryarts.com.
Staff photo by Olivia Ross / JaShaylen My Love, Nichole Maxwell, Rosie Tucker, Alexis Newson, and Montrell Tucker decorate their kites. River City Company and art partners host Family Fun Day on the Chattanooga Green with kite building, crafts, music and more on Saturday, May 13, 2023.— Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View, will have two events this weekend. From 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Ballet Esprit will perform a dance inspired by the museum's current exhibit, "In Nature's Studio: Two Centuries of American Landscape Painting." From 2-4 p.m. Sunday, the museum will have a family fun day inspired by the current exhibit. Sunday's event will feature arts and crafts, refreshments, outdoor education and another performance by Ballet Esprit. Regular admission applies for both events, $20 for adults, children 17 and under get in free. Learn more at huntermuseum.org.
MUSIC
— Composer Tim Hinck will host a Parkside Session concert, with support from ArtsBuild, from 8-9 p.m. Thursday at Parkside Hall, 2035 Polk St. The concert will be largely devoted to Hinck's latest compositions and will feature art objects he has created to accompany the music. The music is described as "riding the line between jazz and classical chamber music." Admission is free, and a $20 donation is suggested. Learn more at timhinck.com.
— Nightfall, a weekly summer music series, continues at 7 p.m. Friday at Miller Plaza, 850 Market St. The headliner will be The Banditos, and the opener will be Oweda. There will be an art market starting at 6 p.m., and food trucks will start serving at 6:30 p.m. The event is rain or shine, and admission is free. Learn more at nightfallchattanooga.com.
— Peers Under Pressure, a local band from Signal Mountain, will have a a record release concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Mountain Arts Community Center, 809 Kentucky Ave. The concert is free. Learn more at eventbrite.com.
— Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., will have two shows this weekend. At 9 p.m. Friday, Mixtape, an '80s tribute band, will perform; tickets are $15 in advance or $20 day of show. At 9 p.m. Saturday, Shiggy and Red Pawn will perform; tickets are $12 in advance or $15 day of show. Learn more at barrelhouseballroom.com.
— Riverfront Nights, a weekly concert series, continues this week at 6 p.m. Saturday at Ross's Landing, 201 Riverfront Parkway. Concessions and drink sales begin at 6 p.m. The music performances will begin at 7 p.m. This week's featured performers are Rick Rushing & The Blues Strangers and The Malemen: A Night of Motown & More. The event is rain or shine, and admission is free. Learn more at riverfrontnights.com.
— Songbirds, 35 Station St., will have a performance by The Gibson Brothers at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $20 in advance or $22 day of show. Learn more at songbirdsfoundation.org.
OUT & ABOUT
— Tennessee's Sales Tax Holiday on groceries continues through Oct. 31. The holiday exempts food and food ingredients from the state's standard sales tax. The holiday covers most groceries but does not apply to prepared foods, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, candy or dietary supplements. Learn more at tn.gov/revenue/taxes.
— The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., will have several classes through the weekend. Learn more at thechattery.org.
- "Bitters 101: Cocktails," exploring the history, purpose and use of bitters, and "Sourdough Basics," exploring sourdough starter and bread recipes, will start at 6 p.m. Thursday; registration for the cocktails class costs $35, and registration for the sourdough class costs $45.
- "Dear Hip Hop" will be at 6 p.m. Friday with trivia, cake, special guests and a panel discussion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip hop music; registration is free.
- "What the Tweet?" will start at 9 a.m. Saturday at Reflection Riding, 400 Garden Road, and will focus on bird songs and how to interpret them; registration costs $30.
- "Planting a Fall Garden" will start at 2 p.m. Saturday and will focus on how to prepare, plant and care for a fall garden; registration costs $25.
— Level Up Arcade and Billiards, 3801 Ringgold Road, will host a Rock City Fest Fundraiser at 7 p.m. Friday to help raise funds to send a KISS super fan to see the band live on its final tour this year. Featured bands include Sylyns, Wicked Weird and Rustic Reign. Learn more on the arcade's Facebook page.
— River City Company will host a Family Fun Day from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Chattanooga Green, 100 Chestnut St. The event will feature a full day of activities, including kite building, coloring, book creations, oversized games, music and more. Additionally, more than 40 young entrepreneurs will be representing their own businesses and gaining firsthand experience in sales and customer service. Admission is free. Learn more at rivercitycompany.com.
— Georgia Offroad Wanderers will host an inaugural Jeep Jam from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at 402 W. Villanow St., LaFayette, Ga. The event will feature a live performance by Low Down Revival and other bands, children's activities, food and raffles. All vehicles are welcome. Proceeds benefit the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center, Camp Southern Ground, First Skin Foundation for Ichthyosis, Walker County Animal Shelter and the Catoosa and Walker school districts. Early registration is $15, day of show registration is $25. Learn more at georgiaoffroadwanderers.
— Meigs County Chamber of Commerce and the Tennessee Riverline will host a free partner paddle event from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at Euchee Marina and Campground, 200 Euchee Lane, Ten Mile, Tenn. Attendees will paddle along the river and Watts Bar Lake starting at the marina boat ramp, going around the sloughs and returning to the ramp. A limited number of paddle craft will be available for use free of charge but must be reserved. Learn more on eventbrite.com.
— Vision of Mercy and Church of the First Born are presenting "No Need to Struggle '2,'" a community giveback event, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Miller Park, 928 Market St. The event is open to the public and will provide essential items like nonperishable foods, hot meals and more to the members of the homeless community. There will also be information booths and live music performances at the event. Learn more at vision-of-mercy.com.
— Cleveland Duck Race will be from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Cleveland Greenway Park, 775 Raider Drive, Cleveland, Tenn. The free, family friendly event will feature food trucks, business vendors and performances by local groups. The main event is a rubber duck race down Mouse Creek. Participation in the race is open to the public and free; prizes include a $5,000 shopping spree, amusement park tickets and more. Learn more at mymix1041.com.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Voice actor Kyle Phillips, left, poses with fans Piper Ogle and Faith Williams of Gatlinburg during the Farleycon Comic Book Expo at Camp Jordan Arena in East Ridge on Saturday, August 13, 2022. Phillips voices the character "Denki Kaminari" on the anime "My Hero Academia."— FarleyCon will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Camp Jordan Arena, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway. The event celebrates all things related to pop culture and comic books. The event will feature special guests, comics, toys, artists, authors, cosplay, panels and more. Single day, weekend and VIP tickets are available, $15-$50. Learn more at farleycon.com.
— Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host a special one-hour, ranger-led program focusing on Cherokee iconography starting at 11 a.m. Saturday at The Passage, between the Market Street Bridge and the Tennessee Aquarium. The program will examine Cherokee symbols, their meanings and their importance to Cherokee culture. The program is free. Learn more at nps.gov/chch.
— Chattanooga Market will host a Buskers Festival market from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd. Street-style entertainment by various performers and artists will be stationed around the market for attendees' enjoyment as they shop fresh produce and locally made goods. Admission is free. Learn more at chattanoogamarket.com.
— Green Thumb Garden Club of Collegedale/Ooltewah will have a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at Chestnut Hall, 4950 Swinyar Drive. The meeting will feature a presentation by certified garden coach Karen Creel on the topic of "No Fuss Gardening." There will be refreshments and door prizes. For more information, contact Rita Vital at 423-505-6605.
SPORTS
— Chattanooga Lookouts will play against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos through Sunday at AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley. The Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday games start at 7:15 p.m., and the Sunday game starts at 2:15 p.m. Promotions include Kids Run the Bases after every game, a Chick-fil-A giveaway Wednesday, drink specials and UTC Night on Thursday, fireworks and Agriculture Night featuring a pregame petting zoo Friday, a used car giveaway and Marvel's Defenders of the Diamond Night on Saturday and a food drive and Catch on the Field on Sunday. Tickets cost $7-$12. Learn more at milb.com/chattanooga.
— Chattanooga Red Wolves will have a game against the Richmond Kickers at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at CHI Memorial Stadium, 1 Stadium Way. General admission tickets cost $13-$17. Learn more at chattanoogaredwolves-sc.com.
THEATER
— Barking Legs, 1307 Dodds Ave., will host "50 Miles Away" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The play focuses on the journey of two strangers trying to escape their pasts who meet at a highway rest stop and continue to meet along their journey. The production will feature a full soundtrack performed by a live, three-piece band. Tickets cost $15-$20. Learn more at 50milesaway.org or barkinglegs.org.
— Obvious Dad will conclude its summer season with a production of "Lear," a reimagining of Shakespeare's "King Lear" by Young Jean Lee, with performances this weekend at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Vine St. The show is appropriate for ages 16 and older and will run through Aug. 20. Tickets cost $15. Learn more at obviousdad.com.
— Artistic Civic Theatre, 907 Gaston St., Dalton, Ga., will conclude its production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," the musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber based on the biblical character of Joseph from the Book of Genesis, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Tickets cost $12-$16. Learn more at artisticcivictheatre.com.
Find more events, and add your own, at times freepress.com/cnevents.
Contact Sam Still at sstill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6579.