Here's what the Chattanooga area has to offer this week.
Listen up
Rising country-roots singer/songwriter Tyson Leamon has released a new single. "Wildflowers in Whiskey Bottles" is available via his new label home, Marshals of the Revolution, a new venture its founders say is committed to artists who exemplify the American independent spirit in their music. Leamon, originally from Riceville, Tennessee, built his fan base as a road warrior, traveling thousands of miles throughout the Tennessee Valley and beyond playing in honky-tonks, fairs and festivals, including the Riverbend Festival, National Quartet Convention, Tennessee Valley Fair, CMA Music Festival and JeepFest. He was crowned the 2019 Bowlingfest National Talent Competition winner in London, Kentucky, and was a finalist in the 2020 Tennessee Songwriters Week Showcase. "Wildflowers in Whiskey Bottles" is available to stream or download. The music video is on YouTube.
CALENDAR
ARTS
AVA GALLERY — 30 Frazier Ave. Annual all-member salon show, through Dec. 23. avarts.org
AVA @ THE INCUBATOR — 100 Cherokee Ave. Hamilton County Business Development Center: Cohort 3 group exhibit by Andy Ramirez, Meagen Rice and Rea Shaw, through Dec. 31. (Parking at Renaissance Park across the street.) avarts.org
CLEARSTORY ARTS — 1673 S. Holtzclaw Ave. Last Chance Open House, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 23. clearstoryarts.org
FRANKLIN COUNTY ARTS GUILD — The Artisan Depot, 204 E. Cumberland St., Cowan, Tenn. franklincoarts.org
› Through Dec. 23: Ellen Jackson's retrospective art quilts.
› Through Jan. 28: "Winding Down" community show.
GALLERY AT BLACKWELL — 71 Eastgate Loop. Photographic Society of Chattanooga's holiday show, through Jan. 26. chattanoogaphoto.org
HUNTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART — 10 Bluff View. "Gilded: Contemporary Artists Explore Value and Worth," through Jan. 8. Regular admission ($20 adults). huntermuseum.org
IN-TOWN GALLERY — 26A Frazier Ave. Roger Harvey's "Wizardry With Wood," through Dec. 31. intowngallery.com
NORTHSIDE GALLERY — Northside Presbyterian Church, 923 Mississippi Ave. Works by 14 area artists, including members of the Civic Arts League of Chattanooga, through Dec. 18. 423-266-1766
RIVER GALLERY — 400 E. Second St. Works by Janet Eskridge, Scott Hill and Tatiana Hill, through Dec. 31. river-gallery.com
SOUTHERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY — 4881 Taylor Circle. "Repurposed" ceramics exhibit by seniors Diana Alarcon and Said Kas-Danouch and adjunct instructor Loren Howard in John C. Williams Gallery, Brock Hall, second floor, through Jan. 19. southern.edu
DANCE
"NUTCRACKER" — Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga. Dalton Arts Project's 2023 holiday show, with more than 300 local and guest performers, 2 p.m. Dec. 17 (final performance). $23. catoosacolonnade.com
NUTCRACKER! MAGICAL CHRISTMAS BALLET — Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. Acrobatics, larger-than-life puppets and handcrafted sets and costumes in classical ballet performance by touring dance company with international cast and Ukrainian principal artists, 4 and 8 p.m. Dec. 23. $35-$150. tivolichattanooga.com
FILM
BOBBY STONE FILM SERIES — Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave. "The Grinch" (2018), 7 p.m. Dec. 22. $11-$13. tivolichattanooga.com
FATHOM EVENTS — See website for theaters, showtimes and ticket prices. fathomevents.com
› Through Dec. 17: Christmas With The Chosen: Holy Night.
› Through Dec. 20: "Waitress: The Musical."
IMAX THEATER — 201 Chestnut St. "The Polar Express," through Dec. 26 (closed Christmas Day); show times vary. $10. tnaqua.org/imax/deep-sky
File Photo / Local entertainer James Rogers will offer his annual "Home for Christmas" concert at the Catoosa County Colonnade on Dec. 21.MUSIC
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org
› Dec. 17: Noteworthy Holiday Extravaganza with Adam Stone & Friends, 7:30 p.m. $10.
› Dec. 20: Weekly jazz in the lounge with Dexter Bell & Friends, 7 p.m. $5.
BARRELHOUSE BALLROOM — 1501 Long St. barrelhouseballroom.com
› Dec. 17: ET's Birthmas food drive for Chattanooga Area Food Bank, with music by Roger Alan Wade, ET and Danimal's Sunday Funday, 1 p.m. Admission with canned good or cash donation. Photos with Santa, 2-4 p.m. with cash donation.
› Dec. 20: Call Me Spinster, Lily Bethke Band, Brotherton Road and Jason Lyles, 8 p.m. $15.
› Dec. 22: Dank Tank with Mr. Dankie's Christmas Jugband, 9 p.m. $12-$15.
CHATTANOOGA SYMPHONY & OPERA — "Home for the Holidays," featuring CSO Chorus, community groups, photos with Santa, mailbox for letters to Santa, 3 p.m. Dec. 17 (final show). Bring a toy for Be the Change Youth Initiative (wish list online). $12-$90. chattanoogasymphony.org
Photo by Todd Dean / Tyson LeamonCHRISTMAS WITH THE METROPOLITAN BELLS — Christ United Methodist Church, 8645 East Brainerd Road. Concert by Chattanooga handbell choir, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19. Free admission; donations welcome. metropolitanbells.org
JAMES ROGERS: HOME FOR CHRISTMAS — Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga. Local entertainer who performed for years at Dollywood presents annual holiday concert, 7 p.m. Dec. 21. $20-$25 ($2 discounts for seniors and children). catoosacolonnade.com
MID-SOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND — Ringgold High School, 29 Tiger Trail, Ringgold, Ga. Vibrant selection of Christmas songs performed by 60 musicians from greater Chattanooga area, 3 p.m. Dec. 17. Free. midsouthsymphonicband.com
THE SIGNAL — 21 Choo Choo Ave. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, 8 p.m. Dec. 19. $49-$96. thesignaltn.com
VIENNA LIGHT ORCHESTRA — Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul, 214 E. Eighth St. Concert of holiday favorites by musicians and vocalists surrounded by 2,000 candles and lighted Christmas trees, 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20. $35-$65. viennalightorchestra.com
Staff File Photo / The Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul in downtown Chattanooga will host two performances by the Vienna Light Orchestra on Dec. 20, in which the group of touring musicians and vocalists will be surrounded by 2,000 candles and lighted Christmas trees.OUT & ABOUT
ASIAN LANTERN FESTIVAL — Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. All-new collection of 30+ lanterns and nine interactive displays, 5:30-9:30 p.m. (last entry at 8:30 p.m.) through Jan. 14. $17-$23 nonmembers, $13-$18 members. chattzoo.org
BOOK SIGNING — The Pinnacle condominiums, 1131 Stringers Ridge Road. Sue Carol Elvin signs copies of "The Memory Guardians: Boogery Mungo and Umbriago — The House on Stone Street," 3:30-5 p.m. Dec. 17. Email: suecarol59@gmail.com
CHATTANOOGA MARKET'S HOLIDAY MARKET — Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. More than 200 local food vendors, artists and crafts with gift merchandise, decor, foods, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 17. (last day of 2023 season). chattanoogamarket.com
CHRISTMAS AT MCLEMORE — 32 Clubhouse Lane, Rising Fawn, Ga. Brunch With Santa, 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 23. $25 per table. eventbrite.com
CHRISTMAS CAN BE A DRAG HOLIDAY SERVICE — Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. Family chapel service for LGBTQ+ community, with music of various genres and traditions, drag performances, spoken word and testimonials, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Free. barkinglegs.org
CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT TOURS — Marsh House Museum, 308 N. Main St., LaFayette, Ga. Guided tours of the historic house decorated for the holidays in the style of the 1880s with discussion of the customs of the era, ending with hot cider and ginger cookies, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 17 (last day). $5-$10. marshhouseoflafayette.org
CHRISTMAS TOURS — Chief Vann House State Historic Site, 82 Georgia Highway 225 North, Chatsworth, Ga. Tours to see the historical plantation house decked with boughs, bows, greenery and other decorations inspired by 19th-century celebrations by Moravian missionaries, through Dec. 23. $7. gastateparks.org/chiefvannhouse
THE COMEDY CATCH — 29 Station St. thecomedycatch.com
› Dec. 20: Open Mic Night, 7 p.m. $7.
› Dec. 22-23: Home for the Holidays with local comedians who tour nationally, 7:30 both nights. Headlined by Karen Mills on Friday, Pat Dixon on Saturday. $19-$23.
ENCHANTED GARDEN OF LIGHTS — Rock City Gardens, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga. A million lights illuminating six distinct holiday realms, including one of the world's tallest walk-through Christmas trees, 4:30- 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4:30- 10 p.m. Friday-Sunday (park closes later), through Jan. 6 (closed Christmas Eve). $10-$32; tickets online only. seerockcity.com
EPB HOLIDAY WINDOWS — 10 W. M.L. King Blvd. Holiday scenes in windows surrounding the building, through Jan. 1. facebook.com/epbchattanooga
GINGERBREAD AND SUGAR COOKIES — Sweet & Savory Classroom, 45 E. Main St., Suite 112. Separate seasonal cooking classes for a parent and child (ages 5-13), select dates through Dec. 23. Instruction and supplies provided. $92-$94. sweetandsavoryclassroom.com
HOLIDAY WINDOW TREASURE HUNT — North Shore businesses. NorthShore Merchants Collective hosts ninth annual event to find unlikely hidden objects in 20 merchants' windows to fill out game card, through Jan. 7. Turn in game cards with minimum $1 donation to Northside Neighborhood House for chance to win prizes. Email: tina@shopblueskies.net
HOLIDAYS UNDER THE PEAKS — Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. Seasonal music, decor and themed weekly programming, through Dec. 31 (closed Christmas Day). Photos with Santa, Dec. 15-24; scuba-diving Santa, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, except Christmas Eve. tnaqua.org/holidays
ICE ON THE LANDING — First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd. (new location). Outdoor ice rink, through Jan. 28 (hours vary but open holidays). $10-$12 ($2 more on holidays). iceonthelanding.com
LAST MINUTE MARKET — Collegedale Commons, 4950 Swinyar Drive. Shop the Market At presents arts, crafts, food and other merchandise for gift-giving, 3-8 p.m. Dec. 23. eventbrite.com
NOOGA LIGHTS — Pine Tree Park (at Soddy Lake), 12000 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy (must enter from northbound lane). Drive-thru holiday light show, with synchronized music on FM radio channel, 6-10 p.m. nightly through Dec. 31. $15 in advance, $20 at gate. noogalights.com
RUBY FALLS CHRISTMAS — 1720 S. Scenic Highway. Above-ground visits with Santa amid holiday decor and twinkling lights, select dates through Dec. 23. Professionally made photos available for purchase. Cave adventure tickets, sold separately, not required. rubyfalls.com
SANTA'S WONDERLAND — Bass Pro Shops, 1000 Bass Pro Drive. Photos available by reservation, through Dec. 24. Free 4x6 photo with Santa, with options for more; mailbox for letters to Santa. basspro.com
SANTA'S WORKSHOP — Bradley Square Mall, 200 Paul Huff Parkway, Cleveland, Tenn. Santa photos, through Dec. 24. shopbradleysquare.com
SANTA'S WORKSHOP — Dalton Mall, 816 Walnut Square Blvd., Dalton, Ga. Photos with Santa, through Dec. 24; walk-up or by reservation. Pajama Parties every Tuesday; Ugly Sweater Parties every Thursday. daltonmall.com
SANTA'S WORKSHOP — Hamilton Place, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. Santa photos, through Dec. 24. Black and white Santas available select dates; pet photos each Monday. Reservations encouraged but not required. hamiltonplace.com
SANTA'S WORKSHOP — Northgate Mall, 271 Northgate Mall Drive. Santa photos, through Dec. 24. Pet photos, Dec. 18 (last day). Reservations encouraged but not required. visitnorthgatemall.com
TENNESSEE VALLEY RAILROAD MUSEUM — Grand Junction Station, 4119 Cromwell Road. tvrail.com
› Through Dec. 23: North Pole Limited excursions to Santa's Workshop. $29-$65.
› Through Dec. 23: Nightcap With St. Nick, adults only, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. $65-$140.
› Dec. 26-31: Holiday Christmas Lights Train. $15-$24.
› Through Dec. 31: Christmas Tea in Grand Junction Station. $45.
WINTER SKATING — Stable 41 Farmers Market, 214 First St., Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Open-air pavilion open for all-weather skating on synthetic surface that looks and feels like ice, through Jan. 31 (closed Mondays except New Year's Day). Ninety-minute sessions; hours vary. $10. winterskate41.com
THEATER
ATHENS COMMUNITY THEATRE — The Arts Center, 320 N. White St., Athens, Tenn. Table read of "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol," Dickens' classic tale told from Marley's perspective as he tries to redeem Ebenezer Scrooge, 7 p.m. Dec. 20. Visitors may read a part or listen. Free. athensartscouncil.org
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org
› Dec. 22: Reprise performance of previously sold-out show "Unmasking: Beyond the Rainbow," life stories shared by LGBTQ+ storytellers, writers, performers, poets, musicians and spoken-word artists, 7:30 p.m. $10-$40.
› Dec. 23: "My Last Christmas on da Plantation," an original play by Aaron "Cherokee" Ellison, noon and 7 p.m. $10-$25.
CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE — 400 River St. theatrecentre.com
› Tomie Depaola's "Strega Nona," performed by CTC Youth in Circle Theatre, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 17 (last show). $10-$12.
› "Scrooge: The Musical," 2:30 p.m. Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28-29, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 30, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 31. $25-$35.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY PLAYHOUSE — 221 Tennessee Ave., Crossville, Tenn. ccplayhouse.com
› Through Dec. 22: "White Christmas." $19-$35.
› Through Dec. 23: "Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells." $14-$23.
MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM — 399 McCallie Ave. tivolichattanooga.com
› Dec. 26: A Magical Cirque Christmas, touring variety show of circus theatrics set to a soundtrack of holiday music, 7:30 p.m. $48-$123.
› Dec. 27: The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays touring production featuring five world-class magicians, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 27. $32-$126.
SEED THEATRE — Barking Legs Theatre, 1307 Dodds Ave. "Julie, the Queer That Saved Christmas," 2 p.m. Dec. 17. (final show). $15. barkinglegs.org
TENNESSEE VALLEY THEATRE — 184 W. Jackson Ave., Spring City, Tenn. "Anne of Green Gables," adaptation by Anita Larsen, 2 p.m. Dec. 17 (last show). $12-$14. tennesseevalleytheater.com
Find more events, and add your own, at timesfreepress.com/cnevents.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.