Nightfall kicks off, dinosaurs arrive for Memorial Day weekend in the Chattanooga area

Staff Photo / Guests of Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park float down the Crazy River in SoakYa Water Park in 2019 in Rossville, Ga.
Staff Photo / Guests of Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park float down the Crazy River in SoakYa Water Park in 2019 in Rossville, Ga.

Memorial Day weekend in the Chattanooga area arrives with roaming dinosaurs, a Nightfall concert and a street fair in Ringgold, Ga., among other events.

A programming note: Rapper Kevin Gates' Friday and Saturday shows at The Signal are sold out.

ARTS

— Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View, will open its summer exhibit, "In Nature's Studio: Two Centuries of American Landscape Painting," 6-8 p.m. Thursday. The 65 paintings in the collection represent artistic movements that influenced American artists, including the Hudson River School, impressionism, tonalism and modernism. John Reeder and Sam Miller will provide music at the opening. Regular admission, $20 for nonmember adults, applies. huntermuseum.org

— Stove Works, 1250 E. 13th St., will open a group exhibition, "Sex Ecologies: Becoming Plastic," at 6 p.m. Thursday. It includes visual art and poetry. Art-A-Nooga Tonight, an art variety show, starts at 7 p.m. Friday. Open studios for the May artists are scheduled 3-5 p.m. Saturday. stoveworks.org

COMEDY

— The Comedy Catch, 29 Station St., presents a Next Level Comedy Showcase for regional rising stars at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $12. The weekend headliner is Ricky Mokel, billed as a "gifted idiot." Shows in this special engagement start at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday, when tickets are $25-$30, and at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, when tickets are $20-$25. thecomedycatch.com

— An Evening With Improv Chattanooga, featuring long-form improvisational comedy by local performers, is set for 8 p.m. Friday at Mountain Arts Community Center, 809 Kentucky Ave., Signal Mountain. Tickets are $10-$15. The troupe also plans an improv open house at 6 p.m. Monday on the fifth floor of the Edney building, 1100 Market St. improvchattanooga.com

MUSIC

— Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave., has three shows on the horizon, beginning with the weekly installment of Jazz in the Lounge, featuring Lisa & Friends, at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Cover is $5. Drew Sterchi & Blues Tribe, plus the Skip Cisto Band, will play at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $15. Indie band La Luz will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday with support from Jay Wood and Terrestrial Troubadours. Tickets for this Soft Animal-produced show are $18-$22. Pink Houses: The John Mellencamp Tribute, originally scheduled for Friday, has been moved to July 8. barkinglegs.org

— Concert at the Caverns, benefiting the music education projects and philanthropy of the South Cumberland Community Fund, is 6-9:30 p.m. CDT Thursday at The Caverns, 555 Charlie Roberts Road, Pelham, Tenn. The featured bands are Charlotte, S.C.-based rockers Easy Honey, whose founders met while students at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., and The Yellow Dandies, a Birmingham, Ala.-based bluegrass band. Grundy County schoolchildren who have been learning to play guitar, banjo, fiddle and keyboard thanks to the fund's largesse, will show off their skills. Tickets are $30-$60; $150 VIP tickets include food, drink and a donation credit. eventbrite.com

— Songbirds, 35 Station St., will welcome blues rock guitarist Ally Venable in concert at 7 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $15-$17. songbirdsfoundation.org

— Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., has three shows this weekend. Country artist Tanner Usrey will play at 9 p.m. Thursday, with support from the Camden Smith Band. Tickets are $15-$20. Rock bands Oweda and Easy Honey are on a double bill at 9 p.m. Friday, with Moon Juice opening. Tickets are $12-$15. Back N Black: An AC/DC Tribute, a faithful re-creation of the Australian rock band's songs and stage presence, starts at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $15-$20. barrelhouseballroom.com

— Jam & Bread, an after-hours pizza party with musical accompaniment by Rick Rushing & The Blues Strangers, is 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. Tickets are $10-$12. cdmfun.org

— Nightfall, a summer music series, kicks off its 36th season Friday at Miller Plaza, 850 Market St. Afro-funksters Kaleta & Super Yamba Band will headline at 8 p.m., rain or shine, following an opening performance by local band Symatree. Friday's is the first of 15 weeks of concerts, lasting through Sept. 1. Food trucks and an art market will be set up by 6:30 p.m. at Miller Park across M.L. King Boulevard. nightfallchattanooga.com

— Summer Music Weekends, stretching from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, start Friday at Rock City, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga. Performers include country artist Amber Carrington, a Top 5 finalist on the fourth season of "The Voice," on Fridays, master drummer Kofi Mawuko on Saturdays and folk-rock trio Highbeams on Sundays. "Old Time Traveler" Matt Downer will perform American folk music 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Raptor shows and seasonal foods also are added to the schedule through Sept. 4 (with the special programming offered daily June 30-July 9). Hours are 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. through Aug. 13, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. starting Aug. 14. Admission is $20-$30. seerockcity.com

— The Caverns, 555 Charlie Roberts Road, Pelham, Tenn., will feature outlaw country band The Cadillac Three in a show at 8 p.m. CDT Saturday. Nolan Taylor opens. Tickets start at $49. Sunday's show by rapper Yelawolf is sold out. thecaverns.com

OUT & ABOUT

— East Ridge City Library, 1517 Tombras Ave., will host a Foam Party 2:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday to kick off its summer reading program. Children should bring a swimsuit, flip-flops and towel for this foamy soap bubble party. Admission is free. Call 423-867-7323 for more information.

— Main Street Farmers Market, a weekly market that operates year-round at the corner of West 20th and Chestnut streets, will hold its annual Spring A Ma Jig celebration 4-6 p.m. Wednesday. It will feature live music, 43 vendors (regulars and guests) and a food demonstration. Chattanooga Brewing will be pouring Chattahooligan kolsch before the Chattanooga Football Club game at Finley Stadium nearby. Street closures because of the game will mean the market will be accessible only by turning onto Chestnut via 20th Street. mainstfarmersmarket.com

— Imax Theater, 201 Chestnut St. will present An Evening With Jonathan Bird, which includes a screening of "Secrets of the Sea 3D" and a discussion of the film with the underwater cinematographer, 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday. Concessions will be available, and samples of Ben & Jerry's ice cream will be served. Tickets are $10-$20. Proceeds support Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute projects. "Secrets of the Sea" will continue through Sept. 30. tnaqua.org/imax

Soddy-Daisy Community Library has two events this week, beginning with the launch of a Little Library at 2 p.m. Thursday at Texas Roadhouse, 5362 Highway 153, Hixson. The ribbon-cutting will mark the third such project for the library, which will stock the structure with free books for children and adults. Story time and other activities will continue after the opening ceremonies, and the restaurant will donate a portion of sales to the library's summer reading program until 10 p.m. if patrons mention the library to their server. Movie in the Park, with free popcorn and a screening of "Jumanji," is scheduled at 9 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Park, 9009 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy. KelcurtFoundation.org

— 1890s Days Jamboree, a street festival, is this weekend in downtown Ringgold, Ga. A Kids Fair and arts, crafts and food vendors will be set up 6-10 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday along Nashville Street and beyond. Highlights include live music on multiple stages both days and, on Saturday, the Depot Dash 5K and fun run at 8:30 a.m., a parade at 11 a.m., vintage baseball games in Clark Park at noon and 1 p.m., and a fireworks finale after the last musical performance, usually around 10:15 p.m. 1890sdays.com

— Jurassic Quest, a collection of life-size animatronic dinosaurs, dino rides, fossil digs and other activities, will be set up this weekend at Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. Hours are noon-8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday. Tickets, required for ages 2 and up, are $19-$36. jurassicquest.com

Unclaimed Baggage, the lost luggage retail center at 509 W. Willow St., Scottsboro, Ala., has planned a Big Tent Event over Memorial Day weekend, with 15% discounts for military customers. An overflow of new products accumulated after a busy travel season will be sold in the 50,000-square-foot store and under jumbo tents in the parking lot. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday (all times Central). Other promotions include 25% discounts on select items, plus free lemonade and popcorn. unclaimedbaggage.com

— Stable 41 Farmers Market, 214 First St., Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., has two events this weekend. The monthly Food Truck Friday is 5-8 p.m. Friday, with yard games and music by Josh Driver. The Memorial Day Market is scheduled 1-4 p.m. Sunday.stable41market.com

— Little Owl Fairy House Festival is 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday at Audubon Acres, 900 N. Sanctuary Road. Some fairy houses have been built ahead of time so that visitors may vote on a favorite. Supplies will be provided to build your own. Other activities include a 5K trail run, tours of historic Spring Frog Cabin, craft and food vendors, and a stage for music, storytelling and belly dancing demonstrations. Tickets are $3-$6. chattanoogaaudubon.org

— Brainerd Farmers Market, which sets up in the lower parking lot of Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Ave., will feature a food demonstration with tastings of seasonal dishes 10 a.m.-noon Saturday. Recipe cards and other resources will be available to visitors, who can shop among the food and artisan vendors on-site. chattfoodcenter.org

— Chattanooga Beer Fest is noon-3 p.m. Saturday at First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd. Hosted by Hutton & Smith Brewing Co., the celebration of craft beer will gather brewers from around the South and beyond. Tickets are $48-$58 (must be 21 or older); $20 for a designated driver. chattanoogabeerfest.com

— Music & Movies in Miller is Saturday at Miller Park, 928 Market St. The fun begins at 6 p.m. with oversized games, food trucks and art activities. Music by FlashDrive starts at 7 p.m. and martial-arts lessons at 8 p.m., followed at sunset (about 8:30 p.m.) by a screening of "The Karate Kid." Admission is free. Bring your own seating. rivercitycompany.com

— RK Gun Show, featuring vendors with guns, hunting supplies, military surplus and outdoor gear, is this weekend at Camp Jordan, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $4-$14. rkshows.com

— SoakYa, the 5-acre water park at Lake Winnepesaukah, 1730 Lakeview Drive, Rossville, starts the season this weekend. Hours over the holiday weekend are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 1-7 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday. The dry side of the park, which is on a Thursday through Monday schedule until adding days and hours in June, will be open one hour earlier and later (30 minutes later Memorial Day). All-inclusive tickets to enjoy the entire park are $41 for ages 3-59. lakewinnie.com

(READ MORE: Lake Winnepesaukah opens 98th season of outdoor family fun)

— VFW flea market, a semiannual event sponsored by Ooltewah Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1687, is 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, rain or shine, on the Southern Adventist University campus, 4881 Taylor Circle, Collegedale. Vendor setup starts at 6 a.m., first-come, first-served. info@vfw1697.org

— Chattanooga Market plans a Street Food Festival, a mass gathering of the city's food trucks, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd. The weekly market regularly includes farm produce, artisan foods, flowers, arts and crafts. Providing the day's soundtrack are Courtney Daly & The Daly Grind at 12:30 p.m. and Nicholas Edward Williams at 2 p.m. Admission is free. chattanoogamarket.com

SPECTATOR SPORTS

Chattanooga Football Club will feature a doubleheader by its men's and women's teams Saturday at Finley Stadium, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. The women's amateur team takes the field first, at 4:30 p.m., versus FC Birmingham. Then the men's professional team will play the Maryland Bobcats at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $11. There is no re-entry between games. chattanoogafc.com

THEATER

— "Dear Evan Hansen" continues an eight-show run this week at Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. The Tony- and Grammy-winning musical is about a high school senior with social anxiety embarking on a journey of self-discovery after a classmate's suicide. Remaining shows start at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $25-$70. tivolichattanooga.com

(READ MORE: 'Book of Mormon,' "Annie' Broadway shows coming to Chattanooga next year)

— Shakespeare in the Park is in its final weekend at Greenway Farms, 4960 Gann Store Road. Scenic City Shakespeare is presenting the pastoral comedy "As You Like It" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is free, though donations are requested. Paid VIP options are available. sceniccityshakespeare.org

Find more events, and add your own, at timesfreepress.com/cnevents.

Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.

  photo  Staff Photo by Olivia Ross / A crowd gathers to listen to Nightfall act KillaKeyz in 2022 at Miller Plaza.
 
 

Upcoming Events