Here's what the Chattanooga area has to offer this week.
Romantic reset
A survey by photo book company Mixbook.com indicates a surge of singles reentering the dating scene in the new year following a wave of post-Christmas breakups. Nationally, there are 35 million new singles since the end of 2023, according to the survey. Most are found in California (4.5 million), Texas (3.1 million), New York (2.6 million), Florida (2.5 million) and Ohio (1.4 million). As for the tri-state, Georgia ranks seventh, with 1.2 million new singles; Tennessee is 16th, with just under 836,000, and Alabama is 24th, with just over 494,000 singles. "Our survey reveals a fascinating trend of romantic reawakening across the country," said Leslie Albertson, director of marketing at Mixbook. "It's a testament to the resilience and optimism people have, particularly at the start of the year. Singles are not just ready to turn the page but to start a whole new chapter in their lives.
CALENDAR
ARTS
THE ARTS CENTER — 320 N. White St., Athens, Tenn. athensartscouncil.org
› Through Feb. 19: Open exhibition from artists of all ages and experience levels.
› Through March 29: "Inspired Action" by Sandra Paynter Washburn. Opening reception, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 16.
AVA GALLERY — 30 Frazier Ave. Association for Visual Arts presents "Outside/Inside: Paintings, Drawings and Multimedia Works" by Tom Farnam and Judith Mogul, through Feb. 23. avarts.org
BESSIE SMITH CULTURAL CENTER — 200 E. M.L. King Blvd. Black History Month art contest exhibit, through March 29. Regular admission: $7-$10. bessiesmithcc.org
THE CHATTERY — 1800 Rossville Ave., Suite 108. Valentine's Painting Night, with three paintings of hearts on small canvases, 6- 8 p.m. Feb. 14. $48 includes all supplies. thechattery.org
CLEARSTORY ARTS — 1673 S. Holtzclaw Ave. A Celebration of Chattanooga's Black Artists, Feb. 16-March 1. Opening reception, 6-8 p.m. Feb. 16. clearstoryarts.com
CREATIVE ARTS GUILD — 520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, Ga. "Origins, Destinations and Points in Between," 50 works by leading Black artists of the last century, through Feb. 23. creativeartsguild.org
FRANKLIN COUNTY ARTS GUILD — The Artisan Depot, 204 E. Cumberland St., Cowan, Tenn. "Softly Stirring" community show, through March 31. Reception, 5-7 p.m. CST Feb. 16. franklincoarts.org
GALLERY AT BLACKWELL — 71 Eastgate Loop. Photographic Society of Chattanooga's spring show, through May 3. chattanoogaphoto.org
HUNTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART — 10 Bluff View. Regular admission: $20 nonmember adults. huntermuseum.org
› Feb. 11: Sunday Studio drop-in family art activities, 2- 4 p.m. Regular admission.
› Feb. 15: Art Wise with Carla Gannis, whose work is featured in special exhibition "Networked Nature," 6-7 p.m. Regular admission.
ICA @ UTC — University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's Fine Arts Center, 752 Roland Carter St. Institute of Contemporary Art hosts solo exhibition of new paintings by Becky Suss, inspired by Ann Patchett's 2019 novel "The Dutch House," through March 16. icachatt.org
IN-TOWN GALLERY — 26A Frazier Ave. "We (Heart) New Artists," featuring Hart Gallery's Anna Mansour, Erica Birch and Sara Coolidge, through Feb. 29. intowngallery.com
JEWISH CULTURAL CENTER — 5461 North Terrace. "Vessel," featuring work of 25 local and nationally known artists, through Feb. 23. jewishchattanooga.com
NORTH RIVER CIVIC CENTER — 1009 Executive Drive, Suite 102, Hixson. "Fine Art of the West" by David Fishman, through April 1. 423-870-8924
RIVER GALLERY — 400 E. Second St. Encaustic and mixed media works by Deborah Llewellyn, through Feb. 29. Painting demo with Steve Dininno, 2-4 p.m. Feb. 17. river-gallery.com
SODDY-DAISY COMMUNITY LIBRARY — 9619 Dayton Pike. Funky Bookmark Art Contest themed to 1970s, through March 8. Open to any Hamilton County resident (four age groups); library membership not required. Entry forms, rules and templates: kelcurtfoundation.org
SOUTHERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY — 4881 Taylor Circle. School of Visual Art and Design presents joint exhibition of paintings and drawings by Heath Montgomery and Donald Keefe, "Viceversa," through Feb. 23. southern.edu
STOVEWORKS GALLERY — 1250 E. 13th St. stoveworks.org
› Feb. 16: Art-A-Nooga Tonight variety hour, 7-8 p.m.; Chattanooga Noise Night by area noise musicians, 8-10 p.m.
› Feb. 17: Open studios with February's eight artists-in- residence, 3-5 p.m.
› Through April 5: "Peekaboo Sham," works by Jordan Martins.
› Through June 22: "Hand to Mouth," group exhibition.
COMEDY
THE COMEDY CATCH — 29 Station St. Mutzie, 7 p.m. Feb. 14, $20-$25; 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Feb. 16-17, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18, $19-$24. thecomedycatch.com
GEM THEATRE — 114 N. Wall St., Calhoun, Ga. Karen Mills, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17. $35-$40. calhoungemtheatre.org
FILM
AMC CHATTANOOGA 18 — 5080 South Terrace. Peppa's Cinema Party, celebrating Peppa Pig's 20th anniversary with 10 never-before-seen Season 10 episodes, through Feb. 15 (various showtimes). $7-$9. peppapigcinemaparty.com
AMC CLASSIC NORTHGATE 14 — 310 Northgate Mall Drive, Hixson. Galentine's Day showing of "Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive," about the disco legend's second act, 4 and 7 p.m. Feb. 13. $9-$12. fathomevents.com
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org
› Feb. 12: Monday Movie Night, 8 p.m. (and other second and fourth Mondays). $10.
› Feb. 16: Seed Theatre's Interactive Movie Night, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," 7 p.m. $15 movie only, $20 with prop bag.
THE CHATTERY — 1800 Rossville Ave., Suite 108. Spike Lee Movie Night, 6 p.m. Feb. 15. Light snacks available; bring your own beverages. Free but register. thechattery.org
MUSIC
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. Valentine's special with vocalist Rishard and pianist David Walters, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Dance floor open; ticket includes a glass of champagne. $25. barkinglegs.org
BARRELHOUSE BALLROOM — 1501 Long St. barrelhouseballroom.com
› Feb. 12: Galentine's Day with Knox, with special guest Lilac Line, 7 p.m. Free admission; win VIP tickets through hits96.com.
› Feb. 14: Wubs a Month: Bass Night, 9 p.m. $10.
› Feb. 15: Randall King, with Kylie Frey, 8 p.m. $20-$25.
› Feb. 16: Tell Me Lies: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac, with The Essentials, 8 p.m. $20-$25.
› Feb. 17: Tennessee's Dead: Grateful Dead tribute, with full Cornell University concert set list, 9 p.m. $15-$20.
THE CAVERNS — 555 Charlie Roberts Road, Pelham, Tenn. Peekaboo on Eyes Wide Open tour, with Lyny, 7 p.m. Feb. 17. Sold out. thecaverns.com
CHATTANOOGA SYMPHONY & OPERA — Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave. CSO musicians join local singing cellist Ben Van Winkle and The Figment, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17. $10-$45. chattanoogasymphony.org
CHATTANOOGA YOUTH SYMPHONY— UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Roland Carter St. Winter concert by all four youth orchestras (prelude, etude, philharmonic and symphony), 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12. $10 adults. chattanoogasymphony.org
EAST TENNESSEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA — Collegedale Commons, 4950 Swinyar Drive. All-volunteer orchestra's sixth annual Sweet & Salty Valentine's Day concert, 7 p.m. Feb. 14. "Sweet" music features romantic classical favorites; salty portion is big-band selections. Free and family-friendly. etsomusic.org
GEM THEATRE — 114 N. Wall St., Calhoun, Ga. Celtic Angels Ireland, with the Trinity Ensemble and Celtic Knights dancers, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18. $45-$55. calhoungemtheatre.org
GEORGIA MASS CHOIR — International Light of Life Church, 1112 Congress Parkway, Athens, Tenn. Athens Area Council for the Arts sponsors gospel ensemble in benefit concert, with The Douglass Family Gospel Singers, 5 p.m. Feb. 18. Proceeds benefit "Gospel Jubilee," a Sunday morning radio show that airs on WYXI. Free admission; donations accepted in love offering. 423-829-7021 or 423-745-0298
THE SIGNAL — 21 Choo Choo Ave. The Brook & The Bluff on Bluebeard tour, with Willis, 8 p.m. Feb. 17. $30-$58. thesignaltn.com
SIMMONS-O'NEAL MEMORIAL CONCERT — Oakwood Baptist Church, 4501 Bonny Oaks Drive. Tribute to two local music education icons, Edmonia Simmons and Everett O'Neal, by Chattanooga Boys Choir and Chattanooga Choral Society for the Preservation of African American Song, 3 p.m. Feb. 11. Free. chattanoogaboyschoir.org
SOUTHERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY — Iles PE Center, University Drive, Collegedale. "Delta Blues" pops concert by Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble and Steel Band, 8 p.m. Feb. 17. Free admission; livestream available. southern.edu/musicevents
STRING THEORY — Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. Romantic piano quartet (violinist Arnaud Sussman, violist Milena Pajar-van de Stadt, cellist Nicholas Canellakis and pianist Gloria Chien), 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13. With bar happy hour at 5 p.m.; pregame with Bob Bernhardt at 5:45 p.m. $48. stringtheorymusic.org
U.S. NAVY CONCERT BAND — Soddy-Daisy High School gymnasium, 618 Sequoyah Access Road. U.S. Navy Band's premiere wind ensemble in concert as part of national tour, 7 p.m. Feb. 14. Free, but reserve tickets. navyband.navy.mil
OUT & ABOUT
AMERICAN CORNHOLE ORGANIZATION MAJOR & PRO SERIES — Dalton Convention Center, 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway, Dalton, Ga. Points-earning tournaments for ACO members, plus pay-to-play walk-up tournaments for nonmembers, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 16, 8 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Feb. 17. Fees start at $45. americancornhole.com/major-dalton
BOOK SIGNING — Barnes & Noble, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. Kim Ruff Moore discusses and signs copies of "Cuffed," about widowhood and faith, 6-8 p.m. Feb. 15. 423-893-0186
CASABLANCA VALENTINE'S DINNER — The Granfalloon, 400 E. Main St. Moroccan-inspired, three-course dinner, with 1940s-era jazz and love songs, silent showing of "Casablanca," before and after cocktails, red rose, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14. $45. Reservations required. granfalloonchattanooga.com
CHATTANOOGA RV SHOW — Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. Expo of recreational vehicles and related services and equipment, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 11 (last day). Photos with Spider-Man at entrance. $12 adults (cash only). rvsupershows.com
GALENTINE'S COOKIE DECORATING — Reignbow Baking Co., 5600 Brainerd Road. Learn an expert's tips for cookie-decorating, then take yours home, 6-8:30 p.m. Feb. 13. $65. thechattery.org
GALENTINE'S SIP & SCULPT — Sleepyhead Coffee, 2602 E. Main St. Make and decorate a conversation-heart jewelry dish with Scenic City Clay Arts, 5-8 p.m. Feb. 13. $35 includes pastry and themed mocktail. sceniccityclayarts.org/events
GALENTINE'S SIP & SHOP — Vinterest Southside, 2121 Chestnut St. Includes free adult beverages, 10% discount at host vendor, The Striped Cabana, 1- 4 p.m. Feb. 11. facebook.com/vinterestsouthside1
GAME NIGHTS — Ruby Falls' Castle Cafe, 1720 Scenic Highway. Games for all ages, 5-8 p.m. each Monday-Thursday in February, plus dinner specials. Ruby Falls admission not required. rubyfalls.com
GARDENING CLASS — Hamilton County Extension, 6183 Adamson Circle. Master Gardeners of Hamilton County monthly class on "Growing a Future for Monarch Butterflies, 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 17. Free, but register for in-person or Zoom participation. mghc.org
GEORGIA LOG AND TIMBER HOME DESIGN-BUILD EXPO — Dalton Convention Center, 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway, Dalton, Ga. Expo of builders and suppliers for log homes and timber frame homes, rustic furniture makers, free seminars, 1- 7 p.m. Feb. 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 18. $10 online, $2 more at door (good all three days). loghomeshows.com
Staff File Photo by Robin Rudd / In a rust-colored blur, a brown thrasher heads for the forest after being banded and released by ornithologist David Aborn during a National Backyard Bird Count event at Audubon Acres on Feb. 19, 2022. This year's event at Audubon Acres will be Feb. 17.GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT — Audubon Acres, 900 N. Sanctuary Road. Special one-day event, 8 a.m.-noon Feb. 17, is part of the national count, Feb. 16-19. Includes bird banding with UTC ornithologist David Aborn, rehabilitated hawk release (10 a.m.), guided bird hikes (11 a.m. still has openings), create-your-own replica eggs from C.E. Blevins collection to take home ($10 per egg, with registration). Included in regular admission: $3-$6. chattanoogaaudubon.org
(PHOTO GALLERY: Backyard Bird Count)
HISTORY PROGRAM — Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. "Braver Men Never Lived": African American Stories From Chickamauga Battlefield, 90-minute, ranger-led car caravan tour, 2 p.m. Feb. 17. Free. nps.gov/chch
HOUSTON MUSEUM ANTIQUES SHOW & SALE — Read House, 107 W. M.L. King Blvd. Eclectic merchandise from 20 vendors to benefit Houston Museum of Decorative Arts, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 16-17, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 18. $15 (ticket good all three days); $25 for three-day ticket and Friday appraisal fair with Reid Dunavant of "Antiques Roadshow" (good for one item, $10 each additional item). Separate tickets available for preview party and champagne brunch. eventbrite.com
(READ MORE: Chattanooga's Houston Museum houses over 20,000 antique artifacts)
MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH EQUITY SERIES — Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd. Black History Month program on cardiovascular disease and panel discussion with Drs. William E. Blalock III, Jennifer Mirza and Robert C. McKoy, 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 15. Free but registration required. Livestream available. bessiesmithcc.org
ROMANCE AT RUBY — Ruby Falls, 1720 Scenic Highway. Themed date nights with after-hours lantern tours through the cave to the waterfall, tales of the love story of the waterfall's discoverer and his wife, professionally made photo and gift, through Feb. 15 (select nights, various times). $95 per couple. rubyfalls.com
SUPER MUSEUM SUNDAY — Free admission to Georgia's state historic sites, including Chief Vann House in Chatsworth and New Echota in Calhoun, Feb. 11. GaStateParks.org/ SuperMuseumSunday
TAYLOR SWIFT GALENTINE'S — Vinterest Hixson, 2105 Northpoint Blvd. Shop and sip champagne to music of Taylor Swift, 7-9 p.m. Feb. 13. Includes costume contest for best Lover Era outfit ($100 gift certificate), friendship bracelet exchange (free bracelet to first 40 guests), photo booth. facebook.com/vinteresthixson
TRI-STATE HOME SHOW — Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga expo featuring 200 booths with products and services related to home improvement, remodeling, design and landscaping, 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Feb. 16-17, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 18. $10 adults (17 and older); $5 seniors Saturday and Sunday. homeshowchattanooga.com
VALENTINE'S DATE NIGHTS — The Sweet & Savory Classroom, 45 E. Main St., Suite 112. Tuscan-themed cooking class for two, with wine, 6 p.m. Feb. 11-13 (limited availability; Feb. 14 is sold out). $224. sweetandsavoryclassroom.com
WINTER HIKE CHALLENGE — Chattanooga-based Outshine Adventures' second annual event to encourage hiking 90 miles in 90 days, through March 19. Includes group hike first Saturday in March. $40-$200. Register: outshineadventures.com
(READ MORE: These are the best winter walking spots in Chattanooga)
THEATER
ATHENS COMMUNITY THEATRE — The Arts Center, 21 N. White St. Athens, Tenn. Rodgers & Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music," 7 p.m. Feb. 15-17, 2 p.m. Feb. 18, 7 p.m. Feb. 22-24, 2 p.m. Feb. 25. $15-$20 all shows except Feb. 17, which is $25 and includes The Von Trapp Family Ball, with hors d'oeuvres and cash bar; formal attire or themed costumes welcome. athensartscouncil.org
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. "Love Letters," with Rob Inman and Becki Jordan, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15. $15-$55. Proceeds benefit Barking Legs programming. barkinglegs.org
CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE — 400 River St. August Wilson's "Seven Guitars," 2:30 p.m. Feb. 11 (with post-show discussion with August Wilson expert Pedro Alvarado), 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15-17, 2:30 p.m. Feb. 18. $22-$27 (use code BOGO for buy one, get one tickets on Saturdays). theatrecentre.com
CUMBERLAND COUNTY PLAYHOUSE — 221 Tennessee Ave., Crossville, Tenn. Disney's "Finding Nemo Jr.," first production of the 2024 season, Feb. 16-March 24. $14-$23 (season passes available). ccplayhouse.com
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATRE — Rivermont Presbyterian Church, 3319 Hixson Pike. Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga series of 10-minute plays combined into single show to kick off 2024 season of "New Beginnings," 2:30 p.m. Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15-17. ensemble theatreof chattanooga.com
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN PLAYHOUSE — Mountain Arts Community Center, 809 Kentucky Ave., Signal Mountain. "The Hallelujah Girls," a Southern comedy, 8 p.m. Feb. 16-17, 23-24. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. for complimentary coffee and desserts. $15 (cash or check). smph.org
UTC LIVE — UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Roland Carter St. "Of Ebony Embers: Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance" by The Core Ensemble, chamber music celebrating African-American poets Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen and Claude McKay, as seen through the eyes of painter Aaron Douglas, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16. Written for actor and trio (cello, piano and percussion). $25. utc.edu/fine-arts-center
Find more events, and add your own, at timesfreepress.com/cnevents.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.
Disco legend Gloria Gaynor, in a performance before receiving the Legend Award during the 2002 World Music Awards, is featured in the film "Gloria Gaynor: I Wil Survive," which will be shown in a special screening on Galentine's Day, Feb. 13, at theaters across the U.S., including the AMC Classic Northgate 14 at 4 and 7 p.m. / AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau/File