There's plenty of things to do to honor Black History Month this weekend, including a Black artists gallery at ClearStory Arts, a film screening at The Chattery and a theater production at UTC. The Houston Museum of Decorative Arts will celebrate its 50th anniversary with an antiques show and sale, and the East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra will present a Valentine's Day concert. Here's this weekend's chronology.
ARTS
— Photographic Society of Chattanooga continues its spring show at the Gallery at Blackwell, 71 Eastgate Loop. Society members will have their work displayed, and prints will be available for purchase. Gallery hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The exhibition will run through May 3. Learn more at chattanoogaphoto.org.
— Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace Road, continues its exhibition, "Vessel," featuring the works of 25 local and national artists. The exhibition showcases a variety of vessels, including ships, buildings, vases, the human body and more. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. The exhibition will run through Feb. 23. Learn more at jewishchattanooga.com.
— North River Civic Center, 1009 Executive Drive, Suite 102, Hixson, continues its exhibition, "Fine Art of the West," featuring the works of artist David Fishman that depict "the energy and emotion of the timeless American West." Civic center hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday. The exhibition will run through April 1. Learn more by contacting the civic center at 423-870-8924.
— Institute of Contemporary Art, 752 Vine St., continues its exhibition, "The Dutch House," featuring works by artist Becky Suss inspired by Pulitzer Prize finalist Ann Patchett's 2019 novel of the same name. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday. The exhibition will run through March 16. Learn more at icachatt.org.
— Creative Arts Guild, 520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, continues its exhibition, "Origins, Destinations and Points in Between," featuring 50 works by leading Black artists, spanning the past 100 years from the Harlem renaissance to the present. Works include paintings, sculptures, photography, watercolors and more. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and by appointment Saturday-Sunday. The exhibition will run through Feb. 23. Learn more at creativeartsguild.org.
— In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave., continues its exhibition, "We (Heart) New Artists," featuring three emerging artists from the Hart Gallery: Anna Mansour, Erica Birch and Sara Coolidge. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The exhibition will run through Feb. 29. Learn more at intowngallery.com.
— Association for Visual Arts, 30 Frazier Ave., continues its exhibition, "Outside/Inside: Paintings, Drawings and Multimedia Works." The exhibition features the works of artists Tom Farnam and Judith Mogul. Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, noon-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The exhibition will run through Feb. 23. Learn more at avarts.org.
— Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View, will have two events this weekend. At 6 p.m. Thursday, there will be an Art Wise presentation for attendees to learn about the process and work of artist Carla Gannis, who is featured in the museum's current exhibition, "Networked Nature." Regular admission of $20 applies; youth 17 and under get in free. At 1:30 p.m. Sunday, there will be an Artful Yoga session led by Ashley Snider, focusing on artwork by African American artists in honor of Black History Month. Attendees must bring their own mat; all experience levels are welcome. A $5 donation supports the museum's educational programs. Learn more at huntermuseum.org.
— ClearStory Arts, 1673 S. Holtzclaw Ave., will host an opening reception for its exhibition, "A Celebration of Chattanooga's Black Artists," from 6-8 p.m. Friday. The exhibition features works in a variety of mediums, including photography, textiles, paintings and sculptures. There will be music and refreshments at the opening. Gallery hours are by appointment Tuesday-Friday. The exhibition will run through March 1. Learn more at clearstoryarts.com.
MUSIC
— East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra will present its Sweet & Salty Valentine's Day concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Founder's Hall, 4950 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale. The concert features a "sweet" portion, including romantic classical favorites, and a "salty" portion, including big band selections. The concert is free and includes complimentary desserts and beverages. Learn more at etsomusic.org.
— U.S. Navy Concert Band will present a free, public concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Soddy Daisy High School, 618 Sequoyah Access Road, Soddy-Daisy. The Navy's premier wind ensemble's concert will feature vocal and instrumental performances. Works featured in the concert include Arthur Hamilton's "Cry Me a River," John Philip Sousa's "Washington Post March" and Samuel Augustus Ward's "America the Beautiful." Learn more at navyband.navy.mil.
— Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., will have multiple shows going into next week. At 9 p.m. Wednesday, there will be Wubs-A-Month, a monthly electronic dance party; tickets cost $10 at the door. At 8 p.m. Thursday, Peachtree Entertainment will present Randall King with Kylie Frey; tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 the day of show. At 8 p.m. Friday, Tell Me Lies, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, with The Essentials will perform; tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 the day of show. At 9 p.m. Saturday, Tennessee's Dead, a Grateful Dead tribute band, will perform; tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 the day of show. At 8 p.m. Monday, Carbon Leaf will perform; tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 the day of show. At 8 p.m. Tuesday, there will be An Evening with Marcia Ball; tickets cost $25 in advance or $28 the day of show. Learn more at barrelhouseballroom.com.
— North River Civic Center, 1009 Executive Drive, Suite 102, Hixson, will host a free concert, featuring Clare Donohue accompanied by Randy Wensel, at 7 p.m. Friday. The duo will perform love songs from the golden age of songwriters. For more information, contact the civic center at 423-870-8924.
— The Woodshop Listening Room, 5500 St. Elmo Ave., will have two shows this weekend. At 8 p.m. Friday, Call Me Spinster with Cathedral Becomes Tomb and Caley Conway will perform; tickets cost $15. At 8 p.m. Saturday, Zachary Lucky and Dalton Mills will perform; tickets cost $12 in advance or $15 the day of show. Learn more at thewoodshoplisteningroom.com.
— Chattanooga Symphony and Opera will have a concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave. Local composer and singing cellist Ben Van Winkle and his group of instrumentalists, The Figment, will join the symphony for this concert. Tickets cost $10-$45. Learn more at chattanoogasymphony.org.
— Southern Adventist University's School of Music will present a "Delta Blues" pops concert at 8 p.m. Saturday at Iles P.E. Center, 4870 University Drive, Collegedale. The concert will feature the school's wind symphony, jazz ensemble and steel band and will include performances of Dean Sorenson's "When the Saints Go Marching In" and Louis Armstrong's "Struttin' With Some Barbecue." The free, public concert will be livestreamed. Learn more at southern.edu/musicevents.
— Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace Road, will host a "Caribbean Afternoon" at 4 p.m. Sunday. The event will feature a concert by Southern Adventist University's steel band. There will be tropical drinks and appetizers. Attendees are invited to wear cruise wear and Hawaiian shirts for this event. Learn more at jewishchattanooga.com.
OUT & ABOUT
— Two Bikes and Unum will host a community bike drive through Feb. 22. Members of the community are invited to donate bikes that will be refurbished and distributed to the community as free and affordable transportation. Bike donations can be made from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day through Feb. 22 at the Unum loading dock, 520 Cherry St. Learn more at twobikeschattanooga.com.
— Ruby Falls, 1720 S. Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain, will conclude its Romance at Ruby experience Thursday; times vary, and space is limited. During the experience, couples will take a lantern tour, learn about local legendary romances, including that of Ruby Falls' founder and his wife, and receive a professional keepsake photo and gift. Cost is $95 per couple; reservation is required. Learn more at rubyfalls.com.
— The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Suite 108, will host a free screening of Spike Lee's 1989 film, "Do the Right Thing," at 6 p.m. Thursday. Attendees are invited to bring their own drinks; light snacks will also be available. Learn more at thechattery.org.
— Photographic Society of Chattanooga will have a meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Drive. The meeting will feature a 6 p.m. boot camp class with Richard Smith about Lightroom updates and a 7 p.m. presentation by Barry Spruce. Spruce retired from the automotive parts industry in 2007 and began a career as a nature and wildlife photographer. His presentation is entitled, "Jackson Hole and the Grand Teton Mountains — A Photographer's Paradise." Learn more at chattanoogaphoto.org.
— Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave., will have several events going into next week. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, there will be a benefit performance of "Love Letters," a two-person play that explores the relationship of two lovers as it evolves over time; tickets cost $15-$55; proceeds benefit Barking Legs and its programming. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, there will be an interactive movie night screening of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail;" tickets cost $15, or $20 with prop bag. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, there will be a free play reading of "Cry It Out" by Molly Smith Metzler; attendees can volunteer to read or just listen; attendees are encouraged to bring a digital device to read on. Learn more at barkinglegs.org.
— Houston Museum of Decorative Arts will celebrate its 50th anniversary with its antiques show and sale from 10 a.m-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at the Read House, 107 W. M.L. King Blvd. Featuring over 20 dealers with a diverse selection of antique items, the sale will benefit the museum. Admission costs $15. Learn more at thehoustonmuseum.org.
— Tri-State Home Show, presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga, will take place from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at the Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. The show will feature over 200 booths for products and services related to new home construction, renovations, landscaping and more. Admission costs $10; seniors pay $5 on Saturday and Sunday; youth 16 and under get in free. Learn more at homeshowchattanooga.com.
— Georgia Log and Timber Home Design-Build Expo will take place from 1-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at the Dalton Convention Center, 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway, Dalton. The expo will feature a variety of log home and timber builders and suppliers, rustic furniture makers and free seminars. Tickets cost $10 online or $12 at the door; youth 18 and under get in free; tickets are good for all days. Learn more at loghomeshows.com.
— Great Backyard Bird Count will be from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday at Audubon Acres, 900 N. Sanctuary Road. Join the Chattanooga Audubon Society for this one-day event, part of the national bird count event taking place from Friday-Monday. UTC ornithologist David Aborn will be doing bird banding demonstrations, Happinest will release a rehabilitated hawk, Tennessee Ornithological Society will lead guided bird hikes and attendees will be able to make their own ceramic replica egg ($10 per egg; pre-registration required). Admission is free for members, $3-$6 for nonmembers. Learn more at chattanoogaaudubon.org.
— Master Gardeners of Hamilton County, in association with the University of Tennessee Extension, will begin its 2024 series of free gardening classes with "Growing a Future for Monarch Butterflies" at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Hamilton County Extension office, 6183 Adamson Circle. The class will be taught by master gardener Kym Martin. Future classes will be on the third Saturday of the month. Participants can attend in-person or virtually via Zoom. Learn more at mghc.org/calendar.
— Tennessee Valley Model Railroaders will host an open house from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road. The nonprofit group will showcase the railroad modeling hobby. The group has a 42-foot-by-40-foot layout for visitors to view. Learn more at tvmri.org.
— Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will present "Braver Men Never Lived" at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Chickamauga Battlefield, 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe. The free 90-minute, ranger-led, car caravan tour will focus on the stories of African Americans associated with the battlefield. Attendees are advised to dress accordingly for the weather. Learn more at nps.gov/chch.
— McKee Southern 6 Trail Race will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday at Southern Adventist University's Hickman Science Center, 4843 Colcord Drive, Collegedale. The race, a collaboration between the university's outdoor adventure program and McKee Foods Corp., will take participants on a 6K race along White Oak Mountain's wooded trails. Registration costs $35 per person, $10 for participants 18 and younger; proceeds support the university's Adventure Program Affinity Fund, which provides outdoor adventure programming for inner-city youth from Hamilton County schools. Learn more at southern.edu/mckeesouthern6.
THEATER
— Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St., will conclude its production of playwright August Wilson's "Seven Guitars" this weekend with shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The play is appropriate for mature audiences. Tickets cost $22-$27. Learn more at theatrecentre.com.
— Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga will conclude its production of Short Attention Span Theatre this weekend with shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at Rivermont Presbyterian Church, 3319 Hixson Pike, Hixson. Tickets cost $18. Learn more at ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com.
— UTC Live will present "Of Ebony Embers: Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance" at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Vine St. The production, combining theatrical narrative with chamber music performance, examines the lives of three African American poets, Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen and Claude McKay, as seen through the eyes of painter and muralist Aaron Douglas. Tickets cost $25. Learn more at utc.edu/fine-arts-center.
— Signal Mountain Playhouse will present its production of "Hallelujah Girls" at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Mountain Arts Community Center, 809 Kentucky Ave., Signal Mountain. Tickets cost $15 (cash or check only) and will go on sale at 6:45 p.m. before the show. There will be complimentary dessert and coffee service at the same time tickets go on sale. The production will run through Feb. 24. Learn more at smph.org.
Find more events, and add your own, at timesfreepress.com/cnevents.
Contact Sam Still at sstill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6579.