Here's what the Chattanooga area has to offer this week.
Ready for next year
If America has its way, Taylor Swift won't be needing a luxury suite to watch the Super Bowl in 2025, even if the Kansas City Chiefs return to the championship game for a third consecutive year. Instead, she should be headlining the 2025 halftime show, according to a survey of 2,000 U.S. residents conducted by sports platform The Grueling Truth. The rest of the Top 5 choices for halftime entertainment are Metallica, Eminem, Post Malone and Ye. Swift was the top pick among respondents in Tennessee, while Eminem prevailed in Georgia and Miley Cyrus was the choice in Alabama.
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.
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
CLEARSTORY ARTS — 1673 S. Holtzclaw Ave. A Celebration of Chattanooga's Black Artists, through March 1. clearstoryarts.com
CLEVELAND STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE — Accepting submissions for juried, invitational High School Art Exhibition, through March 8. Students in grades 9-12 may submit their own work or be nominated by a teacher for possible inclusion in show April 1-7. Email Bethany Coffin: bcoffin@clevelandstatecc.edu
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. 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. Vision + Verse: Black Is the Color, 6 p.m. Feb. 22. Poets Marcus Ellsworth and Erika Roberts perform with dancer Matty Dangerfield-Parker in response to Paul Stephen Benjamin artwork. Free. huntermuseum.org
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. 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
› Through April 5: "Peekaboo Sham," works by Jordan Martins.
› Through June 22: "Hand to Mouth," group exhibition.
COMEDY
THE COMEDY CATCH — 29 Station St. thecomedycatch.com
› Feb. 18: Mutzie, 7:30 p.m. (final show). $19-$24.
› Feb. 21: Open Mic Night, 7 p.m. $7.
› Feb. 22: Southern Momma (Darren Knight), 7 p.m. Sold out.
› Feb. 23-24: Spencer James, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. $19-$24.
IMPROV CHATTANOOGA — Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. She Said Yes, And ... (An Improvised Love Story), 8 p.m. Feb. 24. $15. barkinglegs.org
WALKER THEATRE — 399 McCallie Ave. Kathleen Madigan: The Potluck Party, 8 p.m. Feb. 23. $54-$172. tivolichattanooga.com
DANCE
ESPRIT X HINCK — Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church, 1607 W. 43rd St., St. Elmo. Ballet Esprit fundraiser and collaborative performance with local composer Tim Hinck, 6:15 p.m. Feb. 22. Hinck will compose two pieces based, in part, on material produced at this open session with the audience, in preparation for two August performances of ballets choreographed to his compositions. Admission by donation. balletesprit.org
MUSIC
AN EVENING WITH NICHOLAS MCCARTHY — Museum Center at Five Points, 200 E. Inman St., Cleveland, Tenn. Cleveland State Community College Foundation hosts British pianist born without his right hand who graduated from the Royal College of Music in London, 6 p.m. Feb. 22. $125 ticket includes reception, dinner and performance. Proceeds fund student scholarships at Cleveland State. mycs.cc/eveningwith
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org
› Feb. 21: Wednesday Jazz with Dexter Bell & Friends, 7:30 p.m. $10.
› Feb. 22: The Terrestrial Troubadours, 7:30 p.m. $10.
BARRELHOUSE BALLROOM — 1501 Long St. barrelhouseballroom.com
› Feb. 19: Carbon Leaf, 8 p.m. $25-$30.
› Feb. 20: An Evening With Marcia Ball, 8 p.m. $25-$28.
› Feb. 21: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus with Speakeasy and Days of Deception, 8 p.m. $27-$30.
› Feb. 22: Sam Barber, with Nolan Taylor, 8 p.m. Sold out.
› Feb. 23: Hailey Whitters on Can't Tie'r Down tour, with Brit Taylor, 8 p.m. $20-$25.
› Feb. 24: Rubiks Groove, 9 p.m. $20-$25.
› Feb. 25: Samantha Fish, featuring Jesse Dayton, 7 p.m. $30-$35.
BESSIE SMITH CULTURAL CENTER — 200 E. M.L. King Blvd. Folk Art and Music Night, a Black History Month event, featuring "The American Songster" Dom Flemons and art from the museum's archives, 6 p.m. Feb. 22. Free but register. Livestream available. bessiesmithcc.org
Photo by Nate Kinard Jr. / "The American Songster" Dom Flemons will lead a Folk Art and Music Night at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center on Feb. 22.CHATTANOOGA SYMPHONY & OPERA — Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace. Family concert of classical music paired with English and Spanish readings of "Rainbow Fish," plus Playful Evolving Monsters puppets, 3 p.m. Feb. 25. Includes instrument petting zoo and crafts before the show. Free but reserve tickets.chattanoogasymphony.org
GEM THEATRE — 114 N. Wall St., Calhoun, Ga. calhoungemtheatre.org
› Feb. 18: Celtic Angels Ireland, with the Trinity Ensemble and Celtic Knights dancers, 7:30 p.m. $45-$55.
› Feb. 24: William Lee Golden and The Goldens, 7:30 p.m. $45-$50.
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
MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM — 399 McCallie Ave. David Foster & Katharine McPhee, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20. $26-$144. tivolichattanooga.com
ST. PAUL'S ARTIST SERIES — St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 305 W. Seventh St. Atlanta Baroque Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23. $30 adults; discounts for students, seniors and groups. stpaulschatt.org
SONGBIRDS — 206 W. Main St. songbirdsfoundation.org
› Feb. 20: Tennessee Songwriters Week Showcase, 6-8:30 p.m. Feb. 20. $5.
› Feb. 22: Lee Roy Parnell, 7 p.m. $22-$27.
U-CHURCH — Lee University's Conn Center, 150 11th St. NE, Cleveland, Tenn. Come to the Table: An Evening of Worship, led by LeeU Worship, with student testimony and Communion, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18. Free and nonticketed. Email: Joyce Lane, jlane@leeuniversity.edu
WALKER THEATRE — 399 McCallie Ave. Mania: The ABBA Tribute, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21. $46-$105. tivolichattanooga.com
WOODSONGS DALTON — First Presbyterian Church, 101 S. Selvidge St., Dalton, Ga. Limited monthly series continues with Pam Gadd, Brennan Leigh and Irene Kelley, 7 p.m. Feb. 24. $20-$24. Proceeds benefit DEO Clinic, offering medical services to low-income, uninsured Dalton-area residents. woodsongsdalton.com
OUT & ABOUT
ARCHAEOLOGY LECTURE — Southern Adventist University, 4881 Taylor Circle, Collegedale. Dr. Mark Janzen, associate professor at Lipscomb University and its Lanier Center for Biblical Archaeology in Nashville, presents "From Miracles to Mount Sinai: Recent Research on the Route of the Exodus," 7 p.m. Feb. 19 in Lynn Wood Hall Chapel. Free; livestream available. southern.edu/southernevents
(READ MORE: Chattanooga area researchers' find leads to major discovery)
AUTHOR VISIT — The Arts Building, 301 E. 11th St. SoLit welcomes Halle Hill for reading, Q&A and signing of her recent short-story collection, "Good Women," 7 p.m. Feb. 22. Books available for purchase from The Book & Cover. Free, but reserve tickets. solitchatt.org
(READ MORE: Review: Good women don't always behave well in Halle Hill's debut story collection)
BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS EXPO — Hamilton Place, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. Third annual event includes skin care, clothing, accessories, candles, soaps, jewelry, baked goods, art and wellness merchandise from 45+ vendors, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 24. hamiltonplace.com
CHICKAMAUGA AND CHATTANOOGA NATIONAL MILITARY PARK — nps.gov/chch
› Feb. 23: Preserving a Picturesque America shows how the organization takes a historic sketch from the two-volume set "Picturesque America," published in 1872, and paints the same scene as it is today, 2-3 p.m. inside Point Park, 110 Point Park Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga. Free program; $10 park admission.
› Feb. 24: Fall of the House of Ridge: A Cherokee Tragedy, ranger-led talk about Cherokee leader Major Ridge, who was a mentor then critic of John Ross, 2-2:30 p.m. at Moccasin Bend National Archaeological District, 10 Hamm Road.
CIVIQ TALK — Chattanooga Public Library (fourth floor), 1001 Broad St. Chattanooga Design Studio welcomes Gil Penalosa for "8 (to) 80 Cities, for Everyone," on how to make cities more livable for all ages, 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 22. Free but limited availability. Email: info@chattanoogastudio.com
CON NOOGA — Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. Convention celebrating entertainment, fandom and pop culture, with guest authors and performers, noon-2 a.m. Feb. 23, 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Feb. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 25. $30 Friday, $50 Saturday, $10 Sunday; $60 weekend pass; $5-$10 children 6-12. connooga.com
(PHOTO GALLERY: Con Nooga 2023)
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
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, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 18 (last day). $10 online, $2 more at door. loghomeshows.com
HISTORY FAIR — Soddy Daisy High School, 618 Sequoyah Access Road. Soddy, Daisy and Montlake Historical Association event with 70 tables of photos, artifacts and other memorabilia associated with Native Americans, Civil War, coal mining, industrial pottery, genealogy and area history, plus representatives of chattanoogahistory.com, picnooga.com and photodoctortn.com, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 24 (postponed from Jan. 20). soddydaisymuseum.com
(READ MORE: Soddy-Daisy museum is latest in network of facilities exploring region's history)
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, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 18 (last day).$15. eventbrite.com
(READ MORE: Chattanooga's Houston Museum houses over 20,000 antique artifacts)
LEE UNIVERSITY — 1120 N. Ocoee St., Cleveland, Tenn. Black History Month events through March 19 honoring Martin Luther King Jr., postponed from last month. leeuniversity.edu/ethnic-relations
› Feb. 19: The Living Museum with students depicting historical figures, 5-8 p.m. in Centenary Room of Higginbotham Administration Building.
› Feb. 19-29: Exhibits representing historical trailblazers in various academic buildings.
› Feb. 20: MLK Jr. Civil Rights Quiz Bowl, 5-7:30 p.m. in Walker Lecture Hall. Reading rooms open for pre-K through 12th-graders in Squires Library.
› Feb. 22: Drum Circle, play or watch, 6-7:15 p.m. in the SMC Great Room. Communication Arts Screening Room will show King's lesser-known speeches.
LUNCH & LEARN — Chattanooga State Community College, 4501 Amnicola Highway. U.S. Federal Reserve representative Laurel Graefe speaks on the economy, inflation and other monetary policies, noon-1 p.m. Feb. 21 in Room 124 of the Omni Building. Pizza provided. RSVP: marvin.adcock@chattanoogastate.edu
REFLECTION RIDING ARBORETUM & NATURE CENTER — 400 Garden Road. Follow the Fire events to enjoy nature in winter, 5-10 p.m. Feb. 24. Includes owl presentation, 5 p.m.; wolf howl, 5:30 p.m.; night hike, 6 p.m.; owl prowl, 7 p.m.; night sky viewing, 8:30 p.m. $15 nonmembers 13 and older. Register: reflectionriding.org
RHYME N CHATT — Information virtual meeting on the interactive poetry organization, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 18. rhymenchatt.com
SCENIC CITY WOMEN'S NETWORK — Mountain City Club, 729 Chestnut St. Monthly marketplace luncheon features community volunteer Ann Caldwell, noon Feb. 22. $25. RSVP by Feb. 19. scwn.org
SIP & SAVOR: CELEBRATING BLACK WINEMAKERS — The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave. Class exploring creations from Black-owned brands, 6-7 p.m. Feb. 22. $35. thechattery.org
SUPERHERO DEFENSE TRAINING — Bradley Square Mall (Story Land, across from Claire's Boutique), 200 Paul Huff Parkway, Cleveland, Tenn. Super Mario and other characters lead free training session for Pope's Martial Arts Academy, with stories and photo-ops, 10:30 a.m. Feb. 24. shopbradleysquare.com
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, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 18 (last day). $10 adults (17 and older); $5 seniors. homeshowchattanooga.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," 2 p.m. Feb. 18, 7 p.m. Feb. 22-24, 2 p.m. Feb. 25. $15-$20. athensartscouncil.org
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. Third Thursday play reading, Molly Smith Metzler's "Cry It Out," 7 p.m. Feb. 20. Free. barkinglegs.org
CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE — 400 River St. theatrecentre.com
› Feb. 18: August Wilson's "Seven Guitars," 2:30 p.m. (last show). $22-$27.
› Feb. 23-March 3: "Dragons Love Tacos," 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23, 2:30 p.m. Feb. 24-25, 7:30 p.m. March 1, 2:30 p.m. March 2-3. $13-$15.
COVENANT COLLEGE — Dora Maclellan Brown Chapel, 14049 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain, Ga. Music and Theatre departments present "Seussical," with a live band, 7 p.m. Feb. 22-23, 2 and 7 p.m. Feb. 24. $15-$25. Catered dinner available Friday and Saturday nights. 706-419-1051
CUMBERLAND COUNTY PLAYHOUSE — 221 Tennessee Ave., Crossville, Tenn. Disney's "Finding Nemo Jr.," first production of the 2024 season, through March 24. $14-$23 (season passes available). ccplayhouse.com
MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM — 399 McCallie Ave. "Annie," touring production in 2023-24 Broadway series, 8 p.m. Feb. 24, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 25. $65-$225. tivolichattanooga.com
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN PLAYHOUSE — Mountain Arts Community Center, 809 Kentucky Ave., Signal Mountain. "The Hallelujah Girls," a Southern comedy, 8 p.m. Feb. 23-24. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. for complimentary coffee and desserts. $15 (cash or check). smph.org
TENNESSEE VALLEY THEATRE — 184 W. Jackson Ave., Spring City, Tenn. Season opener, Tom Smith's "Drinking Habits," a comedy about nuns who've been secretly making wine to keep the convent open, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23-24, 2 p.m. Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m. March 1-2, 2 p.m. March 3. $5-$14. tennesseevalleytheater.com
UTC LIVE — University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus. "Debate: Baldwin v. Buckley," by The American Vicarious, reenacting historic debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley Jr. on "Is the American Dream at the Expense of the American Negro?," 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 in Guerry Center Reading Room, 701 Oak St.; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 in Roth Reading Room of UTC Library, corner of Fourth and Vine streets; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 in UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Roland Carter St. $50-$75. 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.