Here's what the Chattanooga area has to offer this week.
Calling all songwriters
Sign-ups have begun for the sixth annual Tennessee Songwriters Week, a statewide competition for songwriters of all genres. Qualifying rounds will take place at nearly 50 music venues around the state in late January, including Gate 11 Distillery, WanderLinger Brewing and Puckett's Restaurant in Chattanooga and the Museum Center at Five Points in Cleveland. From those performances, 140 songwriters will move forward to one of seven showcase events the week of Feb. 18-24, including at Songbirds. One finalist from each of the showcases will be invited to perform at Nashville's Bluebird Cafe during a private event in March. Helmed by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Tennessee Songwriters Week is designed to support music venues, provide songwriters with live performance opportunities, drive visitation and inspire travelers to experience the state's music stories, history, attractions and venues. Learn more at tennesseesongwritersweek.com.
CALENDAR
ARTS
THE ARTS CENTER — 320 N. White St., Athens, Tenn. Open exhibition from artists of all ages and experience levels, through Feb. 15. Opening reception, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 12. athensartscouncil.org
AVA GALLERY — 30 Frazier Ave. Association for Visual Arts presents "Outside / Inside: Paintings, Drawings and Multimedia Works" by Tom Farnam and Judith Mogul, Jan. 10-Feb. 23. Reception, 6-9 p.m. Jan. 10. avarts.org
FRANKLIN COUNTY ARTS GUILD — The Artisan Depot, 204 E. Cumberland St., Cowan, Tenn. "Winding Down" community show, through Jan. 28. franklincoarts.org
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. huntermuseum.org
› Through Jan. 8: "Gilded: Contemporary Artists Explore Value and Worth." Regular admission ($20 adults).
› Jan. 14: Sunday Studio, drop-in art experiences for children and families, 2-4 p.m. (regular admission: $20 adults), plus free art workshop for teens and tweens.
IN-TOWN GALLERY — 26A Frazier Ave. "Blank Canvas — Make Your Mark," monthlong interactive experience for visitors to express themselves on a blank canvas, through Jan. 31. Reception, 5-8 p.m. Jan. 10. intowngallery.com
JEWISH CULTURAL CENTER — 5461 North Terrace. "Vessel," featuring work of 25 local and nationally known artists, Jan. 8-Feb. 23. Coffeehouse for the Arts reception, with live music, stand-up comedy and storytelling, 7-9 p.m. Jan. 13. jewishchattanooga.com
NORTH RIVER CIVIC CENTER — 1009 Executive Drive, Suite 102, Hixson. "Fine Art of the West" by David Fishman, through April 1. Opening reception, 1-3 p.m. Jan. 14, with an artist talk at 1:30 p.m. 423-870-8924
RIVER GALLERY — 400 E. Second St. Works by still-life painter Ev Niewoehner and ceramicist Mitch Yung, through Jan. 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
STOVEWORKS GALLERY — 1250 E. 13th St. "Teen Curators: Unfiltered Emotional Release," through Feb. 17. stoveworks.org
COMEDY
THE COMEDY CATCH — 29 Station St. thecomedycatch.com
› Jan. 11: Next Level Comedy Showcase, 7:30 p.m. $12.
› Jan. 12-14: Sean Patton, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $20-$25; 7 p.m. Sunday, $19-$23.
MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM — 399 McCallie Ave. Jo Koy, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14. $63-$85. tivolichattanooga.com
FILM
CHATTANOOGA JEWISH DOCUMENTARY FILM SERIES — Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace. Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga presents four weeks of festival-recognized films, Jan. 7-Feb. 2. Available virtually Sunday through Friday (noon to noon), or in person at 3 p.m. on opening Sunday for each. $12 one, $36 all four. jewishchattanooga.com
› Jan. 7-12: "Generation 1.5."
› Jan. 14-19: "Broken Dolls."
› Jan. 21-26: "Spinoza: Six Reasons for the Excommunication of the Philosopher."
› Jan. 28-Feb. 2: "J'Accuse."
IMAX THEATER — 201 Chestnut St. tnaqua.org/imax
› Jan. 11: "Arctic 3D: Our Frozen Planet," opens with double-feature screening of "Antarctica 3D"and Q&A on changes at the poles with Dr. Marshall Shepherd, director of the University of Georgia's Atmospheric Sciences Program, 6 p.m. Special-event tickets, $16. Daily screenings of "Arctic 3D" begin Jan. 12 and run through May. Regular admission $10.
› Jan. 12-15: Limited reprisal of "Oppenheimer."
› Jan. 18-21: "Queen Rock Montreal."
LOOKOUT WILD FILM FESTIVAL — Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave. Twelfth annual event features more than 60 outdoor adventure and conservation films from around the world, including four from the Tennessee Valley: "Walls of Faith," "The Conservation Kid," "Mecca in the Making" and "A Couple of Screws Loose," Jan. 11-14. Evening sessions, 7-10:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees, 1-4:30 p.m. $33 per session; $75-$79 weekend pass. lwff.org
MONDAY MOVIE NIGHTS — Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. "Mammame," 1986 French dance film, 8 p.m. Jan. 8. $10. Series continues second and fourth Mondays. barkinglegs.org
MUSIC
THE ARTS CENTER — 320 N. White St., Athens, Tenn. House band September Song and guest vocalists present '64-'71: The Music of a Changing World, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12. $12-$17 (ticket includes light snacks and cash bar). athensartscouncil.org
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org
› Jan. 10: Weekly jazz in the lounge with Dexter Bell & Friends, 7:30 p.m. in the theater (new time and space, higher cover). $10.
› Jan. 12: Alex Lopez and the Xpress, featuring new album "Looking for a Change," 8 p.m. $15-$20. Meet and greet with band before and after show, plus free autographed poster.
BARRELHOUSE BALLROOM — 1501 Long St. barrelhouseballroom.com
› Jan. 8: Grateful Dead Monday, featuring Chants in the Void, 7:30 p.m. $10.
› Jan. 11: That Arena Rock Show with Trauma Illinois, 8 p.m. $15-$20.
› Jan. 12: Same As It Ever Was: A Tribute to the Talking Heads, 9 p.m. $15-$20.
› Jan. 13: Dopapod, 8 p.m. $20-$25.
CANDLELIGHT CONCERT — First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1505 N. Moore Road. Listeso String Quartet presents "A Tribute to Taylor Swift," 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. Jan. 12. $32-$70 (some seating sold out for early show). feverup.com
GEM THEATRE — 114 N. Wall St., Calhoun, Ga. Twitty & Lynn: A Tribute to Conway & Loretta (by their grandchildren), 2 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13. $40-$50. calhoungemtheatre.org
THE SIGNAL — 21 Choo Choo Ave. Fool House: The Ultimate '90s Dance Party, 8 p.m. Jan. 12. $28-$52. thesignaltn.com
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
AUDUBON ACRES — 900 N. Sanctuary Road. chattanoogaaudubon.org
› Jan. 9: Kickoff of group Get Moving Walk through the forest for all ages and fitness levels, 4:30 p.m. every other Tuesday. Free with regular admission: $3-$6 nonmembers.
› Jan. 13: Let's Talk Trees walk with Scenic City Arborists, 10 a.m.-noon. Repeats April 13. $5-$10.
CHATTANOOGA & NORTH GEORGIA BRIDAL SHOW — Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga. Events Chattanooga Wedding Services gathers area's top wedding professionals for booth exhibits, fashion show, music, door prizes, noon-4 p.m. Jan. 7. $10-$30 (VIP ticket includes two drink tickets and buffet). tnbridalshow.com
CHILL-I WILLY MARKET — Collegedale Commons, 4950 Swinyar Drive. Shop the Market At presents arts, crafts and farmers market, plus chili sampling and other foods, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 13. Free admission. shopthemarketat.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
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
LOCALS APPRECIATION DAY — Ruby Falls, 1720 Scenic Highway. Attraction celebrates 95th anniversary with discounted Cave Walk tours for residents of Hamilton, Bradley, Marion and Walker counties three more Thursdays, Jan. 11, 18, 25. $16 tickets must be purchased in person with a valid photo ID with corresponding ZIP code. rubyfalls.com
MURDER MYSTERY DINNER SHOWS — DoubleTree Chattanooga at Hamilton Place, 2232 Center St. Interactive dinner with "Hollywood Hit" theme, 6-9 p.m. Jan 20 (more dates through the year). $61. thedinnerdetective.com
NATIONWIDE HOME SHOW — Dalton Convention Center, 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway, Dalton, Ga. Expo of home and garden merchandise and services, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 7 (last day). nationwideexpos.com
WINTER HIKE CHALLENGE — Chattanooga-based Outshine Adventures' second annual event to encourage hiking 90 miles in 90 days, through March 19. Includes group hikes first Saturday in February and March. $40-$200. Register: outshineadventures.com
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). Ninety-minute sessions; hours vary. $10. winterskate41.com
Staff file photo by Olivia Ross / Children play with Legos at last year's World of Wheels. The custom auto show winds up its 2024 outing on Jan. 7 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.WORLD OF WHEELS — Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. Indoor expo of hot rods, race cars, antique cars, classic cars, custom imports and motorcycles, plus children's activities and special guests, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 7 (last day). Jerry Mathers of "Leave It to Beaver" available for photos and autographs noon-3 p.m. Sunday. $5-$18 at the door; $15 adult tickets in advance at O'Reilly Auto Parts stores. worldofwheels.net
THEATER
ARTISTIC CIVIC THEATRE — 907 Gaston St., Dalton, Ga. artisticcivictheatre.com
› Through Jan. 7: "'Twas the Week After Christmas" children's production, 2 p.m. Sunday (final show). $14-$19.
› Jan. 8, 11, 13-14: Auditions for "33 Variations," by appointment.
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. Auditions for all-Black cast of "The Vagina Monologues," 4-7 p.m. Jan. 7. Email: ikeko3968@gmail.com
DALTON LITTLE THEATRE — 210 N. Pentz St., Dalton, Ga. World premiere of new musical "Click," written by Dalton High School's Ellis Stephens (book) and Lilli Sharp (music and lyrics), 7 p.m. Jan. 12-13. $15. daltonlittletheatre.com
TENNESSEE VALLEY THEATRE — 184 W. Jackson Ave., Spring City, Tenn. Auditions for "Drinking Habits," 6-8 p.m. Jan. 8-9. tennesseevalleytheatre.com
Find more events, and add your own, at timesfreepress.com/cnevents.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com. or 423-757-6281.
Jerry Mathers, who played the title character on the television series "Leave It to Beaver," will be available for photos and autographs from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 7, the final day of World of Wheels at the Chattanooga Convention Center. / AP Photo/Michael Hollenbeck/The Saginaw News/File