Here’s what’s happening this week in the Chattanooga area.
Tree time
The deadline for ordering trees for Tennessee Tree Day is approaching. The annual event by the nonprofit Tennessee Environmental Council makes several species of bare-root tree seedlings available for purchase for a $4 to $5 donation each. Customers may reserve them through March 2, then will pick up for a mass planting on March 15 (pickup also available March 14). Tennessee Tree Day is the largest community tree-planting project of its kind in America, with more than 100,000 native tree seedlings made available for planting in all 95 counties. To take part, go to tectn.org and choose a pickup location from the map. There’s at least one location in each county, and Hamilton County has eight options. The seedlings are less than 1 year old and range in size from 1 to 4 feet. New orders can get a 50% discount when using the promo code “TTD2025half” at checkout, and scholarship funds may be available for a limited number of complimentary trees for those who cannot afford the donation. Trees must be reserved and paid for online.
CALENDAR
ARTS
THE ARTS CENTER — 320 N. White St., Athens, Tenn. athensartscouncil.org
— Through Feb. 26: Entries accepted for annual photography exhibit, “Exposure,” for amateur and professional photographers. Digital ($10) and film ($5) divisions.
— Through Feb. 28: Ticket sales for annual Arts Gala, 6:30-11 p.m. March 8. $75.
— Through March 14: Athens Area Council for the Arts presents two exhibits by regional Black artists: “I Am Her and She Is Me” by Dominique Pruitt and “No Boundaries” by Calvin Walton.
AVA GALLERY — 30 Frazier Ave. Association for Visual Arts shows, Feb. 28-April 10: “Five Ways of Looking at Home,” works by Dana Shavin, Brent Sanders, Lisa Norris, Daryl Thetford and Lawrence Mathis (Main Gallery); Safelight District Member Photography Show (Landis Gallery). Opening reception, 6-9 p.m. Feb. 28. avarts.org
CHA ART SPACE — Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport ticketing area, 1001 Airport Road. “Gather,” curated exhibit of artists’ response to theme, through March. avarts.org
CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY — 1001 Broad St. (third floor). “Records of Removal: Ration Books From the Trail of Tears,” by Local History and Genealogy Department, with original log books detailing weekly food supply issued to Cherokee and Muscogee (Creek) families being held at Ross’s Landing and nearby internment camps between 1836 and 1838, through Feb. 28. chattlibrary.org
CHICKAMAUGA BATTLEFIELD VISITOR CENTER — 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. “Mark Thrash — Local Legend, Civil Rights After the Civil War,” Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park display of artifacts of the former slave and U.S. War Department employee. nps.gov/chch
CREATIVE ARTS GUILD — 520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, Ga. Works by abstract expressionist Roxanne Fulkerson (Gallery Five20) and silversmith and jewelry artist Jeff Fulkerson (Gallery One11), through Feb. 28. creativeartsguild.org
FRANKLIN COUNTY ARTS GUILD — The Artisan Depot, 204 E. Cumberland St., Cowan, Tenn. Community show, “Stark Reality,” through March 30. franklincoarts.org
GALLERY AT BLACKWELL — 71 Eastgate Loop. Winter show by Photographic Society of Chattanooga, through April 18. chattanoogaphoto.org
HUNTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART — 10 Bluff View. Art + Issues with Virginia Petitte, natural treasures project coordinator with Thrive Regional Partnership, exploring images from temporary exhibit “The Long View: From Conservation to Sustainability,” 6-7 p.m. Feb. 27. Free. huntermuseum.org
ICA @ UTC — Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Fine Arts Center, 752 Roland Carter St. “Gospel of the Working Class” by Tabitha Arnold, through March 8. icachatt.org
(READ MORE: Chattanooga artist Tabitha Arnold creates tapestries chronicling city’s labor history)
IN-TOWN GALLERY — 26A Frazier Ave. “Scenes de ma Vie: Fine Art Photography of Sybil McLain-Topel (1961-2024),” through Feb. 28. Portion of sales goes to ArtsBuild; purchase includes copy of her latest book, “A Season Between.” intowngallery.com
JEWISH CULTURAL CENTER — 5461 North Terrace. Vector Artist Initiative’s “Radical Kindness III” exhibit, featuring 23 artists from the U.S. (including Chattanooga), Berlin, London and Israel, through Feb. 27. jewishchattanooga.com
LIQUIDAMBAR ART GALLERY — Sequatchie Valley Institute, 1233 Cartwright Loop, Whitwell, Tenn. Showcase of ceramics, sculptures, flame-worked glass, metal ornaments, kaleidoscopes, and paintings by local artists, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. CST every Saturday-Sunday (other times by appointment). Forest Nature Trails also open. 404-698-5444
LYNN H. WOOD ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM — Hackman Hall, Southern Adventist University, 4881 Taylor Circle, Collegedale. Exhibit of ivory comb, dating to 1700 B.C., on loan from Israel Antiquities Authority and The Israel Museum, discovered by a SAU student during the 2016 excavation at Tel Lachish, through May 2. southern.edu/museum
RIVER GALLERY — 400 E. Second St. river-gallery.com
— Through Feb. 28: Works by Arline Mann (watercolor paintings), Linda Crossan (ceramics) and Shawn Krueger (oil paintings). Ceramic demo with Linda Crossan, 1-3 p.m. Feb. 28.
— March 1-April 30: Works by Deneece Harrell (porcelain), Nate Szarmach (oils) and Sister Mary Grace Thul (woodcut prints). Painting demo with Nate Szarmach, noon-2 p.m. March 7. Porcelain demo with Deneece Harrell, noon-2 p.m. March 8.
SCULPTURE FIELDS GALLERY — Sculpture competition for Hamilton County high school students on the theme “Form and Function,” through April 1. Prizes awarded during weekend gala, April 24-26. Email for details: lynn@sculpturefields.org
SODDY-DAISY COMMUNITY LIBRARY — 9619 Dayton Pike. Classic Bookmark Art Contest open to Hamilton County residents only; with categories for elementary, middle and high school students and adults 18 and older, through March 14 (must be dropped off in person, with form from website, by 4 p.m.; one entry per person). Cash prizes; first-place finishers will have bookmarks made and distributed by the library. Reception, April 11. kelcurtfoundation.org
STOVEWORKS — 1250 E. 13th St. “And I Hope To See You,” works by Juan-Manuel Pinzon and Harrison Wayne, through April 5. “Celestial Bodies,” curated by Neena Wang, through June 7. stoveworks.org
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
BESSIE SMITH CULTURAL CENTER — 200 E. M.L. King Blvd. Monthlong series of events concludes with Tennessee Songwriters Week showcase round (one of five in the state for winners of qualifying rounds), 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 27. $5. bessiesmithcc.org
CHATTANOOGA STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE — Humanities Theatre, 4501 Amnicola Highway. Free screening of “How To Sue the Klan,” documentary about the five Black women from Chattanooga whose win in a civil lawsuit filed against the Ku Klux Klan in 1982 established a legal precedent, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Feb. 26. 423-697-4423
THE CHATTERY — 231 Broad St. Black History Month Night Market, with vendors, food and music from local businesses, 6-9 p.m. Feb. 28. thechattery.org
HARRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — 8098 Ferdinand Piech Way. Black History Month Living Wax Museum, with third-graders dressed as and sharing biographical information of the luminaries they’ve researched, 9:30-11:30 a.m., 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 5-6:30 p.m. Feb. 28. Plus 40+ more displays of other influential Black men and women. 423-344-1428
MUSEUM CENTER AT FIVE POINTS — 200 E. Inman St., Cleveland, Tenn. Music of the Civil Rights sing-along with Lee University Evangelistic Choir, with discussion of the songs’ social and historical context, 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 27. museumcenter.org
NORTH RIVER CIVIC CENTER — 1009 Executive Drive, Suite 102. “Expressions of Pride: The AfroArt Collection,” Black History Month photo exhibit by Regis and Kahran Bethencourt of CreativeSoul Photography, through March. 423-870-8924
COMEDY
THE COMEDY CATCH — 29 Station St. thecomedycatch.com
— Feb. 26: Ahren Belisle, 7 p.m. $20-$25.
— Feb. 27: Next Level Comedy Showcase, 7 p.m. $10.
— Feb. 28-March 1: Kalea McNeill, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. $20-$25.
IMPROV CHATTANOOGA — Fourth Floor, Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St. Improv & Stories, 7 p.m. Feb. 28. Free. improvchattanooga.com
WALKER THEATRE — 399 McCallie Ave. Dusty Slay comedy special taping, 7 p.m. Feb. 28. $38-$49 (limited seating). tivolichattanooga.com
FILM
IMAX THEATER — 201 Chestnut St. Special-event and feature-film screenings. tnaqua.org/imax
— Through Feb. 27: “Captain America: Brave New World.” $15.
— Through Feb. 27: “The Blue Angels 3D.” $10.
— Feb. 28-April 30: “Call of the Dolphins 3D.” Evening screening on opening day (6:30 p.m. Feb. 28) will include introduction by second unit director Tim Geers and post-screening talk about his Emmy-winning work as an underwater filmmaker, with audience Q&A (included with ticket). $10.
MacGillivray Freeman Films / “Call of the Dolphins 3D” opens Feb. 28 at the Tennessee Aquarium’s Imax Theater. One of the filmmakers will be at the evening screening on opening day to introduce the film and take questions from the audience.MUSIC
AMERICAN LEGION POST 95 — 3329 Ringgold Road. Legionnaires Big Band, 15-piece Glenn Miller-style ensemble plays dance music of the ’40s and beyond, 7 p.m. March 1 (and other first Saturdays). $5 includes refreshments and chance for door prizes. Email: jxhjxh@gmail.com
ATHENS AREA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS — The Arts Center, 320 N. White St., Athens, Tenn. Auditions for Evening With the Stars Jr., variety show for youth performers, 4 p.m. March 9 (show dates March 28-29). Audition form: athensartscouncil.org/auditions
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org
— Feb. 23: Monthly Jazz Jam, experienced players with a designated bandleader, 2-4 p.m. (and other last Sundays). $5 suggested donation. Private session for basic to intermediate players to practice jazz improvisation at 1 p.m.
— Feb. 26: Wednesday Jazz with Austin Pettit Quintet, 7:30 p.m. $10-$12.
— March 2: Hiroya Tsukamoto: A Journey Through Strings and Stories, 7:30 p.m. $22-$27. Informal masterclass on fingerstyle guitar playing for all levels of ability, 4-5:30 p.m. $43.
BARRELHOUSE BALLROOM — 1501 Long St. barrelhouse ballroom.com
— Feb. 27: Emo Night Nashville, with The Emo Band and special guests, 8 p.m. $15-$20.
— Feb. 28: Ben Chapman, with Meg McRee, 8 p.m. $15-$20.
— March 1: Interstellar Echoes: A Tribute to Pink Floyd, 8 p.m. $20-$25.
CHATTANOOGA AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORAL FESTIVAL — First Baptist Church of Chattanooga, 401 Gateway Ave. Concluding concert of daylong festival for choral singers in grades 6-8 from 15 area counties, hosted by Chattanooga Boys Choir, with guest clinician Dr. Martha Shaw, 6 p.m. Feb. 25. chattanoogaboyschoir.org/middle
CHORAL ARTS OF CHATTANOOGA — Second Presbyterian Church, 700 Pine St. “All That Jazz” concert of ballads, blues and bossa nova classics in update encore of 2024 performance, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27. $10-$20. choralartsofchattanooga.org
COLONNADE — 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga. Kingdom Heirs on No Better Time winter tour, with The Perrys and Michael Booth, 3 p.m. Feb. 23. $20-$25. catoosacolonnade.com
LEE UNIVERSITY — Cleveland, Tenn.
— Feb. 23: U-Church, student-led “An Evening of Worship,” with “Testimony” theme and Communion, 7:30 p.m. in Conn Center, 150 11th St. NE. Features choir of 50 students and LeeU Worship band. Free and nonticketed. leeuworship.com
— Feb. 24: Symphony Orchestra’s spring concert, 7:30 p.m. in Pangle Hall, 340 Church St. NE. Winners of Lee’s School of Music aria and concerto competition featured: alto Taylor Guyton, violinist Daphne Jiang, alto Lily Allen, trombonist Evan Kramer, pianist Garret Miller and soprano Bronwyn Paladin. Free and nonticketed. Livestream: leeu.live
MARY JANE’S CORNER — 7301 Lee Highway. Grand-opening celebration with musical guests. Food by Windy City Eatz on Saturday. Must be 21. $15 cover each night.
— Feb. 28: Faith Head, 8 p.m.; Girl Day, 9 p.m.; Dayz of Deception, 10 p.m. eventbrite.com
— March 1: Dusty Dial (aka DhD), 8 p.m.; The Afternooners, 9 p.m. eventbrite.com
Brett Young, the country singer behind such No. 1 hits as “Catch” and “In Case You Didn’t Know,” will bring his Back to Basics world tour to Chattanooga’s Memorial Auditorium on March 1. / File/Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/APMEMORIAL AUDITORIUM — 399 McCallie Ave. Brett Young on Back to Basics world tour, with Kylie Morgan, 8 p.m. March 1. $46-$183. tivolichattanooga.com
ST. PAUL’S ARTIST SERIES — St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 305 W. Seventh St. Organist Ryan Chan performs works by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Saint-Saëns, Duruflé and others, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28. $30-$40 (discounts for students, seniors and groups). stpaulschatt.org
THE SIGNAL — 21 Choo Choo Ave. thesignaltn.com
— Feb. 26-27: Zach Top on Cold Beer & Country Music tour, 8 p.m. $75-$158.
— Feb. 28: Umphrey’s McGee on Cruising Altitude tour, 8 p.m $50-$68.
— March 1: Alexandra Kay on Cupid’s a Cowgirl tour, with special guest Logan Crosby, 8 p.m. $47-$70.
SONGBIRDS — 206 W. Main St. songbirdsfoundation.org
— Feb. 27: Open Mic Night, hosted by James Snider, 7-9 p.m. Sign-ups for 10 slots start at 6 p.m. Free admission; donations encouraged.
— Feb. 28: Georgia Thunderbolts, 7 p.m. $25.
— March 1: LeGato and Fresh Mind, 7 p.m. $12-$15.
U.S. ARMY BAND — Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School, 1850 Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Band’s premier music organization, “Pershing’s Own,” in concert for 2025 American Bandmasters Association National Convention, 8 p.m. Feb. 28. Added appearance by U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, official fanfare ensemble to the president. Free.
WALKER THEATRE — 399 McCallie Ave. tivolichattanooga.com
— Feb. 26: The Robert Cray Band, 7:30 p.m. $38-$101.
— March 1: Robin Trower, 7:30 p.m. $41-$143.
— March 2: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on All the Good Times: The Farewell Tour, 7:30 p.m. $56-$224.
OUT & ABOUT
AMUSE’UM AND AMUSE’UM JR. — Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. Largest annual adults-only fundraiser marks museum’s 30th year with theme “A Cosmic Leap,” 7-10 p.m. March 1. $125-$200. Preceded by family-friendly event with circuit building, rocket launching, stargazing, moon phasing and other space exploration activities, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $30 per person. Museum closed to the public all day. cdmfun.org
“ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS” AQUARIUM TOUR — Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. Specialty tour based on Nintendo Switch video game, to learn about real-world aquatic life alongside game characters, through Feb. 28. Includes character stamp rallies Feb. 23. Available with regular admission: $30-$40 nonmembers. tnaqua.org
COIN SHOW — Camp Jordan, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge. Tennessee State Numismatic Society show, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 28-March 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 2. Young Numismatics show, 1-2 p.m. Saturday. Free admission. tsns.info
COMMUNITY DAY AT GATE 11 DISTILLERY — 1400 Market St. Includes free tours of award-winning distillery every 45 minutes, sales, giveaways, live music, 5-8 p.m. Feb. 27. Free but register: tinyurl.com/gate11comday
COMMUNITY SUPPORT BIKE-A-THONS — YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga locations. Ride stationary bikes to raise money for YMCA programming, including for Parkinson’s patients, Livestrong cancer survivors and Rock Steady Boxing, or give financial support to other riders. ymcachattanooga.org/2025-bike-thons
— Feb. 24: 5 a.m.-7 p.m. at North River Family YMCA, 4138 Hixson Pike.
— March 3-4: 6 a.m.-8 p.m. at Hamilton Family YMCA, 7430 Shallowford Road.
CON NOOGA — Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. Convention celebrating fandoms, creativity and community returns with guest actors, artists, writers and performers, 400+ hours of panels, Q&A sessions and contests, vendor hall, cosplay contest, live entertainment, children’s activities, through Feb. 23. Weekend passes $15-$60 (family passes also available); day passes at the door. connooga.com
COSMIC COLLISIONS — Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. Talk by astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson about the forces that shape the universe, including those that led to the dinosaurs’ demise, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27. $61-$115. tivolichattanooga.com
CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM — 321 Chestnut St. “Namaste India,” hands-on exhibit featuring Bollywood, tuk tuk rides, Indian cuisine and other cultural touchstones, through May 11 (closed Wednesdays). $20 (ages 2 and up). Free Family Night, 5:30-8 p.m. Feb. 13. cdmfun.org
CRUZIN’ THE DEPOT — Nashville Street, Ringgold, Ga. Monthly car cruise-in with Ringgold Cruisers and Pharaohs Car Club, 6-8 p.m. March 1 (and other first Saturdays through November). nothinlikeringgold.com
ERLANGER CHATTANOOGA MARATHON — First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. Includes 10K, 5K and kids fun run, 8:50, 9 and 10:45 a.m. March 1; marathon and half marathon, 7:30 a.m. March 2. Health, Fitness & Technology Expo open 3-7 p.m. Feb. 28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. March 1-2. chattanoogamarathon.com
FILM SCORING ACADEMY — Edney Innovation Center, 1100 Market St. (fifth floor). Emmy Award-winning documentary film director Dagan W. Beckett gives master class for Chattanooga Filmmakers Guild on matching a composer to a project, communication and budgeting, 5 p.m. Feb. 23. Free, but register: filmmakersguild.com
(READ MORE: ‘Beautiful Faces’ documentary features Chattanooga plastic surgeon)
FIRESIDE CHAT — RISE Chattanooga, 2901 Taylor St. ArtsBuild hosts Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly talk about “The Vital Role of Chattanooga’s Nonprofit Arts & Culture Sector in Our City’s Quality of Life & Economic Growth,” 5-6 p.m. Feb. 27. Free but register: https://buff.ly/4hYp9GD
FRIENDS OF SCOUTING LUNCHEON — Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. The 21st year of largest fundraiser for Cherokee Area Council of Boy Scouts of America features Atlanta Braves legend Dale Murphy as keynote speaker, 11:30 a.m. Feb. 24. RSVP to be contacted for pledge of support; sponsorship tables also available. cherokeeareabsa.com
FROGWATCH USA — Volunteer training for Citizen Science Academy program to contribute to wildlife research by learning the calls of native frogs and toads, listening for five minutes each week and reporting findings, 6-8 p.m. Feb. 27 at Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Road (last of four). Limited to 40 people. Register: chattzoo.org
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DR. SEUSS — Library at Cleveland State Community College, 3535 Adkisson Drive, Cleveland, Tenn. The 21st annual celebration includes activities based on the book “Daisy Head Maysie” and other Seuss books, with guests Cat in the Hat, Thing One and Thing Two, and the Grinch, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 1. Free book, goody bag, refreshments and door prizes. Free. Email: mhorten@clevelandstatecc.edu
HOT TUB & SWIM SPA EXPO — Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. More than 40 models of hot tubs, cold therapy tubs and swim spas from major brands, 2-7 p.m. Feb. 28, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. March 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 2. Free admission. tennesseehottubshow.com
HOUSTON ANTIQUES SHOW & SALE — The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave. Houston Museum of Decorative Arts’ 51st annual fundraiser, with 20+ antiques dealers showcasing merchandise including paintings, furniture, jewelry and glassware, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 23 (last day). $20. thehoustonmuseum.org
INTELLIGENT DESIGN TALK — Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists, 4829 College Drive East. Biology philosopher Dr. Paul Nelson, founding member of the modern intelligent design movement, speaks at Origins Convocation, 11 a.m. Feb. 27. Free. Livestream available. southern.edu/southernevents
IT’S ABOUT PEOPLE IN ISRAEL — Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace. Community dinner features visitors Noga Hila Motana and Amit Yagur from Jewish Federation of Chattanooga’s partnership region of Hadera-Eiron, speaking about life in Israel since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25. $15. Register: jewishchattanooga.com
MARKETPLACE LUNCHEON — Walden Club, 633 Chestnut St., Suite 2100. Monthly event of Scenic City Women’s Network features Regina Block, executive director of the National Memorial for the Unborn, noon Feb. 27. $30. Register by Feb. 25. scwn.org
Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow will be a special guest at the Men of Valor fundraising gala and auction at Chattanooga’s Read House Hotel on Feb. 24. / File/2017/Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/APMEN OF VALOR FUNDRAISING GALA AND AUCTION — The Read House Hotel, 107 W. M.L. King Blvd. Fundraising gala to support nonprofit’s mission of helping men reenter society after incarceration, featuring former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, Tennessee Titans stadium announcer Matt Rogers, with music by Emerald Empire Band, gourmet meal, live and silent auctions, 5:30-9 p.m. Feb. 24. $100. Proceeds will help expand programming with Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and support development of residential housing academy. secure.movministry.com/a/chattanooga-gala-2025
MILITARY PT TEST COMPETITION — North River Family YMCA, 4138 Hixson Pike. Friendly competition graded by local military and YMCA staff, 10 a.m. March 1. Six events for adults, $35; four events for youths ages 7-14, $20. Proceeds benefit Livestrong, YMCA program to help cancer survivors rebuild strength. Register: ymcachattanooga.org
NATIONAL WEED WRANGLE — Volunteer effort to remove invasive species from public green spaces, March 1. Times vary by location: Reflection Riding, McCoy Farms & Gardens, WaterWays and city of Red Bank, North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park, Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park, Booker T. Washington State Park and Harrison Bay State Park. Schedules: reflectionriding.org/weeds
POETRY BOOK CLUB — Society of Work at Somer Station, 110 Somerville Ave. “Don’t Call Us Dead” by Danez Smith, 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 27. Free, but RSVP: solitchatt.org
SEALIGHT FESTIVAL — Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, 1800 Polk St. Inaugural event features illumination of hundreds of handmade Chinese lanterns and performances by Zigong Acrobatic Troupe, 5:30-9:30 p.m. through April 20 (Thursday-Sunday only; last entry at 8:30 p.m.). $17-$27; $6 on-site parking; park admission is free all other hours. sealightfestival.com
SPREAD THE LOVE — Temporary placement of dozens of heart signs in a nominated recipient’s yard in Hamilton County for donation to Isaiah 1117 House at Chambliss Center for Children, through February. Homes, businesses and churches may be nominated. chamblisscenter.org/spreadthelove
(READ MORE: Isaiah 117 House at Chambliss Center will be a refuge for children entering foster care)
STAR PARTY — UTC’s Clarence T. Jones Observatory, 10 Tuxedo Ave. Free weekly lectures and planetarium shows, 6 p.m. Sundays. Telescope viewing until 8 p.m. calendar.utc.edu
— Feb. 23: Program on “Nanotechnology in Space” by Keenan Dungey, head of UTC’s chemistry and physics department.
— March 2: Program on “The Hill Sphere” by observatory director John Hart.
STORM SAFETY DAY — Collegedale Commons, 4950 Swinyar Drive. Includes programming of weather radios (bring yours or purchase on-site), registration for emergency alerts, storm safety demonstrations, medical preparedness, health screenings, pet safety, rescue truck showcase, ham radio communications, community resources including Samaritan Center and American Red Cross, food trucks, 3-7 p.m. Feb. 26. Free. collegedaletn.gov
WINTER MERCHANT & MAKERS MARKET — Northgate Mall, 5000 Hixson Pike. Small-business showcase of vendors includes boutiques, crafters and bakers, noon-6 p.m. Feb. 23 (last day). visitnorthgatemall.com
WINTER WORKSHOP — Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. Series continues with “Tennessee’s Outdoor Recreation Wave” with Tom Lamb, greenways and trails coordinator from Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s new Office of Outdoor Recreation, 6-8 p.m. Feb. 27. Free. outdoorchattanooga.com/series/winter-workshop
THEATER
ATHENS COMMUNITY THEATRE — The Arts Center, 320 N. White St., Athens, Tenn. athensartscouncil.org
— Feb. 23: Fats Waller music revue “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” 2 p.m. (final show). $15-$25.
— Feb. 27: Series of tables reads of plays concludes with Stephen Sondheim musical “Company,” 7 p.m. in Willson Exhibit Room. Participate as reader or listener.
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org
— Feb. 25: The Play Reading Workshop, featuring “Punk Grandpa” by Laura Scruggs and “Heard Mentality” by Allison Fradkin, 7 p.m. (and fourth Tuesdays every other month). Participate as reading actor or submit work as playwright.
— Feb. 28-March 1: “Twobird,” written and performed by Michael McCamish with music created and performed by Bob Stagner, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Opening story by Greg Garrison. $15; discounts for students, seniors and starving artists.
CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE — 400 River St. Youth Theatre production, “The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs,” 2:30 p.m. Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28, 2:30 p.m. March 1-2. $13-$16. theatrecentre.com
CUMBERLAND COUNTY PLAYHOUSE — 221 Tennessee Ave., Crossville, Tenn. L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz,” opening 60th anniversary season, through March 23. $22-$24. ccplayhouse.com
DALTON LITTLE THEATRE — 210 N. Pentz St. “All in the Timing,” set of six one-act comedies by David Ives, 7 p.m. Feb. 28-March 1, 2 p.m. March 2, 7 p.m. March 7-8. $10-$15. daltonlittletheatre.com
LEE OPERA THEATRE — Lee University’s Dixon Center, 1053 Church St., Cleveland, Tenn. Two one-act operas, Kurt Weill’s “Down in the Valley” and Leonard Bernstein’s “Trouble in Tahiti,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27-March 1, 3 p.m. March 2. $8. eventbrite.com
MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM — 399 McCallie Ave. Broadway series continues with “Six,” a girl-power musical about the six wives of Henry VIII, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Feb. 23 (final shows). $54-$113. tivolichattanooga.com
NOOGAVISION THEATRE AND PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY — Chattanooga Civic Center at Mountainside, 701 Hooker Road. “For Colored Girls” Theatre Series, 3-4:30 p.m. Feb. 23. Performance of Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem preceded by brunch, 1-2:30 p.m., preshow, 2-3 p.m. $75 (tables for eight available). noogavisiontheatre.org
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN PLAYHOUSE — Mountain Arts Community Center, 809 Kentucky Ave. Winter show, “The Play’s the Thing,” sophisticated rom-com translated by humorist P.G. Wodehouse, 8 p.m. Feb. 28-March 1. $10-$15 (cash, check, Venmo). smph.org
TENNESSEE VALLEY THEATRE — 184 W. Jackson Ave., Spring City, Tenn. “Ride the Cyclone,” musical about six teens who die in a roller-coaster accident but get a chance to return to life, 2 p.m. Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28, 2 and 7:30 p.m. March 1. $12-$16. tennesseevalleytheatre.com
THE RINGGOLD PLAYHOUSE — Patriot Hall, 320 Emberson Drive, Ringgold, Ga. “Our Place,” one-act dramedy by Terry Wayne Gabbard, 2 p.m. Feb. 23 (last show). $8-$12. nothinlikeringgold.com
UTC THEATRE COMPANY — University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Fine Arts Center, 752 Roland Carter St. “Bright Star,” musical by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell about a literary editor with a painful past who meets a young soldier returning home from World War II, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25-28, 2 and 7:30 p.m. March 1. $20-$25. factickets.evenue.net/events/UTCT
Find more events, and add your own, at timesfreepress. com/cnevents.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.