As the season begins to heat up, summer activities are in full swing. This weekend marks the opening of hand-picked lavender season at two local lavender farms. There’s also fishing and reptile expos taking place, and the Farm Olympics are coming to McDonald Farm. Here’s the chronology.
ARTS
— Photographic Society of Chattanooga continues its spring show at the Gallery at Blackwell, 71 Eastgate Loop. Society members have their works on display and available for purchase. Gallery hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The exhibition will run through July 18. Learn more at chattanoogaphoto.org.
— Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St., continues two exhibitions. In partnership with Overlooked Materials, there is “Glass From the Past,” showcasing the early 20th century, when Chattanooga was a giant in the glass manufacturing and bottling industries. The exhibition will run through June 21. In partnership with the Hart Gallery, there is “Fun on the Spectrum,” featuring selected works from the gallery’s artists. The exhibition will run through Aug. 30. Library hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Learn more at chattlibrary.org.
— Liquidambar Art Gallery at Sequatchie Valley Institute, 1233 Cartwright Loop, Whitwell, is open to showcase ceramics, glass, metal ornaments, kaleidoscopes and paintings by local artists. All items are available for purchase. Visitors can also walk the forest nature trails while at the gallery. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. CST on weekends, and other times are by appointment. Call 404-698-5444. Learn more at svionline.org or liquidambarsvi.wordpress.com.
— Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View, will have several events this weekend. From 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the museum, there will be Throwback Thursday, featuring free museum admission, themed art activities and a screening of “The Devil Wears Prada.” From 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the downtown Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St., there will be Art After Dark, a free event for teens aged 12-18 that features art experiences, snacks and exclusive, after-hours access to the library. Pre-registration and a guardian permission form are required. From 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the museum, there will be Sunday Studio, featuring art experiences, activities with the library and Houston Museum of Decorative Arts and family yoga. Regular admission of $20 applies. Youth 17 and under get in free. Learn more at huntermuseum.org.
— Association for Visual Arts, 30 Frazier Ave., concludes two exhibitions Friday. In the main gallery, there is a member printmaking show. In the Landis gallery, there is an exhibition from the Creative Discovery Museum CityArts program. Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, noon-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Learn more at avarts.org.
— Creative Arts Guild, 520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, will host an opening reception from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday for two exhibitions. In Gallery Five20, there is “Turn and Face the Strange,” an Asheville artist group show. In Gallery One11, there is “Gingerly Press,” featuring works by Lindsay Schmittle. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and by appointment Saturday-Sunday. The exhibitions will run through July 25. Learn more at creativeartsguild.org.
— In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave., will host an opening reception from 5-8 p.m. Friday for the exhibition “Threads,” featuring works by mixed-media artist David D’Alessandris. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The exhibition will run through June 30. Learn more at intowngallery.com.
— ClearStory Arts, 1673 Holtzclaw Ave., will host an opening reception from 6-8 p.m. Friday for its exhibition, “We Were Always Here.” The exhibition is an LGBTQ+ art show presented by the Chattanooga Queer Empowerment Collective. The opening will include a mini art market. Gallery hours are by appointment Tuesday-Friday. The exhibition will run through June 28. Learn more at clearstoryarts.com.
COMEDY
— Karen Mills will perform at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave. Tickets cost $32-$55.50. All tickets for Mills’ original performance on Feb. 16, which was rescheduled, will be honored. Learn more at tivolichattanooga.com.
— Improv Chattanooga will have a free improv hour at 8 p.m. Saturday at Pax Breu Ruim, 516 E. Main St. Learn more at improvchattanooga.com.
FILM
— Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater, 201 Chestnut St., will screen “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday and 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. The film is rated PG-13. General admission tickets cost $15. Learn more at tnaqua.org/imax.
MUSIC
— Nightfall, a free weekly summer concert series, continues at 6 p.m. Friday at Miller Park, 928 Market St. The art market, food trucks and beverage ticket sales will begin at 6 p.m. This week’s opener is Telemonster, and the headliner is Fox Royale. Learn more at nightfallchattanooga.com.
— Angel Snow, with Fawley, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday at Songbirds, 206 W. Main St. Tickets cost $20. Learn more at songbirdsfoundation.org.
— David Phelps, a Grammy Award-winning recording artist, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday at The Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold. Tickets cost $30-$72. Learn more at catoosacolonnade.com.
— The Emo Night Tour will be at 8 p.m. Friday at The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave. Tickets cost $20-$36.50. Learn more at thesignaltn.com.
— Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., will have two shows this weekend. At 9 p.m. Friday, End of the Line, an Allman Brothers tribute, will perform. Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 the day of show. At 9 p.m. Saturday, Not Your Nails, a Nine Inch Nails tribute, with Caramore, will perform. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 the day of show. Learn more at barrelhouseballroom.com.
— Riverfront Nights, a free summer concert series, opens for the season from 4-10 p.m. Saturday at Ross’s Landing, 201 Riverfront Parkway. Randy Steele and the High Cold Wind will be the opener, and Shadowgrass will be the headliner. There will be a variety of food and drink vendors. Learn more at riverfrontnights.com.
— Bluegrass and Lavender will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at Flat Top Mountain Farm, 638 Bowman Cemetery Road, Soddy-Daisy. As part of the farm’s Lavender Festival, taking place through June 22, Bluegrass and Lavender will feature live music by Wilson and Cross. There will be refreshments, a local food truck and lavender-themed goods. Cost is $10 per person. Children 13 and under get in free. Learn more at flattopmountainfarm.com.
— Legionnaires Big Band, a 15-piece, Glen Miller-style big band, invites the public to a big band dance at 7 p.m. Saturday at American Legion Post 95, 3329 Ringgold Road. The band will perform the music of the ’40s and beyond. Admission costs $5 at the door and includes refreshments and door prizes. The next dance will be Aug. 2. For more information, contact John Hendricks at jxhjxh@gmail.com.
OUT & ABOUT
— Nooga Splash, a floating obstacle course, is open for the season from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays-Fridays and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays at Chester Frost Park, 2389 Gold Point Circle, Hixson. Tickets cost $14-40. The attraction will be open through Sept. 1. Learn more at noogasplash.com.
— Lavender Festival begins Thursday at Flat Top Mountain Farm, 638 Bowman Cemetery Road, Soddy-Daisy. There will be opportunities to hand-pick lavender ($10 per bundle), shop at the barn store for lavender products and local crafts and watch a live lavender oil distillation demonstration. Admission costs $5 per person for those older than 13. Festival operating hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays, 4-8 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. The festival will run through June 22. Learn more at flattopmountainfarm.com.
— Skate Station, hosted by Dazey Skate Co., is open for the summer from 2-9 p.m. Thursdays, 2-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 2-7 p.m. Sundays at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St. Theme nights are planned throughout the season. Admission costs $10, and rental skates cost $4. The pop-up skating rink will run through Aug. 2. Learn more at dazeyskate.com.
— Elite Fishing Expo will be from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at the Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter St. The expo offers opportunities to shop for the latest fishing gear, learn from expert anglers and discover new techniques. Three-day tickets cost $18. One-day tickets cost $10. And, children 12 and under get in free. Learn more at elitefishingexpo.com.
— Pride Pop-up Market, hosted by the Seed Theatre and The Dragon, will be from noon-8 p.m. Friday at The Dragon, 503 Broad St. There will be a variety of local LGBTQ+ and allied vendors with handmade goods, art, fashion and more. Learn more at facebook.com/theseedtheatre.
— Lookout Lavender Farm, 1039 North Moore Road, Rising Fawn, will have you-pick days, beginning Friday. There will be opportunities to pick bundles of lavender ($7 each) and shop from the on-site farm store. Admission costs $8 per person for those 12 years and older. Operating hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 4-8 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. You-pick dates will run through June 21. Learn more at lookoutlavender.com.
— Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, the American Hiking Society and the Southeastern Climbers Coalition are seeking volunteers to participate in a work day at 9 a.m. Saturday at Point Park, 110 Point Park Road, Lookout Mountain. The project will focus on clearing exotic, invasive plants and other vegetation, along with general beautification, on the Bluff Trail. Learn more at nps.gov/chch.
— Lula Lake Land Trust will have open gate days from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at its core preserve, 5000 Lula Lake Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga. Visitors will have the opportunity to view Lula Lake, the 110-foot Lula Falls and a bluff overlook. Cost is $16 per vehicle. A guided hike is also available for $40 per person, which includes entry. Registration is required. Learn more at lulalake.org.
— Chattanooga Show Me Reptile Show and Pet Expo will be from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter St. The expo will feature a variety of vendors, offering animals for sale and everything needed to care for reptiles, insects, arachnids and other exotic pets. General admission costs $10. Cost for children ages 7-12 is $5. Learn more at showmereptileshow.com.
— Paw Palooza, hosted by McKamey Animal Center, will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Coolidge Park, 150 River St. The fourth annual event will feature a fundraising walk to support the animals at the center, food trucks, pet contests, dog games, local vendors, on-site dog adoptions and more. Learn more at mckameyanimalcenter.org.
— Chattanooga River Market will be from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, 1 Broad St. The market will feature a variety of arts, crafts and food vendors. Learn more at chattanoogamarket.com.
— Farm Olympics, hosted by Southeast Tennessee Young Farmers, will be from 1:30-9 p.m. Saturday at McDonald Farm, 16705 Coulterville Road, Sale Creek. There will be a variety of games, races and competitions, a dinner, a silent auction and a hoe down. General admission costs $30 for those over 13 and $15 for those aged 5-13. Children under 5 get in free. Learn more at eventbrite.com.
— CANCELED DUE TO THREAT OF BAD WEATHER: Walden’s Ridge Civic League, 2501 Fairmount Pike, Walden, will host a birthday bash from 4-8 p.m. Saturday to celebrate the 104th anniversary of the auditorium’s construction. There will be free cake and ice cream, music, hayrides, a kite-flying workshop, games and more. While admission is free, tickets are required for some activities. Learn more at waldensridgecivicleague.org.
— Twilight Firefly Market will be from 5-10 p.m. Saturday at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St. The market will feature local artisans and makers as well as live music as the sun sets and the Chattanooga Choo Choo comes alive with twinkling lights. Learn more at facebook.com/shopthemarketat.
— Barnard Astronomical Society will host a star party at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Cloudland Canyon State Park, 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn. Attendees will gather at the disc golf parking area to observe the night sky with visual telescopes, electronically assisted scopes and monitors. While the event is free, there is a $5 parking fee. Learn more at barnardastronomy.org.
— Chattanooga Market will host its Top Tomato Festival, a Bloody Mary sampling event, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd. A $15 ticket includes samples from each participating Bloody Mary-maker. The market features a variety of vendors, food trucks and live music. Learn more at chattanoogamarket.com.
SPORTS
— Chattanooga Roller Derby will have three home games Saturday at Camp Jordan, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge. At 3 p.m., the Ruby Regulators will take on the Druid City Daredevils. At 5 p.m., the All-Stars will take on the Greenville Roller Derby. At 7 p.m., the Little Debbie Downers will take on the Honky Tonk Heifers. General admission tickets cost $12. Learn more at chattanoogarollerderby.com.
— Chattanooga Football Club will have a home game against Inter Miami II at 7 p.m. Saturday at Finley Stadium, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. General admission tickets cost $16. Learn more at mlsnextpro.com/chattanoogafc.
— Chattanooga Red Wolves will have a home game against the Portland Hearts of Pine at 7 p.m. Saturday at CHI Memorial Stadium, 1 Stadium Way, East Ridge. General admission tickets cost $18. Learn more at chattanoogaredwolves-sc.com.
THEATER
— The Greenhouse Festival will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. The festival will feature staged readings of 16 short plays and three full-length plays. General admission tickets cost $15. Admission to Thursday’s event is free. Festival passes cost $45. Learn more at barkinglegs.org.
— Scenic City Shakespeare will present William Shakespeare’s comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” at 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday at Greenway Farms Park, 3008 Hamill Road, Hixson. The show will take place at the historic Sniteman cabin at Greenway Farms. Seating is not provided, so attendees should bring chairs and blankets. Tickets are free, but reservations are recommended. The show will run through June 14. Learn more at sceniccityshakespeare.org.
Find more events, and add your own, at timesfreepress.com/cnevents.
Contact Sam Still at sstill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6579.