BARRY COURTER: Lisa, I don't know about you, but these days the dial on my calendar seems to be spinning like the one on my gas meter in January. Didn't the kiddies just get out of school last week, and now they are back in class.
LISA DENTON: There's something about the Fourth of July that kicks the calendar into high gear. One minute you're standing around waving flags and watching fireworks, and the next thing you know you're picking pumpkins. By Halloween, I feel like a Looney Toons character with my eyes popped out staring straight at Christmas. It's a proven fact that the calendar goes faster the last six months. It has something to do with the Earth being flat. Really, I read it on the internet.
Lisa Denton and Barry Courter
BARRY: I knew it. Now we have proof.
It's another busy week for live music, and it is a particularly diverse list of options this week. Songbirds has a bunch of shows featuring everything from bluegrass to country to a Tom Petty tribute, and there is a celebration of the works of Leonard Bernstein Sunday at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre.
It's part of a national celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth and will include an in-depth look at "The Creation of West Side Story," just one of his many classic works.
LISA: My favorite part of "West Side Story" was always the finger snaps. It's like cool and ominous at the same time. Like when Elvis gained all that weight.
BARRY: That will confuse some but, frighteningly, I think I know what you mean.
A couple of acts that have been coming to Chattanooga for many years are back this week. First Angie Aparo is at Songbirds on Thursday, and then JJ Grey & Mofro return to town, this time for a show at The Signal on Sunday.
LISA: And Saturday is the last Riverfront Nights show, with Southern Avenue headlining. They're out of Memphis and play blues and soul. Dirty Blonde will open.
Friday night, Meadow Mountain will headline Nightfall, with Caney Creek opening.
BARRY: That's a bunch of banjos.
LISA: Yes, but doesn't it sound like a nice place to live? Meadow Mountain overlooking Caney Creek.
Get event details every Thursday in Chattanooga Now or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354. Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.