Several events this week take advantage of the great outdoors. Drive-in theaters are especially busy, with a virtual concert by a country star with two high-profile guests and a live tour by three contemporary Christian artists. Here's a look at what's coming.
* Nightfall: Chattanooga rock band Stereofeet will open the weekly virtual concert at 7 p.m. Friday, July 24, followed at 7:20 p.m. by the headliner Susu, billed as a "smoldering" New York City band fronted by "firebrand" lead vocalists Liza Colby and Kia Warren. Watch on the Nightfall Facebook page or on YouTube at Nightfall Virtual.
* Chattanooga Unite: Barring another rainout, as happened last weekend, the Chattanooga Unite concert will take place Saturday, July 25, at the Tennessee Riverpark, 4301 Amnicola Highway. The Chattanooga-based NuBreed Band will headline at 9 p.m. with a blend of R&B, country, blues and jazz. Rare Coalition Band, known for a powerful horn section and a repertoire that ranges from '60s favorites to current dance hits, will kick off the show at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Find out more at ChattanoogaUnite.com.
* Blake, Gwen and Trace: After the success of Garth Brooks' virtual concert in June, Encore Drive-in Nights is launching a series of on-screen shows on Saturday, July 25, with country star Blake Shelton and special guests Gwen Stefani and Trace Adkins.
The all-new show was filmed exclusively for drive-in theaters across North America. Regional theaters set to broadcast the performance are the Swingin' Midway, 2133 Highway 30 East in Athens, Tennessee, at 9 p.m., and the Montana, 10251 Tullahoma Highway in Tullahoma, Tennessee, at 8:30 p.m. CDT.
Tickets are $114.99 and admit one standard passenger car or truck with up to six people. The Swingin' Midway will add a midnight repeat if the first show sells out.
Artists for additional shows in the series have not been announced.
* Michael, Steven and Mac: Contemporary Christian artists Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman and Mac Powell will bring their live Drive-In Theater Tour to the Montana in Tullahoma on Wednesday, July 29. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. CDT and the show begins at dusk.
Tickets are sold per car, with up to six people in each permitted. Tickets to see the live show are $100 and $175; the premium price grants parking in the spaces closest to the stage. An adjacent lot also will be open for $59 per carload, with the performance shown on the screen.
Email Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com.