A musical salute to Women's History Month, a Ruben Studdard masterclass and two artists with Grateful Dead credentials are on the entertainment calendar.
Nashville songwriter Kelley Lovelace, a Hixson High School graduate, will gather several of his country music buddies for Heart Strings for Hope, an annual concert benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Free tickets will be available Thursday for the return of the SonRise Easter pageant at Southern Adventist University after a two-year pandemic break. Word to the wise: They go fast.
Two events are off the roster. The LOL Surprise Live show at the Tivoli Theatre has been canceled. Guitarist Eric Johnson's concert and master class have been rescheduled for March 2023.
See more events at ChattanoogaNow.com.
Ruben Studdard will lead a master class with the UTC Singing Mocs at Walker Theatre on Monday. / File photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/APMUSIC
- The Signal, 1810 Chestnut St., welcomes progressive bluegrass band Trampled by Turtles, with Elizabeth Cook opening, at 8 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $30. thesignaltn.com
- Chattanooga Symphony & Opera heads into the weekend with a Masterworks concert, Stravinsky's "Apollo," with the Chattanooga Ballet, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. Tickets are $15-$90. Saturday at 11 a.m., principal Pops conductor Bob Bernhardt will lead a Bob's Bootcamp lecture via Zoom focusing on Beethoven's first through ninth symphonies. Cost is $25. chattanoogasymphony.org
- St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 305 W. Seventh St., continues its Artist Series with the Joshua Espinoza Trio, whose sound incorporates jazz, classical, pop and folk music. Tickets are $30-$40, with discounts for students, seniors and groups. stpaulschatt.org
- Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St., welcomes rockers Bob Weir & Wolf Bros, a band fronted by a founding member of the Grateful Dead, at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The tour, which has included shows at the Kennedy Center and Ryman Auditorium, also features an expanded Wolfpack string and brass section. The few remaining tickets are mostly verified resales through Ticketmaster. tivolichattanooga.com
- Wolf Bros after-parties are scheduled at two Chattanooga venues, both starting at 11 p.m. Friday. The Captain Midnight Band, which formed in pre-Katrina New Orleans and is now based in Nashville, will play at The Arts Avenue, 1800 Rossville Ave. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of. The Other Brothers, a Chattanooga band that channels "the spirit of the Grateful Dead," will be at WanderLinger Brewing Co., 1208 King St. theartsave.com, wanderlinger.com
- Songbirds, 35 Station St., has two shows on the schedule. Nashville-based indie rock band Lenox Hills plays at 8 p.m. Friday two days after the release of new record "Golden Town." The Thing With Feathers and Jordan Dean open. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 day of. Saturday features Knoxville singer/songwriter Erick Baker, with Collette Jadyn opening, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25. songbirdsfoundation.org
- Rock the Riverfront gets its groove on this weekend with a musical salute to Women's History Month coordinated by Rise Chattanooga. Friday features a Salute to the Divas, honoring influential female artists. Saturday spotlights Neshawn Calloway and her neo-soul band Sound Advice. The featured music starts at 7 both nights. Sunday will include artists, food trucks and games 11 a.m-5 p.m. The Impulse interactive seesaws are open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily on the Chattanooga Green, 100 Chestnut St. rivercitycompany.com
- Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave., has three upcoming events. Friday features indie-folk duo Penny & Sparrow, with Lera Lynn opening, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $23. Monday, "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard, newly hired by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, will lead a masterclass for the Singing Mocs at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 (free for students with ID); $50 VIP tickets include a meet-and-greet reception after the class. Proceeds benefit the UTC Music Department. Genre-spanning jam band Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, fronted by the former part-time Grateful Dead keyboardist, will play at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $54-$74. tivolichattanooga.com
[READ MORE: Ruben Studdard giving UTC students lessons that can't be found in a book]
Lee Brice, who's had hits with "I Drive Your Truck" and "I Don't Dance," is among the country singers and songwriters set to perform during the Heart Strings for Hope concert Tuesday at Memorial Auditorium. / File photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP- Oakwood Church of God of Prophecy, 3927 Webb Road, will host a community gospel concert benefiting the Friend's House Ministry and Oakwood Living Free rehab ministry at 5 p.m. Saturday. Nine local and guest artists are scheduled to perform. 423-240-9493
- The Caverns, 555 Charlie Roberts Road, Pelham, Tenn., hosts a double bill by country acts Boy Named Banjo and Tenille Townes at 7 p.m. CDT Saturday. Easy Honey opens. Tickets start at $40. thecaverns.com
- Chattanooga Community Orchestra will be led for the final time by longtime conductor Herman May, who'll retire after the spring concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at Red Bank Baptist Church, 4000 Dayton Blvd. A reception will follow.
[READ MORE: Herman May retiring after 25 years leading Chattanooga Community Orchestra]
- Hamilton Community Seventh-day Adventist Church, 7997 Shallowford Road, will welcome contemporary Christian artist Jason Gray, touring in support of new album "Order, Disorder, Reorder," at 6 p.m. Sunday. Christian comedians Austin & Leb will open. Tickets are $15-$20 (free for children 10 and younger). hamiltonchurch.com/movie
- Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave., has two big shows next week. First is Heart Strings for Hope at 7 p.m. Tuesday, featuring acoustic sets by country artists Lee Brice, Justin Moore, Chase Rice, Priscilla Block and host Kelley Lovelace. Tickets are $36-$66. Disney Princess: The Concert, featuring four Broadway talents singing favorites from the Disney canon, starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $29-$79. tivolichattanooga.com
Justin Moore, whose 16 No. 1 singles include "Small Town USA" and "You Look Like I Need a Drink," is in the lineup for the Heart Strings for Hope acoustic country music concert Tuesday. / File photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/APCOMEDY
- Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave., welcomes actor and comedian Jay Pharaoh at 8 p.m. Thursday. His acting credits include "Saturday Night Live" and "Family Guy." Tickets are $30-$40. tivolichattanooga.com
- The Comedy Catch, 29 Station St., features Shaun Jones in shows at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $17-$19. thecomedycatch.com
Comedian Jay Pharoah will perform Thursday at Walker Theatre. / File photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/APFESTIVALS
- SipTN Wine Fest, featuring more than 200 Tennessee-produced wines, is noon-6 p.m. Saturday at First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Carter St. Tickets are $45 general admission, $10 for designated drivers. siptn.com/chattanooga
- Lager Fest, a spring version of Oktoberfest, is 1-8 p.m. Saturday at WanderLinger Brewing Co., 1208 King St. This inaugural event will feature exclusive small-batch releases, collaborations and guest beers, plus food from the WanderLinger kitchen, Bluff View Bakery and Don's Meat Shop. Admission is free. wanderlinger.com
[READ MORE: WanderLinger to kick off new beer class offering with Lager Fest]
[READ MORE: Farm-to-table chef elevates the pub fare at WanderLinger Brewing Co.]
[READ MORE: Carolyn Foley, executive chef at WanderLinger, immerses herself in the art of cooking]
- Save Water, Drink Wine (and Beer), a fundraiser to help WaterWays preserve local watersheds, is 5-8 p.m. Saturday at Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St. The event includes local beers, global wines and bites by Lupi's and other eateries. Cost is $50 in advance, $60 day of. For half-price tickets for designated drivers, email marybeth@mywaterways.org. mywaterways.org
OUT & ABOUT
- SonRise Resurrection Pageant tickets will be available Thursday at ComeSeeJesus.com. A collaboration by Southern Adventist University and Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists, the 1-mile, handicap-accessible walk-through portrays Christ's last days with 500 costumed cast members, live animals and six interactive scenes from the Bible. It will be presented April 16, the Saturday before Easter. Tickets are free but are required for ages 7 and older. A prescribed number of tickets will be released every half-hour 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., corresponding to the recipients' admittance time the day of the pageant. There is a limit of eight tickets per request. Information: 423-236-7473
- Southern Lit Alliance, 301 E. 11th St., continues its South Bound Author Series at 6 p.m. Thursday with Michel Stone discussing her award-winning novels "The Iguana Tree" and "Border Child." Admission is free but donations are encouraged. To register: southernlitalliance.org
- Dress drive: River City Co. is coordinating a dress drive to help local high school students avoid some of the costs of prom. Donations of gently used formal dresses, jewelry and shoes will be accepted 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily through Friday. Teens from local high schools will have a shopping day Saturday. Items not selected will be donated to the Cause Cloth Thrift & Boutique. chattdressdrive@gmail.com
- Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St., is introducing Deeper Dives, small-group guided tours, this week. These behind-the-scenes adventures are offered Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings (hours vary by day). Cost is $40 for members, $85 for nonmembers and include regular aquarium admission following the tour. tnaqua.org
- Easter Bunny will be on duty Friday through April 16 at Hamilton Place, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd., and Northgate Mall, 271 Northgate Mall Drive. Visits are free. Photo packages start at $35. Reservations are strongly encouraged, but walk-ups will be allowed as space permits. Pet photo nights are 4-7 p.m. Monday and April 4. hamiltonplace.com, visitnorthgatemall.com
- Teddy Bear Checkup, a veterinary once-over for children's plush animals by Dr. Jim Hammon of Northgate Animal Hospital, is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. Checkups are free with admission: $10-$15. chattzoo.org
- Strides of March, Cempa Community Care's flagship fundraiser to combat HIV and AIDS in the Tennessee Valley, returns for its 27th year as an in-person event noon-2 p.m. Saturday at Renaissance Park, 133 River St. This year's goal is $60,000. Participants may sign up as teams or individuals. cempa.org
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ The memorial walk makes a sharp turn over the wetlands in Renaissance Park on its way to Coolidge Park in March 2019. Cempa Community Care's 27th annual Strides of March returns Saturday as an in-person event after two years of virtual fundraising in the fight against HIV and AIDS.- Throughout the Decades Dinner Series, marking the 150th anniversary of the Read House, kicks off 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday at the hotel, 107 W. M.L. King Blvd. This dinner, the first of four gourmet meals inspired by menus from different eras, will be a nod to the 1960s and '70s. A cocktail hour, history presentation and a four-course dinner with wine pairings are included in the cost: $150 per person, plus tax and a $30 gratuity. RSVP: thereadhousehotel.com
- Family Fun Day, celebrating the Southside Community Park playground, is 2-5 p.m. Saturday at 3501 Central Ave. The event includes free food, DJ, balloon animals, a mobile clinic from Cempa, free family portraits, puppets from Playful Evolving Monsters, a seed exchange and family crafts and games. chattlibrary.org/events
[READ MORE: Southside Community Park gets $50,000 grant for children's play area]
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ Cempa Community Care last held an in-person Strides of March memorial walk for victims of HIV/AIDS in March 2019. After two years of virtual fundraising, the event returns Saturday to Renaissance Park.- Voluptuous Belles Plus Pageant, featuring a vendor expo and speakers including reality star Shavonne Owens of TLC's "Family by the Ton," starts at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. Crowning ceremonies begin at 6 p.m. Admission is $20. voluptuousbellespageant.com
- Spring in Cooper's Alley events continue this weekend at 704 Market St. The Family Fitness Fest, featuring WTVC anchor and children's book author Greg Funderburg, is 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday. STEAM in the Alley, a showcase of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics sponsored by Thompson Engineering Foundation is 2-4 p.m. Sunday. More events are scheduled weekly through April by the Chattanooga Public Library and River City Co. chattlibrary.org/events
- "A Spiritual Revolution: The Quest to Experience God," a free lecture that may be viewed in person or online, is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 612 McCallie Ave. The speaker is Giulia Nesi Tetreau, who left her psychotherapy practice to focus solely on Christian Science healing. chaChurch.com/lecture
- Demystifying Death, a monthly series meant to ease end-of-life decisions, will open Tuesday with "Home Funerals, Green Burials and Alternatives for Final Arrangements." The virtual session, set for 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., features Kim Adams, a nationally recognized expert on green burial, aqua cremation, composting and body donation. The series is sponsored by Welcome Home of Chattanooga. Register for the Zoom link: welcomehomeofchattanooga.org
[READ MORE: Chattanooga nonprofit growing in its mission to offer homes to dying homeless residents]
- Benton MacKaye Trail Association schedules several hikes each month, but Wednesday's may be of particular interest to history buffs. A moderate, 7-mile hike will go into the Caney Creek community, an abandoned town on the Ocoee River that existed from 1918 to 1941 and has since been reclaimed by nature. For hike information, email hikeleaderCS2@bmtamail.org. Full schedule: bmta.org
ARTS
- Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View, has two events scheduled. Thursday's Art Wise program, 6-7 p.m., features Fahamu Pecou whose "Monsters and Saints" is included in the current special exhibit "Beyond the Frame: Celebrating 70 Years of Collecting." His work explores black masculinity through the lens of hip-hop, fine art and pop culture. Saturday's Access in Museums program, 11 a.m.-noon, is an interactive discussion about ableism and access in public spaces led by artist Shannon Finnegan. huntermuseum.org
- Scenic City Clay Arts will hold its second annual Joy of Clay virtual auction of locally handmade items Tuesday through April 3. More than 50 items are up for bid. sceniccityclayarts.org
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.