LISA DENTON: Barry, the largest bacon festival in the South is coming up Saturday in Cleveland, and the only thing even remotely disappointing about BaCon (that's short for bacon convention) is that Roger Alan Wade isn't performing. I know Nick Jonas has a song called "Bacon," but he's not from around here like Roger is. Just imagine Roger singing "Loving you is like frying bacon naked." The crowd would go ... I gotta do it ... hog wild.
Lisa Denton and Barry Courter
BARRY COURTER: Roger is a gem, and while he might not be singing at BaCon, he is performing at Tremont Tavern on Friday. He also has a new record out called "Simmering Rage." He did several songs from it for a recent Music Wednesdays. You can see it here: https://youtu.be/Up_esMlcvs8
This is a crazy-busy week of really solid events. Both Lord Huron at The Signal on Friday and Jeff Tweedy at the Walker on Saturday are sold out.
Leon Bridges is Friday at Memorial Auditorium. I saw him at Bonnaroo a couple of years ago, and if you like '60s soul and '70s R&B, which I know you do, this will be terrific. He puts everything he has into every song.
LISA: I ain't too proud to beg to hear some '60s soul music. I like that Bridges performs in vintage clothing to match his sound. Maybe we should dress the part when we write this column. You reckon we could find a couple of clown suits?
BARRY: I was thinking dunce caps, but good idea either way. It would help get us into character. I spoke with Bridges last week. He is the perfect blend of old and new school with songs that have meaning and depth.
LISA: There's a lot of stuff going on outdoors this weekend too. I think everybody's got spring fever. You can watch vintage baseball in Fort Oglethorpe, let your dog hunt Easter eggs at McKamey Animal Center or check out the yard and garden stuff at the Master Your Garden Expo at Camp Jordan. I hear there'll be people there who'll show us their bloomers.
John Schneider returns to the area for a show at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Wink Theatre in Dalton, Georgia.BARRY: Bazinga. John Schneider returns to the area as well. He and our friend Cody McCarver have become friends and collaborators on several projects and will both perform during the show at the Wink Theatre in Dalton.
LISA: That's a lot of good hair right there. Which reminds me there's a new event debuting Sunday at The Signal called the Up Next Barber Showcase that will highlight upcoming barbers and stylists in the area.
And don't forget that Saturday night, the Chattanooga Roller Girls open their season with a double-header at the Chattanooga Convention Center, and "The Creature From the Black Lagoon" will be shown at Miller Park.
BARRY: And, as if you'd need any more culture after that, "Carmen" will be presented in full costume by the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera on Thursday and Saturday. I love opera, and this is a good one.
LISA: You know, instead of clown suits we could wear opera costumes, although the gypsy of "Carmen" would be my second choice. I'd rather go full-on Viking. You think the CSO would add a Brunnhilde walk-on for me in "Carmen"? I could bring my own breastplate and horned helmet.
Get event details every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281. Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.