Here's what the Chattanooga area has to offer this week.
Glass half full
Tennessee residents could be feeling peak optimism Sunday. A survey of 3,000 people by photo-book company Mixbook found that a surge of optimism peaks in the U.S. in the spring, though not every state follows the same timetable. Alabama residents will feel peak optimism on Thursday, while Georgians won't be their most optimistic selves until April 2. That's still two days before the national pinnacle of April 4. Mixbook relates the pervasive optimism to the arrival of spring, citing the sense of renewal that accompanies the change in season. In Wyoming, however, the optimism seems to spring eternal, with residents feeling hopeful on Jan. 13. Rhode Islanders, on the other hand, are nearly halfway through the year before reaching peak optimism on June 25. The survey also found that 89% of respondents report they are naturally inclined toward optimism.
CALENDAR
ARTS
THE ARTS CENTER — 320 N. White St., Athens, Tenn. athensartscouncil.org
› Through March 29: "Inspired Action" by Sandra Paynter Washburn.
› Through April 8: "Synthesize: Shape, Surface and Saturation," works by Jan Burleson (oils), Carl Gombert (mixed media), Carrie Pendergrass (prints) and Kelly Spell (quilts).
AVA GALLERY — 30 Frazier Ave. Association for Visual Arts presents "Nature's Generosity: Wilderness Photography Foundation, through April 17 in Main and Landis galleries. avarts.org
BESSIE SMITH CULTURAL CENTER — 200 E. M.L. King Blvd. Black History Month art contest exhibit, through March 29. Regular admission: $7-$10. bessiesmithcc.org
CREATIVE ARTS GUILD — 520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, Ga. Student Arts Expo, featuring work by public, private and home-schooled K-12 students, through March 31. creativeartsguild.org
FRANKLIN COUNTY ARTS GUILD — The Artisan Depot, 204 E. Cumberland St., Cowan, Tenn. "Softly Stirring" community show, through March 31. Intake for next community show, "The Root of It All," March 28-31 (show opens April 4). franklincoarts.org
GALLERY AT BLACKWELL — 71 Eastgate Loop. Photographic Society of Chattanooga spring show, through May 3. chattanoogaphoto.org
HUNTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART — 10 Bluff View. Opening of "Vivid: A Fresh Take," showcasing recent acquisitions of contemporary art, anchored by a piece by Kehinde Wiley, who painted the official presidential portrait of Barack Obama, 6-7:30 p.m. March 28. Includes performances by Sarah Yvonne of Ballet Esprit, saxophonist Joshua T. Allen, docent tours and art activities. Free admission. huntermuseum.org
ICA @ UTC — University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's Fine Arts Center, 752 Roland Carter St. Institute of Contemporary Art presents "Sarcophagi" by Adam Parker Smith, through May 17. icachatt.org
IN-TOWN GALLERY — 26A Frazier Ave. "Enchanted Treescapes," photos by Anh Bao Tran-Le, through March 31. intowngallery.com
JEWISH CULTURAL CENTER — 5461 North Terrace. "Mishpachah-Family" exhibit by 44 artists from Israel, the U.S. and Canada, including 12 from Chattanooga. 423-493-0270
MOUNTAIN ARTS COMMUNITY CENTER — 809 Kentucky Ave., Signal Mountain. Works by Civic Arts League of Chattanooga, through March. signalmacc.org
NORTH RIVER CIVIC CENTER — 1009 Executive Drive, Suite 102, Hixson. "Fine Art of the West" by David Fishman, through April 1. 423-870-8924
RIVER GALLERY — 400 E. Second St. river-gallery.com
› March 30: Ceramics demonstration by Victoria Pearmain, 1-3 p.m.
› Through April 30: Works by Russell Whiting (sculpture) and Stephen Golder (photography).
SOUTHERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY — 4881 Taylor Circle. School of Visual Art and Design presents "Next Stop," creative works by senior graphic design students, through March 29 in John C. Williams Art Gallery in Brock Hall. southern.edu/artgallery
STOVEWORKS GALLERY — 1250 E. 13th St. stoveworks.org
› Through April 5: "Peekaboo Sham," works by Jordan Martins.
› Through June 22: "Hand to Mouth," group exhibition
TENNESSEE AQUARIUM — 1 Broad St. Two dozen images of National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore's Photo Ark, including species photographed on-site, through December. Included with regular admission: $30-$40. tnaqua.org/tickets
TOWNSEND ATELIER — Arts Building, 301 E. 11th St. "Resonance," new paintings by Ukrainian-born Chattanooga artist Elena Burykinak through March 30. townsendatelier.com
COMEDY
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. Improv Chattanooga "Yes, And ..." skits, 8 p.m. March 30. $10-$15. barkinglegs.org
THE CHATTERY — 1800 Rossville Ave., No. 108. Improv Comedy Week continues. thechattery.org
› March 24: Emmy- nominated and Peabody Award-winning writer Rich Talarico leads two classes: Introduction to Comedy Writing, 10 a.m.; and Improv: The Art of Initiating and Gift Giving, 2 p.m. $60 each.
› March 27: Free Intro to Improv Class, with improv artist Jason Parker, 6 p.m. March 27; registration required.
THE COMEDY CATCH — 29 Station St. thecomedycatch.com
› March 28: Next Level Comedy Showcase, 7 p.m. $12.
› March 29-30: Paul Conyers, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. $19-$24.
MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM — 399 McCallie Ave. John Crist on the Emotional Support Tour, 7 p.m. March 30. $39-$127. tivolichattanooga.com
DANCE
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. Improvisational dance with live musical accompaniment by Susan Hefner with Evan Lipson and Ann Law with Bruce Kaplan, 7:30 p.m. March 28. $15. barkinglegs.org
FILM
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. Double feature, March 25: "Bends," director Rob Winslow's documentary on the making and remaking of Chattanooga (last in a series), 6:30 p.m., followed by Monday Movie Nights selection, to be announced, $10. barkinglegs.org
HUNTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART — 10 Bluff View. Free public premiere of Chattanooga-made film "Journey With Giovanny," a story of friendship between two people from different worlds, 3-4:30 p.m. March 24. With panel discussion with filmmakers Steve Derthick, Pedro Abriles and Giovanny Padilla. Trailer: youtu.be/Y1NziQxg-FE
MUSIC
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org
› March 27: Wednesday Jazz with Clare Donahue, 7:30 p.m. $10.
› March 29: Ratboys, with Ducks Ltd., 7 p.m. $20-$22.
BARRELHOUSE BALLROOM — 1501 Long St. barrelhouseballroom.com
› March 26: Jeff Tate's Big Rock Show Hits, with Fire and Water, 7 p.m. $25-$30.
› March 29: Drivin' N' Cryin', with Abe Partridge, 8 p.m. $20-$25.
› March 30: The Dave Matthews Tribute Band, 9 p.m. $20-$25.
THE CAVERNS — 555 Charlie Roberts Road, Pelham, Tenn. "The Caverns Sessions" day three taping, with Shane Smith & The Saints, Ozomatli, Big Richard and Alvin Youngblood Hart's Muscle Theory, 4 p.m. CDT March 24. $69. thecaverns.com
CHATTANOOGA SYMPHONY & OPERA — The Bethlehem Center, 200 W. 38th St. Family event opens with mini concert, followed by reading of "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" by Read 120, set to the music of Antonio Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," with life-size puppets from Playful Evolving Monsters, 3 p.m. March 24. Doors open at 2 p.m. for instrument petting zoo and crafts. Free but register. chattanoogasymphony.org
GEM THEATRE — 114 N. Wall St., Calhoun, Ga. Troubadour Project, 7:30 p.m. March 30. $35-$40. calhoungemtheatre.org
PRESIDENTIAL CONCERT SERIES — Lee University Chapel, 1020 N. Ocoee St., Cleveland, Tenn. Series closes with Gloria Chien (piano), Anthony McGill (clarinet) and Fleur Barron (mezzo-soprano), 7:30 p.m. March 25. Includes music by Brahms, Ravaei, Ruo and Chinese folk songs. $5-$15. eventbrite.com
THE ROUECHÉ CHORALE & ORCHESTRA — Brainerd United Methodist Church, 4315 Brainerd Road. "Colors of Grace — Lessons for Lent," Holy Week worship program with music and narration, 7 p.m. March 26. Free. therouechechorale.org
SONGBIRDS — 206 W. Main St. Bias, with Jake Hess, 7 p.m. March 29. $20-$45. songbirdsfoundation.org
STRING THEORY — Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. Concert by Gloria Chien (piano), Anthony McGill (clarinet) and Fleur Barron (mezzo-soprano), 6:30 p.m. March 26. Includes music by Brahms, Spohr, De Falla, Price and Ravaei. "Pregame" discussion of program with Bob Bernhardt at 5:45 p.m. $10-$45. stringtheorymusic.org
WALKER THEATRE — 399 McCallie Ave. tivolichattanooga.com
› March 25: Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, 8 p.m. $47-$143.
› March 29: Blue October, 8 p.m. $48-$220.
WOODSONGS DALTON — First Presbyterian Church, 101 S. Selvidge St., Dalton, Ga. Concert series continues with Kristy Cox, 7 p.m. March 30. $20. Proceeds benefit DEO Clinic, providing medical care to low-income, uninsured Dalton residents. woodsongsdalton.com
OUT & ABOUT
ASSYRIAN HISTORY — Lynn Wood Hall Chapel at Southern Adventist University, 4881 Taylor Circle, Collegedale. Mesopotamian archaeologist Constance E.C. Gane, Ph.D., presents "The Assyrian War Machine: Expansion and Conquest," 7 p.m. March 25. Part of lecture series on the history and archaeology of the ancient Near East. Free. southern.edu/southernevents
BIBLE PROGRAM — Refuge Assembly, 194 Depot St., Soddy-Daisy. "Amazing Bible Discoveries" presentation on Noah's Ark, Red Sea crossing and other topics by Kevin Fisher, son-in-law of late explorer Ron Wyatt, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 31. Lunch provided. 615-598-7808
CHATTANOOGA RIVER MARKET — Tennessee Aquarium plaza, 1 Broad St. Local artists, crafters and food artisans 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 24; then 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays only, through October. Free admission. chattanoogamarket.com
CITYWIDE EASTER EGG HUNT — Vinterest Hixson and Vinterest Southside hide eggs around the city that can be redeemed for prizes donated by vendors, through March 30. Locator clues posted daily on local stores' Facebook and Instagram. One win per household.
DAY OF GIVING — Jersey Mike's locations at 2260 Gunbarrel Road, 5510 Highway 153 in Hixson, 5975 Elementary Way in Ooltewah, 2416 N. Ocoee St. in Cleveland, Tenn., and 1415 Dietz Road in Ringgold, Ga. Local stores will donate 100% of sales in-store, online or via app to YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. March 27. Purchase roundups and other donations accepted the rest of the month. jerseymikes.com
DECONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP — Edney Innovation Center, 1100 Market St. Led by guest instructor David Bennink, director of the Building Deconstruction Institute, which advocates for the disassembly of a building to recover materials for reuse, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. March 28 (lunch provided), 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. March 29. Free, but reservations required. 765-729-4678
EASTER BUNNY — Bradley Square Mall's Story Land (near Claire's and Hibbett Sports), 200 Paul Huff Parkway, Cleveland, Tenn. Available for photos through March 30 (11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon- 6 p.m. Sundays). Free visits; photo packages vary. shopbradleysquare.com
EASTER BUNNY — Dalton Mall, 816 Walnut Square Blvd., Dalton, Ga. Available for photos through March 30 (11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon- 6 p.m. Sundays). Walk-ups welcome; reservations suggested. daltonmall.com
EASTER BUNNY — Hamilton Place, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. Photos with the Easter Bunny, through March 30, plus pet photos every Monday. Free visits; photo packages vary. Reservations suggested. hamiltonplace.com
EASTER BUNNY — Northgate Mall, 271 Northgate Mall Drive, Hixson. Photos available through March 30, plus pet photos every Monday. Free visits; photo packages vary. Reservations suggested. visitnorthgatemall.com
EASTER EGG HUNT — Fall Creek Falls State Park, Spencer, Tenn. Annual event in the Village green includes candy-filled eggs for kids 12 and younger, 10 a.m. CDT March 30. Free but register. Post-hunt options: Bunny Brunch for $8 or free crafts in Recreation Hall. tnstateparks.com
EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE — Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave. The Salvation Army of Chattanooga leads 48th annual event, 7:30 a.m. March 31. Free coffee and doughnuts at 7 a.m. Salvation Army church services to follow at 11 a.m. at Citadel Corps, 1019 N. Moore Road; East Lake Corps, 2140 E. 28th St.; and Cleveland Corps, 437 Inman St., Cleveland, Tenn. csarmy.org
GORDON-LEE MANSION TOURS — 217 Cove Road, Chickamauga, Ga. Friends organization opens mansion for visitors on the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's Chickamauga Turn excursions, noon-2 p.m. March 30, April 6, 13, May 4, 11, 18-19, 25. $1-$5. Email: friendsglm@comcast.net
THE GREAT ADULT EGG HUNT & HOPPY HOUR — Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, 1800 Polk St. Annual fundraiser for The Chattery lets adults hunt for one-of-a-kind wooden eggs painted by local artists, plus plastic eggs containing candy and prizes, March 30; gather at 1 p.m.; hunt at 2 p.m.; Hoppy Hour at 43 Station St., 3-5 p.m. Sunday-best attire encouraged. (Rain date, April 6; no refunds.) $7-$10 general admission (cheaper through 5 p.m. March 29); $50 VIP (deadline noon March 27). thechattery.org
Staff file photo by Olivia Ross / Participants race out to find eggs during The Chattery's Great Adult Egg Hunt at the Sculpture Fields at Montague Park in 2022. This year's event is March 30. After the hunt, adults can move on to 43 Station St. for Hoppy Hour.HAPPY HOPPY SPRING MARKET & EGG HUNT — Heritage Park, 1428 Jenkins Road. Second annual event includes vendor booths by crafters, small businesses and child entrepreneurs, photos with the Easter Bunny, bounce house, carnival games and food trucks, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 30. Hunt for 10,000 eggs at 1 p.m. (age divisions). eventswithkimk.com
HISTORY FOR LUNCH — McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, 522 W. Madison Ave., Athens, Tenn. Program on the White Cliff Hotel and Starr Mountain, noon March 28. Bring your own lunch. Free but register. livingheritagemuseum.org
HUG A BUNNY — Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. Includes games and crafts, inflatables, selfies with the Easter Bunny, live bunnies to pet, animal enrichment and golden egg hunt for free family membership in each time block, 9 a.m.-noon, noon-2 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. March 29-30. $6 members; $17-$20 nonmembers (children 2 and younger get in free); separate charge for train rides, giraffe feedings and carousel rides. chattzoo.org
MAGNOLIA MARKET DAYS — Bradley Square Mall, 200 Paul Huff Parkway, Cleveland, Tenn. More than 120 vendors inside the mall, food trucks, inflatables and petting zoo outside, plus photos with Easter Bunny, noon-5 p.m. March 24 (last day). Free admission. touchtheskyevents.com
MARKETPLACE LUNCHEON — Mountain City Club, 729 Chestnut St. Author and former missionary Janice Upton guest for Scenic City Women's Network monthly program and buffet lunch, noon March 28. RSVP by March 26. $25. scwn.org
MEDAL OF HONOR WEEK — National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, 2 W. Aquarium Way. mohhc.org
› March 25: Medal of Honor Day, with guided tours highlighting local recipients at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; program on Chattanooga's role in the origins of the award by Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park historian Jim Ogden at 6 p.m. Regular admission: $10-$17.
› March 28: Wine and War: Vietnam, 6-9 p.m. Second program in series features Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Sammy Davis, whose award ceremony with President Lyndon B. Johnson was incorporated into the film "Forrest Gump," with Davis' face digitally replaced by actor Tom Hanks'. With entertainment by Ladies of Liberty. Registration closed.
› March 29: Vietnam Veterans Day breakfast, 8:30-11 a.m. Free breakfast for Vietnam veterans, with retired U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Sammy Davis, who will sign his book, "You Don't Lose 'Til You Quit Trying: Lessons in Adversity and Victory From a Vietnam Veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient." Regular admission all others: $10-$17.
ROCK THE RIVERFRONT — Chattanooga Green, 100 Chestnut St. Third year of interactive art, music and entertainment features Loop by Ekumen, a hybrid of a music box, zoetrope (19th-century animated toy) and railway handcar that plays flipbook-style movies at a speed determined by participants, 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. through April 14. Weekends include Friday night DJ, games, food trucks and art vendors. Themes: Magic of Cinema, through Sunday; Hip N Hop, March 29-31; Retro Rewind, April 5-7; Pure Imagination, April 12-14. Free admission. rivercitycompany.com/rock
SPRING BLOOMS — Rock City, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga. Seasonal show from the plants along the Enchanted Trail and art installations, through May 12. Included in regular admission: $19-$29 weekdays, $22-$32 weekends ($5 more at gate). seerockcity.com
SPRING BREAK SAFARI — Themed, hands-on activities at various local attractions for children on school breaks, through April 7. visitchattanooga.com/spring
WILDFLOWER HIKES — Sequatchie Valley Institute, 1233 Cartwright Loop, Whitwell, Tenn. Guided, two-hour, moderate hike to see spring bloomers, 1 p.m. CDT March 24 (repeats April 13). Must arrive 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. CDT for registration and shuttle to SVI center, which features the Liquidambar Art Gallery with pottery, paintings, sculpture and glass. Herb tea available; picnics welcome. Option to continue more rugged hike after two-hour outing. svionline.org
WRITING WORKSHOP — SoLit, 301 E. 11th St., Suite 300. Award-winning screenwriter and author W.A. Fulkerson leads program on "The 5 Big Rules of Plot," 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 28. $15. solitchatt.org
SPECTATOR SPORTS
CHATTANOOGA RED WOLVES — CHI Memorial Stadium, 1 Stadium Way. Men's USL League One professional soccer team in home season opener vs. Union Omaha, 7:30 p.m. March 30. Includes Easter egg hunt before the match and live music after. $14 and up. chattanoogaredwolves-sc.com
CHATTANOOGA ROLLER DERBY — Camp Jordan, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge. Home season opener vs. Atlanta Roller Derby, 2-9 p.m. March 30. Juniors Ruby Regulators vs. ATL Junior Roller Derby at 3 p.m; CRD All-Stars vs. Dirty South Derby at 5 p.m.; CRD B-Railers vs. River City Roller Derby at 7 p.m. $6-$12. ($45 for five-bout season tickets). Proceeds benefit The Bethlehem Center. chattanoogarollerderby.com
THEATER
ATHENS COMMUNITY THEATER — The Arts Center, 320 N. White St., Athens, Ga. Table read "9 to 5: The Musical," 7 p.m. March 26. Read or listen. Free. athensartscouncil.org
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org
› March 24: Noogavision Theatre and Performing Arts mixer, with focus on the arts' role in mental health, specifically the positive effects of theater, 2:30-5:30 p.m.
› March 30: "Storm Bugs Rejoice," interactive reading of storybook, with puppets and sound effects, by local author Andrea Zoppo, aka Ms. Ladybug, 10:30-11:30 a.m. With support from Winder Binder bookstore. $5-$10 children; free for adults.
CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE — 400 River St. Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express," 2:30 p.m. March 24, 7:30 p.m. March 28-30, 2:30 p.m. March 31, 7:30 p.m. April 4-6, 2:30 p.m. April 7. $20-$30. theatercentre.com
CLEVELAND STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE — 3535 Adkisson Drive, Cleveland, Tenn. Campus's Curtain Call Society presents "Long Live Love," 2:30 p.m. March 24, 7 p.m. March 29-30 in George R. Johnson Cultural Heritage Center. Free. Email: hshiveley@clevelandstatecc.edu
CUMBERLAND COUNTY PLAYHOUSE — 221 Tennessee Ave., Crossville, Tenn. ccplayhouse.com
› Through March 24: Disney's "Finding Nemo Jr." $14-$23.
› Through May 5: "Beehive: The '60s Musical." $19-$35.
MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM — 399 McCallie Ave. "Jagged Little Pill" in Broadway series, 7:30 p.m. March 26-28. $47-$102. tivolichattanooga.com
Find more events, and add your own, at timesfreepress.com/cnevents.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.
Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Families check out the vendors at the Chattanooga River Market on the Tennessee Aquarium plaza on opening day, March 9. March 24 will be the last Sunday the market is open, reverting to a Saturday-only schedule for the rest of the season, which lasts through October.