Here's what the Chattanooga area has to offer this week.
Feeling lucky?
It's said that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, but Irish heritage is strong in the United States anyway, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. More than 31 million residents (1 out of 10) claimed Irish ancestry in 2022, and in 2021 more than 118,000 foreign-born U.S. residents reported Ireland as their place of birth. New Hampshire, with 19%, and Massachusetts, with 18%, have the highest percentage of residents with Irish ancestry. Cook County, Illinois, is the U.S. county with the largest Irish-American population, with nearly 419,000 residents claiming Irish ancestry in the Census Bureau's 2022 American Community Survey.
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. franklincoarts.org
HUNTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART — 10 Bluff View. huntermuseum.org
› March 21: Immersive Fashion and Technology Experience, inspired by "Networked Nature" exhibition and with conversation about its themes, 6-7 p.m. Regular admission: $20 nonmember adults.
› March 23: Mechanical Flying Birds, craft a bird using simple mechanics and inspration from the digital artwork in the "Networked Nature" exhibition, 1-3 p.m. at Reflection Riding, 400 Garden Road. $10-$25. Online registration required.
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
LANTERN MAKING WORKSHOPS — Community project for Rock the Riverfront's Light Up Chatt Parade on March 23. Free, but register: rivercitycompany.com
› March 19: 6-7:30 p.m. at Purpose Point Academy, 4801 Highway 58.
› March 20: 6-8 p.m. at Playful Evolving Monsters Studio, 5325 Old Hixson Pike.
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
PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF CHATTANOOGA — chattanoogaphoto.org
› March 19: Youth Photography Showcase Awards, 6:30-8 p.m. at St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Drive.
› March 21: Monthly meeting with guest Donna Bourdon on "Wildlife Photography: Good to Great," 7 p.m. at St. John United Methodist Church. Boot camp at 6 p.m. on "Introduction to Textures."
› Through May 3: Spring show at Gallery at Blackwell, 71 Eastgate Loop.
RIVER GALLERY — 400 E. Second St. river-gallery.com
› March 23: Plein air painting 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 project on banners, graphics and video projections, 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
THE COMEDY CATCH — 29 Station St. thecomedycatch.com
› March 20: Open Mic Night, 7 p.m. $7.
› March 21: Nurses Night Out starring nurse/comedian Greg Williams, 7 p.m. $20-$25.
› March 22-23: Jodi White, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. $19-$24.
FILM
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
IMAX THEATER — 201 Chestnut St. Screening of feature film "Dune: Part Two," through March 21 (various show times). $15. tnaqua.org/imax
MUSIC
BARKING LEGS THEATER — 1307 Dodds Ave. Wednesday Jazz with Adam Stone, 7:30 p.m. March 20. $10. barkinglegs.org
BARRELHOUSE BALLROOM — 1501 Long St. barrelhouseballroom.com
› March 17: The Motet, with Paul Childers, 8 p.m. $22-$25.
› March 22: Velcro Pygmies, 9 p.m. $20-$25.
› March 23: Doom Flamingo, with Lvndr, 8 p.m. $20-$25.
THE CAVERNS — 555 Charlie Roberts Road, Pelham, Tenn. All times Central. thecaverns.com
› March 17: St. Patrick's Day celebration with Altan, 4 p.m. $59.
› March 22: "The Caverns Sessions," day one taping of PBS series formerly known as "Bluegrass Underground," with Elizabeth Cook, American Aquarium, The Texas Gentlemen and Evan Honer, 7 p.m. $69 (upgrades available); three-day tickets $238 and up.
› March 23: "The Caverns Sessions" day two taping, with Dan Tyminski Band, Lyndsay Lou, 49 Winchester and Clay Street Unit, 5 p.m. $69.
› March 24: "The Caverns Sessions" day three taping, with Shane Smith & The Saints, Ozomatli, Big Richard and Alvin Youngblood Hart's Muscle Theory, 4 p.m. $69.
CHATTANOOGA AREA FLUTE SOCIETY CHOIR — Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 822 Belvoir Ave., East Ridge. Second of two performances of annual Celtic concert, 3-4 p.m. March 17. Free admission. Contact: Nora Kile, nlskile@gmail.com
CHATTANOOGA SYMPHONY & OPERA — chattanoogasymphony.org
› March 21: Masterworks concert, "The Pines of Rome," 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. $12-$90.
› March 24: 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. at The Bethlehem Center, 200 W. 38th St. Doors open at 2 p.m. for instrument petting zoo and crafts. Free but register.
EVENING WITH THE STARS — The Arts Center, 320 N. White St. House Blend Concert Series continues with auditioned community performers, 7:30 p.m. March 22. $20 (includes refreshments and cash bar). athensartscouncil.org
GEM THEATRE — 114 N. Wall St., Calhoun, Ga. Glen Templeton, 7:30 p.m. March 23. $40-$45 (limited availability). calhoungemtheatre.org
GEORGIA STRING BAND FESTIVAL & GORDON COUNTY FIDDLERS CONVENTION — Harris Arts Center, 212 S. Wall St., Calhoun, Ga. facebook.com/ georgiastringbandfestival
› March 22: 16th annual String Band Festival features Hubby Jenkins, formerly of Carolina Chocolate Drops, 7 p.m. $25.
› March 23: Fiddlers Convention includes contests for fiddle and banjo players, string bands, singers and buck dancers, 1 p.m.; doors open at 11 a.m., registration at 12:30 p.m. $10.
LEE UNIVERSITY — 1120 N. Ocoee St., Cleveland, Tenn. Black History Month events, postponed from last month, conclude with "Songs & Stories," a singalong tribute to gospel artist Richard Smallwood, 7 p.m. March 19 in Walker Lecture Hall. leeuniversity.edu/ethnic-relations
MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM — 399 McCallie Ave. tivolichattanooga.com
› March 17: Zach Williams on A Hundred Highways Tour, 7 p.m. $22-$240.
› March 18: Heart Strings for Hope, featuring Maddie & Tae, Brian Kelley, Parmalee, Chase Matthew and Kelley Lovelace, 7 p.m. $47-$79.
ROAD TO NIGHTFALL — The Granfalloon, 400 E. Main St. Preliminary rounds of Chattanooga Presents and SoundCorps band competition for headlining slot at Nightfall summer concert series, plus cash and other prizes, 8 p.m. March 21-23. (Finals, April 6.) soundcorps.org
THE SIGNAL — 21 Choo Choo Ave. St. Paul & The Broken Bones, 8 p.m. March 21. $47-$80. thesignaltn.com
UTC LIVE — UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Roland Carter St. The Kruger Brothers and Kontras Quartet in concert, 7:30 p.m. March 22. $50. utc.edu/ fine-arts-center
WALKER THEATRE — 399 McCallie Ave. Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, 8 p.m. March 25. $47-$143. tivolichattanooga.com
OUT & ABOUT
ARCHAEOLOGY LECTURE — Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists, 4829 College Drive East. Lipscomb University professor Steven Ortiz, researcher in excavation projects in Israel and Kazakhstan, guest speaker for Hasel Lectureship convocation, 11 a.m. March 21. Free. southern.edu/southernevents
BUILDING RENAMING — Lowell Green Recreation Center, 301 Webb Wheeler Road, LaFayette, Ga. Ceremony to rename the center the Jennifer Lee Salmon Building to honor the late community educator and the center's first director, led by former LaFayette High School basketball star Alex Ted Harris, 1 p.m. March 23. 706-639-1590
CHATTANOOGA RIVER MARKET — Tennessee Aquarium plaza, 1 Broad St. Local artists, crafters and food artisans, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays, through March 24; then Saturday-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.
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 SCRAMBLE — Gilbert Stephenson Park, 19 Van Cleve St., Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Egg hunt for children in fifth grade and younger, noon-2 p.m. March 23. Bring your own basket. fortogov.com
ED JOHNSON DAY OF REMEMBRANCE — Walnut Street Plaza, 1 Walnut St. Friends of the Ed Johnson Memorial lead commemoration of Johnson's wrongful lynching death and the U.S. Supreme Court case that resulted, 6:30 p.m. March 19; gathering starts on the north end and crosses the bridge for the ceremony. Email: edjohnsonproject@gmail.com
FAMILY EGG HUNT — Chattanooga State Community College, 4501 Amnicola Highway. Open house includes information on career planning and financial aid for adults, plus petting zoo, Easter Bunny photos and food trucks, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 23. chattanoogastate.edu
FAMILY FUN DAY — Museum Center at Five Points. 200 E. Inman St., Cleveland, Tenn. "Discover the World of Bugs and Plants," with crafts, games and activities, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. March 23. $5. museumcenter.org
GLASS FARM NURSERY GRAND REOPENING — 8241 U.S. 11, Rising Fawn, Ga. Nursery reopens with new owner, landscape architect Mario Cambardella, who has led designs on Netflix's "Instant Dream Home," HGTV's "Rock the Block" and Fox's "Home Free," 11 a.m. March 23. Day includes food trucks 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. and other refreshments. Email: mario@servescape.net
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
HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA — Lake Hills Church of Christ, 4519 Oak Hill Road. Chattanooga chapter of HLAA hosts captioned meeting on new and existing technology for people with hearing loss, 2 p.m. March 17. Email: Betty Proctor, baproctor@epbfi.com
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, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 23, noon-5 p.m. March 24. Free admission. touchtheskyevents.com
MEACHAM WRITERS WORKSHOP — UTC campus and other sites. Annual event promoting writing as an expressive art includes reading, panels and generative workshops, March 21-23. Features Meacham Fellow Christina Catherine Martinez and visiting writers Emilia Phillips and L.S. McKee. Full schedule: blog.utc.edu/news
LOCATION CHANGE: 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, March 22-24, featuring Light Up Chatt Parade starting from Walnut Plaza and the Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. at 6:30 p.m. and arriving at Chattanooga Green at 7:30 p.m.; Hip N Hop, March 29-31; Retro Rewind, April 5-7; Pure Imagination, April 12-14. Free admission. rivercitycompany.com/rock
SIP TN WINE FESTIVAL — First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd. Celebration of more than 100 Tennessee-made wines, hard ciders and meads, noon-4 p.m. March 23. $53 (includes tastings, souvenir wine glass, tote bag and bottle buying privileges); $13 designated driver. siptn.com/chattanooga
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
WILD ONION AND EGG BREAKFAST — Woodlands Gathering, 9966 Lovell Road, Soddy-Daisy. Church-sponsored community event, 9-11 a.m. March 23. woodlandsgathering.org
WINTER HIKE CHALLENGE — Chattanooga-based Outshine Adventures' second annual event to encourage hiking 90 miles in 90 days, through March 19. $40-$200. Register: outshineadventures.com
POETRY
POETRY & POVERTY — Townsend Atelier, The Arts Building, 301 11th St. (first floor). Poetry by Moll King and Nikki Lake followed by discussion of community housing and homelessness, 6:30-9 p.m. March 20. Free. townsendatelier.com
SPECTATOR SPORTS
CHATTANOOGA FOOTBALL CLUB — Finley Stadium, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. City's MLS Next Pro men's professional soccer team vs FC Cincinnati 2, 3 p.m. March 23. $10 and up. chattanoogafc.com
THEATER
ATHENS COMMUNITY THEATER — The Arts Center, 320 N. White St., Athens, Ga. Table read of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," 2 p.m. March 17; "Murder in the Studio," 7 p.m. March 21; "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 17: "Boundaries," staged reading of new play from New York's Mixing It Up Productions and Chattanooga's Shawnuff Productions, 2:30 p.m. Free; donations to BLT appreciated.
› March 19: Third Tuesday play reading of contemporary scripts, 7-9 p.m. Free; tips for BLT programming welcome.
› March 22-23: A Night of One Acts with Seed Theatre, 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $15.
CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE — 400 River St. Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express," 7:30 p.m. March 22-23, 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 CITY BALLET BANG-A-RANG PRODUCTIONS — Lee University's Dixon Center, 1053 Church St., Cleveland, Tenn. "Mary Poppins: The Broadway Music," 2 p.m. March 17 (final show). $35. Proceeds benefit Art Is Here Partnership. clevelandcityballet.com
CLEVELAND STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE — 3535 Adkisson Drive, Cleveland, Tenn. Campus's Curtain Call Society presents "Long Live Love," 7 p.m. March 22-23, 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.
File Photo / Maddie & Tae are among the country stars performing at Heart Strings for Hope, a concert benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, scheduled March 18 at Memorial Auditorium.