This weekend, there's plenty to do in the Chattanooga area, including the 4 Bridges Arts Festival and the Battle Below the Clouds barbecue competition. There's also still time to participate in Chattanooga Burger Week which will run through Sunday, culminating in one Chattanooga-area restaurant receiving the honor of having the best burger in town. Here's the chronology.
ARTS
— Creative Arts Guild, 520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, continues its exhibition, "ATL Imported: A Showcase of Atlanta Art," featuring works by artists who live and create in the Atlanta area to showcase the variety of talents within Georgia's capital city. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and by appointment Saturday-Sunday. The exhibition will run through May 31. Learn more at creativeartsguild.org.
— ClearStory Arts, 1673 S. Holtzclaw Ave., continues its exhibition,"Green: A Spring Showcase," featuring works in a variety of mediums that focus on the color and meaning of green. Gallery hours are by appointment Tuesday-Friday. The exhibition will run through April 27. Learn more at clearstoryarts.com.
— Association for Visual Arts, 30 Frazier Ave., will conclude Wednesday its exhibition, "Nature's Generosity: Wilderness Photography Foundation," featuring the works of 46 nature photographers that showcase the beauty and diversity of plant and animal life. Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, noon-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Learn more at avarts.org.
— Southern Adventist University School of Visual Art and Design will host an opening reception for a student art exhibition at 6 p.m. Thursday in the John C. Williams Art Gallery inside Brock Hall on the university's campus, 4881 Taylor Circle, Collegedale. The exhibition, entitled "Dissonance," features works by senior fine art major Danny Perez, exploring the relationship between tension and relief through a variety of media. The exhibition will run through April 26. Learn more at southern.edu/artgallery.
— Photographic Society of Chattanooga will have a presentation by Colby McLemore at 7 p.m. Thursday at St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Drive. McLemore, visual storyteller and owner of Colby's Photo and Videos, will present "Pocket Pixels: Harnessing Your Cell Phone Camera's Potential." There will be a boot camp session, entitled "Pixel Dimensions, Resolution, Aspect Ratios and Image and Print Sizing," presented by Maury Griffith at 6 p.m. Thursday. The society also continues its spring show at the Gallery at Blackwell, 71 Eastgate Loop. Society members will have their work displayed, and prints will be available for purchase. Gallery hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The exhibition will run through May 3. Learn more at chattanoogaphoto.org.
— University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Department of Art and the Institute of Contemporary Art will conclude the 2024 Bachelor of Fine Arts Senior Thesis Exhibition on Saturday in the UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Vine St. The second half of the exhibition's 28 student artists have their works featured. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday. Learn more at icachatt.org.
— 4 Bridges Arts Festival will be from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd. The arts festival and juried art show brings artists from around the nation to display and sell their works. Admission is $5 for adults; children under 18 and students get in free. There will be an optional preview party from 6-10 p.m. Friday, featuring wines, cocktails and gourmet hors d'oeuvres; party tickets cost $125. Learn more at avarts.org.
Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / Jim McGie of Athens, Tenn., shows some of his wife's work to visitors during the 4 Bridges Art Festival on April 22, 2023. This year's festival will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd.— In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave., will have a watercolor demonstration, entitled "Works on Walls," by artist Margaret Park from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. Saturday. The gallery also continues its exhibition, "Folksy Fish," featuring the ceramic fish sculptures created by McCallie School's eighth grade art students. The sculptures were inspired by the work of North Carolina Appalachian folk artists. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The exhibition will run through April 27. Learn more at intowngallery.com.
— Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View, will host a virtual student symposium from 1-3 p.m. Saturday. The symposium, inspired by the museum's current exhibition, "Networked Nature," will feature the work of undergraduate students from across the nation exploring technology and identity. This is a free event open to all. Learn more at huntermuseum.org.
COMEDY
— Comedian Shawn Carter will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. In addition to Carter, several other stand-up comedians will perform. The show is recommended for ages 18 and older. Tickets cost $15-$20. Learn more at barkinglegs.org.
— Comedian Lewis Black will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave. Tickets cost $44-$164. Learn more at tivolichattanooga.com.
— Comedian/content creator Kountry Wayne will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave. Tickets cost $59-$91. Learn more at tivolichattanooga.com.
MUSIC
— Southern Adventist University School of Music will present several concerts this weekend. At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Mabel Wood Hall on campus, 4881 Taylor Circle, Collegedale, the steel band will perform arrangements of folk and popular music. At 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists, 4829 College Drive E., Collegedale, the symphony orchestra will perform several works, including ones composed by Joseph Jongen and Anton Bruckner. At 7:30 p.m. Monday in Mabel Wood Hall, the horn ensemble will perform modern pieces and timeless classics in a program that will feature two student conductors. All concerts are free and will be livestreamed. Learn more at southern.edu/musicevents.
— Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., will have several shows through the weekend. At 9 p.m. Wednesday, there will be Wubs A Month, a monthly electronic dance party; tickets cost $10 at the door. At 8 p.m. Thursday, Ward Davis will perform; tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 the day of show. At 6 p.m. Friday, Pickleball Project will present Dos Fuegos. It is a free show. At 9 p.m. Friday, there will be Secondhand Smoke, a Sublime tribute show; tickets cost $12 in advance or $15 the day of show. At 8 p.m. Saturday, there will be MedRock, a benefit concert for the MedRock Scholarship Fund; tickets cost $35. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Pickleball Project will present Mountain Cove Bluegrass, a free show. Learn more at barrelhouseballroom.com.
— Casting Crowns will perform as part of its 20th anniversary tour at 7 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. Tickets cost $38-$242. Learn more at tivolichattanooga.com.
— The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave., will have two shows this weekend. At 8 p.m. Thursday, The Dip will perform; tickets start at $34. At 8 p.m. Saturday, Futurebirds with Three Star Revival will perform; tickets start at $34. Learn more at thesignaltn.com.
— Choral Arts of Chattanooga will present Music for the Children at 7:30 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, 401 Gateway Ave. The concert will feature Vincent Oakes and the Chattanooga Boys Choir and Kimberly Keck and the Chattanooga Girls Choir. Each choir will perform its own choral set, and all choirs will participate in a performance of John Rutter's "Mass of the Children." Tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for students; children 10 and under get in free. Learn more at choralartsofchattanooga.weebly.com.
— Songbirds, 206 W. Main St., will host a grand reopening at its new Main Street location at 6 p.m. Saturday. In addition to the museum's newly redesigned guitar exhibits, there will be an open mic, with spots available to reserve on a first-come, first-serve basis the night of the event. This is a free event. Learn more at songbirdsfoundation.org.
— University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra will present its annual spring concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at the UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Vine St. The symphony orchestra, featuring 55 musicians from the university and surrounding community, will perform, among other works, "The Empress of Ireland," a three-movement piece composed by UTC music composition and instrumental music education major Tyler West. The concert is free. Learn more on the university music department's page at utc.edu.
OUT & ABOUT
— Chattanooga Burger Week will run through Sunday. More than 20 participating restaurants across the city are offering $7 burger specials, and participants will have a chance to win various prizes, including a grand prize of $500 in restaurant gift cards. Learn more at chattanoogaburgerweek.com.
— Northgate Mall, 271 Northgate Mall Drive, Hixson, will host a carnival, presented by Fun Time Shows, through Sunday. The carnival, featuring a variety of rides, games and food, will be open 5-10 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. A wristband, granting unlimited rides, costs $30 per session; sessions are noon-5 p.m. or 5-10 p.m. on weekends. Individual tickets cost $1.25, with rides accepting 3-5 tickets. Learn more at visitnorthgatemall.com.
— International Business Council of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce and the Tennessee branch of the French American Chamber of Commerce will host a meeting from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the city's Chamber of Commerce office, 811 Broad St., Suite 100. The meeting will celebrate the friendship between the council and Tennessee branch by introducing the leadership team and local supporters and businesses involved in international businesses activities. Learn more at facebook.com/ChattanoogaIBC.
— Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St., will host its 24th annual Spring Plant Sale and Festival from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. The festival will feature a variety of annual, perennial, food-bearing and medicinal plants for sale; local vendors; live music; children's activities; food trucks; and more. On Sunday, there will only be plants available for sale. Parking and admission are free. Learn more at crabtreefarms.org.
— Day out with Thomas will be from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road. The day will include bubble-themed games and activities, live entertainment, photo opportunities, lawn games and more. Attendees will be able to take a train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, departing every hour. Tickets cost $29 (required for ages 1 and older). There will be an additional Day out with Thomas event April 27-28. Learn more at tvrail.com.
— Hello, St. Elmo!, a community street festival, will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday in the St. Elmo Business District, 3800 St. Elmo Ave. The third annual festival will feature family fun, a makers market, live music and more. The St. Elmo Corgi Parade will begin at 1 p.m. Learn more at facebook.com/CAHSE.
Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / The corgi parade begins during the Hello, St. Elmo street festival on June 17, 2023. This year's Hello, St. Elmo street festival will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday in the St. Elmo Business District, 3800 St. Elmo Ave.— WTCI PBS will host "Be My Neighbor Day" from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the broadcaster's station, 7540 Bonnyshire Drive. The free, family-friendly celebration will feature appearances by characters from PBS Kids TV series "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood" and "Molly of Denali," a petting zoo, a working trolley for children to explore, and community partners such as the Creative Discovery Museum, Hamilton County Schools, Art 120, the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga Public Library and the Hamilton County Health Department, among several others. Learn more at wtcitv.org/neighbor.
— Chattanooga River Market will be from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, 1 Broad St. The market features a variety of vendors, selling handmade art, crafts and food. The river market will be open Saturdays only through October. Learn more at chattanoogamarket.com.
— Kid Quest, hosted by Magic Lamp Entertainment, will be from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at Camp Jordan Arena, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge. The second annual expo will feature character meet and greets with over 40 characters, a magic show, an animal show, face painting, family-friendly vendors, games and activities, and more. Admission costs $10-$25. Learn more at kidquestexpo.com.
— Springtime in Chattanooga, hosted by Shop the Market at, will take place from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday at Coolidge Park, 150 River St. The event will feature an arts, crafts and farmers market with flower-adorned tables; a champagne and beer bar; live music; and more. Learn more at facebook.com/shopthemarketat.
— Battle Below the Clouds, the "friendliest barbecue competition in the South," will take place from 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday at Ruby Falls, 1720 S. Scenic Highway. The free-to-attend event will feature teams of barbecue enthusiasts competing in five categories. There will also be live music, activities, door prizes and vendors. The competition will benefit Lana's Love Foundation, a Chattanooga nonprofit providing fun, year-round activities for local children with cancer and their families. Learn more at bit.ly/RubyFallsBattle.
— Sculptures in the Sky will be from noon-5 p.m. Saturday at Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, 1800 Polk St. The free kite festival and Earth Day celebration will feature kite stunts, Rokkaku kite battles, live music and food trucks. Parking is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for seating. Learn more at sculpturefields.org.
—Little Coyote, 3950 Tennessee Ave., will host its first Smoke Sesh event from 1-4 p.m. Saturday. The event will feature street tacos, margarita specials, a local hemp and cannabis market, live music and "The Cali Sober," Little Coyote's first-ever CBD-infused, zero-proof cocktail. Learn more on Little Coyote's Facebook and Instagram pages.
— The Psychology of Serial Killers, hosted by Dr. Rachel Toles, will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave. The event will be a psychological exploration of why the general public is obsessed with serial killers. Tickets cost $44-$69. Learn more at tivolichattanooga.com.
SPORTS
— Tennessee Association of Vintage Base Ball will have two Chattanooga-area games Saturday at the 6th Cavalry Museum, 6 Barnhardt Circle, Fort Oglethorpe. At noon, the Mountain City Club of Chattanooga will take on the Franklin Farriers. At 2:30 p.m., the Lightfoot Club of Chattanooga will take on the Farriers. Learn more at tennesseevintagebaseball.com.
— Chattanooga Red Wolves will have a home game against the Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at CHI Memorial Stadium, 1 Stadium Way, East Ridge. General admission tickets cost $17. Learn more at chattanoogaredwolves-sc.com.
THEATER
— Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St., will present "Ain't Misbehavin," a jazz musical revue exploring the music of composer Thomas "Fats" Waller and the energy and spirit of the Harlem Renaissance, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $30-$35, including fees. Performances will run through May 5; there will be no performances the week of April 24. Learn more at theatrecentre.com.
— "Hot Nostalgia," written and performed by Chris McCreary, will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. Blending comedy and drama, the show explores "the deeper meaning behind pizza, happiness and what happens when the planet explodes." Tickets cost $10-$20. Learn more at barkinglegs.org.
Find more events, and add your own, at timesfreepress.com/cnevents.
Contact Sam Still at sstill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6579.
Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / Chattanooga artist Adrienne Powell paints with acrylic paints during the 4 Bridges Art Festival on April 22, 2023. This year's festival will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd.