Bessie Smith Heritage Festival
The Bessie Smith Heritage Festival will be held Friday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. The event will begin Friday at 7 p.m. with an artist talk and reception with Charlotte Riley-Webb, whose exhibit, “Blood Rhythms, Strange Fruit: is on display in the museum. On Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., the Youth Art Experience at the Bessie will allow youth to participate in hands-on art projects as well as learn about various genres of music. The artist talk and youth event are free to the public. Ogya World Music Band will perform Saturday night beginning at 7:30 p.m. Headlining the show will be Toia Jones and her band, LyriQ. Toia, who most recently was on “The Voice 2014,” has done shows with Fantasia, Peggy Scott-Adams, and Bigg Robb, and will soon open for Chaka Khan. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, or by calling (423) 266-8658.
Denim and Diamonds returns
Chattanoogans will come together at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Chattanooga Convention Center for the tenth annual Denim and Diamonds fundraiser, which supports the Project Access community health partnership and other community health initiatives. The evening will include dinner, dancing, and live and silent auctions. Entertainment will be provided by The Beaters and Soundforce. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as a star or icon from the “Back to the Future” films, the Old West, the 1950s, or the 1980s. The event is organized by the Chattanooga Hamilton-County Medical Society, the Medical Foundation of Chattanooga, and the Medical Alliance. Table sponsorships are available for $1,500. Individual tickets are $125. To purchase a table or individual tickets, call the Medical Society at 622-2872 or visit www.chattdenim.org. Sponsorship opportunities, including exclusive sponsorships, are available ranging from $500 to $7,500. Opportunities include exclusive sponsorships of activities and events. For more information, contact Kevin Lusk at 622-2872.
Mad, Bad & Dangerous
Girls Preparatory School will host its inaugural women’s entrepreneurial summit, named Mad, Bad & Dangerous on Saturday, Feb. 28. The all-day event will feature a marketplace showcasing over 50 vendors for women’s products and services, keynote speakers, educatiuonal tracks, and a tech-tinkering lab. In addition, The Company Lab will host a “Girl Edition” of its 24-Hour Generator, a business pitch competition for local juniors and seniors. For more information on participating in the Marketplace, contact Mandy Senn at msenn@gps.edu or (423) 634-7659.
Taste returns
A fundraising event to benefit the Kidney Foundation of Chattanooga, Taste will be held Thursday, March 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Stratton Hall. In addition to unlimited food samplings, Taste will offer live music by local jazz guitarist Jon Cady and an expanded silent auction. Advance tickets priced at $40 are available through TasteChatt.com, and tickets will be available for $45 at the door. Guests will enjoy unlimited sampling from local restaurants plus one complimentary drink ticket to be used for beer, wine, Chattanooga Whiskey, Trianon Tequila or a non-alcoholic beverage. Featured restaurants this year include Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, 1885 Grill, The FEED Co., Chelsea’s on Thornton, Porter’s Steakhouse, Milk & Honey, Poblano’s Mexican Cuisine, On the List Catering, Bluewater Grille, English Rose Tea Room, Ovalle’s Mexican Cafe, Tremont Tavern, Rolling J, Velo Coffee Roasters, Virginia College, Countryside Café, and Bella Vita.
St. Chatty’s Day Parade
The Shamrock Society will present the 2nd Annual St. Chatty’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 14 from noon to 2 p.m. This year’s parade has been expanded and approved by the City of Chattanooga will begin on Riverfront Parkway, extend across Market Street Bridge, continue on Frazier Avenue, run through Coolidge Park, and end at Renaissance Park. The proceeds will benefit Chattanooga’s Kids on the Block. The Shamrock Society is made up of local business and community leaders.
Temps for Teens certification
The City of Chattanooga’s Department of Youth & Family Development will be offering work-readiness training for teenagers ages 16 through 19 on Monday, March 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday, April 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church. Participants will be certified in specific skills in order to secure summer employment. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, March 18. Applications can be downloaded at chattanooga.gov/youthandfamily/career-development or picked up at any YFD center.
4 Bridges Arts Festival
The 4 Bridges Arts Festival will return to the First Tennessee Pavilion April 10 through 12. The event will feature a variety of arts and crafts, including painting, glasswork, jewelry, textiles, photography, sculpture and more, as well as local food, children’s art activities, and entertainment. This year’s jurors are Katie Delmez, curator at the Frist Center for Visual Arts; Bill May, executive director at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts; and Peggy Wood Townsend, director of Public Art Chattanooga. The festival will begin with a preview party Friday evening. Festival and preview party tickets may be purchased at www.4bridgesartsfestival.org or at the door. Preview party hours are 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Festival hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.4bridgesartsfestival.org.
Annual Palate 2 Palette
The Craniofacial Foundation of America (CFA) will host its 8th Annual Palate 2 Palette event on Saturday, April 25. The event will begin at 5 p.m. with the Gallery Stroll. Following the stroll, guests can go to the Bubbles and Sweets after party at Track 29 from 8 to 10 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the CFA, a non-profit organization that supports the work of the Tennessee Craniofacial Center (TCC) at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger and Erlanger Health System. For tickets or information, visit www.p2pchattanooga.com.
A Night to Remember
This year’s Night to Remember is scheduled to take place Saturday, April 25 at 8 p.m. at the Chattanooga Trade and Convention Center. Grammy nominated singer and songwriter Ledisi is scheduled to headline the show, which will also feature singer Leela James and singer and songwriter Raheem DeVaughn. In 27 years, A Night to Remember has raised over $4 million for various organizations that support Chattanooga’s youth. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Feb. 10 at Bessie Smith Cultural Center, Mary’s Lounge, by phone at (423) 266-8658, or online at www.anighttoremember.org.
Chattanooga Outdoors Show
The inaugural Chattanooga Outdoors Show will take place at East Ridge’s Camp Jordan Park and Arena Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 10. The show will bring in exhibitors from all over the southeast to show off everything from kayaks and backpacks to ATVs and fishing boats.
Volleyball summer camp
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga volleyball team is set to host seven skills camps this summer at Maclellan Gym. During each camp session, athletes will receive instructions from head coach Travis Filar, the rest of the Chattanooga coaching staff, and current UTC players. The following camps will be offered: Individual Skills Camp - June 21; Positional Camp – June 22; All Skills Camp – June 30 and July 1; Advanced Skills Camp – June 30 and July 1; Middle School Developmental Camp – July 1 and 2; Little Mocs Day Camp – July 6; and High School Team Camp – July 6 and 7. For more information and to register, visit chattanoogavolleyballcamps.com.