Editorial

Friday, March 22

Cumberland Trail Suite

Cumberland Trail Suite will bring together an array of musicians to play music native to the Cumberland Plateau at 7:30 p.m. at the Tivoli Theatre. Grammy winners Tim O’Brien and Rhiannon Giddens (of the Carolina Chocolate Drops) will host this benefit for Friends of the Cumberland Trail. Other performers will include Fletcher Bright, Earl T. Bridgeman, Clyde Davenport, and the Chattanooga Choral Society for the Preservation of African American Song. Purchase tickets at friendsofthecumberlandtrail.org.

Saturday, March 23

See John die at the end

Writer and director Don Coscarelli has made a number of strange movies, and each one, from Beastmaster, to Phantasm, to Bubba Ho-Tep, has made a big impression on genre fans. His new film, John Dies at the End, is no exception. To allow Chattanoga to enjoy the pan-dimensional weirdness of this unique and unusual piece of cinema, Mise En Scenesters will screen the Saturday, March 23 at 8:30 p.m. at Barking Legs Theater. Five bucks will get you in for the movie and a special pre-show reel stacked with strangeness.

Sunday, March 31

Easter Sunrise Service at the National Cemetery

The Salvation Army will celebrate Easter with its traditional Easter Sunrise Service at the National Cemetery, located at 1200 Bailey Avenue. For the last 36 years, The Salvation Army has partnered with the National Cemetery for the Easter Sunrise Service. All are invited to worship at 7:30 a.m. as the sun rises over Chattanooga. Music will be provided by the internationally acclaimed Jericho Brass band. The guest speaker, Salvation Army Area Commander Major Algerome Newsome, will deliver the message. The Salvation Army is expecting an attendance of more than 300.

Saturday, April 6

Wanted: 1,000 volunteers for Clean and Green

On Saturday, April 6, individuals, company teams, and civic groups will volunteer their time to make Downtown Chattanooga a healthier and more beautiful area for residents and visitors to enjoy. Starting at 8:30 a.m. at Miller Plaza, located at 850 Market Street, volunteers will check in, enjoy a complimentary breakfast, and receive their designated area of downtown to clean up. To sign up, visit causeway.org/cleanandgreen. For additional information, contact Tiffanie Robinson at trobinson@rivercitycompany.com or 423.265.3700. Since 2011, Clean and Green volunteers have collected over 3,000 bags of trash, removed graffiti from more than 100 buildings and monuments, and cleaned 55 city blocks and various neighborhoods multiple times.

Sunday, April 7

Ira Glass wraps up Hunter lecture series

Ira Glass, host and creator of the public radio program, This American Life, will be the fourth and final speaker in the 2012-2013 George T. Hunter Lecture Series on Sunday, April 7 at 4 p.m. at the Tivoli. Glass’s talk, dubbed Reinventing Radio, will focus on his famous program and how it’s put together. Benwood Foundation, in partnership with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, is sponsoring the eclture. All lectures are free and open to the public; no tickets are necessary. The doors will open at 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 11

Pinwheels for Prevention

Kids on the Block will host its annual community event in April to celebrate National Child Abuse Prevention Month and bring awareness of child abuse prevention to the Chattanooga community. Kids on the Block is partnering with the Creative Discovery Museum and The Chattanooga Kappa Delta Alumnae Association to present the 6th Annual Pinwheels for Prevention: It’s Your Turn to Make a Difference on Thursday, April 11 from 5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. at the Creative Discovery Museum. Pinwheels for Prevention will be held during the museum’s monthly free family night. The first 500 children attending the event will receive safety kits that include activity sheets, crayons, and identification cards. There will be several local community resource agencies to answer questions and to pass out materials. With the help of The Chattanooga Kappa Delta Alumnae Association, children will have the opportunity to create puppets and donate them to local children who have or are experiencing maltreatment. Participants will enjoy two puppet performances by Chattanooga’s Kids on the Block addressing child abuse prevention. The CKOB performances will be presented at 6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. in the museum auditorium.

Saturday, April 13

Nearly Wed Adventure to prep couples for marriage

Many couples enter into marriage believing the odds are stacked against them when it comes to making their marriage last. But research shows the right preparation for marriage can help couples reduce their chances of divorce. First Things First wants to help marriage-minded couples prepare for the next step in their relationship journey with an interactive experience called The Nearly Wed Adventure. This event will take place Saturday, April 13 at The Vaudeville Café from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is designed for couples that are seriously dating, living together or engaged. Participants should come ready for fun as they tackle and overcome the obstacles many young couples face in their relationships. There will be games, activities and a delicious lunch. The event is free but participants must pre-register online at firstthings.org or by calling 423-267-5383.

Saturday, April 27

Annual Palate to Palette event

The Craniofacial Foundation of America will host its 6th Annual Palate to Palette event on Saturday, April 27. The event will begin at 5 p.m. with the Gallery Stroll. Guests will stroll among Southside galleries or ride a double decker bus to view featured art, culinary art and floral designs while meeting with artists and enjoying fine wine and cuisine. In addition, the Youth Gallery, sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, will display outstanding artwork from area high school students. This year’s Living Art Gallery, located in Warehouse Row, will feature internationally recognized fine art body painter, Craig Tracy. Tracy will create a unique living masterpiece just for Palate to Palette guests. New for 2013, the all-new Garden Gallery at DeBarge Winery will feature a Living Fountain, performances from the Living Vine, as well as the brand new Foundation Gallery at Cobblestone Rue featuring artwork collaborations between local artist and CFA patients. Following the gallery stroll, guests are invited to the Bubbles and Sweets after party at Track-29. Desserts and dancing will be accompanied by selections from Willie Kitchens and his band. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Craniofacial Foundation of America. For tickets or more information, visit www.p2pchattanooga.com.

Friday, May 3-Sunday, May 5

Choo Choo Jazz Fest

Tickets are on sale for the Choo Choo Jazz Fest, to be held at the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Imperial Ballroom. This festival has been bringing Dixieland jazz to the city for over 20 years. Ticket prices vary upon the location of the seating and can be purchased at choochoojazzfest.com or by calling 423-596-1388 during business hours. Ticket options include the Jazz Brunch on Saturday from 10 to 11:30, and the Jazz Jam Dinner on Sunday from 6:30 to 8:30. This year, the Choo Choo Jazz Fest will feature Dixieland jazz by four traditional jazz bands including The Jim Cullum Jazz Band, the Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band, the Wolverine Jazz Band, and the Frisco Jazz Band.