LAUNCH will host a fundraising dinner on Thursday, Sept. 7 featuring guest speaker Phillip Fulmer, University of Tennessee-Knoxville football coach from 1992 to 2008. Launched in 2011, LAUNCH helps women and minorities pursue business ownership.
The opening reception will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Drinks will be served along with appetizers prepared by five LAUNCH entrepreneurs with culinary based businesses: Angie Adams with Calamansi Cafe, Abdulwahhab Alabid with Jinan’s Kitchen, Shavonne Flowers with Butter Cre’me, Lesli Washington with Hummbea’s Poundcakes and Katie Mitchell with Cup & Quill Specialty Scones. Dinner, catered by BBQ Rowe from LAUNCH entrepreneur Pat Rowe, will begin at 6:30 p.m. A presentation will follow the meal.
Individual tickets and tables available. Individual tickets are $100 and include dinner, beer and wine. For those wanting one-on-one time with Fulmer, as well as a photo with the coach, VIP tables are available for $900. Each VIP table comes with two tickets to meet Fulmer. Tables of eight are available for $600. Individual tickets are available at www.LAUNCHchattanooga.org/LAUNCHparty. For table inquiries, email Sandy Berry at sberry@launchchattanooga.org.
Signal Mountain Schools fact meeting
Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger will hold a public meeting to discuss the proposed separation of Signal Mountain Schools from the Hamilton County Department of Education on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Signal Mountain Middle/High School. Coppinger says the meeting will be an attempt to share information regarding the impact such an action could have on the residents and students of Signal Mountain. Coppinger has asked authorities on the subject to be present to inform the public and to answer questions.
Beast Feast
The Chattanooga Zoo will host its first after-hours event dedicated to animal enrichment, Beast Feast, on Friday, Sept. 15, 6-8 p.m. During Beast Feast, guests will have the opportunity to observe the zoo’s carnivores taking part in carcass feedings. Guests will also learn why carcass feedings are vital for the physical, emotional and mental health of the animals. The zoo’s restaurant (Wild Burger), refreshment carts and cash bars will be open. Beast Feast tickets are available for purchase via www.chattzoo.org or in the zoo’s gift shop. Tickets will be sold at the door if not sold out.
U.S. Navy Band tour
The United States Navy Band Brass Quintet will perform Tuesday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. The quintet’s repertoire includes over 400 works spanning six centuries, with many compositions arranged by its members. The performance will be free and open to the public.
Since 1971, the Navy Band Brass Quintet has performed at ceremonies and events throughout the Washington area, including performances at the White House, Pentagon, State Department and Washington Navy Yard. Notable performances include inaugural events for President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney in 2000 and 2004, the dedication of the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and remembrance services at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial.
Committed to educational outreach, the quintet is a participant in the Navy Band’s Music in the Schools program and has presented masterclasses and clinics nationwide at high schools, universities and international music conferences.
Sculptures in the Sky
Sculpture Fields is partnering with River City Kites and Chattanooga Presents River Rocks for Sculptures in the Sky, a free event taking place at Sculpture Fields on Saturday, Oct. 7, noon-6 p.m.
In addition to filling the sky with colossal and colorful kites, stunt kites and Rokkaku battle kites, the free event will feature performances by Chattanooga Aerials, local food trucks and a beer tent. For more information, contact Cathy Clifford at (423) 266-7288 or clifford@sculpturefields.org.