PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE AND PICK UP
SEPTEMBER 16, 2026 VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 10
Free
GOOD EATS: SHAWARMA TASTE
THE THEATER ISSUE
ARTISTIC DIRECTORS SHARE THEIR VOICES
SOUTHSIDE’S OWN FRESH-BREWED CRAFT BEER @ HELLO MONTY’S 306 W MAIN ST
Books, Community, Wine Open Mic Poetry Mondays Guest Lectures and Book Signings 18 Books Clubs
@bookandbarrelringgold 96 Depot St, Ringgold, GA
2 » Livewire | GET OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN
September 16, 2026 | Vol 1 No 10
Letter from the editor An amazing thing happened. We were able to gather on fairly short notice 17 theater people for a roundtable discussion about the state of theater in Chattanooga today. Since its the time of year when many theaters kick off their new seasons, September seemed like a good time to do this. Dylan Kussman took command and got some great insights out of everyone at the table. The full discussion audio and transcript is on our website. The theater calendar is filling up with productions of comedies and tragedies.
Connecting Through Artistic Expression 1307 Dodds Ave (423) 624 - LEGS
info@barkinglegs.org www.barkinglegs.org
We want to thank Eric Scealf for bringing so much immense talent from New York and abroad. Labretta Suede & the Motel 6 totally rocked Cherry Street Tavern. Eric is a jewel in Chatt's crown. After this month the grass turns blue for October. There will be banjos and dulcimers ringing out all over town. Layer in some saxophones from the Chattanooga Jazz Fest too. Monique Clouse Editor-in-Chief
Cover Story……………………………… 4
Record Review……………………… 23
Puzzles…………………………………… 5
Good Eats……………………………… 24
Staff Picks……………………………… 5
Life In the ‘Noog…………………… 25
Photo Collage………………………… 6
Puzzle Answers…………………… 25
Live Music Calendar ……………… 8
Frivolity………………………………… 27
Events Calendar ……………………14
Poem by lfp…………………………… 27
Art Around Town……………………16 On the cover: Back row from left: Sammie Waller, Alana Sane, Kim Jackson, Chris Stephens, Ellis Stephens, Middle row: Kashun Parks, Jason Tinney, Holly Morse-Ellington, Ryan Laskowski, Frank Mihelich, Fallon Clark, Karlee Ming, Tammy Stephens. Front Row: Emma Collins, Jennifer Wilson, Elizabeth Haley, Charles Williams Photo by Cole Duncan (Bone Wizard Media)
Homegrown handmade electric guitars, one at a time, one of a kind instagram.com/hembree_guitars
PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Monique Clouse PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Monique Clouse CONSIGLIERE AND CHAUFFEUR Terry Clouse ADVERTISING SALES Monique Clouse, Barbara Autry CALENDAR COORDINATOR Monique Clouse CONTRIBUTORS Marc Michael, Chuck Crowder, Lori Kyle, Jim Tanner, Douglas Bales, Jenn McCormick POETRY by lfp, PHOTOS by Cole Duncan aka Bone Wizard Media, Jim Tanner DESIGN CONSULTANTS Eric Jackson, Angela Rich CIRCULATION Monique Clouse, Terry Clouse LIVEWIRE MAGAZINE LLC produces LiveWire Magazine bi-monthly and distributes 2,000 copies free at over 50 locations throughout the city. Printed at Advantage Printing and Mailing Services. © 2026 LiveWire Magazine LLC. All rights reserved. 910 Georgia Ave PO Box 63 facebook.com/xxxxxxxxxxxx Chattanooga, TN 37401 twitter.com/xxxxxxxxxxxx livewire-chatt.com instagram.com/livewire_chatt
Livewire | VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 10 « 3
COVER STORY
THE DREAM WEAVERS
Story by Dylan Kussman Photos by Cole Duncan
Running a theater company in this day and age is no mean feat. Beyond the important creative decisions, the day-to-day to-do lists — money, space, audience growth, publicity — are long, while resources and attention spans are increasingly short.
[Frank Mihelich] (New Threads): We want to do plays that talk about the issues of the day, all the things you're not supposed to talk about over Thanksgiving dinner, and do it in a way that actually brings people together and not divide them. It's like a hot potato.
We gathered a small group of artistic directors from several local theaters for a roundtable discussion about their companies and the current state of theater in Chattanooga and the surrounding area. The following conversation took place on the campus of Chattanooga State University on August 22, 2026. It has been edited for space, as the discussion was nearly two hours long.
[Ellis Stephens] (Dalton Little Theater): Our goal is to pick the stories that we think will bring to light a lot of issues in our world today, whether that be through straight plays or musical theater. And we also love to do original works, and we love to bring voices to small artists all around our small community.
Participating in the roundtable were: Fallon Clark (FC) and Charles Williams (CW) of Noogavision Theatre; Jason Tinney (JT), Kashun Parks (KP) and Holly Morse-Ellington (HME) of Next Exit Productions; Frank Mihelich (FM) of New Threads Theatre Company; Jennifer Wilson (JW) of Chattanooga State Repertory Theatre; Karlee Ming (KM) of UTC Theatre Company, Next Exit and others; Elizabeth Haley (EH) of The Seed Theatre; Emma Collins (EC) and Ryan Laskowski (RL) of Scenic City Shakespeare; Kim Jackson (KJ) of Chattanooga Theatre Centre; Sammie Waller (SW) of Blank Page; Alana Sane (AS), Tammy Stephens (TS) , and Ellis Stephens (ES) of Dalton Little Theatre. The conversation was moderated by Dylan Kussman. Thank you all so much for being here. I thought I’d start by asking about your companys’ respective ‘mission statements’. What are some grounding principles at the heart of the work that your company does? [Ryan Laskowski] (Scenic City Shakespeare): Our actual mission statement is to produce great theater and education programs that engage and inspire. But what that means to us is to bring paid professional opportunities to actors in the community. [Elizabeth Haley] (Seed Theatre): We focus on centering marginalized people, including trans and queer individuals, as well as those with disabilities and other people that are traditionally kept from theater stages because they're not conventional.
4 » Livewire | GET OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN
What sort of factors go into your choices as you are thinking about your season? [Jason Tinney] (Next Exit): We're a couple years old now, and we know that it's original work that we want to focus on. So we're always looking for new playwrights -- playwrights who've never written before, emerging, experienced, but we're always looking for that fresh voice and that has something authentic to say about the role that we're in today and comes from different perspectives. [FM]: With New Threads, because we want to talk about all those things you're not supposed to talk about every Thanksgiving dinner, there has to be a “there” there in the script. There has to be an issue. And sometimes that's a challenge because there's lots of really great scripts that don't necessarily have an issue. The goal is to eventually get to the point where we do a 3 to 4 show a year season, and one of the 4 shows would be a new work, because we also have a new works development writers groups that we've been running for some time. [Jennifer Wilson] (Chattanooga State Repertory Theatre): Because we're an educational institution, a huge driving factor for our season selection is looking at who our students will be in the following year. We're a two-year school, so we're looking at our 1st years, who will be our 2nd years, the following year, and thinking about what is going to serve them in an artistic way, in a performance aspect, or from a design tech standpoint.
[Kim Jackson] (Chattanooga Theatre Centre): Our mission is community based and volunteer driven. It's to produce high quality theatrical experiences, and most importantly, the opportunity to engage in all aspects of them.
[Charles Williams] (Noogavision Theatre): We pick our shows due to the atmosphere. We try to not just answer the question, but to enlighten. And theater is supposed to be transformative. And if it does not transform, then what are we doing theater for? So that's the reason why we pick the theater and the plays that we pick.
Holy Morse-Ellington (Next Exit): To amplify new voices by bridging the gaps from the page to the stage.
[EH] (Seed Theatre): We largely choose our 6-show season based on a combination of queer centric Continued page 20
Staff Picks from the Calendar In the Pocket with Zowie A sophisticated evening of jazz and other surprises, in the cozy and intimate setting the Woodshop provides. September 19. Benny Green This pianist is the go-to for the greats. He's got a solo album and will be at UTC Roland Hays Concert Hall on September 17. Peaches Loud, weird, sexy, political, brilliant, fearless, and completely uninterested in making anybody comfortable. She has given a giant middle finger to all the bullshit rules about how women are supposed to look, age, behave, and take up space. At the Caverns on September 18. Tigris & Anna Baldree The sweetest sounding voices together in the loveliest cocktail bar in town. Broads on September 26. Racket at the Boneyard Yellow Racket Records has gathered a stunning lineup for Friday night before the vinyl & vintage market. September 25 at Boneyard. Racket on the Rails Wall to wall record vendors inside, vendors lined up outside too. At the Choo-Choo on September 26. Yellow Racket Records wants to help us all complete our vinyl collections. Repair Cafe He will literally fix your broken thing for free, as long as you can haul it in. This time he's at the Greenway Farms in the Outdoor Chattanooga sale. (Normally he is at Chattlab Maker Space once a month.) September 19. Bilbo's Birthday Bash 3 evenings of elven delight! Last we checked it was selling out. The Woodshop is going a bit off-script, so put on your LOTR outfit and grab a mead Sept 26-28. Collectively/ Here Chattanooga is blessed with the dancers. Their performances are hypnotic and large. (Not a dance writer, so just trust me.) At Studio Ours both Sept 25 and 26.
Peaches
Solutions to puzzles on page 25.
Livewire | VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 10 « 5
Low Frequency Operators @ Wanderlinger
Dvbby Doo Jawnra
Jawnra and Space Pak Jawnra
Space Pak Skald
6 » Livewire | GET OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN
Photos by Bone Wizard Media
Dvbby Doo
Skald
Dvbby Doo
Skald
Dvbby Doo and Skald
Livewire | VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 10 « 7
LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR
# MONDAYS
@ Barlery Backroom | 6:00 PM OLD TIME JAM — Traditional old time music jam.
@ Gate 11 Distillery
| 7:30 - 10 PM
MONDAY BLUES JAM — Blues /
Open Jam. Musicians welcome to sit in. With Robin Baker & Yattie Westfield
@ Cherry Street Tavern | 7:30 PM. 21+ OPEN MIC — Hosted by Mike
McDade
# TUESDAYS
@ Barrelhouse Ballroom | 6:30 PM. FREE RANDY STEELE'S BLUEGRASS JAM — Every Tuesday, Beginner
Jam at 6:30, Intermediate Jam at 7:30
@ Cherry Street Tavern | 9:30 PM. 21+ OPEN JAM — (After Trivia) Casual jam session for musicians of all levels. Players can sit in with rotating musicians starting at 9:30 PM.
@ The Woodshop | 5 PM (doors), 6 PM (show) JHETT BLACK'S TUESDAY BLUESDAY — Live Audience
Broadcast showcasing the best in regional and touring blues and roots artists with award winning blues, and curated cocktailsbroadcasted over WUTC. 88.1
# WEDNESDAYS
@ Back Stage Bar | 8:00: PM DANIMAL & FRIENDS — Every
# FRIDAYS @ Back Stage Bar | 8:00 PM
Wednesday
JESSE JAMES JUNKURTH — On the back porch on Station Street.
# THURSDAYS
@ The Woodshop
@ Back Stage Bar | 8:00: PM JOEY WINSLET — Every Thurs-
day
@ Cherry Street Tavern | 6:00 PM. Free MIKE JAYNES — September
artist in residence with special guests. All ages & No Cover!
@ Elsie's Daughter | 6 - 9 PM. FREE. All Ages LON ELDRIDGE AT ELSIE'S
— Lon Eldridge brings his smooth swingin' stylings to the Elsie's patio every Thursday. Enjoy craft cocktails, an inspired dinner menu, and stroll the Choo Choo Gardens.
@ The Woodshop | 8 - 10 PM SCENIC CITY SOUL NIGHT — Classic Soul, R&B, and Funk featuring improvisational sets with a rotating cast of performers and vocalists. Elevated BBQ and Curated Cocktails. The Sweatiest Night at The Woodshop Listening Room.
Jhett Black
8 » Livewire | GET OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN
IN THE POCKET WITH ZOWIE
— An intimate monthly dinnerand-show experience featuring Zowie Boyd and special guests, blending live music, storytelling, elevated cocktails, and BBQ
| 8 - 10 pm
FOREVER BLUEGRASS FRIDAYS — Cindy Pinion with
Forever Bluegrass curates and brings traditional bluegrass from regional and national talent with different bands each week.
# TUESDAY SEPT 15 @ JJ's Bohemia | 9 PM $10. 21+ MR PHYLZZ - GENKI GENKI PANIC — Noise rock band from
Chicago, with local hardcore dungeon surf
Zowie Boyd
# THURSDAY SEPT 17 @ Barlery | 7:00 PM OPEN MIC — Open Mic Hosted By Jack Endelouz
@ Cherry Street Tavern | 9:00 PM. $10. 21+ ALABAMA HEATHENS — Southern rock from Huntsville Genki Genki Panic.
# WEDNESDAY SEPT 16 @ Barrelhouse Ballroom | 6:00 PM Lon Eldridge
@ The Woodshop | 5 PM Doors 7 PM Show
PORCH JAMS — On the patio. Adam (S)Tone & the Tones
@ Cherry Street Tavern | 8 PM (doors) 9 PM (show) $10. 21+ A SONGWRITERS EVENING
— Nate Wasserman, Taylavor, Annie Stirling
Annie Stirling
@ Gate 11 Distillery | 7 - 9 PM. NICK AUSTIN — Folk / Blues / Classic Rock Singer-songwriter
@ Roland Hayes Concert Hall, UTC Fine Arts Center | 7:30 PM. $17-$37.40 BENNY GREEN — Acclaimed jazz pianist has performed with legends including Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, Freddie Hubbard, Betty Carter and the Ray Brown Trio, and recorded the two-piano album Oscar and Benny with Oscar Peterson. Green performs a solo concert coinciding with the September release of his new live solo piano album, Renovation!.
@ The Caverns | 7 PM (doors), 8 PM (show)
@ Parlour @ The Signal | 7:00 PM
PHANTOGRAM — Electronic/ indie-rock duo known for the crossover hits "Fall in Love" and "Black Out Days."
KEITH ANDERSON — Country
@ Puckett's | 7:30 - 9:00 PM ALEX CHRISTY — Country /
Americana
@ Songbirds | 7:00 PM Phantogram
@ The Woodshop | 5 PM (doors), 6 PM (show) SHERRY COTHRAN — Ameri-
cana / Rock / Soul
# FRIDAY SEPT 18 @ Barlery | 8:00 PM
FOX N' VEAD — Alternative / Southern Rock with Rob Langdon
@ Stove Works | 8:00 PM. Free, 18+ WOMEN OF NOISE FEST 2026
— September 18 and 19. Free but donations for traveling artists strongly encouraged.
ROBIN BAKER BLUES BAND —
@ The Caverns | 7:00 PM (doors), 8:00 PM (show)
Blues
PEACHES — Peaches is a
@ Barrelhouse Ballroom | 7PM (doors), 8 PM (show). $15 Adv
provocative, influential Canadian electroclash artist and performance artist, known for "Fuck the Pain Away." With Wheelchair Sports Camp
/ $20 DOS. 18+
MADELYN TALLENT — Country / Americana. With Camden Smith & Tyler Garrett
rockabilly with local bluegrass
@ Hi-Fi Clydes | 8:30 PM BELLA LAM AND THE BOYS
— Country-blends gritty roots with a modern edge
LITTLE MULE — Southern rock
@ Cherry Street Tavern | 6-8 PM. $10. 21+ FALLING WATER — Chattanooga-based. Combining elements of folk, bluegrass, and southern rock
@ Cherry Street Tavern | 9 PM. $10. 21+ LILLIAN — Indie-rock go-to band for vampires, vampire-adjacent and the vampire-curious.
@ Barrelhouse Ballroom | 7PM (doors), 8 PM (show). $25 Adv / $30 DOS. 21+ JASON SCOTT & THE HIGH HEAT — Americana / Heartland
Rock. With Marfa
@ Gate 11 Distillery | 7:30 PM. HILL ROBERTS — Blues / Roots /
SetPemBer ShowS 15 - Mr Phylzz, Genki Genki Panic 19 - C Grimey and Friends
Funk Atlanta blues background
@ JJ's Bohemia | 8PM (doors), PM (show). $10. 21+
@ Cherry Street Tavern | 8 PM (doors) 9 PM (show) $10. 21+ LILY UNLESS - JOHN BENJAMIN DAVIS - TIGRIS — New Orleans
# SATURDAY SEPT 19 @ Barlery | 8 PM
C GRIMEY AND FRIENDS — Hip
hop/Rap
22 - Tommy Stinson (Replacements, Guns and Roses) 25 - The Varden
Peaches
@ The Signal | 6:30 PM HOUNDMOUTH — Indie Rock /
Americana 231 E MLK BLVD
@ The Woodshop | 5 PM (doors), 6 PM (show) MID AMERICA — The Western folk rock duo of Mia Carruthers and Curtis Roush.
C Grimey
@ Memorial Auditorium | 7:30 PM BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY
Bella Lam
Mid America
— Def Leppard's iconic album 'Hysteria' live in its entirety- note for note, sound for sound -plus a full set of Def Leppard's greatest hits.
Livewire | VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 10 « 9
@ Puckett's | 7:30 - 9:00 PM JOSH DRIVER & KYLAN RODGERS — Country / Americana
@ Songbirds | 8:00 PM JAY BUCHANAN — Front-man
of Rival Sons
Jay Buchanan
@ The Caverns | 7:00 PM (doors), 8:00 PM (show) SILVERADA & CHANNING WILSON — Silverada brings
sharp songwriting and a restless, road-worn edge, while Wilson leans into gritty, lived-in country with a voice that carries its own weight.
@ The Woodshop | 5 PM (doors), 6 PM (show)
# TUESDAY SEPT 22 @ Barlery | 6:00 PM TUESDAY CHILL — Solo Music
@ JJ's Bohemia | 8 PM (doors), 9 PM (show). $31. 21+
@ Gate 11 Distillery | 7 - 9 PM.
TOMMY STINSON — Former bassist for Replacements, He was a key second-generation ingredient in Guns N' Roses and served a seven-year tenure with Soul Asylum.
ASHLY DILBECK — Old-Time / Appalachian / Singer-Songwriter Originals & traditional music
@ Songbirds | 7:00 PM
@ Memorial Auditorium | 7:30 PM
@ Cherry Street Tavern | 8 pm (doors) 9 pm (show) $10. 21+
CHATTANOOGA SYMPHONY & OPERA — West Side Story
Folk & Americana
FAI LACI — Alt Rock from
Boston
# WEDNESDAY SEPT 23 @ Barking Legs | 7:30 - 9:30 PM. $10 adv, $12 door WEDNESDAY JAZZ — Eric
Vaughn Trio. The farewell concert!
THE DVL REVUE - BLUES NIGHT
— Legends of Blues tribute by Darryl Van Leer. Las Vegas-style live show packed with timeless hits.
MAGGIE MILES — She blends heavy grunge-rock guitars, synthesizers, and massive alt-pop hooks
# SUNDAY SEPT 20 @ The Edge | 5:30 PM (doors), 6:00 PM (show).
Maggie Miles
@ Barrelhouse Ballroom | 6:00 PM PORCH JAMS — On the patio. Lon Eldridge Trio
LOUISIANA SURF DEPARTMENT — Swampadelic - Country
- Tonk Band Based out of Austin, Texas
& The American Groove. Duke Ellington's Black, Brown & Beige and Symphonic Dances from West Side Story bring bold rhythms and vibrant energy to the stage
@ The McLemore Resort | 6 PM (doors), 6:30 PM (show) PATRICK DAVIS — Songwriter Series. From South Carolina, Singer-songwriter, Storyteller, and founder of the acclaimed artist collective Songwriters in Paradise.
$22 Adv / $27 DOS
DIZGO — Jamtronica
@ Boneyard | 8 PM, $18 ADV $25 DOOR, 21+ RACKET AT THE BONEYARD
— Yellow Racket presents Days Now, Omni, Behold the Brave, Alva Leigh
TIM BARRY - JORDAN FOLEY —
@ Gate 11 Distillery | 7:30 - 10 PM. JOE C DEVILLE — Acoustic Rock
@ Hi-Fi Clydes | 8:30 PM FRESH MINDS — From reggae to rock and everywhere in between
Fresh Minds
$10. All Ages MIXED GENRE SHOW WITH BOTH PUNK AND HIP HOP ARTISTS. — No Offense (Thrash
@ Cherry Street Tavern | 8PM (doors) 9 pm (Show) 21+
# FRIDAY SEPT 25 @ Barrelhouse Ballroom | 7:00 PM (doors), 8:00 PM (show).
NEW FACES NIGHT — John Bassin, Lena and Tony, Party Math Kid
@ Cherry Street Tavern | 9:00 PM. 21+
Punk), Mixed Signals (Punk) Ihateheartless (Hip Hop/Punk) Superiorcreekfightclub (Hip Hop/Punk)
@ Cherry Street Tavern | 8 pm (doors) 9 pm (show) $10. 21+
# THURSDAY SEPT 24 @ Barlery | 6:00 PM THURSTY THURSDAY- BLUES BOOZE & BBQ — Blues
Louisianna Surf Department
10 » Livewire | GET OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN
Have an event?
Submit free community listings to Livewire at livewire-chatt.com
In the heart of Downtown Ringgold, GA Handcrafted Coffee & Smoothies Pastries with Keto Options Breakfast and Lunch Event Space Rental
Home of the Zenith Man Collection
The Silos on Marble Top Unique Short Term Airbnb Rental Convenient to: Lookout Mountain Cloudland Canyon Chickamauga Chattanooga Features: Silo Hot Tub
y d a L r u s e O l a m a T
3.com08 2 4 s 1 e mal terr #-sat a t y es ad nd ourl ashla open tu 739 Livewire | VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 10 « 11
@ JJ's Bohemia | 8 PM (doors),9 PM (show). $10. 21+
@ The Caverns | 7:00 PM (doors), 8:00 PM (show)
THE VARDEN — A blend of rock,
JACOB COLLIER — SOLD OUT
folk, and blues, from Blue Ridge, GA
PROJECT PAT — Memphis-based rapper, songwriter, and cultural icon. Emerging in the late 90s, he's considered a pioneer of Southern rap
@ Puckett's | 7:30 - 9:00 PM NETTIE & THE DELTA BOY
— Nettie brings the sunlit pull of West Coast folk, country and rock & roll; Daryl brings the electric language of North Alabama gospel and blues.
@ Puckett's | 7:30PM FREE
Adv / $30 DOS. 21+
THE BRIARS — Americana
DRIVIN N CRYIN — Southern
Rock
@ The Signal | 7:00 PM
The Varden
@ Barrelhouse Ballroom | 7 PM (doors), 8 PM (show). $25
@ Broads Lounge | 7:00 PM (doors), 8:00 PM (show). $10. 21+ TIGRIS & ANNA BALDREE & CAT CAMPBELL — Pop / Folk
Acoustic Singer songwriters harmonizing live at Broads
The Briars
# SATURDAY SEPT 26 @ Barlery | 6 PM
@ Cherry Street Tavern | 8PM (doord) 9 PM (Show) 21+
DANDELIONESS — Bohemian
with a touch of Rock and Roll!
Goth
@ Songbirds | 7:00 PM
BLAIR CRIMMINS AND THE HOOKERS — Hot Ragtime Jazz
VICKIE VAUGHN — Roots /
Americana
@ The Caverns | 7 PM (doors), 8 PM (show) POKEY LAFARGE — Known for a timeless blend of early American roots, swing, blues, and country. With Cicada Rhythm
Blair Crimmins & the Hookers Dandelioness
Nettie & the Delta Boy
The
WOODSHOP Weekly Programming
ANd Concerts Schedule: thewoodshoplisteningroom.com
JHETT black’s
Tuesday
Bluesday Every Tuesday 6 PM
Live audience blues radio show with Jhett Black & The Big River Blues Band with the best in regional and national guests every week.
Scenic City
Soul Night Every Thursday
8PM Hosted by Bryant ‘Bass Hitter’ Russell Classic Soul & R&B.Sweatiest night at The Woodshop. Rotating cast of vocalists
Forever Bluegrass Every Friday 8PM Real, Traditional Bluegrass. Different bands weekly, Curated by Cindy Pinion & Forever Bluegrass
The Woodshop Listening Room • St. Elmo • Chattanooga 12 » Livewire | GET OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN
@ The Signal | 6:30 PM ZOSO — The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience
# SEPT 26 - 28 @ The Woodshop | 6 PM (doors), 7:30 PM (show) BILBO'S BIRTHDAY BASH
— Celebrate The Lord of the Rings with a folk-inspired soundtrack set from Innman & The Prancing Ponies, plus a costume contest, themed entertainment, Hobbit-worthy food, Elven cocktails and mead. 3 nights!
— Professional/advanced players will have the opportunity to share their music with a house trio.
# TUESDAY SEPT 29 @ Barlery | 6:00 PM TUESDAY CHILL — Solo Music
@ Memorial Auditorium | 7:30 PM CAAMP — Ohio folk-rock band blending campfire Americana with indie folk harmonies.
CAAMP
@ Songbirds | 7:00 PM # SUNDAY SEPT 27 @ Barrelhouse Ballroom | 7 PM (doors), 8 PM (show). $20 Adv / $25 DOS. 21+
SAXSQUATCH — EDM / Saxophone Performance. With Dvbby Doo
PIERRE BENSUSAN — Acoustic / Finger-style Guitar. Internationally renowned French-Algerian acoustic guitarist. The king of the DADGAD tuning.
Pierre Bensusan
# WEDNESDAY SEPT 30 Dvbby Doo-
@ The Caverns | 3:00 PM (doors), 4:00 PM (show)
@ Barrelhouse Ballroom | 6:00 PM
PORCH JAMS — On the patio. Brant Hall & Friends
HANNAH HARPER & MO PITNEY
— Powerful, roots-driven voice
# MONDAY SEPT 28 @ Barking Legs | 7:30 - 9:30 PM. $10 adv $12 door MONTHLY JAZZ JAM FOR PROS
Livewire | VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 10 « 13
EVENT CALENDAR COMEDY # TUESDAYS @ Gate 11 Distillery | 7:30 - 10:00 PM
JEST IN TIME — Every Tuesday Shellyta Chatman hosts Chattanooga's only Comedy Challenge! Come to compete and show your comedy improv chops! Or Simply come for the laughs and fun! Sign-ups at 7:30 pm
# THURSDAY SEPT 17 @ Comedy Catch | 7:00 PM. R
SARAH ROSE HYLAND — A truly unique comedian, blending her background in improvisational arts, character work, and visual arts into her performances.
@ Barrelhouse Ballroom | 7PM (doors), 9 PM (show). $20
ADVANCE | $25 DOS. 21+ EVERYTHING IS GREAT- A TOWN HALL FOR THE PEOPLE
— Part Town Hall, Part improvised parody! CHATTANOOGA! Join us September 17th for our first ever filming in your city of our Town Hall Show! Shellyta Chatman
@ JJ's Bohemia | 7 PM 21+ OPEN MIC COMEDY — Tuesdays
hosted by Patrick Cuttle
# WEDNESDAYS @ Cherry Street Tavern | 7:00 PM 21+ HAHA HAPPY HOUR — Comedy Open Mic with host Shellyta & friends. Sign ups 6:30
# WEDNESDAY SEPT 16 @ Comedy Catch | 7:00 PM. Clean Comedy MICHAEL PALASCAK — Seen
on The Tonight Show, The Late Show, The Late Late Show, and Conan, plus a Comedy Central half-hour and a Top 5 finish on Last Comic Standing.
# SEPT 18 - 19 @ Comedy Catch | Various. Rated R MARIO ADRION — Playing with the struggles and stereotypes of being a retired male model and as a European living in the United States.
# FRIDAY SEPT 18 @ Caffeine Addicts | 7:00 PM. $20
# SATURDAY SEPT 19 @ The Chattery | 7:30 - 8:30 PM. $15
IMPROV NIGHT — Improv Chat-
tanooga. BYOB
@ The Reading Room Bar | 6 PM (doors), 7 PM (show). $25 entry/ $35 VIP. 21+
THE CURVY CABARET — Road Trip Revue: Part 2 is a night of burlesque, variety, comedy and plenty of roadside attractions you won't find at a rest stop. All profits after expenses benefit A Step Ahead Chattanooga, providing free access to birth control and reproductive health education in our community.
@ Walker Theatre | 7:00 PM FORTUNE FEIMSTER — Takin'
Care of Biscuits Comedy Tour
Fortune Feimster
14 » Livewire | GET OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN
JANET WILLIAMS- THE TENNESSEE TRAMP — She
takes her comedy to the edge and over the top. If you are squeamish she's not your gal, but if you like it over the top you'll love her as we all do.
COLIN MOCHRIE & BRAD SHERWOOD — From Whose
Line Is It Anyway? Tour Janet Williams- Tennessee Tramp
# FRIDAY SEPT 25 @ CPL - Downtown Branch | 7:30 - 8:30 PM. Free Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood
# SUNDAY SEPT 20 @ Comedy Catch | 6:00 PM. Adult ELIZABETH BRUNOT — She is bilingual in Creole and English and performs in both languages, also being widely known for her various characters and accent impersonations such as "Pedro" who is a Cuban handyman.
# WEDNESDAY SEPT 23 @ Comedy Catch | 7:00 PM. 18+ MICHAEL PALASCAK
# THURSDAY SEPT 24 @ Comedy Catch | 7:00 PM. Rated R
@ Walker Theatre | 7:30 PM
BIG RICH BROCK AND FRIENDS
— Clean Comedy
Show. Regional and local talent perform in a showcase format. You never know who will show up and go up. Hosted and produced by Courtney Cholovich.
OPEN MIC NIGHT — Chatt's
Longest Running Open Mic
IMPROV NIGHT — Presented by Improv Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Public Library
@ Memorial Auditorium | 8:00 PM GARY OWEN- NO HARD FEELINGS TOUR — High-energy
storytelling and observational comedy
Gary Owen
# SEPT. 25 - 26 @ Comedy Catch | Various. Rated R
the underworld, reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love.
MICHAEL LONGFELLOW — He spent three seasons as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and previously appeared on CONAN, Bring the Funny, and Netflix's "Introducing..." Michael Longfellow showcase.
# SEPT 24 - OCT 4 @ Gordon Lee Mansion | 7:30. Free, RSVP requested
THEATER
# SEPT 18-19 @ Barking Legs Theater | VARIOUS TIMES CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF — Seed Theatre presents Tennessee Williams' Southern drama about a troubled family gathering at a Mississippi plantation, where buried resentments, lies and desire come to the surface.
# SEPT 18 - 27 @ Oak Street Playhouse | VARIOUS TIMES
THE FARNDALE AVE HOUSING ESTATE TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD DRAMATIC SOCIETY MURDER MYSTERY — Every
drama group has experienced the horrors of what can go wrong on the night and the ladies of the F.A.H.E.T.G. Dramatic Society are no different, with the possible exception that almost everything that could happen does.
# SEPT 18- 20 @ Ringgold Playhouse | VARIOUS TIMES EURYDICE — A re-imagining of the Orpheus myth through Eurydice's eyes. After dying on her wedding day, she journeys to
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
— Blank Page Theatre presents Shakespeare's romantic comedy follows the sharp-tongued Beatrice and Benedick, whose friends scheme to make them fall in love, while another young couple is nearly torn apart by deception. Packed with witty banter, mistaken intentions and romantic mischief. Join us preshow each night for live music and yard games at the chapel garden of the mansion! Feel free to bring your dinner, spread out, and enjoy the evening - and grab a variety of snacks from our concession stand.
# SEPT 25 -OCT 4 @ Ringgold Playhouse | VARIOUS TIMES MARJORIE PRIME — 85-minute, one-act science fiction drama by Jordan Harrison about an elderly woman with fading memories who interacts with an AI hologram companion programmed to reflect her life story.
# SEPT 26 - 0CT 4 @ Chattanooga Theatre | VARIOUS TIMES THE ENTIRE AMERICAN REVOLUTION -IN 40 MINUTES OR LESS — Circle Theater. Flying
through the major points of America's quest for independence, this fast-and-loose comedy plays like a highlight reel of history in hilarious fashion!
DANCE
# THURSDAY SEPT 17 @ Chatt Theatre Centre | 7 PM (doors), 8 PM (show). $35-50. All Ages
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND —
This LAND is YOUR LAND (Esta TIERRA es TU TIERRA) is a civic arts experience that uses dance, storytelling, music, education, and community collaboration to celebrate Hispanic/Latine identity while illuminating the histories, struggles, dreams, and contributions that shape the American story. Kick off Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month with us at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre! Reception at 7pm, Presentation at 8pm
# THURSDAY SEPT 24 @ Hunter Museum | 6:00 PM. FREE. All Ages MADE FOR YOU AND ME — Celebrate Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month at the Hunter Museum with excerpts from *Hechizos y Fantasmas*, new choreography and an exhibition of Hamilton County Schools student art inspired by “This LAND is YOUR Land (Esta TIERRA es TU Tierra).” Together, these works explore the cultures, memories and dreams that shape the American story.
# SEPTEMBER 16, & 23 @ Townsend Atelier | 10:00 AM. $10. All Ages OPEN STUDIO — Are you looking for a creative space to grow, connect, and be inspired? By request, we are now offering a time for you to come and work in our studio with others on a monthly basis. Come and hang out with new folks or bring a friend! Each month, you are invited to our studio to work on your art practice. We will set up a still life from which you can work or you can work on/bring your own project. All mediums are welcome.
# SATURDAY SEPT 19 @ Townsend Atelier | $35. 21+ SHANE WOLF DEMO — Join us for a BIG evening with the wonderful Shane Wolf! In this three-hour demo and talk, Shane will work on a large, life-sized drawing (approx 36_ x 60_) from a live unclothed model. Shane
# SEPT 25 - 26 @ Studio Ours | 3 pm & 7 Pm COLLECTIVELY HERE — Dance collective performing "void saturation"
ART+
# THURSDAYS @ Townsend Atelier | 6-9pm. $15 LIFE DRAWING - OPEN DRAWING-PAINTING STUDIO — Every
Thursday. Our open studio is a time where artists of all levels can practice the time-honored tradition of making art from a live model. Participants may work at their own pace and with whatever medium they wish to work with. Easels, drawing boards, sculpture stands, and tables are provided. Livewire | VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 10 « 15
will take you through his drawing process: the initial gesture phase, placing shadow and light shapes, capturing the full value range, and attention to anatomy and proportion.
the power of the sun (UV light), water, chemicals, and a few other items, you will have the opportunity to create unique, one-ofa-kind, vibrant blue artworks on paper and/or fabric.
# THURSDAY 24 @ Small Business Resource Center | 12 - 5 PM
# SEPTEMBER 18-20 @ Townsend Atelier | 10am-5pm. $1,100
DEPTH OF FIELD DAY — Chat-
going BIG with the wonderful Shane Wolf! “The power of the human figure is best conveyed when drawn life-size or larger.” This is the opinion of artist Shane Wolf, who will demonstrate and teach his approach to capturing large figures during this first-ever 3-day intensive on the subject.
tanooga Aperture Project will have free photo-based workshops. (RSVP info on Instagram @chattapertureproject)
# 27-SEP @ Townsend Atelier | 10 - 3:30 PM. $125 CYANOTYPES — Compositions
in Blue. Instructor Carrie Pendergrass. n this one-day workshop, you will be guided through a fun & user-friendly artmaking technique that dates back to the 1800s and relates to both photography and printmaking. Using
LIFE-SIZE FIGURE DRAWING WITH SHANE WOLF — We are
Shane Wolf
ART AROUND TOWN AVA Main Gallery: 2025 Best in Show: Danyelle Woods.
Danyelle Woods received “Best in Show” in the 2025 Annual Juried Exhibition for her work Memory Map I. Danyelle’s work is a combination of known and unknown forms, created with organic materials made by the earth. Landis Education Gallery: 2025 Juror’s Choices: Jeweli Eslinger, Meredith Olinger and Andy Brooks Eslinger, Olinger and Brooks were each selected by the Jury of the 2025 Juried Show as recipients of the “Juror’s Choice Award.” Jeweli Eslinger is an abstract artist working in a street art and graffiti aesthetic. Meredith Olinger is a mixed media artist who works with bold patterns through wallpaper that she designs, create, and prints using both digital and hand-printing along with some collage techniques. Brooks is a photographer who creates abstract, filtered images of mundane, household objects printed at a large scale. Opening Night- Friday, September 4th Exhibit Duration- September 4th-October 30th Pedestrian Wine & Cheese storefront is hosting rotating local artists with Artist in Residence series. "The Northshore Nights" by Kristopher Young, through early November.
Hunter Museum of American Art Saya Woolfalk: Empathic Universe uses immersive digital artwork featuring kaleidoscopic video and sound to explore imagined future 16 » Livewire | GET OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN
CALL to ARTISTS @ River Gallery — River Gallery is looking for new-to-us artists for our juried December exhibit. Sumbission deadline Sept 30. www.rivergallery.com for details.
BOOK STUFF # SEPTEMBER 17
BOOK RELEASE — Not-So-Normal People: Great American Stories Preserved. In a year when the nation is celebrating its 250th birthday, the author has crafted a mosaic of sometimes raw but resonant true stories recounting the military, political, social, cultural, and religious history of our nation. Cole's subjects are both average Joe's and icons of Americana, and his stories are set in the historical eras when they took place. He balances the intimate scale of a personal memoir with an epic retrospec-
tive of American development from colonial times to the present. More info at https://www. fredcoleauthor.com/
# FRIDAY 25 @ The Reading Room Bar | 6:00 PM. Free. 18+ SMUT PARTY - MIXER AND SWAP — Do you love smut?
Come meet other smut lovers, and bring your gently used smut books to swap. Sip, pick up a new read, and mingle with other smut lovers. 6-8pm
# SATURDAY 26 @ The Reading Room Bar | 12:00 PM. Free. All Ages SCAVENGER HUNT IN THE STACKS — Come do our Scav-
enger Hunt in the Stacks the last Saturday of every month! Bring a friend or test your mental metal alone. Questions are different every month, so come out and find stuff. Complete the 25-item hunt and get a drink for $1!
realities through an all-encompassing, science-fiction storyworld. As only the second venue for the exhibition (before it travels to the Smithsonian), the Hunter is excited to bring Saya Woolfalk: Empathic Universe to the region.
CHA Art Space At their new home near baggage claim. Remind Me deals with sentiment, warm memories, nostalgia, etc.
Stove Works "Ode to the Muses" works by Savannah Young
Ode to the Muses is a collection that documents the beauty, sentimentality, and curiosity of everyday life. It is a love letter to all that inspires—fleeting thoughts, passing peculiarities, loved ones from childhood, and the dying houseplant. Here’s to the remarkable in the mundane. "Radical Rage" Curated by Charlie Farrell. Participating Artists - Desmond Lewis, Chayse Sampy, estefanía vallejo santiago, James McKissic, Jordan Matthew, Omolará Williams McCallister. Radical Rage explores rage as a powerful catalyst for creativity and change rather than something to suppress. Through sculpture, painting, installation, textiles, and photography, the artists transform anger and frustration into works that challenge perspectives and imagine new possibilities. August 7th - November 14th, 2026
River Gallery Father - daughter duo from Michigan Mark
Chatterley & Teagan Chatterley. Mark makes large-scale sculptural ceramic pieces, focusing primarily on the figure with a metaphysical theme. Each piece is unique with the surface
# WEDNESDAY 30 @ The Reading Room Bar | 6:30 PM. Free. All Ages MARK JOHNSON & DAVID COOK IN CONVERSATION
— Come hear Mark Johnson, Associate Professor at UTC and author of the book American Bacon, in conversation with David Cook of Food As A Verb. If you love bacon, care about good eating, are interested in food history, or just like to spend the evening with smart people, put it on your calendar!
CLASS
# WEDNESDAY 16 @ Plant Bar | 6 - 8 PM. Free OPEN HOUSE — Improv Workshop with Jason Parker. Register through Chattery.
@ Verre Noire | 5:30pm-7:30pm. $85 STAINED GLASS WORKSHOP
— In this hands-on workshop, participants will create a stained glass suncatcher while learning the basics of foiling, burnishing, soldering and finishing. Choose from a selection of patterns and colored glass to create your own piece.
# SATURDAY SEPT 19 @ Greenway Farms | 11:00 AM. FREE. All Ages CHATTANOOGA REPAIR CAFE
— Booth at Outdoor Chattanooga's Gear-age Sale & Repair Fair. Stuff Fixed Free! Do you have something sitting around that needs fixed? We work on anything. If you can get it in the door, we'll give it a go. If you know what parts you need, bring them with you. Questions or interested in helping? Email repair@everyturn.net
@ Verre Noire | 4:00 PM. $110 ENTOMOLOGY CLOCHE WORKSHOP — Create your own
butterfly or moth cloche with
ranging from a shiny metallic to a crusty texture reminiscent of rusted metal or weathered stone. Teagan ChatterleyCombining her knowledge of sculpture and designed objects, Chatterley has been investigating the division and overlap of form, function, materiality, and meaning between these two fields. Joan Bontempo and Pitcher Invitational are extended until the end of September.
Wave Length Space Solo show by Chase Williamson- A
Prism of Blue exploring the interconnection of the Southern Black garden, memorial waters, and Black womanhood.
Clearstory "One Square Foot" exhibit of works that are 12x12. Over 100 artists.
Townsend Atelier "Where Will You Spend Eternity", a
visual re-creation of lower Appalachia through the eyes of Chattanooga artist, Grace Haley. The artist examines the polarizing political climate of Tennessee while also honoring the fringe underlayer through painting, fiber art, and live floral installation. Come explore Grace's alternate reality of the South; one that is queer, raunchy, and free. The exhibition will be open on weekdays from 10:00 a.m-4:00 pm EST or by appointment through September. Artist talk and closing reception 2-5 PM Sept 26.
guidance from Natalie of Cloche Craft & Relics. Use preserved specimens, dried florals and natural elements to design a oneof-a-kind bell jar display.
munity events, the program promotes physical wellness, lifelong learning, and meaningful social connections.
# CALL FOR TIMES @ Grateful Glassworks | 11:00 AM . $100ish
# SATURDAY SEPT 19 @ The Signal | 8:00 PM. 18+
INTRO TO GLASSBLOWING 101 — Grateful Glassworks is a
borosilicate glassblowing studio. Founded by artist Blake Rolfe, the studio was created to make the art of flame-working more accessible to beginners, creatives, and the simply curious. (Ages 14 & up to participate)
# CALL FOR TIMES @ Red Bank Community Center | 10 AM Free ACTIVE OLDER ADULT PROGRAMS — Dedicated to enrich-
ing the lives of adults aged 55+ Through fitness classes, creative arts, guest speakers, and com-
DANCE
THE EMO NIGHT TOUR — A traveling dance party and DJ-driven event where hosts play popular 2000s emo and poppunk anthems.
# SUNDAY SEPT 20 @ Barlery | 10:00 PM 21+ AFTER PARTY — Togetherland
after party
# FRIDAY SEPT 25 @ Barlery | 8:00 PM 21+ AS ABOVE - SO BELOW — God-
dess Anomaly
Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens Birds of a Feather:
BlackCatTips Atlanta street folk artist (aka Kyle Brooks) presents a solo exhibition inspired by a spring residency at Paradise Garden. During his nearly week-long stay, Brooks found inspiration in the Garden's whimsical setting, abundant bird life, and birdsong. The exhibition's title reflects both the many bird paintings he created afterward and his artistic connection to Howard Finster and his visionary work. Show runs until September 27.
Intown Gallery "After Dark: Exploring Chattanooga's
Urbanscape at Night" by Anh Bao Tran-Le. A photography series exploring familiar Chattanooga locations transformed after sunset by city lights, shadows and reflections. The exhibit invites viewers to slow down, see familiar places with fresh eyes and become a tourist in their own city. Exhibit runs though Sept 30.
Gulf Station, Red Bank- Anh Bao Tran-Le
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# SATURDAY SEPT 26 @ Barlery | 9:00 PM LA RUMBA WITH DJ TONY MIX
— Latin Dance / DJ
# WEDNESDAYS @ Barlery | 9:00: PM OPEN DECKS WITH GIGI.B XOX
— EDM
DRAG
# SUNDAY SEPT 20 @ Barlery | 7 PM $10+ SUNDAY SERVICE - THE GOSPEL OF ENVY — Crystal
Envy, T'yana, Alyvia St. Claire, Kristina Siskole, Moxxiee, Daisy Chase. Leverón
@ Barking Legs | 9:00 PM. $15 KINGS OF DRAG — Produced by Butch Von Twink, hosted by Sammy Jupiter. Kings of Drag Season 2 Watch party at 9, Drag show at 10.
FESTIVAL
# SATURDAY SEPT 19 @ Colonnade in Ringgold | 12 - 6 PM LOVE A LLAMA DAY — Come out and enjoy a fun-filled day with some of the cutest guests around, llamas!
# SUNDAY SEPT 20 @ First Horizon Pavilion | 11:00am - 4:00pm CHATTANOOGA MARKET - CULTURES IN CONCERT —
enjoy performances that span cultures and continents, sample globally inspired foods, and celebrate the diversity that makes our community so special.
# SATURDAY SEPT 26 @ Red Bank City Park | 5:30 PM. Free. All Ages RED BANK FOOD TRUCK SATURDAY — Fun-filled summer
evening at Red Bank City Park as we bring the community together for great food, live music, and a relaxing night in the park!
# SUNDAY SEPT 27 @ First Horizon Pavilion | 11:00am - 4:00pm CHATTANOOGA MARKET -FALL FESTIVAL — Shop apples,
Butch Von Twink
cider, pumpkins, and seasonal produce alongside locally made foods, handmade goods, and fresh flowers. Live Music: Taylor Charles Levin, Justin Moyer
18 » Livewire | GET OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN
MARKET
# SATURDAY SEPT 19 @ Studio Ours | 12:00 PM. Free. 18+ COZY AUTUMN FAIRE — Customize an upcycled denim or canvas jacket or hoodie with Appalachian-inspired blockprint designs at the Print Bar, then explore hands-on makers offering fall goods and apparel. Enjoy free craft stations, treats, live music, seasonal hot drinks and flash tattoos. Size and gender inclusive. : )
# SATURDAY SEPT 26 @ Chattanooga Choo-Choo | 11 AM - 5 PM RACKET ON THE RAILS — Vinyl and Vintage market presented by Yellow Racket Records.
OUTDOORS # WEDNESDAYS @ Fiamma Pizza Co. | 6:00 PM. FREE. All Ages
RIVER RUNNERS — Chattanooga's longest continuous run group (circa 2019) meets at Fiamma every Wednesday at 6pm for a 3 mile run. All ages & paces. Dogs & strollers welcome. Rain or shine! @chattriverrunners
# SATURDAY SEPT 26 @ Ross's Landing | 8 am - 2 Pm IRON MAN WEEKEND KICKOFF
— Family-friendly activities and athlete festivities. Kids can participate in the IRONKIDS Fun Run while spectators explore the IRONMAN Village, enjoy the Opening Ceremony.
SPORT
# SUNDAY SEPT 27 @ Ross's Landing | 7:30 AM IRON MAN RACE DAY — Watch athletes compete in the swim, bike, and run throughout downtown Chattanooga before cheering them across the finish line.
GAMES
# SATURDAY SEPT 26 @ The Reading Room Bar | 12:00 PM . Free. All Ages SCAVENGER HUNT IN THE STACKS — Join us the last
Saturday of every month for our Scavenger Hunt in the Stacks. Complete the hunt and get a drink for $1. It's always the right weather for a bookstore scavenger hunt!
# MONDAYS @ Barlery | 6 PM - close CHESS & BOARD GAMES — Bring your favorite board game or jump into one of ours!
# TUESDAYS @ Barlery backroom | 6 PM
# WEDNESDAYS @ Broads Lounge | 7:00 PM. 21+
MAGIC- THE GATHERING — Bring your deck and settle in for an evening of spells, strategy and friendly competition.
— Every single Wednesday 7pm to 9pm
MUSIC TRIVIA WITH RICHARD
@ Clever Alehouse | 7:00 PM
# WEDNESDAYS @ Barlery Backroom | 7:00 PM DUNGEONS & DRAGONS — Roll the dice and join a tabletop adventure of monsters, magic and mayhem.
TRIVIA WEDNESDAY — Presented by Clever Donkey, home of the Smart Ass
@ Wanderlinger | 7:30 PM TRIVIA SHOWDOWN — Every
TRIVIA
Wednesday
# TUESDAYS @ Cherry Street Tavern | 7:30 PM
# THURSDAYS @ Tailgate Brewery | 6:30 PM
TAVERN TRIVIA — Host Anne Rushing Cambron. Categories listed on @cherrytrivia weekly.
LIVE TRIVIA — Every Thursday
sunBar ~ Thurs 11a m Kitch en ~ -12a m 11a m11pm Fri Bar ~ -sat 1 1a m-1 Kitch am en ~ 11a m12a m
St ain E M ga, TN 5 1 23 noo 87 7 tta Cha 3-541-8 42
Follow us on Instagram @livewire_chatt
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storytelling and also the political atmosphere that is around us. We have really put a lot of effort and time into centering the experience of transgender people and queer people who live in Appalachia and in the South. That's something that nobody else is doing. [Emma Collins] (Scenic City Shakespeare): We choose our seasons pretty practically as we choose from about 37 and a half plays. It's really like Shakespeare wine pairing. RL: I would just add that we check in with our company members, which we have a few here. If there are roles that they feel strongly tied to. KJ (Chattanooga Theatre Centre): So I think of choosing a season like this beautifully complex puzzle. We are in a 2nd century of being a community theater and a producing theater. Our audiences are not only our volunteer actor base, but the volunteers that engage with us to keep learning and growing in whatever their craft is, whether it's puppet making or sewing. And then we think about what will sell tickets so that we can, you know, honor our stakeholders. And then we think about stories that our community wants to hear. And then we think about stories that they may not want to hear, but they may need to hear. And we juggle for months. [Sammie Waller]: Blank Page is a very small company and pretty young. And so partially by necessity, we've ended up choosing our season based more on process than content. So it's been very project to project. I don't think we've done more than 2 shows a year, and it usually comes down to who do we have, what can we work with, and what would we be excited about making together. [AS] (Dalton Little Theatre): Our theater has been in the same building for over 40 years, and this past year were told that the city was not renewing our lease. So we lost our building. So that's part of our process this year, which has been a little bit different than any other year. We normally have 6 shows, but this year we chose 8. So we're like, we're not going anywhere. Super ambitious. That's just me as a human. But I've got this, y'all, I've got this. It's gonna be great. How do you grow the audience for your work? And once you have the audience, how do you keep them coming back? [KJ] (Chattanooga Theatre Centre): So being alive for a century means that the organization has got a lot of things right, or they would not still be here. Going into a second century, gives us the opportunity to speak to the areas that we haven't gotten right yet. So we're listening and we're learning, and we're making some choices to help people feel like, um, this is a place in other theaters that we partner with, are places that anybody can go to and get involved if they want to. 20 » Livewire | GET OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN
[FC]: For Noogavision, we’re looking at the distinction between audience versus community, because those are very 2 very different things. Your audience will follow you, your audience will like it.. How do we engage between shows to make sure we're consistently building that community? For us, I know the past 3 to 4 years, it has been a lot of being in the streets. Literally. And finding those hidden gems, seeking out those actors and audience members that may not typically go to theater. Then offering a voice as well in our process. So we're building a community advisory board, things like that to keep building community and not just looking at the audience. [EH]: The Seed Theatre is unique because our 501(c)3 mission statement is to serve queer people, and art is an afterthought. My wife and I both grew up in theater. My wife is transgender. I'm a very queer woman. And theater was the first safe space that we ever experienced growing up in heavily religious communities in southern Appalachia. It was a very difficult area to grow up as a queer person, and the first place we felt like we were ourselves was theater. But when we first established our theater 7 years ago, we thought we were just going to be a community theater, but we had our own space. We had our own black box for a while, and the kids just kept showing up and hanging out. And we pivoted, and we paid attention to what the community was asking for and what they were showing up for. And while we would do this really incredible art and be super excited about it and sell maybe 50, 60 tickets. The people that came back over and over and over again, were the kids and the queer people who needed space, who needed somewhere to exist and be safe. And so, we started doing a lot of things that weren't theater centric. We started playing family board game nights and doing community potlucks, and we have evolved into a full fledged mutual aid organization now where performing arts is only one 4th of the work that we do. It's practically impossible now for us to exist as an organization without listening to and following the community that is with us. [RL]: For us, it's meeting people where they are, which is Greenway Farms every Friday and Saturday. Seriously, though, doing shows for 4 weekends. Yes. Long extended runs, more audience. Not applicable for everyone, we know it's not. It makes sense for us, 'cause not everyone can be in the park to go outside every weekend, but it does grow our audience, because people walk by and they see you, and then they say, “Oh, Shakespeare in the park is back!” Making it free helps, too. [Kashun Parks] (Next Exit): Well, one of the challenges that we have is that we focus on new work. That's our goal. That's what we do. That's what we produce. And so the challenge with new work is no one knows it. And so how we build community, I really feel like it's through the culture of the experience that you have when you engage with us.
You'll hear us say “from the page of the stage.” We invite and engage new playwrights. So something brand new that you've never heard. We bring in new actors. We bring in new designers and things of that nature. And where we've seen our community grow is the experience and the culture that we build around the whole process from beginning to end, that people are like, "Oh, my gosh, this was a wonderful experience, and I want to come back."
be so much more meaningful and intentional than most of the theater that I've been exposed to before, even in academia. I think the meaning of why, like we keep saying, has gotten lost in a lot of mainstream theater or commercial theater, I guess, like Broadway and stuff. So, Chattanooga, because people here have stories to tell, and there's a reason for it, and everyone's so intentional, and I'm so honored to be in a room with all of these incredible artists.
Any shout outs for any theater companies that you know and love in this community, that whose work you admire, who are not represented at these tables?
[EH]: The thing that makes Chattanooga really unique is that we are an up and coming, growing city. In the south. And the narrative that is carried across media is that the South is ignorant. But also, it's really important that people here realize that they have skill sets, that they're better than that, than what the media says we are. There are amazing artists, phenomenal minds, right here, creating their own work, creating their own theater, flipping existing theater on its head, and that's right here in the Deep South. We put people on the stage and tell our stories in a place where people aren't expecting it. Because there's beautiful art here. There was amazing artists coming out of Chatt State in UTC. And with degrees and professional level experience, who are phenomenal. But there's reason to stay here and not just go off to New York City, right? Because we have beautiful things to do and create, and the people in the South need art.
[VARIOUS]: Ghostlight Entertainment. The Signal Mountain Playhouse. UTC Theatre Company. Oak Street Theater is one. Artistic Civic Theater. Conasauga Shakespeare Coalition. The Homeschool Shakespeare Troupe. Barking Legs. Covenant Collegethe Tivoli education branch is doing a lot for years, producing a lot of great, grainer to stare. East Brainerd Community Theater. Gary Posey from Ensemble Theater of Chattanooga. He’s done really amazing work here over the last many years. Why here? What is it about this city, about this place that led you to want to create a company here and start doing this work here. [JT] (Next Exit): There's no city like Chattanooga in the zeal, that Chattanooga does it with. You know what I mean? And so that's why, and it was electric. And I thought there were lots of possibilities. [AS] (Dalton Little Theater): So I am an educator as well. Dalton Little Theater has been a place where I have seen my students graduate high school, become young professionals, and then get back in it again. And to me, that's phenomenal. [SW]: I think why theater here is because it's my home and I must make theater. And... I think there are so many of us who maybe once had dreams of moving to one of the great places and seeing how far we could go and maybe chose different paths for whatever reasons. But the beauty of the forever amateur or the small scale professional is that we do it for the love of it. And when we make good art together, we all become more human together. [Karlee Ming] (UTC Theatre Company et al): I just wanted to chime in and say, uh, as a young theater professional fresh out of college, uh, I experienced a lot of people saying you can only be successful in theater and make a career out of theater if you leave Chattanooga, if you go to Chicago or New York, or these other larger cities. and I had been fortunate enough to work with Next Exit productions, work with Steve Ray, with Conasauga Shakespeare. I found the work in Chattanooga to
[CW]: The why for me? I'm a competitor. Chattanooga is up next. Whether we want to say it or not, I know that I'm just 100% a competitor, and please everybody at this table, please fight to be a competitor too Because when you push people in theater, they either transform or they transform somebody else that you don't even know that it even touched you. [EC]: I think it's important to look at the theater industry as a whole, and that everyone in New York, Chicago, the biggest markets, is having the same struggle, nobody works just in theater. We all work other jobs. If you're on Broadway, you're likely working another job to get by. So why not do it here, where it's beautiful, where the people are? (General cheers) I just call you guys home, you know?
What do you need from this community and from anyone who might be reading this in order to be the best version of your company in 5 years? What do you think would make the theater community stronger, more vital? AS: I need a person who really wants to support the arts to help me find a home for our theater, which is the longest continuously running community theater in the state of Georgia, and for us not to have a home is just sad. [Holly Morse-Ellingon] I would say don't wait for us to demonstrate Continued page 22
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that the arts and what we're doing is vital. Recognize it now. That it is vital. And that everything that all of these artists are doing, with all of the theater, whether it's new works, or it's the classics, that it is vital to emotional well-being, to physical well-being, to community well-being, to being all of these things that make us human and life enjoyable. [KJ]: I think it's important to acknowledge the work of Arts Build, the Tennessee Arts Commission. I think it's important to acknowledge Monica Kinsey, the work of the city of Chattanooga. I think it's important to acknowledge the funding from Arts Build and Lindhurst, and the fact that a performance innovation center is in a phase three right now. People need space, people need space to rehearse, they need space to perform. They need admin support, they need connection. ... There is a governance committee. Some of those members are around this table right now, and are working hard to try to identify some short term solutions to answer those needs. ... Blake Harris wasn't able to be here today. He is leading that conversation for Arts Build in Lindhurst. A lot of good hard work is being done to try to find some answers for organizations that need those very things. [EC]: I hope that in five years, our partnerships in the community with businesses are stronger, and that's from like the grassroots theaters, to the larger theaters. I hope that we can get our wonderful local businesses that are growing attached to some theaters that we can all help each other. [EH]: One person signing up to support you for $50 a month. $15 a month. Whatever. You can donate less than your cup of coffee at Starbucks and it'll make a big difference to us. But if everybody in the community that wanted to see theater invested that in all of the all of the companies around us, then all of us would be thriving in a different way. That has to happen $15 at a time. [Jennifer Wilson]: I think particularly in a post-pandemic world, it's very difficult to convince somebody to change out of their pajamas and go out into the world, you know? You can stream the show on Netflix tomorrow. I promise it's more fun to go enjoy a story with other humans being told by humans and feeling the energy of a space and the energy of the people around you is irreplaceable. [Sammie Waller]: I think I would just tell people to choose the experience, like go to a show at a bar of live music, go to the theater that's closest to you, whatever they have in season. Choose that because of the experience. Go do it. Don't just choose the lowest common denominator option, and we will all grow and benefit together. In what ways do you feel 22 » Livewire | GET OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN
connected to your fellow artistic directors in a common cause here -as the artistic directors in the area? [JW]: I just have one short thing to say, is that we hope that here we create theater artists who are on fire for the work, and can then go out and work with all of you when they leave here. [FC]: Something that I do see is that we do operate kind of in a siloed kind of situation, right? So we actually have our new talent competition coming up on September the 12th. And so in that pathway, I want to make sure that — all of those youth, their family, that's gonna attend, we’re expecting somewhere between 300 to 500 people in the downtown area — that you guys are in the building. I've seen everybody, not everyone, but most people here have an email invite. To be there and participate. And I'm mentioning you guys in the workshops. Like, we don't have the youth programming. Why would I not say, hey, go to CTC and take a class? Hey, are you familiar with the fine arts program at Chatt State, at UTC? So just trying to build that bridge, and what I call it is a pathway partner. We can all be pathway partners. And that's how we can start working together and not so siloed. [KJ]: You want everyone to succeed, right? You just, you want them to. Um, I mean, Shakespeare to New Works, everything in between, and then you want companies that focus and you want companies that champion specific needs, who have that passion and that ability and that expertise. And then you share your costumes because you got them, right? And you just do the thing. And above all, you champion each other, and you keep it positive. Just love, y'all. Just love. [FC]: So everyone at this table knows the power of theater. And this is what keeps me grounded and not in that silo, okay? Think about all the people we're not touching when we're not working together. Many thanks to all who were able to attend this summit of creatives. The full transcript is available at livewire-chatt.com. Its a fascinating conversation worth reading. Check out the Event Calendar for upcoming productions!
RECORD REVIEW
Cody Landress-Gibson: Music to Get By On by Marc T. Michael
So…the music is great. The lyrics are deceptively simple, yet sublime. The song trades the cynicism so common to the subject matter for something honest and uncomplaining. He just a man talking to his beloved at bedtime, telling her about his day at work.
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Sincere, authentic, honest, fresh, and original…this how I can best describe the album Music to Get By On and the man who made it, Cody Landress-Gibson. No need to take my word for it, I assure you, you have not heard anything else quite like this.
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The instrumentation is masterful with a dozen moving parts that come together like organic clockwork. The music isn’t crowded, it’s lush in a way that speaks of the golden age of the Grand Ole Opry. It’s a pity A Prairie Home Companion has ended; this is a tune that would have suited the folksy warmth and utter professionalism of that program.
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“Dog Day Nights” is a classic “life on the road” tune which, if we’re being honest, is a fairly obligatory subject for bands of every genre from Kiss to Bob Seger. You might ask yourself, why another? In the hands of a less gifted artist, I would say the same, but in the case of Landress-Gibson, he manages to breathe new life into an old chestnut.
Someone could have recorded an album like this one using the best studio musicians, songwriters, and engineers, and produced, on paper, a perfect record that is indistinguishable from everything else. What Cody has done instead is created the sort of album that when you hear it, you smack your forehead and ask, “Why has no one done it this way before?”
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I must stress that I am not suggesting his work is in any way derivative, it’s not. He isn’t trying to sound like one artist or another, he’s merely picking up where they left off, a worthy standard-bearer for the raw, roots-based style that came out of Nelson and Van Zandt’s Texas.
Landress-Gibson clearly has masterful country chops but he is no less gifted in classic American folk (which shares some DNA with country music of course) but there’s more here than meets the eye. The way he arranges his songs doesn’t necessarily follow the rules of either genre. At the same time, it doesn’t feel forced, like someone trying to be different for the sake of being different. The songs flow naturally; they just flow in ways that aren’t so predictable as much of the music out there is.
MAINTENANCE
After listening to all the tracks a few times, I decided to read his artist profile. This is something I’ve always tried to save until after I’ve formed my own opinions about the music, I don’t want what I write to be influenced by what someone else has written. Still, it was no great surprise to discover that Cody cites Van Zandt as one of his main influences (along with Guy Clark.) No mention of Willie, but that’s ok. I hear it anyway.
“Coffee Black” goes in a whole different direction musically. The staccato chunka-chunk of the guitar is matched by the spicatto attack of strings in a way that seems almost playful, and this over what sound like war drums until the chorus when everything resolves to a more traditional arrangement. It would be an interesting and unexpected approach in any song, but particularly here in a song that is basically about regret.
RENTALS
A minute or so into the first song I was struck by an overwhelming impression. By the time the third tune had faded out that impression was an absolute certainty. There are two points to make right up front. First, the man crafts lyrics like Townes Van Zandt. Second, he croons them like young Willie Nelson.
It just happens that his job is riding up and down the road playing gigs in far-flung bars. The song has a sweetness and honesty that is quite refreshing. If every band does a song like this eventually, Cody’s is one of the absolute best.
SALES
I’ve written about local music for a little over two decades. You might say it’s been a passion project for me, writing about and promoting local musicians. Then along came Covid, ending my last steady writing gig until now. I’ve missed it, friends, but I could not have asked for a better artist or album to return with than Cody Landress-Gibson and his new album, Music to Get By On.
Livewire | VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 10 « 23
GOOD EATS by Lori Kyle
Shawarma Taste: A Little Lamb, a Little Love, and a Much Needed Exhale Have you ever had one of those months, weeks, or even days when you and your love are completely stressed out and running on fumes? That has been us lately. Phillip and I have been at our wits’ end trying to get our house ready to sell so we can find a home with enough space for my mom to live with us. When life feels that heavy, please try to have a meal together. Slow down. Break bread. Talk about the wonderful food you are lucky enough to share. Share your rose of the day, and try not to let the thorns of a stressful situation sneak into that little bit of time you’ve carved out to decompress. Thank the universe that we found that exhale at Shawarma Taste in Red Bank. Normally, Phillip and I order different things so we can share and experience as much of a menu as possible. But when glistening, fall off the bone lamb shanks call, we answer on the first ring. The plates come with rice and two sides. Mine had a beautiful lamb shank over aromatic rice with hints of cinnamon and other warm spices, creamy house made hummus, plus a side of pickled cabbage for that bright, crunchy punch. Phillip chose the bean salad with cannellini and kidney beans, red onion, parsley and vinegar, along with hummus. Ohhh, that lamb….tender, rich, hearty and practically surrendering to the fork. Tip: ask for that
lamb simmering sauce to be spooned over your rice as well. The spicy garlic sauce was delicious, and I loved the smooth tzatziki because there were no cucumber chunks for me to pick around. I know, I know…I’m weird. Then came my mango lassi. Cool, soothing and refreshing, it was exactly what my overstimulated brain needed. I could almost feel my shoulders drop. We ordered everything to go, but you can dine in, and the space has a surprisingly glam vibe with marble and black and gold accents. The staff was extremely kind and helpful, which mattered more than they probably realized that day. They also offer a college student discount, so bring that student ID! Our only bummer was discovering that the pita bread that comes with the entrées didn’t make it into our bag. I had BIG plans involving pita, hummus, sauce and lamb, but things happen. There are also several vegetarian options on the menu. By the end of dinner, we were full, grateful and noticeably calmer. Sometimes a beautiful meal doesn’t fix what is stressing you out. It simply gives you enough room to remember that you’re in it together. And as always, tip, tip, TIP the people taking care of you. The Vibe: Happy House by Siouxsie and the Banshees Shawarma Taste 2601 Dayton Blvd. Red Bank, TN 37415
24 » Livewire | GET OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN
LIFE IN THE ‘NOOG by Chuck Crowder
Lucky enough to have great taste! Despite the MAGA dismantling of everything good and decent, including the funding of public radio, Chattanooga is lucky enough to have one of the best NPR stations around—despite the jackass-in-chief. Of course, I’m referring to WUTC—88.1 on your FM dial.
one day you’re offered that same candy—the taste you loved so much—and you respond, “Nah, I’m good.” But everyone knows that tastes vary, and we’re lucky enough to have Clark and his Los Lonely Boys, plus his WUTC colleagues, passionately present theirs for us to enjoy (or not).
I’ve listened for decades and count myself lucky enough to know its best-known DJ, Richard Winham. And since his retirement last year, I’ve grown to like and appreciate the protégés he inspired to fill his massive shoes—namely Haley Soloman, Clark Gibson, and Paul Jorgensen. All have a deep love and knowledge of just about any musical genre they present. And they do an excellent job of suggesting new artists, albums, and songs in a way that’s not music-snobby, but more like a trusted friend turning you on to new sounds you might like. Thankfully, they all have excellent taste. That’s why most of the time, I truly agree with everything they say about the music they’re enthusiastically playing—whether I like it or not. But sometimes—not often, but sometimes—they take a left turn that has me scratching my head in disbelief. “How can someone whose musical taste I respect so much like THAT crap!?!” Case in point: Clark Gibson’s affinity for Los Lonely Boys. You know Los Lonely Boys. Or you did. You likely forgot about them twenty years ago when everyone else did. But in 2004, they were at the top of their game. Willie Nelson discovered them. They had a hit album, fatefully titled “Los Lonely Boys,” that every radio station couldn’t play enough, and fans couldn’t buy up fast enough. Their only hit single, “Heaven,” reached number one on the Adult Contemporary Chart. And that should be all you need to know for what I am about to write. For Los Lonely Boys are the kind of homogenized, vanilla, genre-skirting, Tex-Mex mess designed to make dental chairs and elevator rides a little more tolerable. Absolute garbage. They come by it honestly. Fact is, they’re one in a long line of musical acts that grab the hearts of nearly every casual music lover just to drive themselves into obscurity within a year or so. Bands like Spin Doctors, Blind Melon, Hootie & The Blowfish, Wallflowers, Ben Folds Five, Bruce Hornsby & The Range, Matchbox 20, Counting Crows, and a never-ending list of mediocre nonsense disguised as “the next big thing” do nothing but leave us wanting less rather than more. It’s like super sweet candy. You get a taste of it, and you immediately love it. You can’t seem to get enough of it and eat it up every chance you get. Then pretty soon, it’s just too much. And
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