Red White & Burlesque
Letter from the editor
The Sudoku puzzle says “How to Solve” but it should really say “Object of Puzzle.” How to solve a Sudoku is a process that is a great time waster. Once upon a time when I was an election poll worker in Georgia, and we were not allowed to have electronics for an interminably long day, a kind soul taught me how to solve a Sudoku. Its all process of elimination.
Our cover story is about a plucky bunch of ladies that know how to have fun. We recently saw them at an outdoor showcase one hot night where we were all “sweating like whores in church”, as Silhouette declared all our behalves, even the those of us not swinging on a pole. Those gals are athletes and artists. Silhouette delivered the one liners like a seasoned stand-up too.
Dancers and writers Jenn McCormick and Randy Smith interviewed Jack Wright after performing alongside him at Barking Legs. This will be of great interest to lovers of both jazz and dance.
Monique Clouse Editor-in-Chief
PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Monique Clouse
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Monique Clouse
HEP-DRIP HEPPER Terry Clouse
ADVERTISING SALES Monique Clouse, Barbara Autry
CALENDAR COORDINATOR Monique Clouse
CONTRIBUTORS Marc Michael, Chuck Crowder, Lori Kyle, Jenn McCormick, Randy Smith
POETRY by lfp, PHOTOS by Cole Duncan aka Bone Wizard Media
DESIGN CONSULTANTS Eric Jackson, Angela Rich
CIRCULATION Monique Clouse, Terry Clouse
Connecting Through Artistic Expression
1307 Dodds Ave (423) 624 - LEGS
info@barkinglegs.org www.barkinglegs.org
Homegrown handmade electric guitars, one at a time, one of a kind instagram.com/hembree_guitars
Have an event?
Submit free community listings to Livewire at livewire-chatt.com
SCENIC CITY BURLESQUE
Don’t let the name fool you, Chattanooga’s Scenic City Burlesque is no Maison Derriere (that’s the “House of Loose Ethics” from a thirty-year-old episode of The Simpsons.) Scenic City Burlesque is many things. It is a dance studio, an artistic collective, a fitness center, and the home base for a professional dance troupe. According to owner and operator Dolly Demure, the real heart and soul of the operation is found in the community it fosters, comfortable and supportive, free of judgment, where compassion, empathy, and respect are the order of the day.
This is by design. Demure, a Nashville native and UTK grad who settled here after school, did not originally set out to create a burlesque school, nor was performance a priority. It was nearly a decade ago when she turned to “Pole Fitness” as a fun and entertaining form of exercise. As it happened, it also turned out to be a place to meet new friends. Two such friends joined her in taking a series of classes, exploring dance on a deeper level as both art and fitness. It was after attending their first burlesque show that Demure and her friends fell in love with the form and created the studio where all three serve as instructors today.
by Marc T. Michael
century, American burlesque followed its own evolutionary path. In the American West, burlesque was as much Shakespeare as showgirl, with poetry, dramatic recitation, and short comedic skits all being important elements of the show. By the early twentieth century American burlesque was better known for its sensual (not sexual) dance routines and bawdy humor, which still may be understood as a rebellious stance against rigid societal norms and therefore satirical.
In the 1990s American burlesque enjoyed a resurgence in interest that continues today and is very much a vehicle for female empowerment but the misunderstandings of burlesque persist even now.
A case in point is when a city official paid a visit to the studio, responding to a call from a “concerned citizen.”
The fellow said he was investigating whether any “blue laws” were being violated (at a DANCE studio!)
Opening a studio is no easy thing, and opening one with a focus on burlesque has its own unique obstacles, the largest of which may be the ongoing misunderstanding of what burlesque actually is. The first thing to understand is what burlesque is not. It is not “striptease” although the two are often conflated. This misunderstanding is similar to the plight of the traditional Japanese Geisha who is often wrongly associated with the “courtesan.” The striptease artist and the courtesan fall under the umbrella of “sex work,” the Geisha and the burlesque performer do not. To understand the difference, some history is in order.
Popular since the 18th century burlesque is traditionally a form of social satire expressed through performative arts including literature (oral recitation), theater, music, and dance.
A progenitor of the modern variety show, burlesque is built around quick-witted irreverence and a thumbing of the nose at societal elites, hypocritical double-standards, and the insincere and sanctimonious morality of the patriarch. There is little wonder that it was dubbed tawdry and salacious by the targets of its mockery.
It is true that once it came to this country in the mid-nineteenth
It isn’t hard to imagine a frail figure, long of tooth, blue of hair, peeking from behind drawn curtains to see if the Vice squad had arrived, but on this day there would be nothing but the good-natured Demure having a gentle laugh while the inspector apologized for the (unnecessary) intrusion. Such is the cost of doing business when there are pearls to be clutched. As Dolly Parton once sang, “There’s nothing dirty going on.” Still, it illustrates the persistent misconceptions surrounding burlesque in the minds of “concerned citizens.”
Hopefully those misconceptions will fall away as the studio/ fitness center becomes better known in the community. They’re off to a good start. Scenic City Burlesque and its alter-ego Party Girls Fitness has already been making a name with public performances that include appearing in support of Chattanooga Roller Derby as well as private performances at bachelorette parties, birthdays, retirements, anniversaries, and similar functions all around Chattanooga.
Performance, lessons, fitness, the studio has much to offer. Demure and her instructors incorporate chair dancing, veil dancing, pole, ballet, tap, and much more in their curriculum. This broad palette allows the classroom to offer flexibility, strength, and balance as physical benefits. As a sanctuary from the noise and demands of the daily grind, it promotes confidence, stress relief, and mental and emotional well-being. Most of all, it offers community, a place where women uplift women, a place where bonds of friendship are forged.
Staff Picks from the Calendar
Of Montreal Indie rocky funky dancy superstars from Athens GA will be at Barrelhouse Ballroom. They are also known for putting on elaborate stage shows. July 2.
Todd Rundgren Living studio and stage legend will be at the Caverns. Innovator, multi-instrumentalist. Did you know he produced XTC’s Skylarking and Meatloaf’s Bat Out of Hell? His list of radio hits spanning the decades is long too. July 3
Call Me Spinster Hearsay Press made a video of them backing Alva Leigh at the Downtown Library. Go check that out. They will be at Songbirds July 15.
Butterfly Pinning Class Verre Noire hosts a monthly series of insect pinning classes. All the materials are provided, even the insect. This month its a Swallowtail butterfly. July 10.
July 4 at Coolidge Park Hamilton County and the City of Chattanooga are collaborating for the 250 year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. 500 drones! Pyro Waterfall?! Good thing this is over the water.
Bobby Stone Film Series They have been showing great flicks lately, and this month is no exception. Family to Foreign. Take your pick. At the Walker Theater.
Todd Rundgren
WHAT YOU MISSED
Photos by Bone Wizard Media
FIFA Watch party at White Duck Taco June 12, USA v Paraguay
Photos courtesy of The Pop-Up Project
“From Within” teaching artists showcase at Barking Legs Theater, May 29
LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR
WEDNESDAY JULY 1
Barking Legs
7:30 PM. $10 adv, $12 door
WEDNESDAY JAZZ- ALAN
WYATT QUARTET — Alan’s exquisite saxophone playing is beautifully complemented by Shawn Perkinson on guitar, David Schwab on bass and Stephen Humphries on drums.
THURSDAY JULY 2
Back Stage Bar
8:00 PM
JOEY WINSLET — Every Thursday
Barrellhouse Ballroom
7:00 PM (doors), 8:00 PM (show). $25 Adv / $30 DOS. 21+ OF MONTREAL — Indie Pop / Psychedelic Pop from Athens, GA with Cormae
Elsie’s Daughter
6:00 PM. FREE. All Ages
LON ELDRIDGE AT ELSIE’S —
Lon Eldridge brings his smooth swingin’ stylings to the Elsie’s patio every Thursday from 6-9pm. Enjoy craft cocktails, an inspired dinner menu, and stroll the Choo Choo Gardens.
Gate 11
7:00 PM
DAN FOSTER — Whimsical Americana with psychedelic overtones
The Woodshop
Details TBA
ADAM SIMONS — A native of the Arizona desert now based in Nashville, Adam Simons is a singer-songwriter born in the wrong decade.
The Woodshop
8:00 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. Every Thursday
FRIDAY JULY 3
Back Stage Bar
8:00 PM
JESSE JAMES JUNKURTH —
Every Friday, Enjoy his acoustical style music on the back porch on Station Street.
Gate 11
8:00 PM. $5
CHATT JAZZ FESTIVAL PRESENTS - SUMMER JAZZ NIGHTS — Austin Petit
Miller Plaza Pavilion
7:00 PM. FREE. All ages.
NIGHTFALL SERIES — The Mood Swings/ Goodbye Girls 5pm/ The Essentials 6:30pm. Come early and shop handmade artisan goods, purchase beverage tickets & grab something yummy from the food trucks beginning at 6 pm.
North GA Amphitheater
8:00 PM. FREE. All ages. THE LINEUP SUMMER CONCERT SERIES- JOHN KING & FIREWORKS FEST — Contemporary country and fireworks.
Free family-friendly shows presented by Catoosa County Parks and Recreation.
Puckett’s
7:00 PM. FREE
ASHTON LEE DUO — Americana/Rock
The Caverns
7:00 PM (doors), 8:00 PM (show)
TODD RUNDGREN — Central Time. Todd Rundgren is a genre-defying artist whose songwriting and performances helped shape the sound of ’70s pop and rock.
The Woodshop
8:00 PM.
FOREVER BLUEGRASS FRIDAYS — Cindy Pinion with Forever Bluegrass curates and brings traditional bluegrass from regional and national talent with different bands each week. Always Real, traditional bluegrass.
SATURDAY JULY 4
Ross’s Landing
6 - 10 PM
RIVERFRONT NIGHTS
- JOHNNY FOLSOM 4 WITH COURTNEY COWART & BAD MATADOR — Local roots rock singer and her band opens for Johnny Cash tribute from NC
MONDAY JULY 6
Barking Legs
7:30 PM. $16.80
MONDAY NITE BIG BAND - A TRIBUTE TO MNBB FOUNDER
PAUL LOHORN — Paul passed away on March 21, 2020. He was 87 years old. Paul’s charts are played world wide, and we are privileged to be a part of his legacy.
TUESDAY JULY 7
Barrelhouse Ballroom FREE
RANDY STEELE’S BLUEGRASS JAM — Every Tuesday, Beginner Jam at 6:30, Intermediate Jam at 7:30
The Woodshop
5:00 PM (doors), 6:00 PM (show). All Ages
JHETT BLACK’S TUESDAY
BLUESDAY — Live Audience
Broadcast showcasing the best in regional and touring blues and roots artists with elevated cocktails, award winning blues, and curated cocktails broadcasted over WUTC. 88.1.
WEDNESDAY JULY 8
Barking Legs
7:30-9:30 PM. $10 adv, $12 door
WEDNESDAY JAZZ - ERIC
VAUGHN TRIO — Eric is high energy, whether playing the piano or singing, and the evening should be serious fun. His band features bassist Spencer Blake and drummer Matt Turnure.
Songbirds
6:00 PM (doors), 7:00 PM (show). All Ages
GOODA CHEESE WITH THE REVOLT — Gooda Cheese were recent winners of Youth Talent Show. The Revolt features Olivia Hodge (14) on vocals, Riley Carroll (14) on guitar, Micah Waddell (14) on bass, and Graeme Duggan (13) on drums. Despite their young age, The Revolt delivers powerful performances
Alan Wyatt Quartet
Eric Vaughn Trio
inspired by some of rock and metal’s most influential bands.
THURSDAY JULY 9
Elsie’s Daughter
6:00 PM. FREE. All Ages.
LON ELDRIDGE AT ELSIE’S —
Lon Eldridge brings his smooth swingin’ stylings to the Elsie’s patio every Thursday from 6-9pm. Enjoy craft cocktails, an inspired dinner menu, and stroll the Choo Choo Gardens.
Gate 11
7:00-9:00 PM
JONATHAN WIMPEE — A musical chameleon, Wimpee is equally at home playing rock, blues, jazz, country, folk, funk, reggae, even dusty old Irish tunes when called upon.
Songbirds
7:00 PM
THE SAINT CECILIA — Costa Rica based indie rock
The Woodshop
Doors 5PM. Show 6PM
REMI GOODE — Classical guitarist turned alternative folk singer-songwriter based in Nashville. w/ Cody Ray
The Woodshop
8:00 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. Every Thursday
FRIDAY JULY 10
Barrellhouse Ballroom
7:00 PM (doors), 8:00 PM (show).
$22 Adv / $27 DOS. 21+
PYNK BEARD — Sebastian Kole under the name PYNK BEARD, with a bold new identity of country adjacent music that he has turned into something uniquely his own.
Gate 11
7:30-10:00 PM
ASHLY DILBECK — Americana / Old-Time
JJ’s Bohemia
8 PM (doors) 9 pm (show) RED PAWN- PLVNET & DOUBLE
DICK SLICK — Alternative rock / alt-metal
FRIDAY 10
Miller Plaza Pavilion
7:00 PM. FREE. All ages.
NIGHTFALL SERIES — Road To Nightfall Winners. Come early and shop handmade artisan goods, purchase beverage tickets & grab something yummy from the food trucks beginning at 6 pm. Music begins at 7 pm.
Puckett’s
7:00 PM. FREE
JASON LYLES DUO — Power Pop/Americana
Redbud
6:00 PM (doors), 7:00 PM (show). $15. All Ages
GUMM — with Lethal Method (Nashville), Basic Needs (Louisville), Corrupted Influence, Field of View. Hardcore metal
Songbirds
7:00 PM
DOCK PARTY — This six-piece outfit is obsessed with recreating the energy, intensity, and swagger of a live Oasis performance. w/ Belle Vista from Nashville
The Caverns
7:00 PM
SUPERSONIC CAVERNS FEAT. ALLEYCVT — Central Time. With Sippy, Machaki, Wink, and KLO
The Signal
4 PM (doors) 4:30 (Show)
THE IRON MAIDENS — All-female Iron Maiden tribute band from California; Opener is School of Rock students improv jamming.
SATURDAY JULY 11
Barrellhouse Ballroom
7:00 PM (doors), 8:00 PM (show). $25 Adv / $30 DOS. 21+
END OF THE LINE — Celebrate the 55th Anniversary of what is possibly the greatest and most influential live album in the history of recorded music - The Allman Brothers Band’s ‘AT FILLMORE EAST’. The entire double album will be performed in full.
Chester Frost Park
6:00 PM (doors), 7:00 PM (show). FREE
RUBIKS GROOVE — Premier
“outside the box” 80’s, 90’s, 00’s tribute. Lakeside Live Concert Series. Family activities begin at 4:00 p.m.
JJ’s Bohemia
8 PM (doors) 9 pm (show)
RETURN TO GLORY- LILYPADJANUARY SANCTUARY- HATE
SPAWN SLIME — Southeast sabotage, heavy hardcore punk-ish.
Puckett’s
7:00 PM. FREE
MIKA LYNCH — Pop/Singer-Songwriter
July ShowS
10 - Red Pawn
PLVNET
Double Dick Slick
11 - Return to Glory Lilypad
January Sanctuary Hate Spawn Slime
17 - Maul Umbral Shadow Flesher Corrupted Justice Dead Justice
18 - Johanna Rose and the Dreamboats
Cult Baby
Annie Dukes
231 E MLK BLVD
Saint Cecilia
Pynk Beard
The Iron Maidens
Ross’s Landing
6 - 10 PM
RIVERFRONT NIGHTS- BOYS IN THE BAND WITH BELLA LAM — Local country pop singer opens for Alabama tribute from Ft Payne
Songbirds
7:00 PM
TAE LEWIS — In 2024, Tae completed as a top 9 finalist on NBC’s “The Voice” under coaches Reba McEntire and Dan + Shay. With Dawson
The Woodshop
6 pm (doors) 7 pm (show)
JOSH GILBERT BAND —
Chattanooga native, a soulful singer-songwriter and guitarist whose music blends rock, blues, Americana. w/ Luke Simmons & the Lovestruck
SUNDAY JULY 12
The Boneyard
8 PM $25.32
AMY RAY BAND — Solo tour of member of Indigo Girls
The Caverns
6:00 PM (doors), 7:00 PM (show)
MELVIN SEALS & JGB — Central Time. Its mission is to continue the musical legacy of the Jerry Garcia Band, of which Seals was a longtime member.
TUESDAY JULY 14
The Woodshop
6 pm
JHETT BLACK’S TUESDAY BLUESDAY — Live Audience
Broadcast showcasing the best in regional and touring blues and roots artists with elevated
cocktails, award winning blues, and curated cocktails broadcasted over WUTC. 88.1. 6pm - 8pm Every Tuesday
WEDNESDAY JULY 15
Songbirds
7:00 PM
CALL ME SPINSTER — They’re an Indie Rock Andrew’s Sisters band armed with more instruments and grit. w/ Holy Sheboygan and Poster Child
The Signal
6 PM (Doors) 7 PM (Show) MAYLENE AND THE SONS OF DISASTER — Heavy metal band from Birmingham, Alabama
The Woodshop
5 pm (doors) 7 pm (show) 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
Tae Lewis
Call Me Spinster
Have an event?
Send your descriptions with date, time, location, and place, entry fee.
Have a band?
Enter your gig and tell us exactly what you sound like.
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Let us know what, where, for how long.
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Give us the name of the event and all relevant details.
Teaching a class?
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We print twice a month, deadline is the Monday before printing.
EVENT CALENDAR
COMEDY
TUESDAYS
JJ’s Bohemia
7 PM
OPEN MIC COMEDY — Tuesdays
WEDNESDAYS
Cherry Street Tavern
7:00 PM
HAHA HAPPY HOUR - WEDNESDAYS —
Comedy Open Mic with host Shellyta & friends. Sign-up 6:30
FRIDAY JULY 3
Comedy Catch
Various Shows (doors). Rated R
MATT MITCHELL — Southern comedian known as “The Casio Kid”
MONDAY JULY 6
Chatt Downtown Library
6:30pm-8:30pm. Free
IMPROV CHATTANOOGA OPEN HOUSE —
Adults of any age are invited to drop in to watch, participate, and try new things!
TUESDAY JULY 7
Gate 11
7:30 (sign-ups) 8 pm (show)
JEST IN TIME — Shellyta Chatman hosts Chattanooga’s only Comedy Challenge! Come to compete and show your comedy improv chops!
THURSDAY JULY 9
Comedy Catch
7:00 PM (doors). Clean Comedy
BRIAN BATES — Clean comedian, Dry Bar
Comedy favorite, former Nateland Podcast host
FRIDAY JULY 10- SAT 11
Comedy Catch
Various Shows (doors). Adult
DYLAN VATTELANA — Touring comic who has worked with Michael Che, Michelle Wolf, and Bert Kreischer
SATURDAY JULY 11
Barlery
7:30pm-8:30pm. Free
IMPROV NIGHT — Improv Chattanooga is bringing to life their high energy improv show to the Barlery!
WEDNESDAY JULY 15
Comedy Catch
7:00 PM. 18+
OPEN MIC NITE — Every Other Wednesday. Chattanooga’s Longest Running Open Mic Show. Regional and local talent performing in a showcase format. You never know who will show up and go up. Hosted and produced by Courtney Cholovich.
ARTS +
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.
JULY 1, JULY 8
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
10 am – 4 pm
Matt Mitchell
Brian Bates
Chatt eBikes is a dealer for Velotric, Aventon, Gazelle, LeMond, Zen, Bulls, Tern, and Stromer.
Dylan Vattelana
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.
Hunter Museum of American Art
9AM-4PM Daily. 6-12 year olds
SUMMER ART CAMP — Campers will spend time every day in the museum galleries, art studios, and outdoors, while learning the methods, materials, and inspirations needed to foster the artist within.
Dates: Multiple weeklong options
CLASS
FRIDAY JULY 10
Verre Noire
4 pm $65
ENTOMOLOGY & BUTTERFLY PINNING CLASS — In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn proper preservation and pinning techniques while working with a Monarch Butterfly specimen. Instruction will cover butterfly anatomy, wing positioning, pinning methods, and long-term specimen care, with guided assistance throughout the class. All experience levels are welcome.
SUNDAY JULY 12
Joli Jardin
2-4 PM. $125
SUMMER FLORAL WORKSHOP — Join us for a hands-on floral design workshop where we’ll create lush, garden-style arrangements using a curated selection of summer flowers including locally grown dahlias, zinnias, and more!
TUESDAY JULY 14
Verre Noire
6-8 PM. $40
NEW MOON RITUAL - SUNCATCHERS —
In this New Moon Ritual Workshop, we’ll combine mindful ritual with hands-on creativity through the making of personalized suncatchers. Using crystals, glass, charms, and symbolic elements aligned with your intentions, each participant will craft a piece designed to reflect light, energy, and personal transformation.
DANCE
SATURDAY JULY 11
The Signal
8 PM (Doors) 9 PM (show) 18+
OFF CAMPUS RAVE - 18 PLUS — The Parlour. Dance with a live DJ to music from the show we can’t stop loving!
FESTIVAL
THURSDAY JULY 2
Coolidge Park
5:00 PM. FREE
POPS ON THE RIVER — Enjoy a firework show and music by the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera along the riverfront.
SATURDAY JULY 4
Coolidge Park
10:00 PM. Free
UNITED250 — 500 drones and a “pyro waterfall” off the Market Street Bridge, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
SUNDAY JULY 5
First Horizon Pavilion
11 AM- 4 PM
CHATTANOOGA MARKET- RED WHITE & BLUEBERRIES —Enter Blueberry pie-eating contests at 12:00 pm or 2:00 pm, or cheer on as our vendors go head-to-head at 3:00 pm. Music by Switchback
SUNDAY JULY 12
First Horizon Pavilion
11 AM- 4 PM
CHATTANOOGA MARKET -PEACH FESTIVAL — Our annual Peach Festival brings out the creativity of our vendors, filling the Market with peach-inspired flavors, scents, and summertime finds. Music by Resonauts
FILM
WEEKENDS
Wilderness Outdoor Movie Theater
7:30 PM (doors), 9:00 PM (show). $7/person cash only. Ages 3 & under free. All ages DRIVE-IN MOVIE — Check website for what is showing. wildernesstheater.com
THURSDAY JULY 9
Walker Theater
7:30 PM. Not Rated
YI YI — Portrait of a middle-class family in Taipei. A man in his forties, his teenage daughter, and his eight-year-old son navigate life, remorse, hope, and disappointment.
FRIDAY JULY 10
Walker Theater
7:30 PM. Rated R
WAIT UNTIL DARK — A recently blinded woman is terrorized by three thugs searching for a heroin-stuffed doll they believe is hidden in her apartment.
SATURDAY JULY 11
Walker Theater
7:00 PM. Rated G
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST — A prince cursed to live as a beast seeks to regain his humanity by earning the love of a young woman.
SATURDAY 11
Walker Theater
9:30 PM. Rated PG
BEETLEJUICE — The ghosts of a deceased couple enlist a troublesome spirit to drive away the family that has moved into their home.
SUNDAY 12
Walker Theater
4:00 PM. Rated PG
CINEMA PARADISO — A famous film director returns home for the funeral of a beloved projectionist and reflects on his childhood love of cinema.
GAMES
THURSDAY 2
Broads Lounge
7:00 PM Free. 21+
PUZZLE NIGHT — Join in on a 500 piece community puzzle and bring an old puzzle to swap. First Thursday of every month!
OUTDOORS
FRIDAY 10
3333 Saint Elmo Ave
6-9:30 PM . Free
SUMMER SKATE - Y2K REWIND — Presented by Dazey Skate and Outdoor Chattanooga. FREE rentals for the first 30 people! Costume contest!
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
ART AROUND TOWN
AVA Main and Landis Education Galleries: Annual Juried Member Exhibition
Every year, AVA hosts a Juried Show for our Member Artists. Each year a panel of jurors (each an established professional in the visual art field) score and evaluate submissions from AVA’s member artists. This show is a smaller scale group exhibit and helps us determine an artist for our annual Solo Artist Exhibition. The artist whose work receives the highest score from the Jurors is awarded “Best in Show” and will receive a solo exhibition of their work at AVA the following year as well as serving as a juror for the next Juried Show. Jurors are also each asked to select an artist to receive “Juror’s Choice” for automatic inclusion in the exhibition, regardless of score. Those artists are awarded a small group exhibition of their work in the Landis Education Gallery the following year, coinciding with the Best in Show solo exhibition.
Opening Night- Friday, July 3rd (Wednesday, July 8th
Alternate)Exhibit Duration- Friday, July 3rd-August 28th
FRIDAY JULY 3
Renaissance Park
7 PM
HAMILTON IN THE ROUND — Screening and interactive sing-along of the hit musical Hamilton. Held in the round circle, guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets for an evening of music, storytelling, and community. Lyrics will be available for the audience to sing along, and food trucks will be onsite. Part of the America 250 Celebration Series.
Spoken word
TUESDAY JULY 14
Plant Bar
6:30 PM
CAST IRON STORYTELLING — Commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary with true stories from The Volunteer State. Featuring patriotic tales of neighborhood & community. Presented by Next Exit Productions.
Hart Gallery The Chattanooga Public Library and the Hart Gallery present Art From The Hart. Curated by Hart Gallery artists and Library Services Specialist Ali Banks, Art From The Hart celebrates the creativity of individuals who frequent Hart Gallery art programs. The selections range from mixed-media illustrations and pencil drawings to painting, sculptures, and digital art. Each piece offers a unique insight into the artist’s personal journey and perspective. The exhibit features pieces from returning artists Alex Scoggins and Angel Pellegrino, alongside more than a dozen other local artists. On view on the first floor of the Downtown Library through August 31.
River Gallery Ceramic sculpture by Julie Latayan with opening reception July 10 6 PM, meet the artist. Julie Latayan has been an award-winning artist for over 35 years. She has worked as a high school art teacher, displayed work in art shows nationwide, painted public murals, and owned her own public studio where she taught painting and sold work. Currently, she teaches privately in her home studio, and travels to host ceramic workshops.
Cinema Paradiso
Alexander Hamilton
TRIVIA
TUESDAYS
Cherry Street Tavern
7:30 AM
TAVERN TRIVIA — TUESDAYS Boozy prizes and swag for the smartest!
The Woodshop Listening Room
8:00 PM. FREE
TUESDAY TRIVIA — Curated questions about history, pop culture, music, connections and more hosted by Rebekah Cecil.
WEDNESDAYS
Clever Alehouse
7:00 PM
TRIVIA WEDNEDAY — Presented by Clever Donkey, home of the Smart Ass
Wanderlinger
7:30 PM
TRIVIA SHOWDOWN — Every Wednesday
Broads Lounge
4:00 PM (doors), 7:00 PM (show) 21+
MUSIC TRIVIA WITH RICHARD — Every single Wednesday 7pm to 9pm
The 109 Gallery Life/Death Experience the ethereal through the art of Kaleb Knowles and Adam Romano.
Life / Death is an exploration of the duality of existence as seen by two distinct artists. Witness 30+ new works by these artists on the same size canvases, yet from opposing sides of the human condition. Opening June 27, 2026 and on display through July 25, 2026 at 109 Gallery in Chickamauga, GA.
SLUGGöS CHATTANOOGA
LOUNGE 505 CHEROKEE BACK ALLEY (davenport) OPEN @ 6pm WED - SAT
HOUR 6-8
Hunter Museum of American Art Saya Woolfalk: Empathic Universe uses immersive digital artwork featuring kaleidoscopic video and sound to explore imagined future 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.
Clearstory Five Sketchy Guys: The Breakout Show
Richard Dubs, Keith Fawcette, Greg Haynes, Bob Richardson, and Matt Welch. Met each other at a meet and greet sponsored by AVA recognized a kindred spirit in each other. Taking inspiration from each other, they attempt to absorb, transform and internalize those influences to create something entirely new and uniquely their own.
Intown Gallery Michael Russell, sculptor, “Steel Crazy” Celebrate the life and sculpture of Michael Russell (1955-2025) in a special retrospective show. Where others saw the strength and solidity of steel, Russell saw visual possibilities beyond its basic nature, rendering sculptures with sinuous lines or intricate surface effects. Often, his abstract shapes echo realist subjects. Steel, transformed in ways that transcend the metal itself make this a ‘must-see’ show!
Adam Romano
GIG CITY CUSTOMS SOLDERING ON
By: Douglas Bales
In 2017, Chattanooga native Greg Hembree left the world of suits, ties and office buildings to start his own business. With a lifelong love of woodworking and music, he decided to combine his passions into crafting custom guitars and started a boutique company called Hembree Guitars. A few years later he was joined by Aaron Shepard (also a native Chattanoogan) who had been fascinated with all things electronic since he was a young boy. Both of them are musicians and music lovers. They have combined their talents to create Gig City Customs.
Greg is a master of all kinds of woodwork, design and, of course, guitars. Aaron is an expert electronics guy who has been schooled in everything from electronic engineering, designing and building circuit boards, to writing computer code. The two of them make a team that can pretty much fix, repair or make anything. Especially when it comes to instruments, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, recording equipment, sound boards, etc.
If it has strings they’ve done it before. If it has circuits or tubes, they’ve done that. If it just needs a good cleaning or a re-set, they can do that. If you are a musician, sound/recording engineer or just have a piece of equipment that needs a good bit of TLC, Gig City Customs is the place to go. They have worked on everything from banjos to Omnichords, vintage effects and recorders, to upright basses and synthesizers. They are reliable and honest.
If you’re well-known or unknown, it doesn’t matter. These guys will fix it or create it.
Gig City Customs works by appointment only and will handle whatever they possibly can. You can contact them at 615-6537181 or 423-785-6389 to let them know what you need.
Gig City Customs will hook you up.
Gig City Kitty
Gig City amp repair
Gig City guitar repair
GOOD EATS
Kenny’s: Southside Brunch Hits All the Right Notes
by Lori Kyle
Sunday brunch with a friend who appreciates a good food adventure is always time well spent, but add free parking, crispy fried chicken, and enough Southern charm to soundtrack a Carl Perkins record, and you’ve got my attention. My friend and I headed to Kenny’s on Chattanooga’s Southside to begin our version of Sunday Funday.
The eclectic, electric atmosphere buzzed with energy, but despite the brunch crowd, we arrived just before 11 a.m. and were seated within minutes. That’s always a win in my book.
My friend kicked things off with a Mimosa cocktail with Cranberry juice, while I opted for a London Fog. My beverage was beautiful to look at, but I wished the Earl Gray tea flavor came through a bit more prominently. For my entrée, I ordered the brioche French toast with a side of the must have bacon. The French toast had a lovely golden crust and was made even better by one of my favorite brunch luxuries: warm maple syrup. I would have preferred a thicker slice of brioche, but it was still satisfying and paired beautifully with the smoky bacon.
She chose the Classic Combo breakfast with a side of French toast and thoroughly enjoyed it. We both ordered hash potatoes and quickly realized one order could have easily fed two people. They were crispy, plentiful, and cooked well, though a slightly lighter hand with the salt would have allowed the potato flavor to shine a little more.
A side of fried chicken absolutely stole the show. I was thrilled to discover it was thigh meat, and the crunchy breading reminded me of a perfectly seasoned hush puppy. My friend especially enjoyed the house made hot sauce, though it does come at an additional cost.
The fresh, flaky biscuit served with apple butter and jam was another standout. If this meal were a dance, it would be a lively rockabilly swing. The French toast and warm maple syrup slow danced across the plate while the fried chicken and hot sauce cut loose with a little Southern swagger.
Kenny’s is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you’re as frugal (cheap cheap) as I am, Sunday brunch comes with an added bonus: free downtown parking.
If Kenny’s had a soundtrack, it would be Carl Perkins’ Blue Suede Shoes…a little Southern, a little rebellious, and impossible not to tap your foot to while chasing bites of French toast, smoky bacon, and crispy fried chicken. Like the song, Kenny’s doesn’t need gimmicks or theatrics. It knows exactly what it is: a neighborhood spot serving up comfort food with swagger.
Do yourself a flavor and check out Kenny’s. The portions are generous, the vibe is buzzing, and on Sundays the free parking feels like finding a twenty dollar bill in your favorite old denim jacket. That’s the kind of energy I can get behind.
And before you head out, let’s talk hospitality etiquette. Tip your server 20% or more. They’re juggling coffee refills, special requests, cocktail orders, food runners, and the brunch crowd’s endless quest for extra syrup. Great service is part of the experience, and the people hustling to make your morning, afternoon, or evening a good one deserve to be appreciated.
Kenny’s 1251 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402
Hours of Operation
Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday–Sunday: 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
Brioche French Toast
Hash Potatoes
FRIVOLITY
SOUTHSIDE’S OWN FRESH-BREWED CRAFT BEER @ HELLO MONTY’S 306 W MAIN ST
An Interview With Jack Wright
By Jenn McCormick and Randy Smith
“… spaces where anyone could enter but known to and attended almost exclusively by the performers and friends, plus those who could imagine themselves as such… ” Jack Wright, The Free Musics, 2017
Saxophonist Jack Wright has dedicated the majority of his artistry to improvisational work. Active in the free music scene since 1979, he’s based in Philadelphia but spends much of his time on tour. Known as “the Johnny Appleseed of free improvisation,” Jack is among the pioneers of his field.
This past June 2, Jack Wright performed at Barking Legs Theater alongside bassist Evan Lipson and trumpeter Jonah Gelbard. Opening was the Un/Sound Collective, Barking Legs’ house ensemble of improvisational musicians and dancers.
The Experience: Present as members of Un/Sound, each of us has heard Jack
play several times. This June 2 seemed to us both like a characteristically “Jack Wright” show.
As Jack notes in The Free Musics, nonidiomatic musicians “tend to develop an idiolect, patterns repeated enough to identify an individualized way of playing, says ‘here’s what you’ll be getting.’ It is precisely what a trained orchestral player seeks to avoid, and no improviser can help developing.”
Jenn, listening as a non-musician, felt the musicians were exploring sound through repetition, much as a baby vocalizes, sometimes rejoicing in the act of noisemaking, sometimes egging each other on.
“Slowly the sounds became nature-like,” she recounted, “Jack’s saxophone called to mind a wild goose, then a songbird trill. Then both wind instruments set up an amphibian cacophony. The double bass played a raging dirge, and for
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Photo courtesy of Jack Wright
LIFE IN THE ‘NOOG
by Chuck Crowder
250 + 47 = Zero
This July 4th, we all celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. And that’s about the only thing that unites us right now. You see, as if we didn’t need anything else dividing America, there are, in fact TWO separate “official” celebrations taking place.
First, there is “America 250,” which is the bipartisan, non-profit organization established by Congress through the U.S. Semiquincetennial Commission back in 2016 to plan nationwide birthday celebrations. That group’s plans include massive 4th of July celebrations and block parties across the country, such as the one announced for Los Angeles with headliners Chris Stapleton and Smashing Pumpkins.
Then there is “Freedom 250,” a separate initiative established by the White House Task Force 250, which is aligned with the Trump administration to run his “signature” celebrations. In addition to other events aimed at stamping the success of our nation’s progress solely on Donald’s forehead, Freedom 250 is to include a 16-day star-studded “Great American State Fair” concert series, curated by Trumpappointed event coordinator Keith Krach.
The initial line-up of this musical extravaganza included such currently relevant household names as Vanilla Ice, C&C Music Factory, (the living half of) Milli Vanilli, Bret Michaels, Martina McBride, Flo Rida, Morris Day & the Time (minus Morris Day), YoungMC, and more.
However, within days of the Fair’s announcement, most artists even rumored to be appearing had vehemently denied any knowledge of Trump’s political involvement in the event—and canceled their scheduled performance. That is—except Vanilla Ice.
Why? Because, like Trump, Vanilla Ice is a fraud. He stole a beat written by Queen and David Bowie, some Alladin pants made famous by M.C. Hammer, and a stupid rap that a six-year-old could’ve penned and, in true American-dream fashion, forged his pathetic place in our pop culture lexicon.
More respected artists don’t want to be associated with Trump. That, in and of itself, is amazing, since half of America has been enthusiastically drinking his flavor of Kool-Aid for more than ten years now. But Ice, Ice, baby is still on board.
In fact, he’s taking full advantage of the renewed publicity. “I’d play for Putin,” he exclaimed during the 30 seconds of news coverage afforded him to publicly comment on the subject. There’s no such thing as bad publicity. And as someone who rarely gets any these days, Ice was aware of his opportunity to shine once more.
Comedian Bill Maher condemned the mass cancellations, claiming these artists “must hate America.” But they don’t hate America. They just hate where this leader is taking their beloved country, and they sure as Hell aren’t going to participate in such a thinly veiled attempt to turn America’s 250-year history into a celebration of Trump.
Besides, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to decipher that any recording artist who would still stick their neck out for the Trumpster must also be the same type of desperate bottom-feeding mouth breather as Vanilla Ice. And that’s a comforting feeling.
If A, B, C, and even D-list celebrities are now turning their backs on MAGA, then maybe it’s a sign we might be nearing the end of this decade-long Hell our American experiment has had to endure. And for the next 250 years, we’ll have nowhere to go but up, up, baby.
a moment they were telling a story, a midnight wetland, wind growing and swelling toward dawn.”
Jack seemed tickled by Jenn’s reflection on the performance; after all, as he wrote in The Free Musics, both audience and musician in the free playing scene “were put in a difficult position and had to make the most of it … ”
Randy, on the other hand, came to improvisational music early, befriending the Shaking Ray Levis in the 1980s and co-hosting Outside Pleasures, the Shaking Ray Levis’ show on WUTC, in the 1990s. With this background, he identified Jack’s style as one that eschews a set vocabulary when improvising: “This performance was challenging but creative, both emotional and cerebral at the same time.”
From those two very different responses, then, we interviewed Jack Wright about his music and writings.
The Interview: Randy: As opposed to what has previously been described as “blow your brains out” free jazz, what do you mean by “lower-case music”?
Jack: Lowercase is another word for reductionist, the American term that was used going back 25 years at the end of the 1990s by musicians in Berlin, Boston, London, rebelling against the dominance of free jazz. Whereas free jazz was loud, continuous, expressive, lowercase or reductionist music is sparse, quiet — even extremely quiet — and went into sound whereas free jazz used the cultural tone of the instrument. Reductionist music might include an electronics player. It was a wider range of sound.
I was frustrated with the playing I was doing, repeating myself, looking for something different. I heard this saxophonist in 1998 [according to The Free Musics, saxophone player Bhob Rainey] and said: “This is what I have to do.”
It took work to play quietly. I didn’t have so much trouble playing sparsely. I did a long tour with [Rainey]. I’d meet his sound; I did this to get out of some habits I’d acquired, but it was too doctrinaire for me. I needed to play something more physical.
[I now play] a mix of the two. In free playing, you can do anything, but how do you make — ? [Here Jack started to ask a question and seemed to answer himself:] By precise phrasing at the precise moment you come in with the other players.
Randy: Do you have a vocabulary you draw from as you improvise?
Jack: A vocabulary? No, I’m just making it up. In a performance, you are excited by the relationship to non-players as well as the players and in the same way you imagine them to be excited, too. This pushes you to do things — you push your sound further — you get new sounds in that situation versus when you’re practicing.
When you’re playing you don’t remember; you don’t have ideas, a vocabulary, a thesaurus — it’s in the situation. You are in the same way participating in the excitement of the audience, a
reciprocity which is especially strong with a small audience. That draws things out of you that you might not do privately.
Randy: How do you select the musicians you play with?
Jack: Music partners are a continuation of our audience. [Here Jack may have said or corrected himself to “a condition of our art,” as the phrases are overwritten on Jenn’s hand notes. It’s an interesting palimpsest.]
[Playing with someone] is a process of auditioning. You’re actually feeling them out for a relationship. This is because music is so relational. It’s hard to imagine touring with someone you don’t like, being with them for hours — it’s bound up to the music itself.
Jenn: Your writing is vivid and accessible to specialists and nonspecialists alike. Who do you see as your audience?
Jack: Recently, I took a look back at my writing. It had really improved. I try to be clear to myself. I can’t follow directions well. I must experience it myself … I write using a word processor. It’s fantastic. I can go back and edit and see what my thought was and edit it. In this book [he tapped a copy of The Free Musics], I thought of my audience as other improvisers and their audience — anyone who comes to a show and says, “How do you do this??”
In this interview, too, Jack was thinking of his audience. He answered more questions than these, always with humor and generosity. We’re eager to hear him, Evan, and Jonah play again.
In the meantime, find The Free Musics and Shaky Ground, Jack’s new book, at springgardenmusic.com.
