It has become common knowledge that time spent in social settings, hanging out with friends is one of the most important factors in determining happiness. Yet a 2018 Kaiser Family Foundation report found that 22 percent of American adults (nearly 60 million) said they often or always felt lonely or socially isolated. From 1990 to 2021, there was a decrease of 25 percentage points in the number of Americans who reported having five or more close friends. Since the COVID-19 Pandemic many have moved to remote work further alienating us from each other. The results are increasingly dire, driving us further into our technology based echo-chambers and alienating ourselves from each other. Yet, there is a solution – Get out and do something fun, Silly! Here’s our list of the best reasons to get out of the house and chill with your friends this weekend. Maybe you’ll meet someone new while your at it. See you out there!
Thursday, June 15
Write and Chatt
When: Every 1st and 3rd Thursday, June 15 – September 21, 2023, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Where: Downtown Library, 1001 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN
Cost: FREE
Description from the Chattanooga Public Library website:
Join us every 1st and 3rd Thursday for a fun meetup just for writers!
Write & Chatt is a supportive community of writers and aspiring writers who come together to pursue the art and craft of writing. No experience necessary. We will write, share, offer feedback, and talk about writing. Participants are welcome to bring writings of any kind to share, but we will also have themes!
June’s Theme: Travel writing inspired by summer travel, either real or imaginary!
July’s Theme: Historical Fiction writing inspired by July 4 and other historical events
Pencils and paper provided!
Vision + Verse: Divine Poetess
When: Thursday, June 15, 2023, 6:00pm
Where: Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View Ave, Chattanooga, TN
Cost: FREE
Description from Hunter Museum website:
Featuring the Divine Poetess with music from Dexter Bell, Christian Kofi Mawuko and Mark Anderson and dance from Jen Webster, this Vision + Verse will explore works by African American artists in our contemporary galleries through performances and an engaging audience discussion. Free and open to all.
Thirsty Thursday™ | Lookouts vs. Trash Pandas
When: Jun 8, 7:15 PM to 11:30 PM
Where: AT&T Field 201 Power Alley, City of Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402
Cost: Adults $8 - $11, Kids & Seniors $6 - $11
Tickets: https://www.milb.com/chattanooga
Details:
Take me out to the ballgame! Nothing is more American than baseball. Join your Lookouts for FUN at AT&T Field as we take on the Birmingham Barons, Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Fans can enjoy our $2 drink specials on Thirsty Thursday™!
If you can’t make it to the game on Thursday (because you’re enjoying one of the other events on our list), come on out Friday! Same time, same opponent. And stick around after the game for the famed Friday Fireworks at the Lookouts.
Friday, June 16
The Piano Lesson
When: June 16, 2023, 8pm-10pm (visit Chattanooga Theatre Centre website for more dates and times)
Where: Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River Street, Chattanooga, TN
Cost: $20.00 to $25.00—General Admission with Student Discount Available
Description:
Continuing the prolific August Wilson’s Century Cycle at Chattanooga Theatre Centre is The Piano Lesson, a dynamic, gripping tale of a family haunted by their past and wrestling with their future, opening June 9th and running through June 25th in the Circle Theatre.
The Piano Lesson tells the story of The Charles Family, living in 1930’s Pittsburgh. When Bernice’s brother, Boy Willie, comes back into town expecting to sell their family’s heirloom piano for the chance to purchase some land and jumpstart his financial future, she reminds him of the literal blood, sweat, and tears that went into the piano’s detailed carvings and why it can never be sold. Along with the siblings’ family and friends, the whole house transforms into a crucible for conflict over what should be done with the piano.
The Chattanooga Theatre Centre’s production of The Piano Lesson is the fourth installment of its pledge to produce Wilson’s entire canon of 10 plays portraying the African American experience through the 20th century, known as the American Century Cycle. This is the second of CTC’s August Wilson productions with guest director Alicia Haymer leading the cast of talented performers.
The production will be presented in the Mildred M. Montague Circle Theatre and contains adult language and mature themes.
Nightfall Concert Series: Three Star Revival & Funk You
When: Jun 16, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Where: Nightfall Concert Series 850 Market Street, City of Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402
Cost: FREE
Description from the Nightfall website:
THE FREE NIGHTFALL CONCERT SERIES, PRODUCED BY CHATTANOOGA PRESENTS, WILL BE HELD EACH FRIDAY NIGHT FROM MAY 26 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 - RAIN OR SHINE - IN THE OUTDOOR SETTING OF MILLER PLAZA AND MILLER PARK, DOWNTOWN CHATTANOOGA.
COME EARLY AND SHOP HANDMADE ARTISAN GOODS DURING OUR NIGHTFALL ART MARKET IN MILLER PARK AND ALONG MARKET STREET BEGINNING AT 6:00PM. BEVERAGE TICKET SALES & FOOD TRUCKS BEGIN SELLING AT 6:30PM.
This six-piece band of talented young maestros out of Augusta draws upon their musical mentors of Stevie Wonder, Phish, The Grateful Dead and James Brown. Mixed with their own Southen ecelectic style, their network of blues, hip-hop, soul, jazz, and the grand funk has made them one of the most electrifying acts in contemporary music scene.
Nightfall was voted as Chattanooga's "Favorite Downtown Event." It's definitely ours, my wife and I walk to the show every week, so I'll see you there!
Saturday, June 17
2nd Annual Juneteenth 6K/10K Run, and Mrs. Opal Lee Walk
When: Saturday, June 17, 2023 , 6:00am
Where: Hubert Fry Center, 4301 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, TN
Cost: 5K-$35; 10K-$50; Half Marathon-$70; Walk-$35
Description from the Black Arts and Ideas Fest website:
Lindsay Bisset said it best, “Freedom is a journey we take together as a country, and this race is a reminder of our commitment together”. Juneteenth is a holiday for all Americans and this run is a great way to show our unity.
Opal Lee was called the "grandmother of the movement" to make Juneteenth a federal holiday by Biden, who at one point left the stage and walked over to the 94-year-old to speak with her directly. In 2016, at 89 years old, Lee, a former teacher, and lifelong activist, walked from her home in Fort Worth, Texas, to the nation's capital in an effort to get Juneteenth named a national holiday.
We love to run and this race sounds super fun. If I hadn't run (beating my Personal Record!) in last weekend's Run CHA 5k, I'd see you there!
Hello, St. Elmo neighborhood festival
When: Saturday, June 17, 2023 , 11:00am-4:00pm
Where: St. Elmo Business District, 3800 St. Elmo Ave, Chattanooga, TN
Cost: Free
Description from the Facebook Events Page:
Chattanooga, TN – The second annual “Hello, St. Elmo!” street festival will be held on Saturday, June 17 from 11 AM-4 PM in the St. Elmo “Business District.” The event offers fun for the whole family, including a maker’s market, live music, and the St. Elmo Corgi Parade at 1 PM.
The Community Association of Historic St. Elmo is excited to partner with St. Elmo Stroll, a non-profit organization that hosts the Luminaria Festival, to make Hello, St. Elmo! even better this year.
I bought my dream home in 2015 here in St Elmo and I'm just now starting the big remodel, so hopefully I will call St Elmo home by the end of the year. Super excited for this event and super excited to be a new neighbor!
Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
When: Saturday, June 17, 12-6:30 p.m.
Where: Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. MLK Blvd.
Cost: Free+
From Facebook Page:
Get free museum admission + watch a documentary over Juneteenth, plus a full day of live music, local vendors, and more.
Join us as we celebrate Juneteenth at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center on Saturday, June 17 from 12:00 pm - 6:30 pm. The Juneteenth documentary will be shown in the performance hall at 12:30 pm and again at 3:30 pm. There will be live music on the BCBST Stage on the Bessie Smith Cultural Center terrace. The Center for Creative Arts Jazz Vocal Ensemble will perform at 3:00 pm. Kofi Mawuko and Ogya World Music Band will perform at 5:00 pm. There will be art and merchandise vendors on the lawn and food trucks.
Community Art Making + Live Music
When: Saturday, June 17, 5pm – Till
Where: Cooper’s Alley, 704 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Cherry Street Tavern, 719 Cherry St, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Cost: I honestly don’t know
Description:
Cooper’s Alley is super cool. An overlooked public pass-thru, turned art installation and community event hub. Check it out this weekend to participate in the Community Art Making Event with music by DJ Diener. After getting your art on, head next door to Cherry Street Tavern for a good time with Dos Fuegos, Hellzog Max and The Hip Elixir. These bands feature a few of my best friends, so come show some support, enjoy the tunes and have a good time.
Legacy Music Festival
When: Saturday, June 17, 8 p.m.
Where: Miller Park, 910 Market St.
Cost: Free
From the website:
On Saturday, June 17th the Legacy Music Festival will present Eric Essix in concert. Over a period of more than 34 years and now 28 full-length album releases, Eric Essix has maintained a steady flow of new music that continues to push the boundaries of contemporary jazz. Following the success of his Songs From The Deep project, Eric recently released his 28th album entitled STRiDE on his Essential Recordings label, again distributed by Lightyear Entertainment/Virgin Music/UMG.
Sunday, June 18
Through the Lens: The Life and Legacy of Horace Brazelton
When: Jun 7 – Sept 15, 8:00am – 8:00pm
Where: Ruby Falls, 1720 South Scenic Highway, Chattanooga, TN
Cost: FREE
From the Ruby Falls website:
This summer at Ruby Falls, the remarkable life and contributions of Horace Brazelton (1877 – 1956) are the subject of a free exhibit titled, "Through the Lens: The Life and Legacy of Horace Brazelton." Curated by historian Stefanie Haire, the public exhibit shares the groundbreaking career and empowering community leadership of Horace Maynard Brazelton, the first African American to open a professional photography studio in Chattanooga.
This sounds like a super exciting event with cultural and historic relevance. You don't always get to see amazing art mixed with local history and a natural wonder. While there, check out the Ruby Falls Cavern, one of the coolest Chattanooga attractions.
Monday, June 19 – Juneteenth!
Oscar Michaux Black Film Fesival
When: Monday, June 19, 5-9 p.m.
Where: Walker Theater, 399 McCallie Ave.
Cost: Free, RSVP
Join city officials and community members for a Juneteenth ceremony + a film festival showcasing Black filmmakers.
From the website:
Oscar Micheaux (1884 - 1951) was a pioneering African-American author, filmmaker, and without a doubt the most famous producer of race films. In 1919, he formed his own movie production company and became the first African-American to ever make a film shown in “white” movie theaters. Over his illustrious career, Micheaux wrote, produced, and directed forty-four feature-length films and wrote seven novels, one of which was a national bestseller.
Given the times, his accomplishments in publishing and film are both unprecedented and awe-inspiring. He used his art to portray truer narratives of the Black experience and to combat the racism of the times, as captured so neatly in D.W. Griffith’s notorious film, ‘The Birth of a Nation’.
All of Greater Chattanooga & Hamilton County is invited to join us for the 158th Annual Juneteenth Independence Day Commemoration Ceremony. The ceremony will include the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation and the singing of the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice” and other freedom songs.
Immediately following the ceremony will begin our Oscar Michaux Black Film Festival. Our film festival highlights films made by local Black filmmakers. We also feature films, including documentaries, made by national and international Black filmmakers.
5:00 - 6:00 Junteenth Ceremony:
Welcome & The occasion Comments by Chatta. Mayor Tim Kelly
Chatta Councilwoman Coonrod
TN State Representative Hakeem
Music by Neshawn Callaway & Friends
Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation read by Carmen Davis
Singing of Lift Every Voice Lead by Neshawn Callaway Singers
6:15 - 9:00 Oscar Micheaux Black Film Festival:
Introduction of Black Film Festival
Comments by Ric Morris & Nick Wilkinson
Each Film gets a 1 minute intro by Filmmaker
1. Black Icarus - Directed by Jimmie Thomas (30m)
2. RAGE - Directed By Scottie Caldwell (30m)
3. An Electric Sleep - Directed by Theo Brown (1h 15m)
Filmmaker's Panel to follow