A new cafe and entertainment venue on the Southside will have its grand opening this Saturday with free drip coffee all day and special entertainment. The formerly local Canopy will headline the night's events preceded by openers Kerchief and Chilhowee Royals.
The brainchild of Amanda Halligan and Chelsea McInturff, Granfalloon is called "the best of both worlds." A cafe by day, entertainment venue by night, Granfalloon will host a variety of talent ranging from music, film, art, poetry to comedy and improv.
Officials said Granfalloon’s mission is "to implement local and sustainable practices within the community and provide a collaborative gathering space in Chattanooga."
Canopy has performed at numerous local venues.
The band "has an indie rock sound and is led by Caleb Myrick’s powerful vocals. Add in their guitar heavy set and this band is a must see." Caleb Myrick is accompanied with Aanen Butz on bass, Zach Nicholson on drums, and Stephen Byard on guitar.
Kerchief is a solo project by Cleveland native Brittany Hill. She is currently working on her debut LP “Machines and Animals,” which will feature her iconic indie electronic sound paired with her striking voice.
Chilhowee Royal consists of JP French on vocals and guitar, Cory Segars on bass and Luke Hendershott on drums. They, too, hail from Cleveland and describe themselves as a “little psychy garagey grungy rock three piece. We love dogs, mountains, woods, you, and Trailer Park Boys.” All three bands were formed within the last few years and together will launch Granfalloon as a venue.
The grand opening will begin Saturday at 7 a.m. with free drip coffee all day and a full menu including specialty toasts, sandwiches, smoothies, and other treats served until 10 p.m.
A special Happy Hour for the event will be from 4-6 p.m. with craft beer for $3 a pint.
Canopy and friends will hit the stage at 8 p.m. with doors opening to attendees at 7:30 p.m. There is a $5 cover and the show will be 18 & up.
Granfalloon will have seven craft beers on tap to serve throughout the day as well as a fully functional coffee bar and Velo’s NiteRider Nitro available. The night will wrap with Canopy’s set ending at 12 a.m.
Granfalloon is located at 400 Main St. in the rear of the former Office Coordinators Warehouse.
The name comes from the 1963 Kurt Vonnegut novel Cat's Cradle that refers to a granfalloon as a group of strangers coming together by chance.