The Nightfall Concert Series, produced by Chattanooga Presents, will open its 29th season on Friday, May 6, with a series of 15 free Friday-night concerts held at Miller Plaza in downtown Chattanooga. Each Friday from May 6-August 26 (with the exception of June 10 and 17), Nightfall will showcase a broad spectrum of musical genres featuring a Chattanooga band at 7 p.m., followed by a headline show by a superior national artist at 8 p.m., many of whom are performing for the first time in Chattanooga.
New this year, Nightfall will be partnering with the Bessie Smith Cultural Center on the first Friday of each month to "Rock the Block" at Nightfall with a block party atmosphere including an extended time frame and street closure that connects the two entertainment venues. Local music, vendors, kids’ activities and food sales will begin at 5 p.m. on the Bessie's lawn before beginning the usual Nightfall schedule from 7-9:30 p.m.
On May 6, a variety of vintage and antique motorcycles from riding groups such as Motovalley, Smoky Mountain AMCA, and Chattanooga Motorcycle Collective will be on display between Georgia Avenue and Lindsey Street, providing activity and connection between the BSCC and Miller Plaza. The Rock the Block street entertainment will vary on the remaining dates of June 3, July 1, and Aug. 5 - each celebrating music and collaboration in the community.
Headlining Nightfall on the first show of the season on May 6 will be the Seattle-based
Afro-pop and funk band, Polyrhythics. "The release of their full-length album Libra Stripes in 2013 propelled them into appearances at major festivals across the country and fueled extended tours, energizing fans of creative groove music. The collective continues to evolve and mature into a strong musical unit, using complex rhythms and a unique precision that is redefining the term “funk” for 21st century audiences," officials said.
"The palette for the hard-driving modern afro-psycho-beat sound is built around the relentless rhythm of Grant Schroff and Lalo Bello, the heart thumping bass lines of Jason Gray, the intricate phrasings of Ben Bloom’s guitar, the searing avalanche of keyboard colors from Nathan Spicer and the melodic hooks and soaring solos from the horn section comprised of Scott Morning, Art Brown and Elijah Clark."
The Chattanooga band Opposite Box will open the first Nightfall show at 7 p.m. "This genre-bending experimental rock band is known for their high energy live shows and an energetic blend of psychedelic jazz, progressive rock and dirty funk – dubbed “Belligerent Jungle Funk” – that is often compared to acts like Frank Zappa, Mr. Bungle and Parliament Funkadelic. Opposite Box presents a theatrical live experience with a psychedelic atmosphere," officials said.
Nightfall bulk discount beer and wine tickets will be available at each show as well as through the Nightfall website www.NightfallChattanooga.com, offering a 20% savings on a packet of 20 drink tickets (typically $6 per individual ticket, but sold in a bulk packet for $96). Food trucks and non-alcoholic drink concessions are also available on site. No outside food or beverages are allowed to be brought in to Nightfall.
"Over the course of 28 successful seasons, Nightfall has grown into Chattanooga’s signature summertime program for Chattanooga and the surrounding region. Known for its family-friendly environment as well as being recognized nationally for the quality of its musical programming and locally as 'Best of the Best' for Chattanooga Events, Nightfall is a family-friendly concert series with an average attendance of between 2,500-3,000 each night," officials said.
Nightfall is made possible by sponsorships from Shock Top, Fletcher Bright Company, Kelly Cars, EPB Fiber Optics, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Puckett’s Chattanooga, Big River Grille, Southern Honda Powersports, Track 29 and Revelry Room, Gold’s Gym, and UTC, with media support NPR/Music 88.1 and ChattanoogaNow.
For more information on this free community concert series, call 423-265-0771 or visit NightfallChattanooga.com for a look at the newly designed, interactive website that includes music samples by each headliner, as well as other information for first-time attendees.