A day of music and food along East MLK Boulevard called Beats on the BLVD is happening on Saturday, March 31, from noon-10 p.m. A joint program of River City Company, SoundCorps and Jazzanooga, Beats on the BLVD is a new program aimed at highlighting Chattanooga’s variety of local artists, an audition process for the 2018 Sidewalk Stages program, and to support MLK businesses during this time of road construction.
Sidewalk Stages, a street performance initiative organized by SoundCorps, is designed to activate Chattanooga public spaces with live local music throughout the year. Sidewalk Stages auditions will take place from noon-6 p.m. along 100-700 East MLK Blvd. Check in will take place on the patio at 2 Son’s Kitchen and Market at 422 East MLK Blvd. Auditions will be scheduled in 30-minute increments throughout the day. A panel of volunteer judges will evaluate performers throughout the day.
“Sidewalk Stages provides opportunities for local musicians to earn income while also encouraging the Chattanooga community to more easily and more often interact with local music providers,” says SoundCorps Executive Director Stratton Tingle. “If you’re a musician who wants to make more money and expand your audience, you’ll want to be part of Sidewalk Stages.”
Online registration is required to audition for Sidewalk Stages. Registration closes at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, and can be found online by clicking here. Performers who performed regularly as part of Sidewalk Stages in 2017 need not audition.
In addition to the Sidewalk Stages auditions, a variety of musicians will be performing at various eateries and outdoor spaces along the boulevard. The day’s schedule includes:
Memo's Grill will be open special hours: noon – 5 p.m.
6-8 p.m.
- Chatt Smoke House with Courtney Reid
- G's Detroit Sausages with Ogya World Music Band
- The Bitter Alibi will be serving beer at G's Detroit Sausages and Chatt Smoke House outdoor music areas.
- UNCLE Larry's Restaurant with Hip-Hop CHA
7-10 p.m.
- OddStory Brewing Company with Rick Rushing & the Blues Strangers
8-10 p.m.
- Hutton & Smith Brewing Company with Swayyvo
- Champy’s Fried Chicken with Amber Fults
“What better way to bring people down to the boulevard than provide both great music and great food,” said Amy Donahue, director of Marketing and Communication at River City Company. “While the road work on East MLK will be short-lived and worth it in the end, the businesses on the boulevard are the ones that feel the impact of the closure the most. While we hope people will make a special effort to patron businesses on the street throughout the road work, this event gives you a little more fun and festivities for your efforts.”
Beats on the BLVD is a free event and open to the public. No ticket required.