Enjoy Winter in Downtown Chattanooga with the following downtown events happening through Monday, Feb. 14:
The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Youth Orchestra (CSO YO) has invited award-winning guest conductor C. Paige Vickery to a week of workshops, master classes and concerts beginning Jan. 31 through Feb. 1. She will conduct the CSO YO Symphony and Philharmonic orchestras’ Winter Concert at 7:30 p.m. at the UTC Fine Arts Center, Roland Hayes Concert Hall, Monday, Feb. 7. Please call the CSO at 423-267-9011 for more information.
UTC Cress Gallery of Art is hosting an art exhibit featuring Joe Ramiro Garcia. A native of Houston, Texas, Garcia is an emerging artist whose style is expressionistic and reminiscent of Henri Matisse, Paul Klee and Joan Miro. The exhibit opened Feb. 1 and runs through March 9. For more information, please contact Ruth Grover at (423) 425-4600.
The AEC Independent Film Series presents “Being Julia.” This humorous tale of love and revenge set in 1930’s follows aging actress Julia Lambert (Annette Bening) as she finds renewed joy and passion for life when she meets her son’s friend Tom (Shaun Evans), a young American half her age who seemingly adores her and sweeps her off her feet. As the affair progresses she discovers his affections are inspired by his own social aspirations. Thus Julia embarks on a journey of comic revenge where the lines become blurred between her true life emotions and acting. The film will be shown at the Bijou Theater in downtown Chattanooga from Feb. 4-10.
The River Gallery in the Bluff View Art District is hosting an art exhibit of works highlighting Dana Brown’s watercolors, Susan Hutchinson’s blacksmithing, Nick Long’s graphite drawings and Liz Zlot Summerfield’s pottery creations. The event will run from Feb. 1-28. Please call (423) 265-5033 for more information.
The Chattanooga Theatre Centre presents “Lost in Yonkers” by Neil Simon. This dramatic comedy, directed by Bob Willie, will have performances on the following dates: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. on Feb. 11 and 12 and Thursday at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10. Tickets range from $12.50 to $16. Please call the Box Office at (423) 267-8534.
The UTC Fine Arts Center is hosting a performance by the Clark Atlanta University entitled “Black Voices: The Brothas Speak: The Joys and Sorrows of Being Black and Male in America.” The story will be told through song, dance and drama. For more information please call (423) 425-4269
The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown is offering a Valentine’s Day Romance Package, Feb. 11-12. The package will include overnight accommodations, champagne upon arrival, and breakfast for two the following morning in the American Grill. Please call (423) 308-9000 ext. 1102 for more details.
Surprise your Valentine this year and catch the Big Band Fever! The Chattanooga Symphony and Opera (CSO) Big Band will be playing your favorite big band tunes Feb. 11 and 12. Both concerts, sponsored by First Tennessee, begin at 8 p.m. and will be in the Tivoli Theater. This year’s program includes a tribute to the legendary Cole Porter, whose songs can be heard in 85 movies and were made famous by singers like Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. For more information, please call (423) 267-8583.
As a pre-valentine treat, sculpturists Teena Stern and Don Haugen will be at the River Gallery in the Bluff View Art District on Feb. 12 to explain and demonstrate the process of sculpture and bronze casting. Teena Stern will be at the gallery with examples of her work from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Don Haugen will give a demonstration with clay from 1-3 p.m. Please call (423) 265-5033, ext. 5 for more details.
The River Gallery will be hosting Charlie Patricolo and her doll exhibit on Sunday, Feb. 13 from 1-5 p.m. She will explain and demonstrate how she creates her fiber figures and she will have work at various stages of completion and will be working on her constructions throughout the day.
The Bluff View Art District is offering two unique wine dinners, one on Saturday, Feb. 12 and one on Monday, Feb. 14. Back Inn Café is offering a 7-course dinner complete with wine pairings. Guests of Back Inn Café will also receive a complimentary box of hand-dipped chocolates from Rembrandt’s Coffee House. The price is $75 per person and reservations can be made by calling the Back Inn Café at (423) 265-5033, ext. 1. Renaissance Commons will be serving a delicious 5-course dinner with wine pairings. The price is $50 per person and reservations may be placed by calling (423) 265-5033, ext. 4. This special wine dinner will also be available on both Saturday and Monday nights.
The Sheraton Read House is hosting a Romantic Dinner and Dance in the Historic Silver Ballroom, Saturday, Feb. 12. A five-course dinner will be served by Porter’s chef John Palacio and then dip, sway and reminisce to 40s and 50s music provided by the Robin Grant Jazz Experience. The cost is $95 per couple which includes dinner, or tickets for the dance only are $35 per couple. The event begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 12:30, or you may make reservations for an overnight stay. Seating for the dinner and dance is limited so call (423) 643-1371 for reservations.
The Chattanooga Choo-Choo is hosting a Valentines event called “Dancin’ on the Rails,” Saturday, Feb. 12. The event includes dinner for two at the Choo-Choo’s “Sweetheart Buffet,” dancing with Jeff McIntosh’s Big band in the Imperial Ballroom from 8:30 -midnight, demonstrations/instructions from Fred Astaire Dance Studio, overnight accommodations for two at the Choo-Choo, champagne and roses in your room, and a breakfast buffet in the Gardens’ Restaurant on Feb. 13, 6:30-11:30 a.m. For more information please call (423) 266-5000.
‘A Celebration of Love: Dinner, Dancing and the Delightful Sounds of Sam Sims and Friends” will be held at the Bessie Smith Hall on Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be $25 per person. Please call (423) 7578-0020 for more information.
For more information on how you can attend these events, pick up a CARTA Shuttle Map and Events guide at one of our Downtown restaurants or hotels. If you have any further questions, call the Chattanooga Downtown Partnership at (423) 265-0771 during regular business hours.