Saturday, April 13
Nearly Wed Adventure to prep couples for marriage
Many couples enter into marriage believing the odds are stacked against them when it comes to making their marriage last. But research shows the right preparation for marriage can help couples reduce their chances of divorce. First Things First wants to help marriage-minded couples prepare for the next step in their relationship journey with an interactive experience called The Nearly Wed Adventure. This event will take place Saturday, April 13 at The Vaudeville Café from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is designed for couples that are seriously dating, living together or engaged. Participants should come ready for fun as they tackle and overcome the obstacles many young couples face in their relationships. There will be games, activities and a delicious lunch. The event is free but participants must pre-register online at firstthings.org or by calling 423-267-5383.
Saturday, April 20
Wine and Shine event at The Crash Pad
The Downtown Sertoma Club of Chattanooga will host its first Wine and Shine event Saturday, April 20 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at The Crash Pad. Guests will be able to taste a variety of Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine provided by Athen’s Distributing as well as several local wines crafted from members of the Chattanooga Wine Club. Fork & Pie will offer food to guests as local bands Old Time Travelers and In Cahoots play country tunes. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Speech & Hearing Center’s Achieve Learning Center and Chattanooga’s Kids on the Block. The Achieve Learning Center is an accredited preschool and kindergarten that serves hearing and speech impaired children in an inclusive and intensely language-focused setting. Kids on the Block is an award winning international education program designed to help introduce children with special needs into school classrooms. The program uses child size puppets to carry out its mission and is a licensed child abuse prevention agency in the state of Tennessee. For tickets and information, visit winenshine.weebly.com.
Sunday, April 21
Tommy Jett Entertainer’s Reunion
The 16th Annual Tommy Jett Entertainer’s Reunion will be held in the Silver Ballroom at Sheraton Read House, located in downtown Chattanooga, on Sunday, April 21, from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. The proceeds will go to The Chattanooga Area Food Bank. A donation for the Food Bank will be requested at the door. The Tommy Jett Entertainer’s Reunion was created by Tommy Jett, a Chattanooga Broadcast Celebrity for over 52 years. Over the years, Jett has raised tens of thousands of dollars for charities such as The Shriner’s Burn Unit, the March of Dimes, the American Diabetes Association, Chattanooga hurricane victims, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and Chattanooga Hospice. The entertainment line-up this year includes The Malemen, The Stratoblasters, The Robby Hopkins Band, Crossfire, Paul Smith and the Skyhigh Band, Queen B and the Well Strung Band, and Raven featuring Stacy Wilson.
Saturday, April 27
Drug take-back event
Several local organizations will be taking part in a drug take-back event Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program offers citizens a chance to safely and conveniently dispose of unwanted, unused prescription drugs. People can simply drive up and drop off their old medications. Locations include: Blood Assurance, located at 705 East 4th Street; East Chattanooga Improvement, located at 1502 McCallie Avenue; and Brainerd Village, located at 5700 Brainerd Road. The drug take–back event helps to keep unused or expired drugs out of medicine cabinets so young people won’t be tempted to use, share, or sell the drugs. It also keeps them out of the water system. Partners include City of Chattanooga Police Department. State of Tennessee Office of the Attorney General, East Chattanooga Improvement, Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, the DEA, UTC, Tennessee American Water, and Blood Assurance.
Annual Palate to Palette event
The Craniofacial Foundation of America will host its 6th Annual Palate to Palette event on Saturday, April 27. The event will begin at 5 p.m. with the Gallery Stroll. Guests will stroll among Southside galleries or ride a double decker bus to view featured art, culinary art and floral designs while meeting with artists and enjoying fine wine and cuisine. In addition, the Youth Gallery, sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, will display outstanding artwork from area high school students. This year’s Living Art Gallery, located in Warehouse Row, will feature internationally recognized fine art body painter, Craig Tracy. Tracy will create a unique living masterpiece just for Palate to Palette guests. New for 2013, the all-new Garden Gallery at DeBarge Winery will feature a Living Fountain, performances from the Living Vine, as well as the brand new Foundation Gallery at Cobblestone Rue featuring artwork collaborations between local artist and CFA patients. Following the gallery stroll, guests are invited to the Bubbles and Sweets after party at Track-29. Desserts and dancing will be accompanied by selections from Willie Kitchens and his band. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Craniofacial Foundation of America. For tickets or more information, visit www.p2pchattanooga.com. v
Thursday, May 2
Let’s Save Our Sons and Daughters Spring Banquet
The Chattanooga chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women will host a Let’s Save Our Sons and Daughters Spring Banquet on Thursday, May 2. The event will be held at the Chattanooga Convention & Trade Center at 6 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the organization’s academic scholarships, which are awarded to area high school students based on excellence in academics, leadership, and community service. The guest speaker will be Deborah Houston, an inspirational speaker, writer, and model. NCBW President Faith Edwards encourages churches and organizations to pay for youth to attend the event and to be a table sponsor. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling NCBW at 423-698-0029.
Friday, May 3-Sunday, May 5
Choo Choo Jazz Fest
Tickets are on sale for the Choo Choo Jazz Fest, to be held at the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Imperial Ballroom. This festival has been bringing Dixieland jazz to the city for over 20 years. Ticket prices vary upon the location of the seating and can be purchased at choochoojazzfest.com or by calling 423-596-1388 during business hours. Ticket options include the Jazz Brunch on Saturday from 10 to 11:30, and the Jazz Jam Dinner on Sunday from 6:30 to 8:30. This year, the Choo Choo Jazz Fest will feature Dixieland jazz by four traditional jazz bands including The Jim Cullum Jazz Band, the Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band, the Wolverine Jazz Band, and the Frisco Jazz Band.