Over 33,000 people attended last year’s inaugural event. | Photo by Brian Wancho provided by River City Company
Remember the interactive seesaw art installation on the Chattanooga Green? (We may have had a little too much fun with it ourselves.)
If so, get ready, because Rock the Riverfront will return in the spring of 2023 with a new interactive art installation for the community to enjoy.
From March 17-April 16, folks can enjoy “Los Trompos,” an installation that draws its inspiration from spinning tops.
The installation will feature eight “larger-than-life,” three-dimensional, woven spinning tops that come in a variety of shapes and colors. Functioning as both artwork + rotating platforms, the installation will serve as a gathering place for relaxation, social interaction, and plenty of entertainment (think: part furniture, part playground).
The installation was created by contemporary Mexican designers Héctor Esrawe + Ignacio Cadena, who were inspired by ordinary objects and how “everyday activities allow us to visit and share with different cultures and different individuals.”
The project was originally created by the designers while on residency at the High Museum in Atlanta and featured over 30 tops. Since then, the installation has traveled all across the country and now aims to continue the initiative of activating the outdoor space + engaging visitors in a meaningful art experience in Chattanooga.
Make sure to follow River City Company for updates + a full Rock the Riverfront event schedule as the new year approaches. You can expect weekends once again filled with music, entertainment, cultural education opportunities, and more.
Bonus: If you’re interested in being a vendor at this year’s festivities, you can apply online.
Vision + Verse: Ripples of Memories & Inspiration | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 6-7 p.m. | Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View Ave., Chattanooga | Free | Local Black poets, dancers, and actors will discuss creative responses to the works featured in the “Memories & Inspiration” exhibit.
Asian Lantern Festival at the Chattanooga Zoo | Thursday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Jan. 15 | 6-10 p.m. | Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave., Chattanooga | $16.50-$21.50 | Light up your night with illuminated lanterns + interactive displays to celebrate the art, culture, and beauty of traditional Asian lantern festivals.*
Friday, Dec. 9
Bode for the Holidays Launch | Friday, Dec. 9 | All day | Bode Chattanooga, 730 Chestnut St., Chattanooga | Free+ | This December, Bode Chattanooga is transforming into a reimagined Christmas wonderland holiday pop-up.
Robin Grant & The Standard’s Jazzy Christmas | Friday, Dec. 9 | 7 p.m. | Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga | $25-$35 | Come out for an evening of holiday cheer through jazz music by local artist Robin Grant + her band The Standard.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Weed Wrangles | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Rd., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | Learn how to battle invasive species with Reflection Riding.
Create a Vision Board for 2023 | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 2-4 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $30 | Create a dynamic vision board for 2023 in this class.
Family Holiday Workshops: Nature Arts and Crafts | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 2-4 p.m. | Training Wheels Creative Center, 621 E. 11th St., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | Learn how to create holiday decorations and handmade gifts with natural and recycled materials in this workshop.
Sunday, Dec. 11
SHE BOP Holiday Market | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Chattanooga Whiskey Event Hall, 890 Riverfront Pkwy., Chattanooga | Free+ | Shop from vendors, sip on Chattanooga Whiskey signature cocktails, enjoy local food + be on the lookout for a special appearance by The Chattanooga Elf.
Artful Yoga | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 1:30-3 p.m. | Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View Ave., Chattanooga | $5 | Enjoy an afternoon of art-inspired yoga with instructor Leah Dalton.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
TVFCU will be giving away $75,000 to entreprenuers in the Chattanooga area and $50,000 each in the Cleveland + Dalton areas as part of their 2023 Idea Leap Grant Contest. | Photo provided by Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union
This year, for the first time ever, TVFCU is hosting three separate Idea Leap Grant Competitions in the Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Dalton areas. Entrepreneurs in the Chattanooga area will be competing for $75,000, while $50,000 is up for grabs in both the Cleveland + Dalton areas.
Applications for all three competitions are now open, and the deadline is approaching quickly: Entrepreneurs must apply by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16. Pro tip: Small businesses must operate in TVFCU’s 17-county service area to be eligible and each small business owner may only apply for one of the three competitions.
Read on to see the 2023 Idea Leap Grant timeline for the three contests + learn how to apply. Best of luck, Nooga.*
A new shopping centermay be coming to Highway 153. The Fountains shopping center — now filled with Academy Sports + Outdoors and Kohl’s — is being looked at by a Texas developer to add retail, office, and restaurant space. 🛍️ (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Civic
Hamilton County EMS announced that EMS Station 15 will officially open on Friday, Dec. 9. The location at 8881 Snowy Owl Rd. was selected based on population growth in the Ooltewah area + it not being within a five-mile radius of more than one ambulance station. (Chattanoogan.com)
Outdoors
Outdoor Chattanooga is bringing back its Winter Workshop Series in January 2023. The free, classroom-style clinics help folks learn various outdoor skills (like backyard birding + planning for dangerous weather) during the winter months. 🐦
Arts
Today from 4-5:30 p.m., Barking Legs + Sister Cities will present the opening of the Cultural Cross Ties art installation at the airport. The project features local artists and artists from our sister city of Giv’atayim, Israel. Artist applications for next year’s installation are open now.
Cause
The Union Gospel Mission plans to serve its Community Christmas Dinner on Friday, Dec. 23 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. Volunteer to help at the dinner or make a donation online.
Closed
Hixson Pike’s Steak ‘n Shake location has shut down after operating for more than a quarter century. Steak ‘n Shake continues to operate other restaurants in the area in East Brainerd + Fort Oglethorpe. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Kids
The Chattanooga Library recently introduced a new program for preschoolers. Ballet & Bookworms is a storybook-themed dance class that takes place on the second floor of the downtown library every Friday morning. 📚
Shop
‘Tis the season to shop items from our online shop Six & Main. Our gift guides feature shirts, jewelry, gourmet popcorn, coffee, and more. There’s no time to waste,let the shopping begin. 🛍️
Edu
Interested in what it’s like to attend college in Nooga? We recently toured Chattanooga State Community College to see the campus and find out what the students experience on a daily basis. See what a day in the life of a ChattState student looks like. 🎒 *
Try This
Give the gift of a quality shave month after month with a Harry’s trial set and blade subscription. Choose your handle color, refill frequency, and let the good shave days roll in for as little as $5on sign-up (yes, you heard that right). 🪒 *
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Guess the holiday films “The Buddy,” “Uncle Eddie,” and “Hans Gruber” seasonal drinks are named after. | Photo by @goodmancoffeeroasters
It’s that time again, folks. A change of seasons is approaching and with that winter and holiday-themedtreats + drinks are beginning to hit local menus.
Here are some spots in town that have dropped their winter menus for you to try:
Flora | This local vegan online bakery is offering a DIY gingerbread kit, cookie party platters, funfetti Christmas cookies, pecan snowball cookies, and more. Make sure to place your orders online by Tuesday, Dec. 20 + final deliveries will be made by Friday, Dec. 23.
Dawn | Try out the peppermint mocha, cranberry white mocha, sugarplum latte, gingerbread molasses latte, or the housemade hot chocolate if you’re not a coffee drinker.
Dusk | Get in the holiday spirits with the boozy hot chocolate, winter sangria, spiked apple cider, and Cindy Lou Who cocktails. Bonus: you can also snack on the winter popcorn flavors Jack Frost (sweet) + Snowslide (savory).
No Hard Feelings | Try out some of the Miracle on Broad Street cocktails, like the Christmaspolitan. Bonus: The holiday-themed glasses the drinks come in are also available for purchase.
Clumpies Ice Cream Co. | Try out the chocolate orange, Dasher’s delight, gingersnap, grasshopper MoonPie, Mayan hot chocolate, Mexican Christmas punch sorbet, spiked eggnog, turtle cheesecake + white chocolate peppermint bark flavors for a limited time.
Editor’s pick: ICYMI, Honey Seed — a local eatery specializing in Montréal bagels + wood-fired pizza — opened this week. Swing by for all-day breakfast and brunch, or pizza and drinks starting at 4 p.m. See what we tried out here.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? You can bet your quantum dollar you’ll learn something new from this story.
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