Some key data points

• Only one in four music professionals in Chattanooga earns income solely from music (75% receive income elsewhere).
• Local music professionals are passionate + devoted to their work (84% will continue their music careers).
• 22% of respondents have five or fewer years of professional experience in music + 61.9% have 10+ years of experience.
• Compared to other music cities, Chattanooga’s workforce is slightly older, but showing a bit more growth in new entrants than other cities.
• 77% of the local music industry wants grants to help grow + sustain their music work.
• Marketing + social media skills are the most favored by the industry for additional training (63% of respondents).
• Fewer than half of creatives in Chattanooga’s music ecosystem (46%) look to local providers for music gear, supplies, or equipment rentals — for various music-specific needs, 59% say they can’t find local providers.

Local opportunities

• Grants (using data to support creatives)
• Revenue development (to diversify creatives income sources + more)
• Industry training on essential skills (think: marketing, social media, publicity, etc.)
• Mentorship programs and classes
• Focus on more local live gigs + greater economic support for venues

• Mindful Movements through Warner Park | Tuesday, Apr. 4 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Chattanooga Fitness Center, 1254 E. 3rd St., Chattanooga | Free | Take this gentle + breath-focused walk in the park with functional exercises, and meet people in the community.
• The Art of Kokedama | Tuesday, Apr. 4 | 6-8 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $45 | In this hands-on class, you will learn about the history, philosophy, and techniques behind the 1,500-year-old art form from Japan.
• Sunset Hike | Tuesday, Apr. 4 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Stringers Ridge, Spears Ave., Chattanooga | $30 | Explore the trails at Stringer’s Ridge Park at sunset on a guided hike with Outshine Adventures.

• Fleet Feet + Oddstory Pub Run | Wednesday, Apr. 5 | 6 p.m. | Oddstory Brewing Co., 1604 Central Ave., Chattanooga | Free+ | Run a 5k route through downtown Chattanooga + enjoy pint night prices at the brewery after the run — runners meet at 5:45 p.m.

• Ladies Who Launch: Briana Garza | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Common House, 1517 Mitchell Ave., Chattanooga | $15-$20 | Connect with other women who are breaking glass ceilings and impacting our community at this monthly luncheon — this month will showcase owner of Chatt Taste, Briana Garza.
• Throwback Thursday | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 4-8 p.m. | The Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View Ave., Chattanooga | $0-$5 | Enjoy free admission to the permanent collection + $5 general admission to the special exhibitions.
• Sensory Night | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | This event is a low-stimulus evening for children with sensory sensitivities.

• Hug a Bunny | Friday, Apr. 7-Saturday, Apr. 8 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave., Chattanooga | $8-$22.95 | Participate in springtime activities, games, crafts, and more while meeting the zoo’s real live bunnies.
• Canning 101 | Friday, Apr. 7 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St., Chattanooga | $40 | Get hands-on knowledge of water bath canning + pressure canning from Jessie of Feathers & Fruit.

• 83° | Cloudy | 24% of rain

• Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Blood Assurance are calling on the community to donate blood. All residents who donate through Sunday, April 30 will receive a commemorative Super Donor t-shirt. (NewsChannel 9)

• The Hamilton County Health Department and The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga have launched the 2023 Public Health Survey. The survey is available to Hamilton County residents + can be accessed online or from select locations. Note: the survey is offered in both English and Spanish.

• Boyd’s Speedway — located just outside of Chattanooga — has announced they will sell Russell Racing and the Racing Operations to Brown Brothers Construction Co. Due to new ownership, the 2023 Racing Season has been suspended until further notice.
• Easy Bistro & Bar will host an Old Dominick pop-up event to celebrate the brand’s recent release of Straight Tennessee Whiskey. Enjoy learning about whiskey + craft cocktails with the distillery’s own Alex Castle — Tennessee’s first female master distiller. Note: tickets are not required.

• The Chambliss Center for Children will host its annual Bunny Hop benefit event on Friday, May 5. This all-ages event will have a petting zoo, a mobile video game trailer, food, a silent auction, and more. Register online.

• The Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy is set to host its 11th Annual Golf Classic on Thursday, June 1. Play on the green to win door prizes + contests, and a chance to compete against professional golfer Payton Schanen. Register via email.

• The Chattanooga Film Festival is set to return for its 10th year as a hybrid festival. See the film festival in-person from June 23-25 + virtually from June 23-29 — stay tuned for a full guide in a future newsletter. Get early bird tickets.

• The Chattanooga Theatre Centre will put on a new play titled “The Cake” from Friday, April 21-Sunday, May 7. Audiences can join the cast + director Scott Dunlap for a post-show conversation on Friday, April 28. Get tickets for this comedy recommended for mature audiences only.
• Scenic City Clay Arts (SCCA), in partnership with the Association for Visual Arts, will showcase 21 SCCA member artists in a new exhibit entitled “Creative Hands.” The exhibit will run from Friday, April 14 through Friday, May 26 + feature functional and sculptural ceramic arts.

• Looking for a way to spend a spring Saturday outdoors? We’ve got you covered. Sample beverages (alcoholic + non-alcoholic) from around Central and South America during the final weekend of Rock the Riverfront next Saturday. Snag your $20 tickets for the special event — or bring the fam to Rock the Riverfront for free.*
• The most polished organizational item in your kitchen: the Fellow Atmos Coffee Canister, which not only looks great but keeps coffee fresh by sucking oxygen out of the jar. Pro tip: You can use it to store any snack and it will stay fresh longer.