05.13.2024

Today’s Forecast

71º | 53% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:38 a.m. | Sunset 8:36 p.m.

When will the marquee light back up?

Updates on the restoration of the Tivoli Theatre

Rendering of the outside of the Tivoli Theatre and the Tivoli Performing Arts Center

It’s time to your seats for these theater updates. | Rendering provided by the Tivoli Theatre Foundation

If you frequent downtown, you’ve probably passed the beloved marquee of the historic Tivoli Theatre — and you’ve probably noticed that it’s been closed since August of 2022 for renovations. Now, we’re giving a play by play on what’s coming.

The Tivoli Theatre Foundation is striving to “polish the Jewel” with another large-scale renovation + construction project.

In a $60 million development, let’s get into the key details.

Rendering of the new lounge inside of the Tivoli Theatre with patrons around the bar — Once complete, the project is expected to bring in 759 full-time equivalent jobs + 4.1 million theater visitors.
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Rendering provided by the Tivoli Theatre Foundation

Tivoli Theatre
To preserve the 85-year-old building, new seating and improved ventilation will be installed + touch ups done to the plaster, gold leaf, and paint.

There will also be an elevator installed in the front of the house, connecting the theater to its new performing arts center in an accessible way + bathrooms will be added to every floor.

Tivoli Performing Arts Center
The construction of this adjacent building will open up educational programming for the arts community. In a commitment to diversity, the center will ensure that “50% of all education program participants are from minority or low-income communities and backgrounds.”

The new center also marks the opening of the Tivoli’s fourth venue, the Bobby Stone Theatre. The venue will feature seating for up to 250 guests + can be transformed into a rehearsal or event space for the community.

Bonus: This theater will be the new home to the Bobby Stone Film Series.

Rendering of the Tivoli Theatre's new venue the Bobby Stone Theatre — To support the future of the Tivoli, a new gathering space is being constructed.
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Rendering provided by the Tivoli Theatre Foundation

While the foundation has raised $23 million out of a $30 million fundraising goal, there is still an ongoing “Your Ticket to History” campaign for the restoration. Folks can take part by giving donations or naming:

Rooms and spaces
Seats
Chandeliers
Lights on the marquee + blade
Donor Wall

“This is our home, this is Chattanooga, this is what we’re all about,” said Tivoli supporter Tom Griscom. “That is what the Tivoli has done and that is what the Tivoli will continue to intrust.”

Construction is projected to be complete with the theater reopened by late 2025 or early 2026.

Want to know what the theater was up to when the stage lights first turned on?

Step back into 1921

Asked

What was the last film shown at the Tivoli Theatre before it shut down in 1961?

A. “West Side Story”
B. “Snow White and the Three Stooges”
C. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
D. “The Parent Trap”

Let the credits roll

Events

Monday, May 13

From Ashes To New | Monday, May 13 | 6-11:59 p.m. | The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave., Chattanooga | $25-$70.33 | Rock out with this metal band from Lancaster, PA as they travel to the Scenic City on “The Blackout” tour.

Tuesday, May 14

Paint & Sip FACE Equality | Tuesday, May 14 + Thursday, May 16 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Bud’s Creative Arts Center, 5325 Old Hixson Pk., Hixson | $45 | Learn how to paint an abstract face guided by artist and anaplastologist McKenzie Bergenbac + what face equality means — BYOB.
Community Yoga | Tuesday, May 14 | 7-8 p.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Rd., Chattanooga | $10 | Join Outshine Yoga for a beginner-friendly, mindful movement class — bring your own mat.

Wednesday, May 15

Fiction Addiction Book Club | Wednesday, May 15 | 4-5 p.m. | Collegedale Public Library, 9318 Apison Pk., Collegedale | Free | Join the community to discuss Matt Haig’s “The Midnight Library” — library card not required.

Thursday, May 16

Maggie Rose | Thursday, May 16 | 9-11:55 p.m. | Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., Chattanooga | $22-$25 | See this acclaimed singer-songwriter with influences from rock and Americana to folk and funk.

Friday, May 17

Campfire Concert Series - LE GATO | Friday, May 17 | 6-10 p.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Rd., Chattanooga | $30-$35 | This concert under the stars features s’mores, beer + all the tacos you could ever want from local spot Street Quesadilla. Free entry for kids 12 and under.*

Saturday, May 25

Greenville Scottish Games | Saturday, May 25 | 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. | Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville | $0-$25 | Celebrate Scottish heritage with Celtic music, food, bagpipes, kids activities, + heavy athletics. Or start the holiday weekend early at the Great Scot Parade, Friday, May 24 at 6 p.m. on Greenville’s Main Street.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Coming Soon

The Food City (located at the intersection of Broad and West 13th Streets) is set to open its doors in mid-June. The 53,000-sqft supermarket will also feature Jack’s Cafe, Starbucks + a 120-seat conference center on a second level over the retail space. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Announced

Four local area companies were selected by the Apprenticeships Building America grant program to receive funding for new youth apprenticeship programs. AlloHire, EPB, Tiny Tigers Learning Center + AHS Consulting have been granted $10,000 to expand opportunities to those 16-24 years old. (Chattanoogan.com)

Community

The Chattery will host its Bloom Creative Summit on Saturday, May 18 at Cabana’s Night Club & Event Center (1800 Rossville Ave.). The one-day conference from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. is designed to “hold space and community for Black women and Black non-binary entrepreneurs.” Register to attend.

Film

Folks can see a special screening of “Blue Whales 3D: Return of the Giants” on Thursday, June 6 at 6 p.m. at the IMAX Theater. Afterwards, a discussion will be held with marine biologist Dr. Diane Gendron who stars in the film. Note: Tickets will be available at the box office.

Learn

ChattState is offering a flooring installation course beginning on Monday, May 20. The course focuses on resilient flooring and preparing students for careers in installation, retail, floor cleaning, and more. Learn more + apply for a scholarship that covers the course tuition in full.

Job

Chattanooga nonprofit Bridge Refugee Services is currently seeking a volunteer coordinator. This role focuses on recruiting, training, and providing technical support to volunteers in the organization’s refugee resettlement programs. See the qualifications.

Biz

What are people delegating? Getting to inbox zero, calendar management, travel, cold calls, leveraging AI, managing CRMs, expense reports, returns, waiting on customer service calls, household management, and much more. With Athena, you can achieve more time, freedom, success, and impact. See how to score a $1,500 credit.*

Theater

🎭 The play’s the thing

Announcing the Tivoli’s 2025-2026 Broadway season

Get a chance to see this Tony Award-winning musical in Chattanooga. | Photo by Jeremy Daniel via “The Wiz”

Give our regards to Broadway, because it appears the Scenic City will be the destination for six traveling shows, thanks to the Tivoli Theatre Foundation’s 2024-2025 Broadway season.

Coming to the Memorial Auditorium beginning this fall are:

“Moulin Rouge” | Oct. 22-27, eight shows
“Pretty Woman” | Jan. 24-26, five shows
“Six” | Feb. 18-23, eight shows
“Hadestown” | March 28-30, five shows
“Hamilton” | April 22-May 4, 16 shows
“Les Misérables” | July 22-27, eight shows

Current season pass subscribers can renew their packages now through Friday, May 31 + new subscriptions go on sale to the public on Monday, June 3 — just head to the Tivoli’s website.

Note: Sale dates for individual show tickets are TBD.

The Buy

Apple pie made easy. We’re celebrating National Apple Pie Day by warming up some of this Apple Pie Jam from Adams Apple Co. with a little bit of ice cream.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Haley

From the editor

In case you missed it, the big churro reveal dropped over the weekend. Let me introduce you to Dumb Cluck, the new food truck operating over at Shady’s Corner. You’ll find chicken, burgers, fries, and more — including some of the best churros I’ve had in town.

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