From art installations to theater productions, there’s a space for everyone. | Photo by NOOGAtoday
Each June, communities band together to honor Pride Month + Chattanooga is no different. While there are several events happening around town, today we’re showcasing three ways you can explore the local arts scene while also celebrating your fellow LGBTQ+ residents.
ClearStory Arts
Now through Saturday, June 28, this Southside gallery is hosting Tennessee’s only Pride-themed gallery exhibition “We Were Always Here.”
With the help of the Chattanooga Queer Empowerment Collective, the installation showcases over 100 artists from the Tennessee River Valley, all exploring themes of “queerness in nature + the possibility of a liberated future.” City Editor Haley recommends taking the time to see all of the small details, especially the collage pieces.
Scenic City Clay Arts
You can join this local pottery studio at Joli Jardin on Saturday, June 21 for its “From Bricks to Blooms” event honoring the legacy of the Stonewall bricks. For $40, you can pick a time slot + personalize ceramic bricks with paints and select blooms that can be displayed inside.
Obvious Dad
After taking last summer off, this professional theater company known for its inclusivity is set to return to the stage with a four-part OutWord: LGBTQ+ Reading Series that showcases work from emerging playwrights — diving into the intersectionality between LGBTQ+ identities and aspects of life.
Book Chatt Connection | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Chattanooga Public Library, Downtown Branch | Free | Take part in this drop-in, no-pressure book discussion that will give you the chance to connect with fellow book lovers.
Insane Clown Posse | 8:30-11:30 p.m. | The Signal | $59+ | This Detroit-based American hip-hop duo is known for its elaborate “horrorcore” performances.
Thursday, June 12
Lon Eldridge Album Release Show | 8:30 p.m. | The Woodshop | $12+ | Enjoy dinner and drink specials at The Woodshop before listening to Lon Eldridge’s blend of blues, ragtime, and hot swing.
Friday, June 13
Nightfall | 6-10 p.m. | Miller Park and Plaza | Free+ | Shop a market + enjoy food trucks and lawn games before getting a seat on the lawn to see Bon Bon Vivant, a genre-bending band from New Orleans.
Saturday, June 14
Ice Cream Safari | 4-7 p.m. | Chattanooga Zoo | $8+ | Meet the zoo’s animals and enjoy a cold sweet treat from Ben & Jerry’s, Mayfield, MoonPie, and more.
Negro League Appreciation Weekend | 6 p.m. | AT&T Field | $10+ | See the Lookouts play the Shuckers — the first 1,000 fans will receive a Choo-Choos puzzle featuring Hall of Famer Willie Mays.
TDOT crews will be conducting quarterly testing on the Market Street Bridge today + tomorrow. From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., drivers can expect single lane closures — watch for signs closing off walkways and directing traffic flow. Pro tip: Utilize the Olgiati and Veterans Bridges.
Civic
Applications are now open for the city’s Neighborhood Services Division’s FY 2026 Neighborhood Action Grant. Registered neighborhood associations can get up to $1,500 for community identity materials (sign toppers, porch banners, yard signs, etc.) — apply by Monday, June 30.
Number
$447,621. That’s how much UTC was awarded from the National Science Foundation for a three-year quantum project. Researchers are conducting studies on how “squeezed light” (light utilized in quantum optics) can enhance distributed quantum sensing to be deployed on a local scale. (University of Tennessee Chattanooga)
Eat
If you feel pulled in a certain direction, that’s because Chattanooga BBQ Week is set to return Monday, June 16 through Sunday, June 22. During the week, you can enjoy $7 deals at over 10 eateries around town showcasing their smoked meats — see the menu.
Community
Nearby Cleveland is hosting its first Honeybee Festival on Saturday, June 14 at The Settlement. Starting at 10 a.m., you can shop from over 70 vendors offering handcrafted goods, honey, and food + enjoy live music and peek inside an observation hive filled with live bees.
Award
Who has the best Bloody Mary in town? According to the judges of the Chattanooga Market’s annual Top Tomato Festival, Whiskey Cowgirl is the winner. Southside Social also left fans happy + secured the People’s Choice award.
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Category
Watch
🚂 History that tracks
“What I really love about the messaging of this film is the hope for a better tomorrow,” said Director Dagan W. Beckett. | Photo provided by Dagan W. Beckett
When folks ask what put Chattanooga on the map, the conversation can quickly lead to the railway. For local filmmaker Dagan W. Beckett, that rings true in his new documentary “Legacy America: A Portrait of the American Railway.”
Beckett, an Emmy Award-winning director, partnered with photographer Holt Webb + set out to determine “Is there a place left in our nation for passenger rail travel?” — through the lens of Webb’s camera.
The documentary features people + places who pioneered the American frontier and the ones that have vanished.
When watching, you’ll be able to see a different side of the Scenic City’s very own Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. You’ll also meet Rhett, a member of the autistic community + learn how that community has given a new purpose to the steam engine locomotive.
Crews also traveled to Florida and captured the groundbreaking of Brightline — a privately-owned highspeed train operating between Miami + Orlando.
Go full stream ahead by watching “Legacy America” on Amazon Prime Video.
The Buy
A men’s sun protective shirt. The lightweight, long sleeve design is great for fishing, camping, and hiking and blocks 98% of UVA/UVB rays.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
A new mobile library will soon hit the streets of Chattanooga thanks to the city’s Office of Early Learning. Sawubona, a triple-layered book bus, will be debuted tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the First Horizon Pavilion. Make sure you keep an eye out on our Instagram for a first look + to learn more.
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