Community Calendar

Named one of Holler's "10 Country Artists You Need to Know" and nominated for Chattanooga's Best of the Best Local Band, Bella Lam brings an electrifying live set anchored by her latest single, "Bootfirst," a high-energy anthem that showcases her signature mix of heartfelt storytelling and modern country edge.

WaterWays announcing the start of our summer water quality testing initiative, including results from this week’s first round of testing. Over the next eight weeks, WaterWays will monitor local waterways and share timely updates to help keep the community informed about current water conditions, potential concerns, and the importance of protecting our shared water resources. We would appreciate your help sharing this information with the public and highlighting the ongoing work being done to support clean, safe, and healthy waterways across our region.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EHwsEjLzMCrzMjNQDarLPrB5oSFzn7hLIZpt8pQLrnc/edit?usp=drivesdk

Doors at 6:00 PM

Show at 7:00 PM

Standing Show with Limited Seating

Honoring the styles that have shaped our country from Traditional Folk, to Ragtime, Old-Time and Early Country, The New Quintet is a genre-blurring instrumental and harmony-driven group emerging from the heart of Chattanooga’s music scene. Rooted in several forms of turn of the century American sounds, the quintet uses a fresh lens on old forms by crafting rich, dynamic, and at times cinematic soundscapes that feel both spontaneous and finely tuned. Their debut album, Some Ya Do, Some Ya Don’t released in March of 2026 via EarthTone Records, and is quickly gaining recognition in the roots music scene for the group’s reimagined traditional material and eclectic original catalogue.

Brother and The Hayes is a Texas-born, Tennessee-based sibling duo known for their heartfelt songwriting, blood harmonies, and a groove-driven blend of folk, country, and blues music. The influence of John Prine, Bonnie Raitt, Guy Clark, Willie Nelson and others is evident in their playful, yet sophisticated lyrics, unique voices, and musical prowess.

St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church to Host Community Fish Fry Rebuilding Kick-off Saturday August 29, 2026

Athens, Tenn—August 29, 2026 St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church invites Athens and surrounding communities, organizations, and businesses to the Community Fish Fry beginning at 12 noon at the McMinn County Senior Activity Center, 205 McMinn Avenue, Athens, TN. which will serve as the kickoff for St. Mark's A.M.E. Zion Church's Rebuilding Campaign.

The menu will feature St. Mark's traditional fish fry and signature white beans and delicious desserts. This is a donation event with all proceeds supporting the ongoing effort to rebuild the historic landmark St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church on the Hill.

St. Mark has been a part of the Athens community since 1865. The community of faith desires to rebuild after the devastating arsonist fire that resulted in the loss of life of a beloved member of the church and community as well as the destruction of the historic landmark. The congregation continues its ministry and community outreach while working towards rebuilding a new structure that will begin a new journey as the lighthouse of the community. We hope to see all of our friends, family, and neighbors.

St. Mark A.M.E. Church, in partnership with the local community, will host its official Kick-off Fundraiser to Rebuild St. Mark on Saturday, August 29, 2026. The community fish fry will begin at 12:00 PM (Noon) and run until sold out at the McMinn Senior Activity Center, located at 205 McMinn Avenue in Athens.

Two years ago, a tragic fire destroyed the beloved St. Mark A.M.E. Church building. Since that devastating loss, the congregation and community members have remained resilient, continuing to gather and plan for the future. This fish fry marks the formal launch of the capital campaign dedicated to raising the necessary funds to rebuild the church home.

"St. Mark A.M.E. Church has been a sanctuary, a pillar of faith, and a place of community support in Athens for generations," said organizers. "While the fire destroyed our physical building, it could never destroy our faith or our spirit. This fish fry is our first big step toward raising the walls of St. Mark once again, and we invite the entire McMinn County community to come out, enjoy a hot meal, and stand with us as we rebuild."

Event Details:

What: St. Mark A.M.E. Church Rebuilding Kick-off Fish Fry

When: Saturday, August 29, 2026 | Begins at 12:00 PM (Noon) until sold out

Where: McMinn Senior Activity Center, 205 McMinn Avenue, Athens, TN 37303

Purpose: All proceeds directly benefit the St. Mark A.M.E. Rebuilding Fund.

Plates will feature fried fish, sides, and beverages. Donations and contributions above meal purchases are welcomed and deeply appreciated.

Returning for another season on September 3, Noontunes will feature local musicians every week at Miller Park from 12pm - 1pm!

Hosted in partnership with the City of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors and the City of Chattanooga Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Noontunes offers residents, employees and neighbors an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, games, food trucks and free live music as a part of the series, “Take a Break”.

In addition to seeing the concerts in person, shows are later aired on WUTC 88.1FM.

Noontunes has been held since 2016 and features Chattanooga area based musicians. The program has supported over 50 musicians and invested $20,000+ in Chattanooga's local music economy.
2026 Sponsors include City of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors, Tennessee Arts Commission, First Horizon Bank, and Food City.

For the full schedule, visit www.rivercitycompany.com/noontunes

WaterWays announcing the start of our summer water quality testing initiative, including results from this week’s first round of testing. Over the next eight weeks, WaterWays will monitor local waterways and share timely updates to help keep the community informed about current water conditions, potential concerns, and the importance of protecting our shared water resources. We would appreciate your help sharing this information with the public and highlighting the ongoing work being done to support clean, safe, and healthy waterways across our region.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EHwsEjLzMCrzMjNQDarLPrB5oSFzn7hLIZpt8pQLrnc/edit?usp=drivesdk

Main Gallery: 2025 Best in Show: Danyelle Woods (Title TBD)

Danyelle Woods received “Best in Show” in the 2025 Annual Juried Exhibition for her work Memory Map I. Danyelle’s work is a combination of known and unknown forms, created with organic materials made by the earth.

Landis Education Gallery: 2025 Juror’s Choices: Jeweli Eslinger, Meredith Olinger and Andy Brooks (Title TBD)

Eslinger, Olinger and Brooks were each selected by the Jury of the 2025 Juried Show as recipients of the “Juror’s Choice Award.” Jeweli Eslinger is an abstract artist working in a street art and graffiti aesthetic. Meredith Olinger is a mixed media artist who works with bold patterns through wallpaper that she designs, create, and prints using both digital and hand-printing along with some collage techniques. Brooks is a photographer who creates abstract, filtered images of mundane, household objects printed at a large scale.

Opening Night- Friday, September 4th

Join us for the opening reception for our annual solo show, this year featuring artist Danyelle Woods. During our annual Juried show each summer, our jurors select one artist to receive the "Best of Show" award, which gives that artist the space for a solo show at AVA the following year. Danyelle won the 2025 Juried Show, and brings and exhibit titled "Birth Stories" to our Mochel Main Gallery.

Additionally, the three artists selected for Jurors Choices at the 2025 Juried show will present a small group show in our Landis Education Gallery -- photographer Andy Brooks, mixed media artist Meredith Olinger, and mixed media artist Jeweli Eislinger.

Join us from 6-9 to enjoy both shows! Drinks provided.