Friday Five: Chattanooga's Best Events 9/18-9/25

Check out our list of upcoming Chattanooga area events, happening locally from Friday, September 18 to Friday, September 25.

Opening tonight! 

The Great Gatsby

When: September 18-19 from 7:30-10 p.m. and September 20 from 2-4:30 p.m.
Where: Robert Kirk Walker Community Theatre, 399 McCallie Avenue
Cost: $19-$23.50

Local theatre company Back Alley Productions opens its production of the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic The Great Gatsby tonight at Memorial Auditorium. The story, set in the 1920s tells the story of mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsy who is passionately obsessed with a beautiful woman named Daisy Buchanan, married to a controlling millionaire named Tom. The story is told form the perspective of Nick Carraway, a young bond salesman, who soon finds himself in the center of a conflict between Gatsby and Tom over Daisy that reveals the true character of the American dream. To purchase tickets, visit etix.com/ticket.

Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20

3rd Annual Tastebuds Farm Tour

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Where: Several local farms
Cost: $20

This weekend only, several several area farms will open their gates to visitors to explore, shop, and immerse themselves in local agriculture during the 3rd Annual TasteBuds Farm Tour. With a $20 car pass, visitors can access farms listed in the TasteBuds local food guide, including Brady's Farm Direct (Saturday Only), Crabtree Farms, Dixie Does Alpines, The Healthy Kitchen (Sunday Only), Lavender 'N' Rust Herb Farm, Lookout Homestead Teaching Farm, Red Clay Farm (Sunday Only), Tant Hill Farm, Wheeler's Orchard and Wildwood Farm (Sunday Only), with more farms to be announced. Each farm will offer a tour and visitors are encouraged to bring a cooler to shop items produced on the farm, including meats, produce, honey and eggs. Hand crafted goods, such as yarn, soap, goat milk fudge and balms are also available at certain locations. An official Farm Tour map with descriptions of each site is available online to help visitors plan their routes: bit.ly/CHAfarmtour. To purchase a car pass, visit growchattanooga.org/foodguide/FarmTour.

Monday, September 21

The Backlot: A Place for Filmmakers

When: 6:30-9:30  p.m. 
Where: Heritage House, 1428 Jenkins Road 
Cost: Free, however, as food is potluck, consider bringing a side or non-alcoholic beverage to share.

Producer and casting director Lisa Stark, known for her work on Cannes Film Festival Short award winner The Day After Stonewall Died, will be speaking at The Backlot: A Place for Filmmakers. Most recently, Lisa has been very active as a talent scout for local production companies such as Fancy Rhino, finding actors for ads for national corporate clients. A Chattanooga resident for nearly 14 years, she is the mother of 3 teenagers, a role which has prepared her well for the stresses and unpredictability of a busy film set. Don’t forget to bring your business cards, head shots and resumes, as there will be time for networking prior to and following the event. 

Wednesday, September 23

Battle of the Bags Cornhole Tournament

When: Team check-in at 6 p.m.; Main event from 6:30-10 p.m.
Where: SpringHill Suites, 495 Riverfront Parkway
Cost: Free

As a fundraiser to help purchase art supplies for Red Bank Elementary’s new art center, SpringHill Suites will host the Battle of the Bags Cornhole Tournament. There is an entry fee of $25 per team to enter the tournament, which includes a wristband for $1 draft beer during the event. All teams need to check-in at 6 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for 1st and 2nd place winners. Along with the tournament there will be live music. For more information or to register, visit eventbrite.com/battle-of-the-bags.

Thursday, September 24

Artful Yoga by the Moon: The Glow Returns

When: 6-7:30 p.m.
Where: Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View
Cost: $5

Beginning with a gallery experience led by Hunter curators and Heather Dendy of City Club Fitness, the Sports Barn & Hot Yoga Plus, this yoga class offers both culture and fitness. Following the gallery talk, participants will enjoy a practice led by Heather, Kari Pollard of Hot Yoga Plus & Sports Barn and Kelsey Vasileff of Hot Yoga Plus & Yoga Landing and Owner of Southern Sqweeze. Participants are required to bring a mat. A $5 donation for this community artful yoga supports the Hunter Museum's educational mission. Note in the case of inclement weather, yoga will be held indoors. In that case there will be limited spaces available on a first come basis that evening.