PLAN TO ATTEND
What: Riverfront Nights
When: Saturday, September 3 - 7 p.m.
Where: Ross' Landing, Downtown waterfront
How Much: Free
Headliner: Vieux Farka Toure - 7 p.m.
Dance party: Space Capone - 9 p.m.
Like rolling over in a kayak, Riverfront Nights is turning the music schedule upside down during Paddlers Night as it officially becomes a "Welcome Back Students" night for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
A late night dance party to attract students and other young audiences to the waterfront will feature Space Capone, who were originally slated to open for African guitar master Vieux Farka Toure.
Instead, Toure will perform a full set at 7 p.m. and Space Capone will immediately follow at 9 p.m. and play until 11:30 p.m. in an effort to keep the younger audience enjoying the event into the evening.
Space Capone has recently been compared to early Prince and Earth Wind and Fire.
Friends of the Festival talent coordinator Jeff Styles admits this “late night dance jam” is an experiment or sorts and hopes it passes the litmus test as a big party draw.
Styles said arrangements have been made to continue beer sales for the later hours with this week's last call extended until 11 p.m.
"We are also working with the local Chattanooga Ultimate Frisbee teams and their big tournament this weekend. They approached us to see if they could have their after-party on the river during Riverfront Nights," Styles said.
Styles said they had already agreed to accommodate that request and booked the Nashville-based dance band for the Sept. 3 date. When Toure's touring schedule allowed a date in Chattanooga, Styles said they grabbed the chance to book the acclaimed artist for the music series and knew the rest would be worked out.
Vieux Farka Toure is making limited stops during his current tour, with Chattanooga being one of only 13 scheduled appearances in North America this fall.
Supporting his critically acclaimed new album “The Secret,” Toure is considered by many to be one of the world’s best known musicians. During the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, Toure played to a television audience of over a billion people.
The green-themed music series salutes water sports this weekend with a special Paddlers Night. Anyone with kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards are invited and encouraged to enjoy the festivities in and out of the water. A special dock and ramp will be available for the evening. Participants are reminded to bring a running light for anyone who intends to be in the water after dark.
