To bridge the outdoor concert experience gap left after the nine-day Riverbend festival and the restart of the Friday night Nightfall series, a Thursday evening summer music series will kickoff this week at one of Chattanooga's most unique outdoor music venues.
The Hunter Museum of American Art's "All American Summer Music Series" will take place every Thursday evening at 6pm through August 4th on the Hunter's terrace, a covered outdoor band shell overlooking the Tennessee River and Walnut Street Bridge. The series will also include two Sunday concerts at 1 p.m. during the museum's "Free First Sunday" program, which offers free admission to the museum and events scheduled on the first Sunday of each month.
The Hunter terrace is located in the museum's new addition designed by architect, Randall Stout, which opened in 2005.
"The space is incredible," Adera Causey, museum curator of education.
The striking setting, which Architecturalrecord.com described as Stout’s "muscular addition" to the museum, gave the institution a new public profile while the completion of the Holmberg Bridge connected the art district to the rest of downtown.
Causey said the outdoor venue was actually built as a band shell and has several sweet spots in which the acoustics are "truly tremendous."
"I love sharing it with a musician for the first time as each time a new musician discovers the secret of the space, they light up and get all the more excited to perform there.," she said.
This is the fourth season for the music series, and Causey said it has been specially programmed in honor of the current Between the States civil war photography exhibition, with a heavier focus on traditional regional music.
"We do programs every Thursday night throughout the year and look at them as a way to focus on American art culture and identity in its many manifestations. So whether it is music, film, dance or theater performance, culinary arts, American wines or gallery talks about issues in American culture, we strive to find new ways to present and discuss as many American expressions of identity as possible," Causey said.
All Thursday music programs are free with regular admission to the museum and Thursday night events also offer a cash bar. Museum members are admitted free. Free First Sunday's are free and geared more to family audiences.
ALL AMERICAN SUMMER OF MUSIC SCHEDULE
June 30, Thursday, 6 p.m.
Folk School of Chattanooga
Three musicians and instructors from the folk school, Lon Eldridge, John Boulware, and Christie Burns, will play together and individually for an evening of traditional music
July 3, Sunday, 1 - 3 p.m.
The Culprits
The Indie-pop trio from Sewanee, Tenn. take influences from The Police, The Strokes, and The Kooks for a high energy show. (Free First Sunday, 12-5 p.m.)
July 7, Thursday, 6 p.m.
New Binkley Brothers
A new twist on traditional music, the New Binkley Brothers perform many outdoor venues and events in Chattanooga.
July 14, Thursday, 6 p.m.
Rick Bowers and the Majors
July 21, Thursday, 6 p.m.
Milele Roots
The local five piece reggae beat favorites, Milele Roots, will bring their blend of ska, funk and reggae to the music series.
July 28, Thursday 6 p.m.
The Divine Write
Spoken word and music duo The Divine Write, featuring Marcus Ellsworth and Brandi Alexander, will bring in the oral tradition of spoken word to the music series representing the diversity of American music and art forms.
August 4, Thursday, 6 p.m.
Moon Slew
This modern bluegrass Americana band features blended vocals, fiddle, guitar, bass and mandolin.
August 7, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Jennifer Daniels
Emotional, singer-songwriter folk rock closes out the 2011 series. (Free First Sunday 12 - 5 p.m.)
