In a city whose social calendar is perennially packed with luncheons, galas, fundraisers and themed fetes, the smart and bold organizations know when to mix things up.
Girls Inc. of Chattanooga is taking its own advice to heart this year with the debut of its Mix it Up! Event Saturday, Feb. 9 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Loose Cannon on the Southside.
“When we started planning in August of 2012, we asked ourselves, 'What are some of our main messages?'” said Shannon Colbert, manager of development and communications at Girls Inc. “We encourage our girls to be risk takers, to not be afraid to test and challenge themselves, to mix it up.”
That spirit of adventurousness has been condensed into an evening of comedy, salsa dancing, photo booth antics and fusion cuisine—a veritable playground of new experiences for adults.
The event’s entertainment will be scheduled to rotate between four 30-minute featured acts while several other diversions continue throughout the night. Christy Burns from the Folk School of Chattanooga takes the stage at 7 p.m., followed by DeAngelo Jelks for a lesson in salsa dancing.
Comedian Jerry Harvey is up at 8 p.m., and at 8:30 p.m., professional auctioneer Steve Milling gives the crowd a chance to bid on a basketful of gift certificates for educational experiences ranging from language classes to belly dancing workshops.
Henna artist Archana Brahmabhatt, potter Regina Gargis and magician Rick Hasty will be providing continuous tricks, demonstrations and henna tattoos during the main stage program, while guests also create their own fun with the event’s photo booth.
On the menu are culinary creations by Events with Taste with an eye to fuse together different cultural staples for surprisingly delicious dishes. The three stations include South American paired with Asian, Southern U.S. coupled with Mediterranean and Italian blended with Mexican.
The cocktail list will also feature inventive combinations dreamed up by locals at Fork & Pie Bar, Pure Sodaworks, 212 Market, Taco Mamacita and Urban Stack.
At 9 p.m., DJ D-Low takes over the turntable for a dance party to close out the night.
All proceeds will benefit Girls Inc. of Chattanooga, which has provided educational, public service and social programs for girls in the Chattanooga metropolitan area since the early 1960s.
Having celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011, the organization hopes to see Mix it Up! recharge and re-energize the Girls Inc. community for the next 50 years.
Tickets are $65 and can be purchased from the event's website.
