Finally, the weekend is here. Now what? Nooga.com checks out all the options and gives you our best bets for the top five.
Death and soul by music
Tonight’s concert at JJ’s Bohemia marks the curtain call for one local band—Heypenny—and the introduction of another, El El. Chattanooga-by-way-of-Nashville frontman Ben Elkins is transitioning to this new project with an eye to playing more soulful, softer music and maybe even—dare he say—love songs. Local favorite Summer Dregs and the always-entertaining soCro join El El.
When: Friday, March 22, 10 p.m.
Where: 231 E. M.L. King Blvd.
How much: Covers range from $5-$12
St. Patty’s, round two
If one weekend was not enough or if this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations were not quite up to par, Rock City hosts one more chance to be Irish for a day. Shamrock City is home to Rocky’s House and the Fairyland Caverns, Irish jig dance lessons, traditional music, green shamrock wine, leprechaun fudge and rock climbing.
When: Saturday-Sunday, March 23-24, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga.
How much: $21.95 for adults, $12.95 for children 3-12
It’s a prom miracle
You’d better have your earplugs ready because there will be a lot of shrieking, squealing and giggling this Saturday in Hixson. The Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department is packing the Hixson Community Center with as many prom dresses, accessories, tuxedos and suits as the staff can fit and then opening the doors to the masses. Everything is free—repeat, everything is free. Operation Rescue Prom leaves no one behind on the road to prom 2013.
When: Saturday, March 23, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Where: 5400 School Drive
How much: Free
Racing Chattanooga’s homemade obstacles
There may have been zombie races. There may have been hardcore CrossFit events. But now, there is a challenge event tailored to Chattanooga’s own landscape, culture and history. The Chattanooga Challenge is a 10K obstacle course starting at Ross’s Landing with nine stations, each featuring a feat designed around something unique to the Scenic City, be it Army-crawling under a fleet of Volkswagens, scaling a Chattanooga Choo-Choo or dashing through the chilly habitat typically reserved for penguins.
Those more interested in staying dry and warm this week can still celebrate the challenge at the after-party festival with a lineup of local music, keg after keg of Big River’s Chattanooga Challenge Golden Ale, local food and a special screening of entries in this year’s first-ever Lookout Wild Film Festival.
When: Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Where: 100 Riverfront Parkway
How much: Free
Does the title give it away?
Mise En Scenesters' latest screening of the oft-unseen—and bizarre in the best sense of the word—films brings Don Coscarelli’s "John Dies at the End" to Barking Legs Theater. The movie is part horror and part reality-bending sci-fi with a dash of dark comedy. A few things to note: There is an intravenous drug that looks a lot like soy sauce; Paul Giamatti is part of the cast; and there is a fair amount of good, old-fashioned retro horror gore and giant, insect-like monsters.
When: Saturday, March 22, 8:30-11:30 p.m.
Where: 1307 Dodds Ave.
How much: $5
