Tennessee Valley Pride, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, kicks off its annual Chattanooga Pride week Monday October 1st, culminating in a Pride Festival Day on Sunday.
According to its Facebook page, the organization’s mission is “to celebrate diversity in the Chattanooga area. Our goal is to combine the resources of the LGBT people of our area and reach out to the community with dignity and respect. The Board is committed to raising awareness, educating and strengthening the community, creating a safe environment and improving the human condition.”
Monday, the fun gets underway with an “All Shades of Red” comedy night featuring Wendy Tippens at Chuck’s II gay sports bar. It includes a potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. and comedy antics at 8:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to dress in red.
On Tuesday, St. Mark’s Church presents “Celebrating the Rainbow of Faiths in the Community,” an interfaith service, at 7:00 p.m.
Tennessee Valley Pride hosts a spaghetti dinner fundraiser from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Pilgrim Congressional Church. If delicious Italian food isn’t your thing, check out Rainbow Bowling from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Holiday Bowl.
On Thursday, lesbian-owned Tbow’s Tavern – located in Cleveland, Tenn., a short drive just outside of Chattanooga – puts a musical spin on the week’s preliminary events with Duets Night. Pool tables will be free from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., then a Duets Show kicks off at 11:00 p.m. featuring an all-star cast.
The Chattanooga Pride official opening party throws down on Friday at Images bar. Knock back your favorite cocktails during the 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Happy Hour. Then at midnight, the real party gets started with a show featuring TVP title holders and Mr. Bear Unlimited, Stone Parquet.
On Saturday, Grace Episcopal Church hosts a screening and discussion of the 2007 documentary film For the Bible Tells Me So from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Later, it’s party time once again as Chuck’s II holds a Pride VIP and sponsor party from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. The party is by invitation, or you may purchase $25 tickets at www.tennesseevalleypride.com. At 8:00, the bar shifts its Tennessee boot-scootin’ gears for Southern Country Chattanooga Hoedown until midnight.
Sunday, October 7 is the big day as the Chattanooga Pride festival opens in downtown’s Miller Plaza from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. It includes a vendor market and – starting at 2:00 p.m. – stage performances. Atlanta’s own Charlie Brown headlines. Other performers scheduled are Mr. Bear Unlimited Stone Parquet, the DC Cowboys, Ashley Jo Farmer Band, and Summer Osborne. An 8:00 p.m. after-party at Chuck’s II closes out the week’s celebrations.
