The Chattanooga Market

Valvoline Racing to Excellence in Education (VREE) revs up a celebration event at Chattanooga Market on Sunday, November 8 . In partnership with the City of Chattanooga Department of Education, Arts & Culture (EAC) and its Unbroken youth initiative—VREE is a media-driven campaign highlighting safe driving at its core and using racing as a metaphor for kids getting ahead in education. Come see the City of Chattanooga Police Department Beat the Heat Drag Racing Team, a Fire Engine from the City of Chattanooga Fire Department, Tire Rack Street Survival School Race Cars, and the Meth Task Force Mobile Meth Unit. At 1:30 p.m. EAC will announce from the Chattanooga Market stage the VREE Winners Circle students who wrote winning essays in the Valvoine Racing to Excellence in Education Essay Contest.

The Chattanooga Market is very proud to be participating in the Head of the Hooch regatta this Saturday – the second largest event of its type in the nation!

Join us along the Chattanooga riverfront from 8am until 5pm on Saturday for a special Market, and enjoy the wonderful rowing event featuring nearly 8,000 competitors and 15,000 spectators in this undiscovered jewel of Chattanooga.

Admission is free!

For more information, please visit www.headofthehooch.org

This Sunday several antique enthusiasts will be bringing their antiques and collectibles to Chattanooga Market.  It’s always a fun day, full of great buys on these treasures of yesteryear.  Have a collectible of your own you’d like to share?  Bring it to the Pavilion for an opinion on value, trade it, sell it – it’s all about enjoying the hobby! 

Of course we’re gearing up for our Gift Market coming up Dec. 5 & 6th, so you’ll start seeing a little less produce this month, but a whole lot more handmade gifts and holiday specialties, holiday themed gourmet foods and of course there’s always fresh lunch ready-to-eat in the Market Cafe.

Gary Pfaff & the Heartwells have recently been noted as one of the hardest working bands in the business. Touring with nothing more than their van, their music, and a vision as big as their sound, Gary & and the band currently tour over 200 dates a year.

Gary Pfaff was born a musician to a military family in Lahnsthul, Germany in 1978. He grew up listening to his Dad write songs on the piano every night, just downstairs from his room as he went to sleep. Like most kids, he wanted to emulate his father and began learning the piano. But by age 12 Gary switched gears to the guitar and began writing his own songs, landing his first paying gig by age 15.

On learning from his Dad, Gary recalls: “I remember heading up to Nashville (from Atlanta) with my folks for a family vacation at Opry Land and discovering country music. I’ll never forget tagging along with my Dad while he dropped off demo tapes to Ronnie Milsap and The Oakridge Boys. Back then I was too young to understand what we were doing there. But I definitely had a surreal flashback when I recently found myself pitching my own songs on the same streets in Nashville.”

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Sonia Leigh is a singer/songwriter hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. With gritty vocals and poetically compelling lyrics, Sonia grabs her listeners with her raw honesty and primal emotion, all while wearing her heart on her guitar strap. Sonia Leigh brings an electrifying excitement to the stage with her unbridled passion and rebellious charm. She easily and immediately establishes a bond with her audience through the sincerity of her haunting voice, soulful lyrics, excellent musicianship and sultry appearance. Although Sonia stands only 5′4”, her powerful stage presence belies her petite stature. Sonia Leigh’s bloodlines run deep in country music (her grandfather was a musician and songwriter) but she soon discovered Blues and Rock and Roll. As a toddler, Sonia banged away on her father’s guitar and by the age of 10, he had taught her chords and strumming techniques. Sonia was drawn to artists from various musical backgrounds, including Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Lightning Hopkins, Brownie McGhee, Bruce Springsteen to Melissa Etheridge, The Cure, Everclear, and even Tupac. This musical upbringing serves as the foundation for what has become the unique sound of Sonia Leigh.

Sonia Leigh has written a diverse selection of music over the years.  Her first song was recorded at the age of 14 when asked by a family friend to write a song. After hearing it, he immediately set up a recording session at an Atlanta recording studio for a demo. By the age of 21, Sonia had recorded two albums, Remember Me (1998) and Laundry (2000). Sonia has performed all over the Southeast as a solo artist, headliner, and as the supporting act for well known names including Randall Bramblett, Jason Mraz, Jennifer Nettles, Kristen Hall, The Marshall Tucker Band, Georgia Satellites, and the Zac Brown Band.

The Pool was formed in 1989 by original members Jason Norris who had placed an ad in the local paper looking for “Beatle Enthusiasts”. “The Pool” name is a play on Liverpool.  (“The Pool” sounding much better than “The Liver”.)   Michael Welch was the first person to answer the ad. After many failed attempts to find other musicians who shared their vision, Dave Cornwell answered the ad and soon became the third member. Michael then contacted Nick Honerkamp whom he had played with in the recent past to handle bass guitar and vocals. The final piece of the puzzle was original drummer Dave Olson (1989-90).

The core group of Welch, Honerkamp, and Cornwell have been together throughout the Pool’s history. Jason left the group in 1996 and the Pool became a 4 piece band with Dave picking up keyboards. Other members have included John Wilson – Drums (1991-2004), and Matt Turnure – Drums (2005- present).

The band continues to play music from the original British invasion and beyond including British bands from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Current members include:
Michael Welch – Guitar/flute/vocals
Dave Cornwell – Guitar/keyboards/vocals
Nick Honerkamp – Bass guitar/vocals
Matt Turnure – Drums/percussion

We’re celebrating our unique, entrepreneurial, fun, beautiful city this weekend by featuring all things CHATTANOOGA on Sunday, November 1st. 

Live on the EPB stage:

Letty & Georgia 11:30 – 12:30
Mountain School of Folk 1:00 – 2:00
Baaddmojo 2:30 – 3:30

We’ll have over 130 vendors selling their one-of-a-kind arts, crafts and gourmet foods; it’s not too early to start shopping for the upcoming holiday season!  Relax this Sunday and enjoy a beautiful Fall day downtown with us.  Plan on coming for lunch in the Market Cafe where you’ll find plenty of local eateries.  Pick up a pumpkin, fresh picked apples, or some Fall flowers while you’re shopping!

Led by one of the Southeast’s premier banjo musicians, Ed Brown, The Cumberland Band plays their own variety of traditional bluegrass, folk, and Irish tunes. These local guys (and girl) have a blast entertaining audiences with their sharp rhythms, slow ballads, strong vocals, tight harmonies, and the occasional joke or two. They are regulars on the regional bluegrass scene, performing often at the Mountain Opry, as well as many area music festivals and venues.

Wurstbrats Oompah Band is a 20-member ensemble that has played in the Chattanooga area since 1994. They play a variety of listening, dance, and ballroom dance music that includes classic and modern big band, swing, Latin, and waltz tunes.

In the Chattanooga area, the Wurstbrats Oompah Band has earned the respect of accomplished ballroom dancers. However, they are also known for their ability and willingness to customize the musical program to meet the needs and preferences of its audience. Songs are selected and tempos are adjusted in order to accommodate the dancing abilities of those in attendance.

The Wurstbrats have played for listening audiences, as well as for weddings, picnics, military reunions, and charity events.