The free Nightfall Concert Series, produced by Chattanooga Presents, will open its 29th season on Friday, May 6, at Miller Plaza, with a headline performance by Seattle-based funk band, Polyrhythmics and local opener Opposite Box.
This year Nightfall will be held over the course of 15 Friday nights at Miller Plaza in the heart of downtown Chattanooga. Stretching through Aug. 26, Nightfall features a diverse schedule of musical entertainment with local openers and national headlining acts, many of whom are performing for the first time in the city. Bring your kids, lawn chairs, pets and friends to enjoy live music, food and an ice cold beverage in the outdoor social atmosphere of Nightfall, said officials.
New this year, Nightfall will be partnering with the Bessie Smith Cultural Center on the first Friday of each month to "Rock the Block" at Nightfall with a block party atmosphere with an early start time and an extended street closure that connects the two entertainment venues. Beginning at 5 p.m. on the lawn of the Bessie, enjoy local music by DJ Fred Watson, Jiana Barnett and Jimmy Allgood, vendors and kids activities until 7 p.m., then walk the block to Miller Plaza for the usual Nightfall schedule from 7-9:30 p.m.
On May 6, a variety of vintage and antique motorcycles from riding groups such as Motovalley, Smoky Mountain AMCA and Chattanooga Motorcycle Collective will be on display on M.L.King between Georgia Avenue and Lindsey Street. The Rock the Block street entertainment will vary on the remaining dates of June 3, July 1 and Aug. 5 - each celebrating music and collaboration in the community.
Review for Polyrhythmics:
Nightfall’s headliner on May 6 will be the eight-piece Afro-pop and funk band, Polyrhythmics. The release of their full-length album Libra Stripes in 2013 propelled them into appearances at major festivals across the country and fueled extended tours North, South, East and West, energizing dancers and fans of creative groove music. Their complex rhythms and unique precision is redefining the term “funk” for 21st century audiences.
The palette for the hard-driving modern afro-psycho-beat sound is built around the relentless rhythm of Grant Schroff and Lalo Bello, the heart thumping bass lines of Jason Gray, the intricate phrasings of Ben Bloom’s guitar, the searing avalanche of keyboard colors from Nathan Spicer and the melodic hooks and soaring solos from the horn section comprised of Scott Morning, Art Brown and Elijah Clark.
Review for Opposite Box:
The Chattanooga band Opposite Box will open Nightfall at 7 p.m. This genre-bending experimental rock band is known for their high energy live shows and an energetic blend of psychedelic jazz, progressive rock and dirty funk – dubbed “Belligerent Jungle Funk” – that is often compared to acts like Frank Zappa, Mr. Bungle and Parliament Funkadelic. Opposite Box presents a theatrical live experience with a psychedelic atmosphere.
Nightfall bulk discount beer and wine tickets will again be available this year at each show as well as through the Nightfall website, www.NightfallChattanooga.com offering a 20 percent savings on a packet of 20 drink tickets (typically $6 per individual ticket). For the first time, Chattanooga Whiskey cocktails will also be offered at Nightfall. A variety of food trucks and non-alcoholic drink concessions are also available on site. No outside food or beverages are allowed to be brought into the event.
Over the course of 28 seasons, Nightfall has grown into Chattanooga’s signature summertime program for Chattanooga and the surrounding region, said officials. Known for its family-friendly environment as well as being recognized nationally for the quality of its musical programming and locally as “Best of the Best” for Chattanooga Events, Nightfall is a family-friendly concert series with an average attendance of between 2,500-3,000 each night.
Nightfall is made possible this year thanks to sponsorships from Shock Top, Fletcher Bright Company, Kelly Cars, EPB Fiber Optics, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Puckett’s Chattanooga, Big River Grille, Southern Honda Powersports, Track 29 and Revelry Room, Gold’s Gym, Chattanooga Whiskey, UTC, NPR/Music 88.1 and ChattanoogaNow.
For more information on this free community concert series, call 265-0771 or visit www.NightfallChattanooga.com for a complete, interactive website that includes music samples by each headliner, as well as other information for first-time attendees.