City Beat: The calendar is loaded in April

We are coming off a weekend that featured a couple of legendary performers in George Jones and Elton John doing their thing in town, but we are heading into a month filled with notable events.

April 4 is opening day at AT&T Field, where the Lookouts will take on the Huntsville Stars.

It's not every day that a movie premieres nationwide that has such local connections, but "42," the Jackie Robinson film that was shot in large part at Engel Stadium, opens across the country on April 12. The Chattanooga Times Free Press is producing a sneak preview the night before at the Majestic 12.

Dozens of local folks were used as extras during the nearly four weeks of shooting here, so everyone is excited to see who they can recognize.

Spark, A Right Brain Celebration is slated for April 11-21. It is the umbrella name for all manner of events and happenings that show off the arts in the area. These include everything from gallery showcases to live music to food to literature. The 4 Bridges Arts Festival at First Tennessee Pavilion is the big event on the opening weekend, and the Celebration of Southern Literature bookends Spark on April 18-21.

The second Scenic City Roots concert is April 11 at Track 29. Performing will be Scott Miller, The Whiskey Gentry, Roger Alan Wade and The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band. These monthly shows are streamed live online, recorded and then edited into four installments, which are shown Thursdays at 9 p.m. on WTCI-TV 45.

Bill Cosby is at the Tivoli on the 14th.

And though it will be too early to buy a lot of the produce we've grown to expect at the Chattanooga Market, opening day is April 21.

These are some of the "bigger" events this month. For all of you Journey, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Styx and Whitesnake fans out there, TAPA is bringing the Broadway musical "Rock of Ages" to the Tivoli on April 21.

T-Dawg's Back Porch Hootenanny is planned for April 5-6 at Cherokee Farms in LaFayette, Ga., and if you've never been, the farm is a great place for an outdoor music festival.

The National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg is April 27-28.

There is even a Craft Beer Festival planned at First Tennessee Pavilion April 20, and The Communicators, Chattanooga's premiere tribute band, will be doing "Rapper's Delight" and other hip-hop classics at Rhythm & Brews on the 19th.

Contact staff writer Barry Courter at bcourter @timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.

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