Chattanooga Pulse

The Chattanooga Downtown Partnership continues its 2009 Nightfall Concert Series tonight, July 17, on the BlueCross Stage in Miller Plaza with cellist Ben Sollee.Ben Sollee’s cello playing and soulful voice have been marinating for years in his work with avant-garde bluesman Otis Taylor and The Sparrow Quartet (featuring banjo-master Béla Fleck).

Named one of NPR’s “Top Ten Unknown Artists of the Year” in 2007, Ben Sollee will bring along his band to Nightfall to demonstrate a distinctive acoustic folk style, with just a touch of jazz.

Sollee’s latest album, Learning to Bend, expresses his personal quest for flexibility in the country.  This album was greatly impacted by his Kentucky roots and fans describe it as “fascinating,” “inspirational,” and “enjoyable.”

Opening act Ben Friberg Quartet will take the stage at 7 p.m., followed by Ben Sollee at 8 p.m.

This FREE concert series continues to bring an eclectic mix of rock, blues, jazz, reggae, zydeco, funk, bluegrass and folk music to Downtown Chattanooga. This 17-week series is held on the BlueCross Stage in Miller Plaza on Friday evenings from Memorial Day weekend through September 25th. Beer, wine, food and non-alcoholic drink concessions are available on site. No outside food or beverages are allowed.

For the first time ever, you can win the chance to see your favorite Nightfall artists in comfortable stage-side seating in Herman Miller chairs, courtesy of Office Coordinators Inc. Four seats, along with some free drinks and indoor restroom access, will be available for purchase each week through a silent auction bid which may be placed at the Nightfall table, or on the Nightfall website at www.downtownchattanooga.org.

Beginning at 6 PM each Friday, FREE Nightfall parking is offered for vehicles with a Kelly Auto Group sticker in the Republic Parking lot at 10th Street between Broad and Market Streets. Limited handicapped parking will be available on Georgia Avenue across from the Joel W. Solomon Federal Building.