Bessie Smith Cultural Center Announces 2026 Big 9 Music Fest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bessie Smith Cultural Center Announces 2026 Big 9 Music Fest Free Community Festival

Celebrates the Legacy and Culture of Chattanooga’s Historic Big 9

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Bessie Smith Cultural Center is proud to announce the return of Bessie Smith’s Big 9 Music Fest, presented by Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the lawn of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. This free community event honors the rich musical and cultural legacy of Chattanooga’s historic Ninth Street, once known nationwide as “The Big 9.”

This year’s festival will feature an exciting lineup of local and regional performers, headlined by The Malemen Show Band. Additional performers include Alex “Tha Maestro” Hayes, Tammy Tanyell, Cuatro Cinco, DJ Augie, and Willie Kitchens & Friends.

Festival attendees can enjoy live music, food vendors, merchandise vendors, beer, community fellowship, and a celebration of the history and spirit that made Chattanooga’s Big 9 entertainment district a cornerstone of African American culture and nightlife.

“Bessie Smith’s Big 9 Music Fest is more than a concert. It is a celebration of community, culture, and the enduring legacy of the artists and businesses that shaped Chattanooga’s historic 9th Street,” said Paula Wilkes, President of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. “We are excited to welcome families, visitors, and music lovers from across the region for this free event that continues to honor and preserve that history.”

The 2026 Bessie Smith’s Big 9 Music Fest is made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsor Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union and community partners Lyndhurst Foundation, Power 94, G93, Coca-Cola, EPB, Tennessee Arts Commission, and the City of Chattanooga. For more information about the festival, visit www.bessiesmithcc.org/festival.

About the Bessie Smith Cultural Center Located in the heart of Chattanooga’s historic MLK Boulevard district, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center serves as Chattanooga’s African American museum and cultural center. Through art, education, research, and entertainment, the Center preserves and celebrates African American history and culture while creating meaningful experiences that connect the past to the present. Home to permanent and rotating exhibitions, educational programming, live performances, and community events, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center welcomes thousands of visitors each year and serves as a gathering place for learning, dialogue, and celebration. Learn more at www.bessiesmithcc.org.

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Media Contact:

Tyler Broome, Director of Digital Media and Museum Experience tbroome@bessiesmithcc.org

(423) 266-8658

The festival Press Kit can be found at https://bessiesmithculturalcenter.box.com/s/2b1jyeo443g1lpn0dgbtqr8h49dx659z