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...

Free summer admission for active duty military personnel and their families from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day Chattanooga, Tenn. – June 2, 2026 – The Bessie Smith Cultural Center is proud to participate in Blue Star Museums, a nationwide program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families throughout the summer. The 2026 program runs from Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, 2026, through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026. Blue Star...

EMPRESS OF THE BLUES: I explored the legacy of local icon Bessie Smith, and her impact on American music, as the nation prepares to celebrate 250 years.