We are now listing all events held at Barking Legs in chronological order. Our in-house productions are listed as either CoPAC or Flying Fingers, sometimes with co-sponsors, who will be noted. We encourage, but do not curate or endorse, outside producers who present shows at Barking Legs.

Shows are all ages unless otherwise noted. Doors open 1 hour before show. Tickets to shows are often available in advance through PayPal. Check the listings.
And remember, tickets are almost always available at the door, though cash and personal check only.

Barking Legs Theater is available to outside producers on a rental basis, and they are invited to contribute postings for this website. Please contact the producers directly for ticket purchases and other information. Interested in promoting or learning more about renting our space?
Please call 423-624-5347 or email info@barkinglegs.org with your inquiry.

CoPAC Presents

Wide Open Floor
FRI, Feb 3 (and each first Friday) @ 9 pm
$5 at the door

From 9pm-midnight, this Friday, May 6, (and each first Friday of the month thereafter), an amazing array of raw talent will be presented at Barking Legs. We have dancers, poets, musicians, professionals, students, seasoned performers, and those stepping out relatively unaccustomed to the stage. Expect surprises. Expect to be challenged. Expect to see acts that you love, as well as those that may uncomfortably stretch your perspective. Expect a nurturing and supportive environment of sharing ideas and expressions. We are Wide Open to it all. The cost is a mere $5 at the door (cash preferred, please). Thank you!

Flying Fingers Productions Presents

Matt Flinner Trio
SAT, Feb 4 @ 8 pm
$12 adv/$15 door

Matt Flinner's show last year was one of our best. He'll be visiting just after the January release of his latest album, Winter Harvest. His superb trio includes guitarist Ross Martin and bassist Eric Thorin.

Multi-instrumentalist Matt Flinner has made a career out of playing acoustic music in new ways. Starting out as a banjo prodigy who was playing bluegrass festivals before he entered his teens, Flinner later took up the mandolin, won the banjo contest at Winfield Kansas in 1990, and took the mandolin award there the following year.

Flinner is now widely considered one of the hottest mandolin players on the acoustic scene.
Although he lives in Nashville these days, Flinner believes that his early years spent in the Rocky Mountains had a very real impact on his music. "There’s an American harmony in classical music that’s this big wide-open sound -- Aaron Copeland’s work, for example," Flinner says. "So I think there could be something to that, that your surroundings reflect your music." With his singular combination of taste, tone and time, Flinner has created a sound that is unique to his vision and makes an important statement in the evolution of acoustic string band music.

Matt Flinner on Compass Records

Inferno Reel by the Trio

Advance sales end at 5 pm Saturday!

Chattanooga Improvisors Collective presents

OPEN IMPROVISATIONAL JAM for Dancers, Musicians, Spoken Word

First Sunday of each month

Sunday, FEB 5

3-5 pm

Participants are free to propose structures for non-idiomatic improvised dance/music/spoken word. All are invited. Bring your chops but leave your preconceptions at the door! Suggested donation: $2

Flying Fingers Productions
presents

Seryn
Nathan Bell
FRI, Feb 10 @ 8 pm
$10 adv/$12 door

Using folk instrumentation and world rhythm, Seryn crafts music from soaring to serene while flowing seamlessly from one extreme to the other. Paste Magazine was impressed enough to name their 2011 SXSW performance Best of the Fest! I expect the next time you hear Seryn in the area it will be at Track 29 or Bonnaroo.

"I fell in love with this band’s recorded music just in time to book them for our SXSW day parties, and they dominated the showcase. I don’t know what they put in the water in Denton (fellow Dentonite Sarah Jaffe also slayed), but the majestic swells make it feel like you’re watching Arcade Fire before their first album." – Josh Jackson, Paste

A sample of Seryn!

Seryn website

Nathan Bell is in the second phase of career that began with acclaim in the 1980s, followed by a long stretch outside the music world, now resumed as a solo performer. He is still in his way outside the music world. A powerful songwriter and performer.

Nathan's website

Flying Fingers Productions with Forever Bluegrass Presents

The Gibson Brothers
THURS, Feb 23 @ 7:30 pm
$15 adv/$17 door

Leigh and Eric Gibson are about 2 decades into a career that has brought them to the top of the bluegrass world. Their rise was crowned by honors for both Album of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year from the IBMA in 2011. Their last 5 albums have all reached #1 on the bluegrass radio chart. The chance to hear their combination of extraordinary vocals and instrumental firepower on a winter's night at little Barking Legs Theater should not be missed!

“They have it all: lead vocals, brother-duet harmony, instrumental virtuosity, ensemble sensibilities, and great original material. Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine

“The Gibson Brothers lead a bluegrass quintet that can pull off traditional Bill Monroe-style picking and sweet, Louvin Brothers-like harmony singing.” The Washington Post

“To say they’ve got the classic brother duet thing down is an understatement; they own it.” No Depression

Gibson Brothers Website

The Gibsons on Compass

Sound & Fury Music presents

Roxie Watson
with Michelle Malone
Sat, March 10, 8 pm
$12 at the door

Roxie Watson is a five-piece string band from Decatur and Atlanta, GA, who play what they like to call “alterna-grass,” a mix of original and traditional songs that contain three- and four-part harmonies, elements of old country, Appalachian music, hymns, and bluegrass, without adhering to the traditions of any one genre.
 
Roxie Watson is comprised of Beth Wheeler on mandolin, Lenny Lasater on bass guitar, Linda Bolley on acoustic and electric guitar, Sonia Tetlow on banjo, and Becky Shaw on lap steel, button accordion, harmonica and guitar. Individually, the band members have had many years of experience performing, writing, recording, touring, and producing. They grew up all over the country and have truly incredible personal stories (which you can bet they’d be happy to tell you over a glass of sweet tea after they play you a tune out of the back of a pickup truck). Once they were all in Atlanta, though, they took a winding road, intertwining their personal stories (and band lineups) before finally forming Roxie Watson, a band that they say makes them feel at home, like they are expressing their true selves.
 
The band celebrated the release of its debut CD, True Stories, in January 2010, with two sold-out shows at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, GA. Since then they have played festivals all over the Southeast, clubs (Eddie’s Attic, Mablehouse Barnes Amphitheater, Crimson Moon and more), parades (from the Blue Ridge 4th of July parade to the Little Five Points Halloween parade), parties, and even opened up for the Indigo Girls on the first leg of their latest tour. In the fall of 2011, after waging a successful pledge campaign on kickstarter.com, Roxie Watson went back into the studio to begin work on its second album, which will be released in February 2012.
 
Roxie Watson has received hearty endorsements from everyone they’ve encountered so far: Lisa Love of Georgia Music Magazine and Georgia Music Foundation said, “When you have a group of women who are natural story-tellers, who sooth their aggressive musical chops with beautiful harmonies, temper their rock-n-roll sensibilities with an understanding of Appalachian tradition, and come off as a little bit Keith Richards, a little bit Bill Monroe, you get Roxie Watson.”
 
Eddie Owen from legendary Decatur establishment Eddie’s Attic said they “play and sing like wily, crafty veterans and harmonize like the angels.” Sarah Auman from Blue Ridge said of the band that they “turned Blue Ridge on its ear at our annual 4th of July parade. Talk about fun, family, and down-home goodness!”
 
Perhaps the most all-encompassing description of Roxie Watson came from the Huffington Post: “These women are more than proficient as musicians, have a warm way with a story, and a natural stage banter that comes from a long history of friendship and community. The stage morphs into a back porch, with the audience becoming honored guests in an intimate setting that is a heck of a lot of fun, heartwarming, and heart-rending when it needs to be.”

Wah!
Sun, March 11, 6 pm
Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door

For further information contact Annie Harpe: 423-517-0875

• Before “yoga” was a household word, Wah! was creating music that set the scene for what was to become a new genre of music. Wah! became a sensation in the yoga world with her spiritual, Eastern-tinged sound. She developed a large and dedicated following both in and outside the yoga community after more than ten years of touring, recording, and releasing records. Wah! draws from both current trends and ancient traditions; her music is infused with pop, reggae and Indian folk melodies. If you’ve taken a yoga class in the last five years, you have no doubt heard Wah! and her unique, sultry voice. Wah! began her world music journey when she took a college course on raga: melodic modes used for Indian classical chant. This led to her exploration of classical, world, jazz and reggae music as well as the performing arts. Wah! tours and teaches internationally and her music is sold throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Australia. Her acclaimed solo albums include Love Holding Love and Savasana.
  
  "Wah! just might be a devi. She sings with the voice of a goddess reflecting the deep devotion and reverence of a seasoned bhakta." -Australian Yoga Life magazine

• 

Flying Fingers Productions Presents

Acoustic Blues Guitar Mastery:
Paul Geremia & Lon Eldridge
SAT, Mar 17 @ 8 pm
$10 adv/$12 door

An authority who demands anonymity tells me Paul Geremia is the best there is as an acoustic blues guitarist, though his fame has never reached the level of his skill. Listen closely, and you'll hear the very best of the generation that learned at the fingers of the originators. These chances get ever more rare!

For those who have complained that we don't feature enough blues, this show should satisfy some appetites. Paul was referred to us by none other than Norman Blake. An enduring road warrior, he has been playing superfine acoustic blues since the sixties. He worked as opening act for some of the early blues "legends" thereby gaining an immeasurable depth of knowledge from people like Babe Stovall, Yank Rachel, Son House, Skip James, Howlin' Wolf, and many others, especially Pink Anderson whose career he helped revitalize. John Hammond says he'd drive a thousand miles to see Paul play ... enough said!

"Paul Geremia is a true artist and historian of our past musical heritage. He is one of the few living links. Whether he likes it or not, he is now the bearer of the torch!"

"Like most of the traditional blues players who have been devoted to this music over many decades, Geremia is a cultural treasure, a walking blues encyclopedia. When it comes of preserving traditions of Skip James, Blind Blake and all those guys, the Red House Records artist is a pillar of the heritage. When it comes to new blues in the old tradition, his rank with the best. A Paul Geremia show is an evening well spent. Here is an artist of the first degree, deserving of more recognition and respect." The Country Blues

Paul plays Tootie Blues

And if you haven't heard Soddy Daisy's Lon Eldridge, you sure as hell need to! A remarkably mature player, singer and performer, Lon held down the show last year as Paul's vehicle's blues delayed his arrival. And his first CD is a beauty!

Flying Fingers Productions Presents

Gypsy Jazz with Stepahne Wrembel
THURS, Mar 22 @ 7:30 pm
$12 adv/$15 door

We've had numerous requests to include gypsy jazz in our Jazz At Barking Legs series, and this should be a gem. Stephane Wrembel is a superb French guitarist whose star is very much rising due to his participation in the soundtrack for Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris. Stephane's Djangoesque tune, "Bistro Fada," is the films recurring theme, and his playing has been mistaken for Django himself.

Stephane has recorded with David Grisman and Mark O'Connor. He has headlined at Lincoln Center.

By the time Stephane plays Barking Legs, he may be an Oscar winner! And we'll triple the ticket price!

"A revelation on guitar" Rolling Stone

Stephane's Website

"Bistro Fada" from Midnight in Paris

Flying Fingers Productions and the Shaking Ray Levi Society Present

An Evening with Jack Wright
SAT, Mar 24 @ 8 pm
$10 adv/$12 door
$8 under 25 at the door

It has been about 15 years since alto sax titan Jack Wright has been to Chattanooga. We know he's cooking up something special to mark his return. Guest musicians shall be announced. Save the date!

"Raw, visceral, urgent, his music demands to be heard." The Wire

"The saxophonist Jack Wright remains the most indispensable musician of his generation. A true catalyst of energy, indefatigable explorer, conjurer of white magic in a music inspired by black, he is still the reference par excellence for all the generations who have followed." Jazzosphere no. 19

"In the rarefied, underground world of experimental free improvisation,saxophonist Jack Wright is king...Despite its difficulties, Wright’s music remains human and exciting because it is clear and true." Washington Post

Jack's Website

Flying Fingers Productions and the Shaking Ray Levi Society Present

Trevor Dunn's Endangered Blood
THURS, Apr 5 @ 8 pm
$12 adv/$15 door
$8 under 25 at the door

Trevor Dunn first became widely known as a founding member of Mr. Bungle, with Mike Patton and Trey Spruance. An accomplished bassist and composer, Trevor has collaborated widely since Bungle's breakup in 2001, notably with Patton, John Zorn and Jenny Scheinman. His Trio Convulsant has been profoundly influential. Endangered Blood unites him with some of the top players pushing jazz and rock into the 21st century.

"Endangered Blood formed in 2008, to play a benefit concert to help pay for fellow musician Andrew D'Angelo's medical bills. For the performance, drummer Jim Black and bassist Trevor Dunn—two of the saxophonist's band mates—enlisted saxophonists Chris Speed and Oscar Noriega. As happens so often in modern groups, familiar players in different combination produce compelling results.

"Black and Speed are both veterans of Tim Berne's vanguard band, Bloodcount, as well as Human Feel, Pachora, Yeah No and Alas No Axis. Dunn has been a member of Mr. Bungle and bands led by John Zorn, while Noriega is one of Berne's latest finds, and a longtime collaborator with Satoko Fujii." All About Jazz

"Amid a young crowd of beards and vintage wear more commonly seen at an indie rock show, you could feel hints of change in the air, the sort of change that shifts ideas of how jazz sounds and what a jazz club looks like. A little new blood can go a long way." LA Times concert review

"This project deserves attention from jazz fans of every stripe... Endangered Blood is as enamored with tradition as it is with moving it forward." LA Times album review

Endangered Blood live in Holland

Trevor Dunn's Website

Flying Fingers Productions Presents

Colonel Bruce Hampton & Two Mama
WED, Apr 18 @ 8 pm
$12 adv/$15 door
$8 under 25 at the door

We've cooked up a very special show as part of the HATCH fest. Legendary rocker Colonel Bruce will be joined by the always entertaining Dennis Palmer on synthesizer and Davey Williams on electric guitar. The Colonel's esteemed musical history dates back to the Hampton Grease Band-- who opened for Zappa at the Fillmore in 1971 (and stole the show)-- on to the primo jam band, Aquarium Rescue Unit. Dennis-- half of the Shaking Ray Levis-- does Chattanooga proud with performances the world over. Some very critical folk in NYC regard Davey as "the greatest electric guitar player in the world"... for real! You truly never know what to expect when these guys get together, but you know it will be unforgettable!

Flying Fingers Productions Presents

An Evening with Pierre Bensusan
THURS, May 17 @ 8 pm
$15 adv/$18 door

We are extremely fortunate to be able to showcase Pierre Bensusan at Barking Legs, for Pierre is truly one of the world's most beloved and respected musicians on any instrument, in any genre. Pierre is an icon to guitarists the world over, so prepare to fight your way past them to get a seat!

"Pierre’s music gives me the shakes. No other guitarist shares his strange gifts of sophistication, accessibility and downright joy. Even at its most complex, Pierre’s music only needs ears to be enjoyed."
Leo Kottke

"Listening to Pierre Bensusan is rejuvenating. Beside his extraordinary touch and tone, the notes and melody appeal directly to the tender side of our human nature."
Steve Vai

"One of the truly gifted musicians of our time - he plays the guitar as if it were the very soul of himself."
George Winston

Pierre's Website