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Levitt AMP Chattanooga Music Series Returns: Free Live Music on the Bessie Smith Cultural Center Lawn

Levitt AMP Chattanooga Music Series Returns for Year Two!
The Levitt AMP Chattanooga Music Series is back, bringing ten weeks of free live music to the lawn of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in Chattanooga's historic Martin Luther King Jr. district. This series celebrates the area's rich musical heritage and establishes it as a vibrant cultural hub. Enjoy local, regional, and national talent from August 23 to October 25, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

What is the Levitt AMP Music Series?
The Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant program, funded by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, is a national initiative that promotes community building through free live music. Tailored for small to mid-sized cities, it has awarded $1 million to 25 communities since 2015, fostering connections and revitalizing public spaces nationwide.

Key Details of the Levitt AMP Grant

  • Awards up to 15 U.S. nonprofits in towns/cities up to 400,000 population.
  • Provides $25K in matching funds for at least 10 free outdoor concerts over 10-12 weeks.
  • Features diverse, high-caliber entertainment aligned with Levitt's venue standards.

Goals of the Levitt AMP Grant

  • Boost community pride and showcase unique city identity.
  • Enrich lives via accessible free music.
  • Highlight the value of lively public spaces.


Levitt AMP Chattanooga Music Series Returns: Free Live Music on the Bessie Smith Cultural Center LawnHow Chattanooga Secured the Grant
A coalition of partners—Jazzanooga, Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, Bessie Smith Cultural Center, Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the City of Chattanooga’s Office of Multicultural Affairs—applied for this competitive grant.

  • October 2016: Submitted application.
  • November 2016: Community voted online among 53 cities; Chattanooga ranked in top 25 via grassroots efforts.
  • Nov 21-Dec 31, 2016: Finalist review by Levitt Foundation.
  • January 2017: Selected as one of 15 grantees for the 2017 series (and renewed for 2018).


Local foundations Benwood and Lyndhurst provided matching funds and enhancements.

Why the Bessie Smith Cultural Center Lawn?
Levitt AMP Chattanooga Music Series Returns: Free Live Music on the Bessie Smith Cultural Center LawnNestled in downtown Chattanooga, the center bridges the MLK neighborhood—once the 'Big Nine' music hub for African American communities—and the business district. This series revives its legacy while drawing visitors via ample parking, bus access, and bike shares. Expect live music, cultural discovery, and neighborhood revitalization.

What to Expect at Levitt AMP Chattanooga

  • Free concerts spanning genres with top local, regional, and national acts.
  • Picnic-friendly vibe—bring blankets and chairs.
  • Inclusive for all ages and backgrounds.
  • Food vendors and beverages available for purchase.


Artist Lineup
A diverse mix of genres tied to Big Nine heritage, featuring local to national talent. View the full lineup here.

Stay Informed
Check the schedule at concerts.levittamp.org/chattanooga and subscribe to Jazzanooga's newsletter.

The series is supported by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, transforming public spaces with free music. In 2018, over 450 concerts occurred in 22 cities. Learn more at levitt.org.

#MusicMoves

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