Short Takes: A Glimpse at Upcoming Tri-Cities Entertainment

BLUE PLUM FESTIVAL

Run a race. Eat all you can eat. Stuff your ears with hours of music.

Or just sit back and soak it all in.

“It” is the Blue Plum Festival. Scheduled for June 6-7 in downtown Johnson City, this year’s events include music from such acts as Sigean, Wayne Henderson and the legendary Doc Watson on June 6, and Scott Miller and The Commonwealth along with the Subdudes on June 7.

Perhaps most interesting of all relative to music, the East Tennessee Children’s Choir will sing selections from the historic Bristol Sessions of 1927 on June 7. Music of the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers and others who recorded in Bristol will live again.

But there’s much more than music. Folks can run a 5k or walk a 4k, visit Hands On! Regional Museum for buy one get one free fare, or perhaps buy some original art.
Children aren’t overlooked at Blue Plum. Parents can look for a generous children’s area, replete with such amenities and activities as a sand box, a life-size pinball game, face painting, bean bag toss and an early afternoon beach party each day.

Visit, relax, eat, listen, run, walk, watch or whatever – got fun? Get Blue Plum.

IF YOU GO
What: Blue Plum Festival
When: June 6-7, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Downtown Johnson City
Tickets: Free
Info: www.blueplum.org
Blue Plum Officials Expect Big Crowds For This Weekends Event
http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/local/article/blue_plum_officials_expect_big_crowds_for_this_weekends_event/10263/
Blue Plum Festival June 6 & 7
http://www.tricities.com/tri/entertainment/movies/article/blue_plum_festival_june_6_7/10173/

LYING IN STATE
Appetites for entertainment whetted from the Blue Plum Festival may wish for more.

Then catch “Lying in State” at the Johnson City Community Theatre. Set to open June 6 and run through June 21, the farcical political comedy features the family and friends of a dead senator gathered in a funeral home and centered upon the man of the hour, Ed, the dead senator.

Who will fill his vacant seat? Perhaps his ex-wife or his girlfriend, a den mother and exotic dancer by the name of Buttons.
Leave it to politicians, but hair-brained schemes for transporting dead Ed’s body to a campaign fundraiser simply adds to the wackiness contained within a play best described as one heck of a hoot.

IF YOU GO
What: “Lying in State”
When: June 6-21
Where: Johnson City Community Theatre, corner of Maple and Afton Streets, Johnson City
Tickets: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students
Info: (423) 926-2542
Web: www.jcct.us

LUNCH ON THE LAWN
Ah, summer.

Each Friday at noon through June and July, folks can sink their toes in the grass and tune their ears to the music on the lawn while having a bite to eat, too.
Where? The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park in Big Stone Gap via its every Friday series Lunch on the Lawn.

Scheduled performers for June include Travis Kern on June 6; Aaron Davis on June 13; The Mountain Music Makers on June 20 and M.C. Tolbert on June 27.

Patrons may purchase box lunches with a main item, fruit, dessert, side item and a drink for $5. However, attendees are welcome to bring their own food to the otherwise free event.

IF YOU GO
What: Lunch on the Lawn
When: Each Friday at noon through June and July
Where: Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park, Big Stone Gap
Tickets: Free, $5 for box lunch
Info: (276) 523-1322
Web: www.swvamuseum.org

MUSIC NOTES/CONCERT REVIEW

ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard roamed the links of The Ridges in Johnson City last Friday. He said that he and a small contingent enjoyed their day, gave out a few pairs of tickets to ZZ Top’s show for that night and soaked in the sun.

“I had a great day of golf,” Beard said backstage after the concert. “We had a great time.”

Later that night, Beard and his buddies in ZZ Top sizzled in Freedom Hall in Johnson City. From an opening soaked-in-swagger “Gimme All Your Lovin’” to a closing three-chord-cruncher “Tush,” ZZ Top ripped through nearly 40 years of rock hewn from the blues.
Razor sharp.

About an hour before the show ZZ Top’s lead singer and guitarist Billy Gibbons roamed backstage with ease about him. He smiled, shook hands, said hello. When asked about the band’s appearance the week prior on the season finale of “American Idol” backing eventual winner David Cook, Gibbons set aside a straw sombrero.
“I thought the kid did really good,” drawled Gibbons, sans his ever-present black sunglasses, “especially considering the circumstances.”

An hour later and Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Beard burned through a loose set that included “Heard it on the X” and a rarely played “Jailhouse Rock,” which featured Hill on lead vocals.

Backstage after the show, Hill said that it was the first time ZZ Top had played the Elvis Presley classic on this tour and indeed in several years.
“It never hurts to have a little Elvis Presley in the show,” Hill said, grinning through his thick, long beard. “I’m glad you liked it.”

Everyone in packed Freedom Hall seemed to like it. Loved it. Many moons had passed since the famed little ol’ band from Texas had visited the Tri-Cities. Here’s hoping that far fewer days will pass before ZZ Top returns to rock the Mountain Empire.

Happy trails to Bo Diddley. The early rock pioneer died of heart failure on June 2 at age 79. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member was best known for songs like 1955’s “Bo Diddley” and 1956’s “Who Do You Love,” in addition to his trademark slashing guitar style.

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at features@bristolnews.com.