Variety of Entertainment Offered in Region

NIGHTLIFE

BRISTOL VFW: Bristol, West State Street between 16th and 17th Streets. July 9, 8 p.m., Gary Johnson. www.bristolvfw.org or (423) 764-0381.

THE BUSPIT: Kingsport, 240 E. Main St. July 10, 9 p.m., 6 Day Bender, free; July 11, 9 p.m., Connor Christian & Southern Gothic, free. www.thebuspit.com or (423) 578-2336.

CAPONE’S: Johnson City, 227 E. Main St. July 10, 10 p.m., The Threetles. www.caponesjc.com or (423) 928-2295.

DOWN HOME: Johnson City, 300 W. Main St. July 17, 9 p.m., Robin and Linda Williams, $18. www.downhome.com or (423) 929-9822.

DOWNTOWN CENTER: Bristol, 810 State St. July 9, 7 p.m., Honky Tonk Heroes; July 14, 7 p.m., Music Memories. (423) 764-4171.

5 O’CLOCK BAR: Glade Spring, 35025 Brittany Lee Drive, off I-81 Exit 29. July 10-11, 8 p.m., Blue Velvet. (276) 429-2275.

GAGES RESTAURANT: Abingdon, 309 Falls Dr. July 10, 7 p.m., Townbranch Bluegrass, $5. (276) 479-2627.

THE HIDEAWAY: Johnson City, 235 E. Main St. July 10, 10 p.m., Ivan The Terribles; July 11, 10 p.m., The Nerve Scheme, Parasite Diet, and Jasper the Colossal; July 12, 10 p.m., Hulk Smash. (423) 926-3896.

O’MAINNIN’S: Bristol, 712 State St. July 9, 10 p.m., Ryan Ward; July 10, 10 p.m., Annie Robinette Band; July 11, 10 p.m., Tarnished; July 15, 10 p.m., Ducktape Phonebook. www.myspace.com/omainninspub or (423) 844-0049.

ROCK-N-HORSE II BAR & GRILL: Bristol, 3080 W. State St. July 10-11, Shane Thomas. www.myspace.com/rocknhorse2 or (423) 844-0400.

CIVIC CENTERS

FREEDOM HALL: Johnson City. July 17, 7:30 p.m., Cross The Line TNA Live Wrestling, $24.50-$54.50. (423) 461-4884.

NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: Greeneville. July 9, 7 p.m., Abraham Lincoln World Film Premiere, $12-$45; July 31, 7:30 p.m., Kevin Johnson (ventriloquist), $8-$22.50. (423) 638-1679.

THOMPSON-BOLING ARENA: Knoxville. Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m., Keith Urban and Sugarland, $20-$74.50. (865) 656-4444.

TIME WARNER CABLE ARENA: Charlotte. Aug. 21, 7 p.m., Jonas Brothers, $29.50-$89.50. (704) 688-9000.

CONCERTS

PICKIN’ PORCH: Bristol, Va., Bristol Mall, July 9, Dry Fork and Gospel Mountain Air, 7 p.m. (276) 645-0035, www.pickinporch.org.

DOWNTOWN CENTER MUSIC SERIES: Bristol, Tuesdays, 7 p.m., through September, Bluegrass first and third weeks/Nostalgia remainder of Tuesdays; Thursdays, Hot Southern Nights.

MUSIC IN THE PARK: Marion, Hungry Mother State Park, Gazebo behind The Restaurant, July 10, Supper Break featuring Jeff Campbell, 8-9 p.m. Concert and parking, free. hminterpreter@dcr.virginia.gov.

TOONS AT NOON: Paramount Center For the Arts, July 10, Pianist, Jonathan Knight. Suggested $5 donation. (423) 274-8920.

MUSIC/MOVIES IN PARK: Bristol, Va., Cumberland Square Park, July 9, Kids our Age, 6:30 p.m. with movie, Tales of Despereaux to follow. Bring lawn chair or blanket. Free, however, non-perishable foods for the Second Harvest food drive will be collected.

MUSIC ON THE SQUARE: Jonesborough, July 10, Mountain, bluegrass and country music with Shannon Whitworth, 7 p.m. (423) 753-1010 or www.musiconthesquare.com.

WHITE’S MILL: Abingdon, July 11, Bluegrass and Barbecue, 6-9 p.m. $8 BBQ dinner and music or just music, $2. Bill McCall and Friends - Jan Benschop and other local musicians will be performing. The Muffin Man from Abingdon will be selling desserts. Bring a chair. (276) 628-2960.

PRAISIN’ LOUD IN THE PARK: Galax, Felts Park, July 19, Decemberadio plus local bands starting at 4 p.m., free. (276) 233-2567

IT’S GREAT ON STATE MUSIC SERIES: Bristol, State St., Downtown Center, July 31, Christabel and the Jons, The New Familiars, 7 p.m.

FILM

HARRY POTTER PARTY/MOVIE: Harlan, Ky., Harlan Center, July 14, party to celebrate the opening of the movie, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, 6-10 p.m. Events include professional magician, Joseph Young, activity booths, costume contest, scavenger hunt, prizes, and lots more. $5 each (extra $2 fee if you are dressed like a Muggle) under age witches and wizards must be accompanied by an adult. (606) 573-4586 or e-mail teesee_ky@yahoo.com.

MOVIES: Bristol, Va., Bristol Public Library, 701 Goode St., J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room, 1 p.m.; July 18, Eight Below, PG; Aug. 8, Ice Age, PG; popcorn provided; register your family or group at (276) 821-6148.

MOVIE: Abingdon Market Pavilion, July 11, Wizard of Oz, beginning at dusk. (8:30 p.m.) $2 donation suggested. Rain or shine. Bring lawn chair or blanket. Popcorn and drinks available. (276) 698-5667.

FESTIVAL

BLUES FESTIVAL CONCERT: Galax, Milepost 213 on Blue Ridge Parkway, Blue Ridge Music Center, July 11, Concert features Rick Franklin, Phil Wiggans, Nat Reese and local stringband Buck Mountain Band, 7-9 p.m. $10/children 12 and under free. Advance tickets at www.blueridgemusiccenter.org or (276) 236-5309.

ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL: Marion, Hungry Mother State Park, July 17, 18, 19 with hand-crafted wares, arts, history, entertainment, music and lots more. (276) 781-7400.

DOWNTOWN DAYS: Marion, downtown, July 17-18; Friday, 6-11:30 p.m., Downtown Chili Championship, classic and antique vehicles, street dance with Phantom; Saturday, World’s Largest Yard Sale, Great Maroon Downtown Cornhole Championship, live music from 6-10 p.m.; free weekend shuttle service to Hungry Mother Park; (276) 783-4190.

THEATER

WOHLFAHRT HAUS DINNER THEATRE: Wytheville, Va., 170 Malin Drive, through Aug. 23, Golden Oldies, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, dinner 6 p.m./show, 8 p.m. Sunday matinee: Lunch 1 p.m./show 3 p.m. (276) 223-0891, (888) 950-3382 or whboxoffice@ntelos.net.

LAMPLIGHT THEATRE: Fall Branch, Tenn.,
July 10-11. United We Stand, a high-spirited, patriotic tribute to the liberty of our great nation for all ages with Billy Wayne and cast of musicians and dancers. 7 p.m. each evening with matinee, July 11, 2 p.m. $8 adults/$5 students, 6 years and under free. All veterans and military personnel free. Reservations suggested. (423) 348-7610 or www.lamplighttheatre.com.

BARTER THEATRE: Abingdon, Barter Theatre, through Aug. 9, The Wizard of Oz; through Aug. 8, Showtime at First Baptist; Stage II, through Aug. 8, The Fantasticks; through July 26, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks. (276) 628-3991.

BLUE MOON DINNER THEATRE: Johnson City, 215 E. Main St., through Aug. 22, On Golden Pond, Fridays and Saturdays, meal at 6 p.m., show at 8 p.m., some Sunday matinees, 1-3 p.m.; (423) 232-1350 or www.bluemoondinnertheatre.com.

JONESBOROUGH REPERTORY THEATRE: Jonesborough, Tenn., 125 1/2 West Main St., July 11, 8 p.m.; July 12, 2 p.m., Twelfth Night. $12 general admission/$10 students and seniors (65+) (423) 753-1010 or www.jonesboroughtheatre.com.

OUTDOOR DRAMAS

LITTLE SHEPHERD AMPHITHEATER: Jenkins, Ky., off Highway 23, The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come, July 11, 18, 25; Aug. 1, 15, 22, 29; Sept. 5; $11 adults, $9 senior citizens, $7 ages 7-16, children under 6 free; (606) 832-1453.

SYCAMORE SHOALS STATE HISTORIC AREA: Elizabethton, 1651 W. Elk Ave., July 9-11, 16-19 and 23-25, Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals, 7:30 p.m. nightly. (423) 543-5808, www.liberty-drama.com or www.sycamoreshoalstn.org.

STORYTELLING

STORYTELLING TOURS: Jonesborough, May-Oct, Legends, Whispers and Mysteries Tour last Thursday of each month with stories and unusual happenings of Jonesborough’s past and present on these ghostly tours. (423) 753-9882 or positiveSTS@aol.com.

GRAVEYARD TALES: Piney Flats, 200 Hyder Hill Road, Rocky Mount Museum, July 11, Rocky Mount Museum will join performing members of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild, 8 p.m. Ghost stories. $5 adults/$3 students. Some stories may not be suitable for children under age six. (423) 538-7396.

APPALACHIAN GHOSTWALKS: Through July 31, Revolutionary and Civil War eras of our regions past, Red, White and Boo! Haunted Vacation Ghost and History Tours. Several to choose from. (423) 743-WALK (9255) or www.AppalachianGhostWalks.com.

MUSIC/DANCE

ABINGDON COFFEEHOUSE JAM: 300 Senior Drive, Abingdon Senior Center/Virginia Ballroom, July 9, musicians come any time after 5 p.m.; stage performance begins 7 p.m. featuring a variety of acoustic music. Casual wear; refreshments available; no alcohol. Donations accepted at door, and go toward supporting all programs at the senior center. (276) 628-5859.

ALLISON GAP JAMBOREE: Saltville, Allison Gap Old School House, Friday nights, 6-10 p.m., bluegrass, gospel, mountain and country music. (276) 496-7490.

BLUEGRASS JAM AT THE KOA: Wytheville, Va., 231 KOA Road, Exit 77, music and dancing Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. (276) 228-2601.

BUFFALO RURITAN CLUB: Bluff City, corner of Beaver Creek Road and Buffalo Road, July 11, Bulls Eye, 7:30 -10:30 p.m. $5. Jackie Davis, (423) 306-5770, (423) 247-9075.

CARTER FOLD: Hiltons, July 11, Dollar Brothers, 7:30 p.m. $7 adults/$1 children, 6-11/free under 6. (276) 645-0035, www.carterfamilyfold.org.

CHILHOWIE LIONS CLUB: Smyth County, July 10, Southern Grace, 7:30-10:30 p.m. $5. (276) 646-8566.

COUNTRY CABIN II: Norton, Alt. Rt. 58; July 11, East Ky Tyme, 7:30-10:30 p.m.; $5 adults/$1 for children 2 through 11. Guitar lessons, 5:30-6:30 p.m., $35, bring own guitar, Reece Boyd, (276) 679-5417; Jam session each Tuesday, 7 p.m. (276) 679-3541.

EASTMAN SQUARE AND ROUND DANCE CLUB: Kingsport, Eastman Lodge, Bays Mountain. Evening dances second, fourth Saturdays. (423) 229-3771.

ELKS CLUB: Elizabethton, 1000 N. Sycamore St., July 10, senior citizens dance with Ramblin’ Rose. (423) 538-8568.

FAMILY BLUEGRASS: Hansonville, July 10, Jr’s Classic Country; July 11, Bluegrass Travelers, Dixie River Band, 7:30-10:30 p.m. $4/children under 12-free. (276) 794-9067.

HILL KARAOKE CLUB: Rose Hill, Va., Karaoke every Wednesday and Saturday, 6 p.m. $2 donation.

HORSE CREEK GOSPEL MUSIC BARN: Greene County, Tenn., 657 Broyles Road, off Hwy. 107, July 11, Closed for vacation. (423) 639-2322 or www.horsecreekgospelbarn.com.

IRON HORSE CAMPGROUND: Damascus, 30460 Blossom Road, Hwy. 58, July 11, Pool Hall Country, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Dance lessons Saturday, 5:30 p.m. (276) 475-6008.

JOHNSON CITY SENIORS’ CENTER: 607-609 Myrtle Ave. Line dance lessons. (423) 434-6237.

LAY’S HARDWARE CENTER FOR THE ARTS: Coeburn, Va., 409 Front St., July 10, Rich & The Po Folk, 7:30-10:30 p.m., $5 adults/$1 children 6-12/under 6 free; Thursday jam sessions, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, live bluegrass, 7:30-10:30 $5 adults/$1 children 6-12/under 6 free. (276) 395-5160, (276) 395-3323; info@layshardware.com, lmays@townofcoeburn.com or www.layshardware.com.

MS. GERTA’S: Wytheville, East Lee Highway off Exit 77 on I-81. Tuesdays, bluegrass jam, 6:30 p.m. Donations. (276) 617-1166.

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE SHAG SOCIETY: Johnson City, Holiday Inn Lounge, S. Roan St., Monday, 7 p.m., Carolina Shag free basic lesson. Carl Edwards, (423) 878-5877 or Larry Calhoun, (423) 239-5906.

OUTDOORSMEN BUILDING: Kingsport, 4535 Kingsport Hwy.11-W, July 10, David O’Roark and Southern Countrymen Band, 7:30-10:30 p.m. $5 adults/$1 children. (423) 913-3205.

TACOMA COMMUNITY CENTER: Tacoma, Va., 4408 Stone Mountain Road, July 11, Duty Twins, 7:30-10:30 p.m.; house band, The Peters Brothers. $5 adults/$1 children 6-12/under 6 free. (276) 679-1164.

AUDITIONS

MUSICIANS, SINGERS NEEDED: Virginia’s College at Wise Division of Music or UVa-Wise Concert Band and UVa-Wise Chamber Choir; musicians contact Richard Galyean, (276) 328-0235, rdy3y@uvawise.edu; singers, contact David Volk, 328-0271, dpv4a@uvawise.edu.

HILLS ARE ALIVE CHORUS: Of Sweet Adelines International, actively seeking new members; women who sing four-part harmony invited any Tuesday, 7 p.m., Blountville, Factory Stores of America, 3564 Shadowtown Road, Suite 247, I-81 at Exit 66. Lauri Matheson, (423) 646-2176, Jeanie Monhollen, (276) 628-8817.

FIFE AND DRUM CORPS: Elizabethton, 1651 W. Elk Ave., Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, each Saturday, 11 a.m. Experienced fife players and drummers and anyone musically inclined for ages 12 and up needed to revive Betsy Towne Fife & Drum Corps. (423) 543-5808.

******EMPIRE CALENDAR*******

JULY 9, 2009

EXHIBITS

SWVCC BOOTH CENTER ART GALLERY: Grundy, through Sept. 1, exhibit, Susan Cook: Variety is the Spice of Life features oil and acrylic paintings with subjects ranging from people, animals and flowers, to seascapes, landscapes and more. (276) 964-7558 or eddie.hannah@sw.edu.

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA MUSEUM HISTORICAL STATE PARK: Big Stone Gap, through Oct. 15 exhibits, Pioneers in Education: Early African American Schools, examines the evolution of African-American schools in Wise County; For Love of Money displays coins and paper notes from around the world. (276) 523-1322 or www.swvamuseum.org.

SWCC APPALACHIAN ART CENTER: Archie Helton Store, Rt. 19, Claypool Hill, through Sept. 5. Mountain Harmonies, exhibit of oil paintings by Bonnie Mason; July 10, reception, 4:30-7 p.m. Center hours: Tuesday-Saturday, noon to 5:30 p.m. (276) 596-9188 or email appartsinfo@sw.edu.

WILDFLOUR BAKERY & RESTAURANT: Abingdon, Art of the Highlands Fine Arts Group will exhibit Endangered Species featuring examples of animal and environmental features currently in need of preservation.

HANDS ON MUSEUM: Johnson City, 315 E. Main St., July Art Studio, design an ice cream cone; Degas’ favorite things; inspiration art; Amazing Me exhibit; summer camps; Golf classic at Johnson City Country Club; Wacky Sports Day; Kids Like You & Me ‘Exhibit. (423) 434-HAND. Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.

CHARLES HARRIS LIBRARY GALLERY: Wise, through July 31, Learning Curve, a joint exhibition with artist Michael F. Morris and his high school art students. www.charlesharrisgallery.org.

APPALACHIAN SPIRIT GALLERY: Marion, 144 W. main St., July 10, Friday Art Walk, 5 p.m. with an opening and artist reception for Kyle Buckland, plein air landscape painter. Pickin’ on the Porch starts 6 p.m. with Fescue. Gallery open Monday-Thursday noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment or whim. www.appalachianspiritgallery.com or (276) 759-3890.

ARTS DEPOT: Abingdon, Exhibits Gallery, through July 11, Photographs of the Mountain Empire, an exhibition of photographs by members of the Highlands Camera Club; Members Gallery, through July 17, exhibits by David Alexander, Maggie Brillhart, Lyndall Mason and Connie Bundy; through July 17, works by Elizabeth Johns, New Paintings; through Dec. 1, Time Travelers program. Gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday or by appointment. (276) 628-9091, e-mail: abingdonartsdepot@abingdon.-com or visit www.abingdon-artsdepot.org.

MUSEUM OF THE MIDDLE APPALACHIANS: Saltville Hall, July 12, Doug Ogle, retired professor of biology, Virginia Highlands Community College will speak on The Human and Natural History of Whitetop Mountain, Va., 2 p.m.; Folk Pottery exhibit of items made between 1820 and 1929; Also on display is Geology, the Ice Age, native Americans, Pioneer Settlement, Early Salt and Gypsum Industry, War-Between-The-States, Industrialization, Company Town Life and Wetlands. The Museum Store is open. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (276) 496-3633 or www.museum-mid-app.org.

WILLIAM KING MUSEUM: CENTER FOR ART AND CULTURAL HERITAGE: Abingdon, 415 Academy Drive, through Oct. 11, Pilars of Bohemia: Mullins, Houser, and Crookshank; through Sept. 6, John Kingerlee: A Painter’s Passage. Shop the Looking Glass Museum Store; Tours at Two; free guided tour of exhibitions, second Sunday, 2 p.m. Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday’s. Closed Mondays and some holidays. (276) 628-5005 or www.wkrac.org.

NYUMBA YA TAUSI-PEACOCK MUSEUM: Bristol, Va., 412 Clinton Ave. Two permanent exhibits: African artifacts, handmade toys, musical instruments, jewelry, etc.; African American collectibles, black memorabilia, i.e., dolls, quilts, photos, etc. $5 adults/$3 for children under 12. Museum hours: 1-5 p.m. Saturday and weekdays by appointment. W. Banks, (276) 669-4596.

STAR MUSEUM: Abingdon, 170 E. Main St., through Aug. 9, All About Oz, The exhibition will combine the Weisfeld College w/Oz ephemera from the collections of Dr. Alan Pickrell and Dr. Jay Lavigne; July 27, 7:30 p.m. VHF program, “All About ‘All About Oz,’” $5. Museum open Wednesday-Saturday, 1-7 p.m., Sunday, 1-5 p.m. (276) 628-2962 or stareva@bvunet.net.

ETC.

DAY QUEST: Elizabethton, Doe River Gorge, on select Saturdays through Sept. 26, a day of various activities from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. $16 per person/children 7 and under free when accompanied by a parent. Horseback riding and paintballing are extra. To register or more info, (423) 725-4010 or www.doerivergorge.com.

WINGS & WHEELS: Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Airport, Lee Highway, July 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; vintage aircraft and auto show includes classic cars, planes, helicopters, SWAT and military vehicles and more; food, drink vendors available; $5, children 12 and under free; gate proceeds benefit Kiwanis Children’s programs; (276) 628-3732 or (276) 224-9510.

THE GALLERY @ BARR PHOTOGRAPHICS: Abingdon, 152 E. Main St., Call for artists for the 2009 exhibition schedule. Contact Dean at thegallery.barrphotographics@embarqmail.com or (276) 628-1486.

INVITATION TO LOCAL ARTISANS: Clintwood, Ralph Stanley Museum & Traditional Mountain Music Center invites artisans to submit their work for sales consideration in the museum gift shop. Committee will evaluate submissions, provide response within two weeks based on available space and specific needs of the shop; Aaron Davis or Pam Morris, (276) 926-8550.

CALL FOR ARTISTS: The Art Place of Chilhowie offering space for studios, gallery shop, classroom for artists, craftspeople in Smyth County, neighboring communities. (276) 496-3734.

ART ENTRIES ACCEPTED: Abingdon, William King Regional Arts Center, entries for From These Hills: Contemporary Art in the Southern Appalachian Highlands. Artists are asked to submit images via CD-Rom or slide of up to six works by Aug. 3. (276) 628-3922 or e-mail, ajustice@wkrac.org.

Calendar is a public service of the Bristol Herald Courier. Submission deadline is Monday at noon for the items scheduled during the upcoming week. Notices may be addressed to Bristol Herald Courier Calendar, P.O. Box 609, Bristol, VA 24203; faxed to (276) 669-3696 or emailed to mdutton@bristolnews.com.