elecTriCity and Empire Calendars Offer Entertainment Choices

NIGHTLIFE

BRISTOL VFW: Bristol, West State Street between 16th and 17th Streets. July 30, 8 p.m., The Sean McCurry Band. www.bristolvfw.org or (423) 764-0381.

THE BUSPIT: Kingsport, 240 E. Main St. July 30, 9:30 p.m., Northfork Switchgrass (newgrass), free; July 31, 8 p.m., Holy Ghost Tent Revival (roots music), free; Aug. 5, 9:30 p.m., Underhill Rose (blues/soul), $5. www.thebuspit.com or (423) 578-2336.

CAPONE’S: Johnson City, 227 E. Main St. July 31, 10 p.m., Morning Misery and Mindset; Aug. 1, 10 p.m., Whiskey Bent. www.caponesjc.com or (423) 928-2295.

DOWN HOME: Johnson City, 300 W. Main St. July 31, 9 p.m., Rob Ickes and Robinella (bluegrass), $16; Aug. 1, 9 p.m., Michelle Malone, $15. www.downhome.com or (423) 929-9822.

DOWNTOWN CENTER: Bristol, 810 State St. July 30, 7 p.m., The Jones Boys Band (party band); Aug. 4, 7 p.m., Sapling Grove (bluegrass). (423) 764-4171.

GAGES RESTAURANT: Abingdon, 309 Falls Dr. July 31, 7 p.m., Kopper Kanyon Band. (276) 479-2627.

THE HIDEAWAY: Johnson City, 235 E. Main St. July 31, 8 p.m., Plainclothes Tracy, Dana and the Robots, and The Afterwhiles; Aug. 1, 10 p.m., The Business Machines. (423) 926-3896.

O’MAINNIN’S: Bristol, 712 State St. July 30, 10 p.m., Ryan Ward; July 31, 10 p.m., The New Familiars and Christabel and the Jons; Aug. 1, 10 p.m., 10,000 Flames. www.myspace.com/omainninspub or (423) 844-0049.

ROCK-N-HORSE II BAR & GRILL: Bristol, 3080 W. State St. July 31-Aug. 1, Crystal Morrisett and the Halsey Taylor Band. www.myspace.com/rocknhorse2 or (423) 844
0400.

CIVIC CENTERS

FREEDOM HALL: Johnson City. Aug. 7, 5 p.m. and Aug. 8, 10 a.m., Umoja Unity Festival, free; Sept. 19, 6 p.m., Gaither Vocal Band, $34-$46. (423) 461-4884.

NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: Greeneville. July 31, 7:30 p.m., Kevin Johnson (ventriloquist), $8-$22.50; Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m., Percy Sledge, $10-$27.50. (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. 1, 7 p.m., American Idols Live, $39.50-$68.50; Aug. 21, 7 p.m., Jonas Brothers, $29.50-$89.50; Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m., Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler, $22-$51.50. (704) 688-9000.

VIKING HALL: Bristol. Sept. 5, 7 p.m., Caged Chaos (mixed martial arts), $17-$47; Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m., Jeremy Camp, $19-$28; Oct. 10, WWE Smackdown and ECW Live (wrestling), $15-$60. (423) 764-0188.
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CONCERTS

PICKIN’ PORCH: Bristol, Va., Bristol Mall, July 30, Ronnie Williams, Lorrie Carter Bennett & Kathy Louvin, 7 p.m. (276) 645-0035, www.pickinporch.org.

MUSIC/MOVIES IN PARK: Bristol, Va., Cumberland Square Park, July 30, David O’Roark & the Countrymen, 6:30 p.m. with movie, The Wizard of Oz. Bring lawn chair or blanket. Free, however, non-perishable foods for the Second Harvest food drive will be collected.

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 31, Night Crossing, 8-9 p.m. Concert and parking, free. hminterpreter@dcr.virginia.gov.

PARAMOUNT CENTER FOR THE ARTS: Bristol, July 30, Bristol, Va. Senior Show Choir presents Listen to the Music, 7 p.m. $5 donation. (276) 466-2311.

TOONS AT NOON: Paramount Center For the Arts, July 31, Music and Comedy by Senior Show Choir. Suggested $5 donation. (423) 274-8920.

LUNCH ON THE LAWN: Big Stone Gap, Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park, July 31, the Peters Brothers and Lee County Grass, 12-1 p.m. Box lunch, $5 with orders received by 9:30 a.m. on day of program. (276) 523-1322.

BLUE RIDGE MUSIC CENTER: Galax, Va., Milepost 213 on Blue Ridge Parkway, 700 Foothills Road, Aug. 1, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder with Scott Freeman & Friends, 7 p.m., $20; children 12 and under, free. (276) 236-5309 or Erynn@blueridgemusiccenter.org.

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

MUSIC ON THE LAWN: Independence, Va., Davis-Bourne Inn, Aug. 1, Laura Lane Osborne will perform Operatic arias and selections from Broadway, 6-8:30 p.m. (276) 773-9384, davisbourneinn@earthlink.net or www.davisbourneinn.com.

MUSIC ON THE SQUARE: Jonesborough, Tenn., Courthouse Square, July 31, Overdrive Bluegrass Band, 7 p.m. (423) 753-1010 or musiconthesquare.com.

FILM

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

MOVIES OFF MAIN: Abingdon, Remsburg Drive, Market Pavilion, Aug. 8, Night at the Museum. $2 per person. Bring lawn chair and blanket. (276) 676-2282 or (276) 698-5667.

FESTIVAL

VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS FESTIVAL: Abingdon, through Aug. 9, arts & crafts, entertainment, antiques, meet the author booth, food, exhibits, demonstrations, Aug. 6, 6-9 p.m. Trolley Tour of the Arts Gallery Hop, etc. www.vahighlandsfestival.org.

GOSPEL BLUEGRASS AND BBQ FESTIVAL: Bristol, Va., Victory Baptist Church, (under tent) Aug. 1, Mountain Empire Baptist School will present 2nd annual festival, 12-6 p.m. with Barry Scott and Second Wind, Southern Accent, Keepin Tradition, Cross Point, VW Boys, food, concessions all day, etc. $10 adults/children under 12 free.

THE UMOJA/UNITY FESTIVAL: Johnson City, West Market St., Walmart Super Center, Aug. 1, with Seniors Express, Kieckey and Ganga - African drummers with Lisa Wapoh - African dancer, Friendship Praise Team, Larry “Journey” Black - spoken word/poet, Castle - Moon Bounce with basketballs and hoops for the children and lots more. (423) 232-6519.

MOUNTAIN STAGE: The Paramount Center for the Arts, Aug. 16, radio show taping of The Robert Cray Band and various performers, 7 p.m. $25. (423) 274-8920, www.theparamountcenter.com or www.e-tix.com

THEATER

LAMPLIGHT THEATRE: Fall Branch, Tenn., Aug. 1, Billy Wayne in concert, 7 p.m. Free admission. (423) 348-7610.

PALMER MILL PLAYHOUSE: Saltville, Aug. 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, Everybody Loves Opal. For reservations, (276) 496-4900.

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.

BARTER THEATRE: Abingdon, Barter Theatre, through Aug. 9, The Wizard of Oz; through Aug. 8, Showtime at First Baptist; Aug. 14-Sept. 13, Forever Plaid; Stage II, through Aug. 8, The Fantasticks. (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.

JOHNSON CITY COMMUNITY THEATRE: Johnson City, Maple and Afton Sts., July 31, Aug. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 8 p.m. and Aug. 2, 9 and 16, 2 p.m. Cheaper by the Dozen. $10 students and seniors (55-up)/$12 adults. (423) 926-2542 or www.jct.us.

LINCOLN THEATRE: Marion, Aug. 1, bluegrass concert with Karl Shiflett and his Big Country Show and Kopper Kanyon, Kickin Grass and the Scott County Boys, 7 p.m. $15. (276) 783-6093 or www.songofthemountains.org.

JONESBOROUGH REPERTORY THEATRE: Aug. 9-16, The Signal Season of Dummy Hoy by Allen Meyer & Michael Nowak. (423) 753-1010 or www.jonesboroughtheatre.com.

OUTDOOR DRAMA

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

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.

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, August through November; every Thursday night, 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, Aug. 1, Pool Hall Country, 7:30 -10:30 p.m. $5. Jackie Davis, (423) 306-5770, (423) 247-9075.

CARTER FOLD: Hiltons, July 31, Aug. 1, Carter Family Memorial Music Festival with various artists, 6 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday. $10 Friday, $20 Saturday/$25 both days; children 6-11, $2 day; under age 6 free. Tickets sold at gate only. Gates open 3 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday. (276) 645-0035, www.carterfamilyfold.org.

CHILHOWIE LIONS CLUB: Smyth County, July 31, Fast Train, 7:30-10:30 p.m. $5. (276) 646-8566.

COUNTRY CABIN II: Norton, Alt. Rt. 58; Aug. 1, Bluegrass Circle, 7:30-10:30 p.m.; $5 adults/$1 for children 2 through 11; 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., Aug. 14, senior citizens dance with Ramblin’ Rose. (423) 538-8568.

FAMILY BLUEGRASS: Hansonville, July 31, Ransom McCoy 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, Aug. 1, Connie Abner. (423) 639-2322 or www.horsecreekgospelbarn.com.

IRON HORSE CAMPGROUND: Damascus, 30460 Blossom Road, Hwy. 58, July 31, Ransom McCoy; Aug. 1, Classic Country, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Covered dish supper Friday. 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 31, East Kentucky Tyme, 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 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 31, 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, Aug. 1, Jonas Riley and the Bluegrass Messengers, 7:30-10:30 p.m.; house band, The Peters Brothers. $5 adults/$1 children 6-12/under 6 free; Reserve tickets now for Dave Evans & River Bend performance Sept. 12. (276) 679-1164.

TRI-STATE SINGLES INC.: Aug. 8, Outdoorsmen Bulding on Hwy. 11W, Aug. 8, The Band Ivy Road. $7 members;$10 guests. Bring a snack to share. (423) 276-8949, (423) 323-4486 or www.tristatesinglesinc.com.

ETC.

STORYTELLING/WORKSHOPS: Bristol Public Library, J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room, Aug. 9, 23 and Sept. 13, storytelling performances and workshop sessions by members of Beaver Creek Storytellers. 2 p.m. (276) 821-6148 or www.bristol-library.org.

ROCK THE MOUNTAINS: Southwest Virginia Community College, Dickenson Hall, Sept. 12, Battle of the Rock Bands, 1:30 p.m. Submit application along with one song on CD by Aug. 3. (276) 964-7301, (276) 964-7339 or www.sw.edu.

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.

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. 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.

BRISTOL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Virgie R. Fleenor Art Gallery, Aug. 1-31, Musical Styles Along the Crooked Road showcases the long history of picking and singing in the mountains. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays, 2-5 p.m. (276) 821-6148.

ARTS DEPOT: Abingdon, Members Gallery, 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, Folk Pottery exhibit of items made between 1820 and 1929; 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, July 31-Jan. 3, 2010, Exhibition: Buying Time: Clocks Along the Great Road, 1790-1870; opening reception July 31, members and lenders, 6-7 p.m.; open to public, 7-8 p.m.; Aug. 4, Clock Talk with Jim Coulson, 6:30 p.m. free; 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. Museum open Wednesday-Saturday, 1-7 p.m., Sunday, 1-5 p.m. (276) 628-2962 or stareva@bvunet.net.

LECTURE

MUSEUM OF THE MIDDLE APPALACHIANS: Saltville, Aug. 9, Peter Wallenstein speaking about the view of Virginia’s history as seen from Blacksburg, Saltville and Abingdon rather than as seen from Jamestown, Williamsburg or Richmond, 2 p.m. (276) 706-0450.

ETC.

ICE CREAM IN THE PARK: Bristol, Anderson Park, July 31, children’s activities, clowns, music and free ice cream 11 a.m.

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.

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.