Summer Planner: Arts, sports, more on tap in Mountain Empire

ARTS

ARTS DEPOT: Abingdon, 314 Depot Square, May 27-Aug. 28, Highlands Camera Club exhibition, juried art shows and more. (276) 628-9091, abingdonartsdepot@abingdon.com or www.abingdonartsdepot.org.

WILLIAM KING MUSEUM ARTS PROGRAM: Abingdon, Summer art camp: World Tour 2010. Grades 1-8, Monday-Friday, from 12:30-4:30 p.m. $95/week or $90/week for members. Additional fee of $5/day child can participate in extended stay program until 5:15 p.m.; June 21-25, Central America, registration deadline June 11; June 28-July 2, Africa, deadline June 18; July 12-16, Asia, deadline July 2; July 19-23, Australia, deadline July 9; June 28-July 2, Pre-School World Tour, 10 a.m.-noon, $45/week or $40 week for members. (276) 628-5005 or www.williamkingmuseum.org.

CAMPS

DOAK HOUSE MUSEUM: Greeneville, Tenn., Tusculum College campus, May 24-27, Light, Color, Motion, an art day camp for home-school students ages 12-16; June 7-10 and June 21-24, Ready, Set, Explore! summer camp for ages 6-12. Students will learn how history shapes the society of today through a variety of hands-on activities. (423) 636-8554 or dboyd@tusculum.edu.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CAMP: Abingdon, Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center, for ages 13-17. June 15-17 and July 6-8. Camp will start at 4-H Center then relocate near Whitetop. Cook over a fire, learn about wildlife and GPS/geocoaching, etc. $90 per person (276) 676-6180.

SUMMER ARTS CAMP: Kingsport, Arts Council of Greater Kingsport, June 21-25 for first through sixth graders and half day for 4-6 year olds. (423) 392-8420.

CULINARY ARTS EXPLORATION CAMP: Bristol, Va., 100 Piedmont Ave., Southeast Culinary School and Hospitality College, July 12-23 for 14-18 year olds. Hands-on classes in a commercial kitchen, field trips and visiting chefs. Receive a chef’s uniform, lunch each day, training by certified chefs and a professional cookbook. Opportunity to earn a ServSafe Certificate and five college credit hours upon successful completion of program. $595; July 12-16, Kids Culinary Day Camp is for ages 9-14. Kitchen activities and different topics each day. Receive a chef’s jacket and hat. $180. (276) 591-5699 or www.southeastculinaryedu.

CONCERTS

THE HELPING HANDS MINISTRY/MOUNTAIN VIEW MINISTRIES: Bristol, Tenn., 127 Old Jonesboro Road, May 29, hot dog supper and a fundraiser concert by The Griffith’s from Lexington, N.C., 5:30 p.m. $7. Rev. Bobby Branch, (423) 968-7234.
BORDER BASH: Downtown Bristol, June 4, Bonepony, 7 p.m., HuDost, 8:30 p.m.; June 18, The Woes, 7 p.m., Skybox, 8:30 p.m.; July 2, The Difibulators, 7 p.m., Michelle Malone, 8:30 p.m.; July 16, Boulder Acoustic Society, 7 p.m., Shotgun Party, 8:30 p.m.; Aug. 6, live music, 7 p.m.; Aug. 27, Miss Tess, 7 p.m., The Hot Seats, 8:30 p.m.; Sept. 3, Hoots and Hellmouth, 7 p.m. Children’s activities, crafters and concessions will start 6 p.m. before performance. (423) 573-2200.

BENEFIT CONCERT: Kingsport, 474 Lakeside Dock Drive, Lakeview Marina & Marker 2 Grille, June 12, 7 p.m. Doors open 6 p.m. H.B. Beverly will present second annual Tails from Margaritaville Benefit Concert with all proceeds going to Project Rescue. $20 donation includes entry to concert, a commemorative T-shirt, Hawaiian flower lei and a raffle ticket. www.projectrescuedog.com or projectrescuedog@gmail.com.

CONCERTS IN THE PARK: Bristol, Va., Cumberland Square Park, July 1, Amazed By Grace; July 8, Tennessee Green; July 15, Wolf Creek; July 22, David O’Roark and The Southern Countrymen; July 29, Kids Our Age. All concerts 6:30 p.m. Movies, 9 p.m. (276) 645-7275.

MUSIC ON THE SQUARE: Jonesborough, Tenn., Various groups such as Penny Dreadfuls, Spring Creek, Sol Driven Train, Ivy Road, Bob Livingston and more. www.-musiconthesquare.com or (423) 753-1010.

ENRICHMENT

KING SCHOLAR SUMMER ACADEMY (KSSA): Bristol, Tenn., King College campus, June 14-18, 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. for students who have completed grades three through six. Focus on high level of achievement in science, languages, the arts and more. $200 includes lunch in the dining hall, daily snacks, summer academy T-shirt, group picture and use of the recreation facilities. Non-refundable deposit of $50 required at time of registration with balance due by June 11. Brochure at www.kingscholar.king.edu. Return by June 4. (423) 652-4784 or Sumer Humphrey at sumer_humphrey@yahoo.com.

FESTIVALS

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND FESTIVAL: Johnson City, Appalachian Fairgrounds, May 28-29, Headliners Joe Nichols and Journey tribute band, Frontiers. $10 for both days/children 6 and under, free. Battle of the Pigs Barbecue contest, car show, crafts, kid’s zone with inflatables and other activities. Festival open from 4-10 p.m., May 28 and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 29. Proceeds from the festival will benefit children’s health and education programs sponsored by the Rotary. www.battleofthepigs.com. Tickets from Johnson City Rotary Club members or at Roadrunner Markets.

GATHERING IN THE GAP MUSIC FESTIVAL: Big Stone Gap, Southwest Virginia Museum, May 29. The festival features Blue Highway as well as performances by regionally and nationally known roots musicians, musical competitions, jams, workshops, a children’s area, quilt show, antiques, food, etc. Tickets: (276) 523-1322 or www.gatheringinthegapmusicfestival.com.

SEEDTIME ON THE CUMBERLAND: Whitesburg, Ky., June 10-13. Seedtime arts festival by Appalshop is held with the Artwalk and the Hobo’s Diner Bike Night and Poker Run. Events, held at the Veterans Museum parking lot and along Main Street, include music, film screenings, picking contests, shape note singing, literary readings, hikes, crafts, food vendors and Carcassone square dance.

CLINCH MOUNTAIN MUSICFEST: Duffield and Gate City, Va., area, June 11-13 events, music and more held at Natural Tunnel State Park, throughout Scott County, downtown Gate City and Carter Family Fold. (276) 690-2202 or www.clinchfest.net.

OPERA FESTIVAL: Bristol, Va., Tinseltown, June 16-17, six Metropolitan Opera HD transmissions on June 16, 6:30 p.m., and June 17, 10 a.m., Three operas are from past seasons and three are from this season. $20 adults/$18 seniors and $14 students 11 and younger.

WHITE LIGHTING FESTIVAL: Cumberland Gap, Tenn., June 26, celebrating heritage of East Tennessee from Civil War to modern-day America in communities along the new Discover Tennessee White Lightning Trail. Featured music includes Americana, Hot Country, Appalachian and string band, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

MISCELLANEOUS

GIRLS INC.: Bristol, Va., 613 Highland Ave., June 1-July 30, Summer program with education programs, crafts, health and safety lessons, swimming, sports and field trips. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for girls 5-18. $140 for the summer includes breakfast, lunch, snacks and field trips. $10 registration fee for new members. (276) 669-8686 or www.girlsinc-bristol.com; Girls Inc. of Bristol Outreach in Piney Flats, Piney Flats United Methodist Church, June 1-July 30, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., for ages 5-18. Program includes field trips, classes, snacks, crafts, sports and more. $50 a week plus $20 activity fee. (276) 669-8686 or (423) 340-0918 or Nicole at girlsinc@charter.net.

CRAFTERS IN THE COURTYARD: Jonesborough, Tenn., 127 W. Main St., Historic Eureka Inn, June 12, local artists and crafts in courtyard, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

GARDEN TOUR: Abingdon, June 12, Great Gardens ... and More, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the self-guided leisure paced tour consists of seven gardens. $10. Abingdon Convention & Visitors Bureau, acvb@abingdon.com, (800) 435-340 or www.abingdon.com.

YARD/BAKE SALE: Bristol, Va., Booher’s Chapel/Mary’s Chapel United Methodist Women will hold their annual yard and bake sale, June 12, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mary’s Chapel Church, Gate City Hwy. and Mary’s Chapel Road. There will be breakfast biscuits, hot dogs, baked goods, plants and many yard sale items. Proceeds will benefit the ministries of the United Methodist Women.

ADVENTURE QUEST/DAY QUEST: Hampton, Tenn., Doe River Gorge Ministries for 8-18. Camps run from June 6-11, June 27-July 2 and July 25-30. Activities include paintball, horseback riding, lake activities, train rides and more. (423) 725-4010 or www.doerivergorge.com.

CAMELLA’S SUMMER TEA ACADEMY: Abingdon, 165 E. Main St., Camella’s Remember When Tea Parlor & Niceties, July 8, 15, 22, summer tea academy consisting of history, types of tea, tea steeping, proper tea etiquette, the art of being a gracious host, tea table: placement, settings and tea service, Victorian crafts and cake decorating, tea party menu. $135. (276) 676-0089 Wednesday-Sunday.

MUSEUM

THE SETTLERS MUSEUM OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA: Smyth County, Va., off I-81, exit 54 (Groseclose), Saturdays June-August, Saturday School Series. Visitors can take a class in the 1894 one-room school house beginning 10 a.m. Topics range from soap making to an edible/medicinal plant walk. $5 per adult/12 and under free. (276) 686-4401 or www.settlersmuseum.com.

PLAYGROUNDS

VIRGINIA PLAYGROUNDS: June 7-July 16, for ages 6-12 at Stonewall Jackson and Washington-Lee Elementary schools. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Friday. Activities include arts, crafts, organized play, field trips and swimming. Registration can be made on your child’s first visit.

TENNESSEE PLAYGROUNDS: Bristol, June 7-July 23, for ages 6-11 at Haynesfield and Avoca elementary schools, Monday-Friday. Activities include games, field trips, train and paddle boat rides and swimming. $20. Bristol Tennessee Parks and Recreation, (423) 764-4006.

SWIMMING

MARGARET H. ST. JOHN SWIMMING POOL: Bristol, Va., Virginia High School, Public swimming hours: Monday-Saturday, June 7-Aug. 8, 1-5 p.m.; Monday-Friday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $2. Swimming lessons, first session: June 7-July 2, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; June 14-July 1, Monday-Thursday, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.; Second session, July 12-Aug. 6, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Second session, July 12-July 29, Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.; Summer Swim Team, beginning July 14 practice, Monday-Thursday, 5-6:30 p.m. Pool closed July 4. (276) 821-5889.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

RUSSELL’S CHAPEL CHURCH: Marion, Va., Scratch Gravel Road, June 14-18, 6:45 p.m. nightly.

BIBLE SCHOOL: Bristol, Va., Mary’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Gate City Hwy. and Mary’s Chapel Road, July 19-23, the churches of the Benham’s Circuit, (Booher’s Chapel, Campground and Mary’s Chapel) will have Bible school for ages up to 13. Theme: Saddle Ridge Ranch, 6:45-8:30 p.m.

GOLF

FIRST TEE: Steele Creek Golf Course, June 2, First Tee program teaches children the game of golf while helping them learn core values for life. Boys and girls ages 9-18. (423) 764-6411 or www.firstteetricities.org.

SPORTS

SPORTS CAMP: Bristol, Tenn., 424 Melrose St., Central Christian Church, June 7-11, 9:330 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children’s Minister and Fellowship of Christian Athletes will hold camp for kids entering grades 1-6. Clinics in basketball, tennis, soccer or cheerleading are available. $8 per child. (423) 764-9013.

TENNIS

NATIONAL JUNIOR TENNIS LEAGUE (NJTL): Bristol, Va. June 7-July 16. Open to children ages 6-16 years old. Sites will be Van Pelt, Stonewall Jackson and Virginia High tennis courts. Hours: 9-11 a.m., Monday-Friday. (276) 645-7375.

NATIONAL JUNIOR TENNIS LEAGUE: Bristol, Tenn., June 7-July 23 for ages 6-16 with beginner through intermediate. Lessons Monday-Friday at Central and Haynesfield courts. Racquets and tennis balls available at no cost. Call Bristol Tennessee Parks and Recreation, (423) 764-4006.

TENNIS CAMP: Wise, Va., UVa-Wise, June 21-25 Danny Wood Tennis Camp for boys and girls ages 7-18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Danny Wood will join with area’s top tennis teachers as instructors. Call (276) 328-9349 or (276) 393-9696 evenings or come by Sportswise in Wise for a camp brochure.

Check out more listings of summer events in Friday’s calendar. Submit items by Monday at noon by e-mail: features@bristolnews.com or fax: (276) 669-3696. Call Mary Dutton, (276) 645-2515, for more information.