Short Takes: Entertainment Around the Region

SONG OF THE MOUNTAINS
Travel the country. Scour the Internet.
You won’t find another show quite like Song of the Mountains, and it’s here in the heart of the Mountain Empire.
This month’s program stages on Oct. 4 at the Lincoln Theater in Marion, Va. Superbly talented Don Rigsby headlines a show that offers a cross-section of music spun right out of the region’s roots.
There’s Hendrix-on-the-harmonica Mike Stevens, who joins longtime banjo master Raymond McLain for whirlwind steps into the past.
Tennessee Skyline offers traditional bluegrass. Celtic music twirls dandily from the talents of Sigean. And then there’s Rigsby. Songwriters admire him, musicians admire him and those who attend the show should see and hear exactly why.

IF YOU GO
What: Song of the Mountains featuring Don Rigsby, Mike Stevens and Raymond McLain, Tennessee Skyline, Sigean, and Bluegrass and Beyond
When: Oct. 4, 7 p.m.
Where: Lincoln Theater, 117 E. Main St., Marion, Va.
Admission: $15
Info: (276) 783-6093
Web: http://www.songofthemountains.org

THE MAIDS
Murder! Scandal!
Drama dripping with intrigue and emotion overload awaits those who wish to attend “The Maids,” scheduled for Oct. 2-5 at Emory and Henry College in Emory, Va.
Presented by the college’s theater department, the intriguing classic French play was written by the late Jean Genet.
In short, two sisters work for years as maids for a wealthy and condescending family. The sisters endure years of ill treatment that sparks resentment, which then multiplies and manifests into psychological fallout.
The sisters Papin murder their rich mistress and her advantaged daughter. Scandalous indeed.

IF YOU GO
What: “The Maids”
When: Oct. 2-4, 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 5, 3 p.m.
Where: Emory and Henry College Studio Theatre, Emory, Va.
Admission: $10 for adults, $3 for students from other schools, free for Emory and Henry students, faculty and staff
Info: (276) 944-6846

FREE FARE
A bevy of free entertainment occupies this week’s calendar. Residents of the region can avail themselves of music and a movie, and with a nod to the quickly upcoming presidential election, politics, too.
—Bluegrass band Ridge Hill Bluegrass headlines this week’s show at The Pickin’ Porch in the Bristol Mall in Bristol, Va. They do ask for a small donation, but it’s not compulsory. Great music and great times. For more information, call (276) 645-0035.
—Come out to see the wizard. Johnson City’s Hands On! Regional Museum will present the classic film “The Wizard of Oz” on Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. as part of the museum’s First Friday Free Family Movie Night. For more information, call (423) 434-4263.
—Political analyst Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews” and NBC’s “The Chris Matthews Show” will appear at the Bristol Public Library in Bristol, Va. as part of the library’s Discovery Series on Oct. 4 at 1:30 p.m. For more information, call (276) 645-8780
n Big Stone Gap native Cody Mabe will perform country music at the Southwest Virginia Museum in Big Stone Gap, Va. on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. as the latest offering of the museum’s monthly series Community Coffeehouse. For more information, call (276) 523-1322.

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .

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THERE’S MORE:
Paramount Players, Guests Perform Oct. 4
BRISTOL, Tenn. – The Paramount Players chamber music ensemble, joined by three guest artists and the winner of the first annual Bristol Music Club’s Paramount Players Award, will present “Music Among Friends” on Oct. 4 at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol 7 p.m.
Pianist Lydia Smythe, recipient of the first Paramount Players Award and a home-schooled 11th grader, will perform.
Guest artists for the event are Dr. Kelli Dubel Brown, Dr. Sun-Joo Oh and Rebecca Paluzzi.
Also appearing on the program will be the East Tennessee Baroque Consort, consisting of Paramount Players Cherylonda Fitzgerald and Catherine McGlasson and Paluzzi, ETSU faculty flutist. They will be joined by soprano Sun-Joo Oh.
Tickets at the door are $12 and $8 for seniors.
*****
‘Curious Savage’ in Appalachia
APPALACHIA, Va. – “The Curious Savage” by John Patrick, a tale of greed, insanity, hope, love and a one-eyed Teddy bear is coming to the The Appalachia Cultural Arts Center, Main Street, Appalachia.
Performances are at 3 p.m. Oct. 5 and 19.
A performance will be held Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. at The Jettie Baker Center in Clintwood, Va.
Tickets are $10, $8 for seniors and groups and are available at the door.
*****
Bands to Convene in Stone Castle
BRISTOL, Tenn. – The Tennessee High School Mighty Viking Band is hosting the annual Music in the Castle marching band competition on Oct. 4 at the Stone Castle in Bristol, Tenn.
This competition is one of many regional contests sponsored by the United States Scholastic Band Association that leads to the National Championships to be held in Annapolis, Md. in November.
Local bands scheduled to compete are Virginia High, Sullivan Central, Sullivan South and Dobyns Bennett. The Vance Middle School Junior Viking Band will play the National Anthem, and the Tennessee High Mighty Viking Band will play in exhibition at the conclusion.
The competition begins at 4 p.m. Admission is $5, children under 5 are free.
*****
Wise County Fall Fling Oct. 4-5
WISE, Va. – The 30th Annual Wise County Famous Fall Fling will be held Oct. 4-5.   
Arts, crafts, demonstrators,  antiques, food, music and contests/events are planned.
On Oct. 3, the Community Yard Sale, held at individual homes, business side-walk sales, and a free Soup Bean Lunch is scheduled. Friday evening, the United Methodist Church will host its annual Spagetti Supper.
The fling opens Saturday at 9 a.m. More than 100 vendors will offer a variety of items. 
The music will be continuous on Saturday. It will begin at
12:30 p.m. Sunday. 
New this year will be a Health Fair on Saturday. The Kids Korner will return with fire truck rides, the mini train rides, gold panning, finger painting and more. 
The Piecemakers Quilt group will have a Bed Quilt Turning on Oct. 4 at 1 p.m.
Demonstrators will be showcased, and the Lonesome Pine Band Festival will be held at Carroll Dale Stadium, J.J. Kelly High School, Saturday afternoon.
Call (276) 328-2456 or 328-8184 or visit http://www.wisefallfling.com.
*****
Richlands Celebrates Fall Oct. 4
RICHLANDS, Va. – It’s that time of year to kick off the Richlands Fall Festival on Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Richlands. 
Various businesses throughout town will serve refreshments, discounts, games and more. 
Arts, crafts, bake goods, children activities and entertainment featuring Shelby Jewell and the Bluegrass Kinsmen are scheduled. 
A one-mile Fun Run starts at the Richlands Mall. 

Pre-festival events include:
Traditional Quilters Exhibit, Richlands Police Department, Oct. 2, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 3, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
Farmers Market, Richlands Police Department, Oct. 3, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A sample of festival events:
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Shelby Jewell and the Bluegrass Kinsmen, Washington Square; Fire Truck-Police Car and Rescue Vehicle, Fire House, Richlands Professional Building Lot; Obstacle Course Slide, Choo-Choo Train, Tiny Tot Animal Playland, Space Lazer Maze, Air/Moon Walk and Seaweed Monster Bounce; Clinch Valley Sally, Norfolk Avenue; Ramey Automotive American Eagle, Front Street-Railroad Avenue; Exhibit of Snakes, Suffolk Avenue; The Pocahontas Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, Inc., Library-Suffolk Avenue; Petting Zoo, Railroad Section House.
10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.: Hayrides, at Norfolk Avenue (Second Street).
Noon – 2 p.m.: Greg Horn featuring Marissa Bostic during breaks, Post Office Mini Park.
10 – 11 a.m.: Richlands Dance Theater, Washington Square/Suffolk Avenue; Richlands Police Department Drug Dog, Railroad Section House.
1 p.m. and 2 p.m.: Tazewell County Drug Dog Demonstration; On the half hour Dog Training and Obedience Demo/Edith Cahoon, Railroad Section House.
11 a.m.:  Tazewell Dawg Pound Tae K Won Do Demo, Washington Square/Suffolk Avenue.
1 p.m.:  Skateboard Demonstrations, Richlands Teen Center.