South Indian Music, an Hawaiian Storyteller, Zula Patrol, Ballet and More in Tri-Cities

‘Divine Strings’ Spotlights South Indian Music
JOHNSON CITY– Violinist Aishu Venkataraman will perform her program, “Divine Strings: Music of South India” at East Tennessee State University on March 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Mathes Hall.
She began her training in Suzuki violin at age 2, and at 4 branched out to the Carnatic (South Indian) style of music. She released her debut CD, “Divine Strings,” at age 9.
At 13, Venkataraman became the youngest student ever accepted into the Berklee College of Music, where she is studying jazz performance and holds a full scholarship. In addition to her studies, she maintains a rigorous concert schedule and has been featured on NPR’s “Crossing East” series.
Admission is $5 for the general public and $2 for senior citizens and students with ID.
For more information or for special assistance for those with disabilities, call Dr. Alison Deadman at (423) 439-6432. Visit Venkataraman’s Web site, www.divinestrings.com,  for information on South Indian music and more.

Hawaiian Storyteller to Perform in Area
JONESBOROUGH – Wish you could travel to Hawaii? Jeff Gere, Hawaiian storyteller, can transport you there through his stories about the islands.
Gere will be performing at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre on March 20 from 7:30-9 p.m.
As Oahu’s drama specialist, he blends his talents as painter, puppeteer and mime into a chameleonic performance style.
He also directs the Talk Story Festival, Hawaii’s biggest storytelling celebration. He creates/hosts Talk Story Radio, a weekly Pacific storytelling show.
Additionally, Gere will be hosting an interactive workshop for storytellers during the afternoon from 2-5 p.m. at Central Christian Church in Jonesborough.
For more, call Connie Gill at (423) 791-3981 or e-mail or visit www.jeff-gere.com.

NPAC to Host ‘First Baptist of Ivy Gap’
GREENEVILLE – On March 29 at 7:30 p.m., the Niswonger Performing Arts Center will present the Cumberland County Playhouse’s Production of “First Baptist of Ivy Gap.”
Laugh and cry with the women of Ivy Gap.
With humor and pathos, these six very different women find comfort, forgiveness and redemption in each other.
“First Baptist of Ivy Gap” is the winner of multiple playwriting awards.
The show will be on March 29 at 7:30 p.m.
For tickets or more information, call the NPAC box office at (423) 638-1679 or visit www.-greenevillenpac.com. 
NPAC is located adjacent to Greeneville High School at 212 Tusculum Blvd.

Join Zula Patrol at Tinseltown
BRISTOL, Va. – On March 29, children ages 3-8 can travel through the universe with “The Zula Patrol: Animal Adventures in Space!”
Never-before-seen episodes from the acclaimed public television series will premiere in this in-theater special event, which will include sing-a-longs that enhance children’s participation and interest in exploring science, math and astronomy, while teaching about metamorphosis and life cycles along the way.
“The Zula Patrol: Animal Adventures in Space!” features five new missions.
Kids will follow the Zula Patrollers on their ecological adventures as they search for stolen frog eggs, help restore life in the canyon on Zula, solve the mystery of the missing honey and tunnel through the dirt with their new worm boot camp comrades to save their little ecosystem. Tickets for the 10 a.m. event are available at presenting theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

Ballet to Bring Fairy Tales to Life
MILLIGAN COLLEGE – “Goldilocks,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Ugly Duckling,” and even “The Three Little Pigs” come to stage March 29 at 2 p.m. when the City Youth Ballet of Johnson City presents its spring performance, “Once Upon a Time.”
Twelve children’s stories will be told in classical ballet. The $5 general admission tickets are available at the door at Seeger Chapel on the Milligan College campus.
A children’s luncheon to meet the characters and hear them read their stories is set for noon March 29.
Reservations are required by calling (423) 952-0000. Admission is $15, which includes the admission ticket to the performance. A school performance will be held March 28.
For information about the performance call (423) 483-1181 or visit www.cityyouthballet.org.

Civic Chorale Plans Heritage Concerts
The Civic Chorale is presenting a program of American choral music ranging from the Federal era to the 20th century.
This program will be presented twice: March 29 at 8 p.m. in the Kingsport Renaissance Center Auditorium, and March 30 at 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Johnson City.
The Kingsport performance is part of the “Art Nights – City Lights” series at the Renaissance Center with a $10 admission. At the Johnson City performance, donations in any amount will be accepted at the door; $10 is suggested.
This program marks the 10th anniversary of conductor David Hendricksen’s leadership of group.
The first half of the program is comprised of sacred anthems dating to the early 1800s. After intermission, original secular compositions for choir and settings of American folk songs are on the program.
For more information, visit www.thecivicchorale.org.

‘Road to the Isles’ Will Stop in Richlands
RICHLANDS – CART presents the traditional music, dance and folksong of Ireland and Scotland in “Road to the Isles.”
The show features George Balderose, Mary Conroy, Colyn Fisher, Richard Hughes and Jaqui Pressley on March 30 at 3 p.m. at Richlands Middle School Auditorium in Richlands.
“Road to the Isles” performs the instrumental music, dance and folksong traditions of Ireland and Scotland. The performances include the sword dance, highland fling, sean triubhas, Irish reel and jig, slip jig and hornpipe, with songs, stories and instrumental solos, duets and trios. Their CD is called “The Way Home.”
Balderose plays the music of the Great Highland Pipes and several types of smallpipes. He has performed as a soloist for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Pittsburgh Symphony, the 1993 Dewars Bagpipe Festival Tour and numerous other solos and ensemble engagements.
Fisher has been playing Scottish fiddle since the age of 5. In 1993 he won the U.S. Junior Scottish Fiddle Championship, and as a teenager he studied with several of the fiddle masters of Scotland.
Hughes, a vocalist, accompanies himself on guitar and plays Irish flute and tinwhistle. Prior notable performances include the Mariposa Festival in Ontario, The Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Three Rivers Arts Festival and others. He is recorded in the Irish Archival Institute in Dublin.
Conroy and Pressley are dancers and represent two different traditions. Their performances will highlight and contrast the dance styles of their respective traditions.
Tickets are $15 for adults in advance, $20 at the door; and $10 for students, $15 at the door. Advance ticket location are: TruPoint Bank Claypool Hill, Pounding Mill Ford, Richlands Area Chamber of Commerce, Van’s on Main Street in Tazewell. For more information, call (276) 963-3385. Group rates for more than 10 are available.

‘A Tale as Old as Time’ Begins March 28 at Wohlfahrt Haus
WYTHEVILLE – Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre is staging Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” from March 28 through June 15.
Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the memorable songs.
Filled with song and dance, the production will appeal to the entire family.
Making their stage debut at WHDT are: Christina Mursheno, Jordan Richards, Andre Diniz, Faith Boles, Tara Newinski, Justin Hall, Sarah Shaffer, Katie Cheek, Daisy Sturgill, Matthew Helton, Griffin Jenkins. Returning actors are: Matthew Frusher, Ted Reid, Sam Little, Justin Jewell, Morgan Rudolph, Caroline Simmons, Shane Terry, Clifton, Cuddington, Candice Brechbiel, George Bailey Heather Camper and Josiah Blount.
Performances are every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., with a matinee on Sundays at 3 p.m. Dinner is served two hours prior to performance. A four-course meal and a children’s menu is offered.
For reservations, call (888) 950-3382, (276) 223-0891 or visit www.wohlfahrt-haus.com. Group rates are available.