Empire and elecTriCity Calendars

NIGHTLIFE

BRISTOL VFW: Bristol, West State Street between 16th and 17th Streets. Aug. 6, 8 p.m., Bad Habit. http://www.bristolvfw.org or (423) 764-0381.

THE BUSPIT: Kingsport, 240 E. Main St. Aug. 6, 9:30 p.m., Les Honky More Tonkies (rock), free; Aug. 7, 9 p.m., Rosie Flores (rockabilly), $10; Aug. 12, 8 p.m., Jar-E (soul), $5. http://www.thebuspit.com or (423) 578-2336.

CAPONE’S: Johnson City, 227 E. Main St. Aug. 8, 10 p.m., Limo Wreck, The Third Age, and Valarosa. http://www.caponesjc.com or (423) 928-2295.

DOWN HOME: Johnson City, 300 W. Main St. Aug. 7, 8 p.m., Kim Lyons and Gary Hensley, $10; Aug. 8, 9 p.m., Wall of Pop, $8. http://www.downhome.com or (423) 929-9822.

DOWNTOWN CENTER: Bristol, 810 State St. Aug. 6, 7 p.m., Old Dogs New Tricks; Aug. 11, 7 p.m., Music Memories. (423) 764-4171.

GAGES RESTAURANT: Abingdon, 309 Falls Dr. Aug. 7, 7 p.m., Town Branch Bluegrass. (276) 479-2627.

THE HIDEAWAY: Johnson City, 235 E. Main St. Aug. 7, 10 p.m., Preacher and FDR is Dead; Aug. 8, 10 p.m., Avid Addiction, Caiged Angel, and Kumacell (rock); Aug. 9, 7 p.m., Fighting Haysi, Cory Taylor Cox, and Saluda. (423) 926-3896.

O’MAINNIN’S: Bristol, 712 State St. Aug. 6, 10 p.m., Ryan Ward; Aug. 7, 10 p.m., The Jones Boys; Aug. 8, 10 p.m., The Sean McCurry Band; Aug. 12, 10 p.m., Peaces of Way. http://www.myspace.com/omainninspub or (423) 844-0049.

ROCK-N-HORSE II BAR & GRILL: Bristol, 3080 W. State St. Aug. 7-8, David Michael Band. http://www.myspace.com/rocknhorse2 or (423) 844-0400.

STATE LINE BAR & GRILLE: Bristol, 648 State St. Aug. 9, 11 p.m., Bret Michaels (rock), $55. (423) 652-0792.

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 (gospel), $34-$46; Sept. 29, 7 p.m., Skillet, Hawk Nelson, Decyfer Down, and The Letter Black (rock), $23-$55. (423) 461-4884.

NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: Greeneville. Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m., Percy Sledge (soul), $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. 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.

CONCERTS

PICKIN’ PORCH: Bristol, Va., Bristol Mall, Aug. 6, Jim Gates & The Key Keepers, 7 p.m. (276) 645-0035, http://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, Aug. 7, Night Crossing, 8-9 p.m. Concert and parking, free. .

TOONS AT NOON: Paramount Center For the Arts, Aug. 7, Cambia Flute Ensemble. Suggested $5 donation. (423) 274-8920.

MUSIC ON THE SQUARE: Jonesborough, Tenn., Courthouse Square, Aug. 7, Diana Jones, 7 p.m. (423) 753-1010 or musiconthesquare.com.

AFTER HOURS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: Wytheville, Wither’s Park, Aug. 7, Band of Oz, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Advance tickets, $4; $5 gate ticket/children 5 and under free. (276) 223-3378. Rain outs will be moved to the Wythevlle Community Center.

MUSIC SERIES: Steele Creek Park, Aug. 12, Nashville recording artist Jason Michael Carroll.

IT’S GREAT ON STATE MUSIC SERIES: Bristol, State St., Downtown Center, Aug. 14, Langhorne Slim, Bombadil, 7 p.m.

ENTERTAIN YOUR SENSES: Abingdon, Latture Field, Aug. 15, beach concert with The Collegians, The Travelers and the Catalinas. (276) 676-2282 or http://www.abingdon.com.

BLUE RIDGE MUSIC CENTER: Galax, Va., Milepost 213 on Blue Ridge Parkway, 700 Foothills Road, Aug. 15, Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain/Dry Hill Draggers, 7 p.m., $15; children 12 and under, free. (276) 236-5309 or .

MUSIC ON THE LAWN: Independence, Va., Davis-Bourne Inn, Sept. 19, Americana music with Laura Beth and the Clover Hollow Boys, 6-8:30 p.m. (276) 773-9384, or http://www.davisbourneinn.com.

FILM

REAL TO REEL THEATERS: Johnson City, Springbrook Drive, Aug. 6, Moon, 7 p.m. State of Franklin Film Society (SoFFS) will be available at each screening. or .

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

THE UMOJA/UNITY FESTIVAL: Johnson City, Freedom Hall Civic Center, Aug. 7-8, includes music, African drumming and dancing, Shaka Zulu stilt walkers, storytellers, food and craft vendors, medical screening, exhibits,  children’s carnival, water wars, cruise in and more. (423) 426-2851 or http://www.umojajc.com.

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. http://www.vahighlandsfestival.org.

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, http://www.theparamountcenter.com or http://www.e-tix.com

ROCK THE MOUNTAINS: Southwest Virginia Community College, Dickenson Hall, Sept. 12, Battle of the Rock Bands, 1:30 p.m. Apply by Aug. 14. (276) 964-7389, (276) 964-7344 or http://www.sw.edu. 

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 .

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

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 http://www.bluemoondinnertheatre.com.

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

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

OUTDOOR DRAMA

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

STORYTELLING

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 http://www.bristol-library.org.

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 .

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. 8, Country Tradition, 7:30 -10:30 p.m. $5. Jackie Davis, (423) 306-5770, (423) 247-9075.

CARTER FOLD: Hiltons, Aug. 8, concert by the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band, 7:30 p.m. $7 adults/children 6-11, $1; under age 6 free. (276) 645-0035, http://www.carterfamilyfold.org.

CHILHOWIE LIONS CLUB: Smyth County, Aug. 7, Music Memories, 7:30-10:30 p.m. $5. (276) 646-8566.

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, Aug. 7, Jr’s Classic Country, 7:30-10:30 p.m.; Aug. 8, Bluegrass Travelers, Dixie River Band, 7:30-11 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. 8, Red River. (423) 639-2322 or http://www.horsecreekgospelbarn.com.

IRON HORSE CAMPGROUND: Damascus, 30460 Blossom Road, Hwy. 58, Aug. 7, Southern ‘76; Aug. 8, 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., Aug. 7, Bluegrass Circle, 7:30-10:30 p.m.; Aug. 9, fundraiser 2-5 p.m. featuring Lawrence Winsted & Friends, Wolf Creek Grass, Uncut Grass, Lonesome Will Mullins & The Va. Playboys. $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 http://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, Aug. 7, 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. 8, The Peters Brothers and Lee County Grass, 7:30-10:30 p.m. $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 http://www.tristatesinglesinc.com.

AUDITIONS

CIVIC CHORALE: Johnson City, Tenn., Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church choir room, corner of Roan and Market streets in Johnson City. Aug. 13 openings are anticipated in all voice parts, and especially bass singers.Contact conductor David Hendricksen at or (423) 247-1147 to schedule an audition appointment. http://www.thecivicchorale.org

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, ; singers, contact David Volk, 328-0271, .

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

BRISTOL PUBLIC LIBRARY: Virgie R. Fleenor Art Gallery, through Aug. 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.

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 .

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 .

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 http://www.swvamuseum.org.

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., August Art Studio, Best Friend Cards, Aug. 15; Pop Art, Calder Mobiles; Aug. 7, First Friday, Touch a Truck Event; Aug. 19, Jiggle Robot workshop, pre-registration; Aug. 27, Jiggle Robot workshop 2; Aug. 30, Free admission day to the museum, 1-4 p.m. (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.

ARTS DEPOT: Abingdon, Members Gallery, Aug. 13-Sept. 19, exhibit by regional artists, Audrey Bevins, Don & Sharon Crisp, Ruth Crowe, Jerry Sanders, meet artists reception, Aug. 23, 2-4 p.m.; 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: or visit http://www.abingdon-artsdepot.org.

SYCAMORE SHOALS HISTORIC STATE PARK: Elizabethton, 1651 W. Elk Ave., Aug. 8, Newell-Hendershot Watermedia Exhibition, 10 a.m. with a free art fair which includes demonstrations and announcement of art show winners; exhibition will be on display through Aug. 30. (423) 743-7799 or http://www.watauga-valley-artists.com.

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 http://www.museum-mid-app.org.

WILLIAM KING MUSEUM: CENTER FOR ART AND CULTURAL HERITAGE: Abingdon, 415 Academy Drive, through Jan. 3, 2010, Exhibition: Buying Time: Clocks Along the Great Road, 1790-1870; 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 http://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 .

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.

HISTORY OF VI COLLEGE: Bristol Public Library, Aug. 10, alumni, Mary Lou Smith, will present a history of Virginia Intermont College; general membership meeting of the association will be held in the library conference room, 6 p.m. Free to public. (276) 669-3885 or http://www.bristolhistoricalassociation.com.

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 http://www.doerivergorge.com.

THE GALLERY @ BARR PHOTOGRAPHICS: Abingdon, 152 E. Main St., Call for artists for the 2009 exhibition schedule. Contact Dean at 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.

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 e-mailed to .