Entertainment Listing Offers Things to Do

NIGHTLIFE

BRISTOL VFW: Bristol, West State Street between 16th and 17th Streets. July 23, 8 p.m., Crystal Morrisett. http://www.bristolvfw.org or (423) 764-0381.

THE BUSPIT: Kingsport, 240 E. Main St. July 23, 9:30 p.m., Rob Russell & the Sore Losers (country), free; July 24, 9 p.m., Bluegrass Underground, $8; July 25, 9 p.m., Woody Wood & Hollywood Red, free. http://www.thebuspit.com or (423) 578-2336.

CAPONE’S: Johnson City, 227 E. Main St. July 25, 10 p.m., Blackwater. http://www.caponesjc.com or (423) 928-2295.

DOWN HOME: Johnson City, 300 W. Main St. July 24, 9 p.m., John Cowan Band (progressive bluegrass), $20. http://www.downhome.com or (423) 929-9822.

DOWNTOWN CENTER: Bristol, 810 State St. July 23, 7 p.m., Southern 76; July 28, 7 p.m., Daisy Rain. (423) 764-4171.

5 O’CLOCK BAR: Glade Spring, 35025 Brittany Lee Drive, off I-81 Exit 29. July 24-25, 8 p.m., Octane Overload. (276) 429-2275.

GAGES RESTAURANT: Abingdon, 309 Falls Dr. July 24, 7 p.m., Big Country Bluegrass, $5. (276) 479-2627.

THE HIDEAWAY: Johnson City, 235 E. Main St. July 24, 10 p.m., The Business Machines; July 25, 9 p.m., Human Quena Orchestra, Colossus, Ocoai, and Cerements; July 26, 7 p.m., This Black Box, Fighting Haysi, Former Thieves, and Mind Sludge. (423) 926-3896.

O’MAINNIN’S: Bristol, 712 State St. July 23, 10 p.m., Custard Pie (Led Zeppelin tribute band); July 24, 10 p.m., The Hot Seats (formerly Special Ed & the Short Bus); July 25, 10 p.m., Fatback. http://www.myspace.com/omainninspub or (423) 844-0049.

ROCK-N-HORSE II BAR & GRILL: Bristol, 3080 W. State St. July 24-25, Craig Boyd and Southland. http://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. 25, 7:30 p.m., Jeremy Camp, $19-$28. (423) 764-0188.

CONCERTS

PICKIN’ PORCH: Bristol, Va., Bristol Mall, July 23, Golden Strings, Raymond Campbell & Friends, 7 p.m. (276) 645-0035, http://www.pickinporch.org.

MUSIC/MOVIES IN PARK: Bristol, Va., Cumberland Square Park, July 23, Bullseye, 6:30 p.m. with movie, Night at the Museum. 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 24 concert, 8-9 p.m. Concert and parking, free. .

TOONS AT NOON: Paramount Center For the Arts, July 24, Basso, Tim Landis. Suggested $5 donation. (423) 274-8920.

WINGED DEER PARK: Johnson City, July 24, Lighting, Vegas Show Band, 7-9 p.m.

LUNCH ON THE LAWN: Big Stone Gap, Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park, July 24, Aaron Davis, 12-1 p.m. Box lunch, $5 with orders received by 9:30 a.m. on day of program. (276) 523-1322.

ENTERTAIN YOUR SENSES: Abingdon, Kiwanis Park, Main St., July 25, the Coasters and Marvelettes concert and street party. (276) 676-2282 or http://www.abingdon.com.

BLUE RIDGE MUSIC CENTER: Galax, Va., Milepost 213 on Blue Ridge Parkway, 700 Foothills Road, July 25, Linda Lay & Springfield Exit/New North Carolina Ramblers, $10. (276) 236-5309 or .

JONESBOROUGH VISITORS CENTER: Town Square, July 24, Christabel & The Jons, 7 p.m.

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

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.

FESTIVAL

HERITAGE DAY PARADE & FESTIVAL: Rural Retreat, July 25-26. Parade, antique tractors, talent competition, hot rods, wagon tours and exhibits, square dance, etc. (276) 686-4221 or http://www.ruralretreatheritagedays.zoomshare.com.

VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS FESTIVAL: Abingdon, July 25-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.

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

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 .

BARTER THEATRE: Abingdon, Barter Theatre, through Aug. 9, The Wizard of Oz; through Aug. 8, Showtime at First Baptist; Stage II, through Aug. 8, The Fantasticks;  through July 26, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks. (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.

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 http://www.songofthemountains.org.

OUTDOOR DRAMA

LITTLE SHEPHERD AMPHITHEATER: Jenkins, Ky., off Highway 23, The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come, July 25; Aug. 1, 15, 22, 29; Sept. 5; $11 adults, $9 senior citizens, $7 ages 7-16, children under 6 free; (606) 832-1453.

SYCAMORE SHOALS STATE HISTORIC AREA: Elizabethton, 1651 W. Elk Ave., July 23-25, Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals, 7:30 p.m. nightly. (423) 543-5808, http://www.liberty-drama.com or http://www.sycamoreshoalstn.org.

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 .

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 http://www.AppalachianGhostWalks.com.

MUSIC/DANCE

ABINGDON COFFEEHOUSE JAM: 300 Senior Drive, Abingdon Senior Center/Virginia Ballroom, July 23, 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, July 25, Country Tradition, 7:30 -10:30 p.m. $5. Jackie Davis, (423) 306-5770, (423) 247-9075.

CARTER FOLD: Hiltons, July 25, New Ballard’s Branch Bogtrotters, 7:30 p.m. $7 adults/$1 children, 6-11/free under 6. (276) 645-0035, http://www.carterfamilyfold.org.

CHILHOWIE LIONS CLUB: Smyth County, July 24, Ransom McCoy, 7:30-10:30 p.m. $5. (276) 646-8566.

COUNTRY CABIN II: Norton, Alt. Rt. 58; July 25, South Mountain Boys, 7:30-10:30 p.m.; $5 adults/$1 for children 2 through 11. Guitar lessons, 5:30-6:30 p.m., $35, bring own guitar, Reece Boyd, (276) 679-5417; 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., July 24, senior citizens dance with Ramblin’ Rose. (423) 538-8568.

FAMILY BLUEGRASS: Hansonville, July 24, James Meadows & Country Mile Drifters, 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, July 25, Stoney Mountain Boys. (423) 639-2322 or http://www.horsecreekgospelbarn.com.

IRON HORSE CAMPGROUND: Damascus, 30460 Blossom Road, Hwy. 58, July 25, Southern 76, 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., July 24, South Mountain Boys, 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 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, July 24, 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, July 25, Tyler Hughes & Generation Gap, 7:30-10:30 p.m.; house band, The Peters Brothers. $5 adults/$1 children 6-12/under 6 free. (276) 679-1164.

ETC.

STORYTELLING/WORKSHOPS: Bristol Public Library, July 26, 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.

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 http://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, ; 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

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 .

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.

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 .

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. http://www.charlesharrisgallery.org.

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: or visit http://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 http://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 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; July 27, 7:30 p.m. VHF program, “All About ‘All About Oz,’” $5. Museum open Wednesday-Saturday, 1-7 p.m., Sunday, 1-5 p.m. (276) 628-2962 or .

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.

MAGIC SHOW: Johnson City Public Library, Jones Meeting Room, July 23, magician, Matt Fore will present magic program 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. in conjunction with summer reading program. (423) 434-4458 or http://www.jcpl.net.

WINGS & WHEELS: Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Airport, Lee Highway, July 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; vintage aircraft and auto show includes classic cars, planes, helicopters, SWAT and military vehicles and more; food, drink vendors available; $5, children 12 and under free; gate proceeds benefit Kiwanis Children’s programs; (276) 628-3732 or (276) 224-9510.

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.

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, .

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 .