A look at weekend entertainment in the Mountain Empire

11-8-07 ELECTRICITY FRONT

Short Takes

MISTLETOE MARKET
Give, then get. So goes the bottom line for this year’s Mistletoe Market. Scheduled for Nov. 8-11 in the Grand Hall of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, the shopping extravaganza serves as a fundraiser for the William King Regional Arts Center. That’s the give part. The get part centers among all that which patrons can purchase. Retailers from throughout the Southeast will be on hand and hawking their wares. And hey, given that Christmas is less than seven weeks away, the aptly named Mistletoe Market hits town at an opportune time. Kisses not included.
IF YOU GO
What: Mistletoe Market
When: Nov. 8-11
Where: Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Abingdon
Tickets: $5 daily
Info: (276) 628-5005
Web: http://www.wkrac.org

GENERATION OF VIPERS
Buckle up or batten down.
Whichever, when Knoxville-based Generation of Vipers storms the stage of the Hideaway in Johnson City on Nov. 10, metal will fly. Heavy metal, that is. The three-person band headlines the all-ages show that also includes bands Panzer and Ocoai.
And lest you forget, hold on. With a new album “Dead Circle” (released Oct. 23) to promote, the Vipers’ pulverizing sound may prove especially ear-splitting to the crowd. Music to bang your head to, that’s the Generation of Vipers.

IF YOU GO
Who: Generation of Vipers, Panzer and Ocoai
When: Nov. 10, 8 p.m.
Where: The Hideaway, 235 E. Main St., Johnson City
Info: (423) 926-3896
Web: http://www.generationof-vipers.com

CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING
When sport crashed into theater, wrestling was born. However, wrestling is neither sport nor great acting, but darn if it isn’t entertaining.
If wrestling is your thing, go see the grapplers of Gray-based Championship Wrestling on Nov. 17 at the Civic Auditorium in Kingsport. Billed as a triple main event, the night includes a national heavyweight title match pitting Tony “The Dragon” Givens versus the champ Big (and yes, he’s very big) Steve Fury.
Add in a taped fist match featuring Wayne Adkins verses Chris Richards. Toss into the ring such wrestlers as Beau James and Ray Idol throughout the night, and wrestling fans ought to have plenty to cheer – and jeer – about.

IF YOU GO
What: Championship Wrestling
When: Nov. 17, 8 p.m.
Where: Civic Auditorium, 1550 Fort Henry Drive, Kingsport
Tickets: $10 front row, $8 general admission
Info: (423) 229-9457
Web: http://www.championshipwrestlingtv.com

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