Short Takes: Russell County Students Thrive on a Pledge and a Play
Tom Netherland/Special to Bristol Herald Courier
Published: April 10, 2008
Updated: April 10, 2008
MOUNTAIN YOUTH DRAMA Published: April 10, 2008
Updated: April 10, 2008
Peer and parental pressure, drugs, alcohol, school – youth isn’t always easy. Some cave amid the weight, some don’t.
Lori Gates Addison started Mountain Youth Drama 14 years ago to address such issues. The Russell County-based group of high school kids will perform sketch comedy for free on April 11 at Theatre Bristol’s ARTspace in Bristol Tennessee.
Participating students sign contracts promising to stay free of drugs while also upholding high passing grades in school. The students in turn entertain while informing attendees of the litany of challenges that face kids today.
Sobering and enlightening, funny and serious, their unabashed examinations of such topics as teen suicide and pregnancy should be seen by fellow kids and parents alike.
IF YOU GO
Who: Mountain Youth Drama
When: April 11, 7 p.m.
Where: Theatre Bristol’s ARTspace, 506 State. St., Bristol Tennessee
Tickets: Free
Info: (423) 968-4977
Web: www.cmcsb.com/myd.htm
GREAT WHITE
Heavy rock made Great White. Hits such as “Once Bitten Twice Shy” made them stars.
See the five-man rocking band on April 11 at Nashville Sound in Johnson City. Million-selling albums mark the early years of the band. Led by lead singer Jack Russell, Great White was once best known for hits like 1987’s “Rock Me.”
Not anymore. Great White’s career was crippled on Feb. 21, 2003 when 100 people, including the band’s guitarist Ty Longley, died in a fire during a Great White club show in Rhode Island as a result of faulty pyrotechnics.
Great White returned to recording last year, and this year marks the bands first extended string of shows.
IF YOU GO
Who: Great White with special guests Citizen Kane and Non Prophet
When: April 11
Where: Nashville Sound, 1121 N. Roan St., Johnson City
Info: (423) 928-0260
Web: http://www.mistabone.com
HOLSTON RIVER RALLY
Motorcycles and music. Choppers and rockers. Gears and guitars.
The 1st Annual Holston River Rally revs up on April 18 and rides on through April 19 at Domtar Park in Kingsport. Southern-leaning rock courtesy such local faves as Benny Wilson and The Nomadz will heat the stage on both days.
On the motorcycles front, Celebrity Choppers will feature a custom chopper owned by NASCAR driver Tony Stewart.
Surround Stewart’s wheels with scores of Harley-Davidsons both original and custom alike. Rock on stage, roll off stage.
Fueled on music and motorcycles, the so-called 1st annual event appears to have devised a tasty recipe for what could be years of treats ahead.
IF YOU GO
What: 1st Annual Holston River Rally featuring Benny Wilson, Half Moon Trench, The Nomadz, Ivy Road, Boogie Chillen and more
When: April 18-19, noon-10 p.m.
Where: Domtar Park, 100 Clinchfield St., Kingsport
Tickets: $10 per day or $15 for the weekend
Info: (423) 376-6020 or (423) 272-6656
Web: www.holstonriverrally.com
MUSIC NOTES
-- The sharp dressed little ol’ band from Texas, ZZ Top, will appear at Freedom Hall in Johnson City on May 30. Tickets went on sale April 5 and range in price from $39 to $49.
-- Run … to buy R.E.M.’s “Accelerate,” the Athens, Ga. trio’s best and most rocking album in a decade.
-- Stop … and pay attention to Nine Inch Nails’ new “Ghosts I-IV,” Trent Reznor’s typically ambitious goth-rock opus. Not for everybody – NIN fans most likely will love while non-NIN fans most likely will loath the album that contains 36 songs titled “Ghosts” followed by one of four Roman numerals. Very different.
-- Mark … your calendars for next Tuesday (April 15) and new releases by pop queen Mariah Carey with “E=MC2,” alt-rockers The Kooks’ “Konk,” country newcomers Lady Antebellum’s much-heralded self-titled debut, indie rock legend Frank Black’s “Svn Fngrs” and contemporary gospel icons the Gaither Vocal Band’s “Lovin’ Life.”
That’s all for now. Meanwhile, stay in tune.
TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .
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