Art
Kingsport’s Stormwater Department, with help from Kingsport Cultural Arts, is seeking local artists to hand-paint five storm drains within the city. The purpose of this project is to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our rivers, stream habitat, and aquatic wildlife. To enter the Storm Drain Art Contest, send a color sketch of your proposed artwork around a storm drain. The deadline to submit entries is Aug. 9. The five winning artists will receive $150 each. For complete rules and guidelines, visit www.kingsporttn.gov and search “storm drain art contest.”
Southwest Virginia Community Health System is seeking local photography and artwork to furnish the newly renovated Bristol Community Health Center. The organization is wanting to furnish the facility with photographs and artwork from Bristol and the surrounding area, along with any landmarks that are part of Bristol’s community and culture. Pieces that are accepted will be permanently displayed in the rooms of the building with artist credit. Submissions will be accepted through Aug. 2. Submissions will need to be sent via email to Kim Stewart at kstewart@svchs.com or Kaylan Bales at kbales@svchs.com.
Madison Ramey is the latest exhibiting artist at The Circle Gallery, located on the first floor of Kingsport City Hall, 415 Broad St. Ramey’s exhibit will be on display until Aug. 13.
Johnson City’s Wildabout Walkabout scavenger hunt includes 28 bronze animal sculptures. All the pieces have been installed downtown in and around King Commons and Founders Park and around Main and Market streets. Printed copies of the scavenger hunt clues are available at various downtown businesses and at the Johnson City Public Library. Clues are also available online on the Johnson City Public Art website.
Baby and Family Expo
It will be all things baby, children and family at the eighth annual Baby and Family Expo on Aug. 3 at YWCA NETN and SWVA, 106 State St., Bristol, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission to moms, dads, grandparents and caregivers. Goodie bags will be offered to the first 200 attendees.
Birding
Birding Kingsport will hold three Fun Fest bird walks from 8-9 a.m. Scheduled walks are July 20 at Fort Patrick Henry Dam/TVA; July 22 at Warriors Path State Park — Duck Island; and July 25 at Kingsport Greenbelt — Riverfront Seafood.
Board Game Day
Allandale Mansion is hosting a Board Game Day where friends and family can get together at the mansion and enjoy a relaxing afternoon playing their favorite card or board game. The event will be held July 30 from 1-4 p.m. Though the event is free, Allandale Mansion officials are asking participants to register to know approximately how many people will show up. To register, please visit https://bit.ly/3UZc9XD or call 423-229-9460.
Carousel
The Kingsport Carousel is a totally renovated 1956 Allen Herschell carousel located inside the temperature-controlled “Pal’s Roundhouse” at 350 Clinchfield St. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12:30 to 5 p.m.
Comedy
On July 30, The Second City will return to the Virginia Highlands Festival on Barter Theatre’s Gilliam Stage with their newest revue, “Comedian Rhapsody,” for a one-night engagement. With alumni such as Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert and Keegan-Michael Key, The Second City has an unmatched track record of launching the careers of comedy superstars. Tickets for “Comedian Rhapsody” are available for purchase at https://bit.ly/SecondCityTickets or by calling Barter Theatre’s box office at 276-628-3991.
Concerts
Pro-Art’s 48th season kicks off with the 12th annual Symphony by the Lake in partnership with UVA Wise. Symphony of the Mountains presents “When the Stars Come Out” at 8:30 p.m. on July 20 featuring tenor soloist and Big Stone Gap native Roy Cornelius Smith. The audience will enjoy selections that range from John Williams’ stirring compositions to beloved Broadway hits from “Les Misérables.” The evening gives way to a series of patriotic and Americana favorites, featuring a trumpet solo by Jimmy Stokes and a medley honoring the armed forces. Bring your family and friends, a picnic, blankets or lawn chairs, and enjoy a fabulous evening of music under the stars at UVA Wise. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information visit proartva.org.
Clint Black will headline the 75th Anniversary Benefit Concert at the Moonlite Drive-In. The concert will take place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 3. Opening act will be Lance Stinson, and Mason Ramsey, known for his rise to fame as the “Walmart yodeling kid,” will also perform. For concert tickets visit https://bit.ly/VHFandMooniteConcert2024.
Boozy Creek Community Center, 1989 Shelleys Road, Bristol, Virginia, will host Dennis Crawford and Harlan County Grass Aug. 3 from 5-6:30 p.m. There will be a fish and chicken meat at 4 p.m., and door prizes will be given away at 4:45 p.m. For more information call 276-466-0026.
The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA is coming to East Tennessee State University’s Martin Center for the Arts Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. To purchase tickets visit ETSUMartinCenter.org or call the Martin Center box office at 423-439-2787.
The Black Jacket Symphony presents Elton John’s “Madman Across the Water” on Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. at the ETSU Martin Center. You can order tickets online anytime by visiting ETSUMartinCenter.org.
Ben Folds: Paper Airplane Request Tour is coming to East Tennessee State University’s Martin Center Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. During the show, fans will be invited to launch their song requests to the stage via paper airplanes. To purchase tickets visit ETSUMartinCenter.org or call the Martin Center box office at 423-439-2787.
Larry Prevatte Memorial Duffield Jam will be held the first, third and fifth Thursday of each month from 6-8 p.m. at the Thomas Village Community Center, 355 Cecil D. Quillen Drive in Duffield, Virginia. For more information call 276-431-1083.
Dance
Outdoorsmen, 4535 Highway 11W, Blountville, will host Julie Williams & the Hired Guns July 26 and ShooterBand Aug. 3. Line dance from 6-7 p.m. The band plays from 7-10 p.m. Other scheduled bands are: Adrian Bundy & His Honky Tonk Hearts on Aug. 9; ShooterBand on Aug. 17; NightShift on Aug. 23; and Limited Edition on Aug. 31.
The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society holds dances at the Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone St., the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Dancing to live music is open to community members of all ages. There will be a lesson of basic contra dance moves for beginners at 7 p.m. with dancing from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door. Contra dance is for all ages. No partner is needed. Contra dances are family friendly, alcohol-, tobacco- and fragrance-free. For more information visit the group’s site on Facebook.
Doll show
Doll Show and Sale will be held July 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jonesborough Visitors Center. Proceeds will benefit St Jude’s Children’s Hospital. For more information call 423-753-0022 or 423-276-5273.
Festival
The annual High Knob Outdoor Fest is set for Aug. 10-18 in Norton, Virginia. The festival will feature a variety of outdoor trips and activities and a downtown Norton celebration from 4-9 p.m. on Aug. 17. The festival highlights the variety of outdoor recreation opportunities in the High Knob Region and celebrates the organizations, businesses and communities working to promote and grow these activities. Activities will include a photography contest, barn quilt workshop, nature craft, group hike and the Flag Rock 5K Trail Run. For more information visit www.highknoboutdoorfest.com.
Gardening
Gardening Seminar Series continues Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Community Room at Sycamore Shoals Site Park in Elizabethton. Presenters will be Master Gardeners Ben Hunter and Cameron Coates. The subject will be a review of summer gardens (what went right and what went wrong), planting a fall garden (any kind of vegetable is better than weeds) and pruning blackberries, blueberries, fruit trees and renovation of strawberries. The event is free to the public. For more information call 423-543-5808.
Library fun
The Kingsport Public Library has StoryWalks next to the library in Glen Bruce Park, in Ridgefields Park and in Preston Forest Park. Each StoryWalk features a different story, and stories are changed quarterly.
The Washington County-Jonesborough Library will host Open Mic Word Nights on the fourth Thursday of each month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This new program is free and open to all. Performances must be appropriate for a general audience and should not include language that is inappropriate for young audience members. Performances should be 10 minutes maximum and can include storytelling, poetry, comedy, riddle, spoken word and more. All ages welcome. For more information visit wclibrarytn.org or call 423-753-1800.
Planetarium
The first of a two-part program is showing in the Bays Mountain Park Planetarium throughout the summer. “One Sky: To Seek Far” is showing through Aug. 30 and includes two stories highlighting the theme of developing tools — “Thunderbird” and “Jai Singh’s Dream.” The show will take place Tuesday through Friday at 4 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays at noon and 4 p.m. The 35-minute show is followed by a live tour of the night sky using the planetarium’s optical star projector. The second part of the program — “One Sky: Finding Patterns” — has not been scheduled yet but will be shown at a future date. The alternate planetarium feature showing Saturdays and Sunday at 2 p.m. through Aug. 30 will be “Appalachian Skies.”
Project Friendship
Project Friendship by the Kingsport Altrusa Club is continuing its meet-and-greet events at Shooters Billiards in Kingsport on the second and fourth Fridays at 6 p.m. This event is for anyone who works from home, is new to the area, or just doesn’t get out often. It’s a low-key way to meet others and have fun! Text to 423-384-0425 for more information.
Reunions
An Army Reserve reunion for the Abingdon and Bristol units will be held Aug. 10 from noon until 4 p.m. at Sugar Hollow Park in Bristol, Virginia, in Shelter “D.” Bring your favorite picnic foods. Drinks will be provided. For more information contact Kevin Abel at 276-698-4710 or Terry Moore at 423-956-6155.
Church Hill High School 65-year reunion will be held Aug. 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Giuseppe’s on Stone Drive in Kingsport.
Tenite reunion will be held Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bays Mountain Park, Shelter #9. Bring a covered dish and drink. For more information contact Joe Bragg at 423-292-4808 or Lugene Bragg at 423-292-4806.
Gardner family reunion for the descendants of William and Elizabeth Palmer Gardner and their families and friends will be held on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m. at the home of Terry Gardner, 4162 Ann Goode Cooper Road, Hiltons, Virginia, on the North Fork of the Holston River. Please bring a potluck dish.
Science
Hands On! Discovery Center is an all-ages science center that offers a guest experience that includes fun, interactive programs and immersive, STEM-based exhibits for the whole family as well as exhibits and information about the Gray Fossil Site, an active fossil dig site dating back 5 million years. Tickets may be purchased at https://visithandson.org/tickets.
Stars and Stripes
LampLight Theatre will be hosting a brand-new patriotic tribute this year. “Stars and Stripes” will resonate the message of freedom with music classics, dance and comedy. This is the 19th annual Americana show that LampLight has produced. “Stars and Stripes” will be paying tribute to not only our home country, but to someone that makes our home state extra unique, Dolly Parton. It will feature Dolly favorites such as “Welcome Home,” “Color Me America” and of course, “9 to 5.” Remaining performances of “Stars and Stripes” will be July 20 and 21. For ticket information contact the LampLight box office at 423-343-1766 or visit www.LampLightTheatre.com.
Swim
The Kingsport Aquatic Center’s outdoor water park will be open daily through Aug. 2. From Aug. 3 through Sept. 1, the outdoor water park will only be open on the weekends, with the last day of operation being Sept. 2. Season passes and memberships can be purchased at www.kingsporttn.gov or in person at the KAC front desk. For more information call 423-343-9758 or visit swimkingsport.com.
The Riverview Splash Pad (1101 Martin Luther Jr. Drive, Kingsport) will be active from 10:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. every day during the summer. The splash pad can be turned on during these hours by rubbing the silver activator pad located on the wall between the restrooms.
Storytelling
Bil Lepp will bring his singular brand of storytelling to the International Storytelling Center July 23-27. Lepp’s specialty is wildly inventive tall tales. Performances begin at 2 p.m. each day. On July 25, Lepp will offer an additional concert in the evening at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for all shows are likely to sell out, so reservations are highly recommended. For ticket information, visit www.storytellingcenter.net or call 800- 952-8392.
Theater
The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre will present Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical,” through July 21. To purchase tickets, call the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423-753-1010 or go online to jonesboroughtheatre.com.
Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present ”The Shawshank Redemption” through Aug. 17 on the Gilliam Stage. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com.
Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present ”Cry It Out” through Aug. 17 at Barter’s Smith Theatre. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com.
Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present ”The Wizard of Oz” through Aug. 18 on the Gilliam Stage. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com.
Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present ”The Play That Goes Wrong” Aug. 31 to Nov. 9 on the Gilliam Stage. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com.
Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present ”Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily” Sept. 14 to Nov. 8 on the Gilliam Stage. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com.
Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present ”The Trip To Bountiful” Sept. 20 to Nov. 2 at Barter’s Smith Theatre. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com.
Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present ”A Christmas Carol” Nov. 14 to Dec. 22 on the Gilliam Stage. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com.
Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present ”Go Tell It On The Mountain” Nov. 20 to Dec. 29 at Barter’s Smith Theatre. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com.
Trains
The Kingsport Model Trains Project operates eight model train layouts in six rooms at the Lynn View Community Center including a 24-by-20 “O” scale representation of the Santa Train. There is a workday every Tuesday from 1-4 p.m. and an open house the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special hours/days are possible for events/birthday parties. Call 423-502-5359, email Kingsportmodeltrains@gmail.com or check us on Facebook.
The Chuckey Depot Museum in Jonesborough is open free of charge, but donations are appreciated. Attendees can visit the museum Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit Jonesborough.com or call 423-753-1010.
