Out & About

Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park is accepting digital submissions for the 18th annual Wildlife Weekend Photography Contest that is held each year in conjunction with Wildlife Weekend. Amateur photographers of all ages are invited to submit photos that capture the natural beauty of Steele Creek Park and its inhabitants. The submission deadline is Sept. 23 at 11:59 p.m. Complete rules and instructions for submitting entries are available at www.friendsofsteelecreek.org. Prizes will be awarded in adult and youth categories. For more information, contact Robin Feierabend at 423-764-3336.

The Gallery @ Barr Photographics in Abingdon, Virginia, has debuted a solo exhibit of oil paintings titled “National Parks” by emerging artist Rose Seemuth. “National Parks” will hang through Sept. 30. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Kingsport Cultural Arts is hosting a special art exhibit in the lobby of City Hall over the next three months, showcasing the creativity and artistic talents of city employees. The creations will be on display in the Circle Gallery at City Hall, 415 Broad St., through Nov. 4.

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.

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is coming to Tusculum University, and Tusculum Arts Outreach invites anyone in the region who wants to be in the cast to audition. Arts Outreach will hold auditions for the musical, Sept. 1-3 from 6-9 p.m. in Behan Arena Theatre. If necessary, call-backs will occur Sept. 4. Arts Outreach is seeking to cast 25 to 35 people who are 14 and older and 10 to 20 children who are 8-13 years old. Performances will be Nov. 14-24. To sign up for auditions, please visit bit.ly/46yN9fd. For more details about the auditions, please visit bit.ly/3YF8uBP.

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.

Johnson City Public Library is hosting a series of free, family-friendly “front porch” concerts on Sundays in September. Regional musicians will play from 3-4 p.m. on the library’s front steps. People are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the live music. If the weather forecast is bad, the concerts will move inside the library or be rescheduled. Performers include Shawn Lane on Sept. 8,  Daniel Couper on Sept. 15, and Corey Snowden on Sept. 29.

Boozy Creek Community Center, 1989 Shelleys Road, Bristol, Virginia, will host the Roan Street Ramblers Sept. 7 from 5-6:30 p.m. (Fish and chicken feast at 4 p.m.; door prizes at 4:45 p.m.) For more information call 276-466-0026.

Waiting to Hear is celebrating 10 years of helping deaf kids hear by re-launching their popular “Music For Our Ears” Concert Series this summer. On Sept. 26 the series honors the music and legacy of Jimmy Buffett with Key West and some special guest musicians. Three of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band — Nadirah Shakoor (vocals), “Dangerous Doyle” Grisham (steel guitar) and Roger Bartlett (Jimmy Buffett’s original guitarist who performed with him as a Duo in the early 1970s) — will join Key West on stage along with award-winning steel pan artist John Patti. Proceeds from the shows support the free Camp H.E.A.R. program (a family camp for children with hearing loss). Tickets are available online at www.ParamountBristol.org. A limited number of VIP experience tickets are available. These packages include premium seating, a backstage reception with the band, and a signed guitar.

Goshen Valley Volunteer Fire Department will present “The Firehouse Sessions.” On Sept. 28 at 7 p.m., “The Lonesome River Band” and Linda Lay and Springfield Exit will appear at Volunteer High School in Church Hill in what is to be the first of many of the firehouse sessions. Contact the fire department for tickets.

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.

Allandale Mansion is hosting a special ’90s Craft Night and Trivia event next month. The event The event will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 10 at Allandale Mansion. Come out and enjoy some ’90s trivia while you spark your creativity by making fuse bead creations, friendship bracelets and shrinky dinks. Tickets are $10 per person and registration is required. To register, please visit https://bit.ly/4dfEeBL. 

Outdoorsmen, 4535 Highway 11W, Blountville, will host  Limited Edition on Aug. 31. Line dance from 6-7 p.m. The band plays from 7-10 p.m. 

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.

On Sept. 1 the 21st annual Papa Joe Smiddy Mountain Music Festival will honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Joseph “Papa Joe” Smiddy. The event is presented by the Cove Ridge Center Foundation and will be held in the amphitheater at Natural Tunnel State Park in Duffield starting at 5 p.m. There will be no admission charge to this year’s festival thanks to the generosity of festival sponsors. Attendees may give a donation to the Cove Ridge Foundation to support its Scholarship Fund. Please note: there is a $5 per vehicle parking fee. This year’s performers will be Dr. Joe Smiddy & Reedy Creek, The Empty Bottle String Band, Twin Taters — an old-time student band from the ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music program, Dan Carty’s Basement Band, and Fiddlin’ Red and the Bluegrass Harvesters.

“Fall for Youth Builders” themed Trivia Night fundraiser will be held Nov. 16 at The Warehouse at Wilson Hill in Greeneville. Youth Builders of Greeneville recently celebrated 78 years of providing volunteer services for the children and youth in Greene County. It is seeking Trivia Night sponsors. For more information about sponsoring the event, reserving a table or to make a donation, contact Abigail Tiefenthaler at 954-804-9413 or abigail@sweetspotstrategies.com. 

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.

The Kingsport Aquatic Center is hosting a two-day Drool Party next month, offering dogs of all breeds and sizes a chance to run, play and socialize in the outdoor water park.  The Drool Party will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 6 and from 10 a.m. to noon on Sept. 7. A session for small dogs (25 pounds and less) will take place from 1-3 p.m. on Sept. 7. Admission is $5 per dog and free to owners. Limit two dogs per person, and the dogs’ handler must be over 18 and bring leashes with them. Dogs must be up to date on all vaccines. To register for the Drool Party, visit https://bit.ly/3P2HNBD.

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.

Holston Eagles high school reunion will be held Sunday, Sept. 1, at 3:30 p.m. at Warriors Path State Park (new location) at the Duck Island Recreation Building. All Holston alumni and friends welcome. Barbecue, beans and slaw will be provided. Bring a dessert if you want. A suggested donation of $10 to cover the barbecue will be taken at the door.  The PF Flyers and Ronnie Smith, Holston Class of ’64, will play classic rock and roll music. Donations will be accepted to pay for the band. Dinner will be served at 4:30 p.m., and music and dancing will begin at 5 p.m. If you plan to attend please call or text to 423-914-3694 or 423-408-4241.

Ramey family reunion, for descendants of Timothy Ramey and wife Amanda Darnell Ramey, will be held Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bays Mountain Shelter 38. Please bring a covered dish. Everyone welcome. For more information call 276-431-2402.

The annual Newton family reunion, for the descendants of James Madison Newton, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Eastman Shelter No. 8 beginning at 4 p.m. Call Pamela Newton Osborne at 423-245-1704 for more information.

The 51st annual Kilgore family reunion, for descendants of Nathan D. Kilgore and other cousins and friends, will be held at the Nickelsville Ruritan Cabin next to Bush Mill in Nickelsville, Virginia, on Sunday, Sept. 22, around noon. Please bring covered dish foods. For more information email charlesrobinkilgore@chartertn.net. 

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.

Graveyard Tales returns to Jonesborough Sept. 7 at the  the McKinney Center. Presented by the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild, Graveyard Tales will include spooky stories of local legends, creepy creatures and bone-chilling lore. Due to this event’s sometimes true and chilling tales, the concert is not intended for children under the age of 12. Featured storytellers include Linda Poland, Cynthia Millhorn, Jim Priesmeyer and Anne G’Fellers-Mason. The McKinney Center is located at 103 Franklin Ave. in Jonesborough. Tickets can be purchased by calling 423-753-1010 or visiting jonesboroughtn.org.

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.

LampLight Theatre in downtown Kingsport will present “Canary’s Cry” Sept. 6-22. “Canary’s Cry” is an Appalachian retelling of the story of Jonah. This show will feature some favorite hymns and bluegrass songs. For reservations and information, contact the LampLight box office at 423-343-1766 or visit www.lamplighttheatre.com.  

Theatre Bristol will bring “The Mockingbird Sings” to its ARTspace Stage Sept. 6-8 and 11-12. Tickets are on sale now for this limited engagement staged reading and live music presentation at www.theatrebristol.org/tickets. For more information call 423-212-3625.

The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre’s production of “Anastasia: The Musical” will run Sept. 6-29. To purchase tickets go online to jonesboroughtheatre.com or visit the theater box office. Box office hours are Saturday and Monday, 10 a.m. to noon and Tuesday and Wednesday, 5-7 p.m.

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.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage” is coming to East Tennessee State University’s Martin Center Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. After the final bow, the audience will be invited to join the Peanuts gang in singing traditional Christmas songs and carols. To purchase tickets visit ETSUMartinCenter.org or call the Martin Center box office at 423-439-2787.

The Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society and Museum will sponsor a steam train excursion on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad on Sept. 14. The scenic steam excursion departs from the historic depot in Bryson City, North Carolina, travels through the countryside of Western North Carolina, into the Nantahala Gorge, and back to Bryson City. Passengers ride in antique restored passenger cars. There are restrooms throughout the train. Tickets and pre-purchased meals must be ordered online by credit card at http://www.wataugavalleynrhs.org/. Click on the Excursions link. For more information go to www.wataugavalleynrhs.org or email wataugavalley@gmail.com.

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.