Out & About | Arts & Entertainment

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.

The Virginia Highlands Festival invites artists and friends of the arts to join a three-day Plein Air festival complete with daily pop-up galleries celebrating the beauty of Abingdon’s historic architecture and natural landscape through fine art. Pop-up galleries are planned for Oct. 3 from 5-7:30 p.m. at Barns at Chip Ridge, Oct. 4 from 5-7:30 p.m. at The Tasting Room at Nicewonder Farm, and Oct. 5 at the William King Museum of Art. For reserved VIP tickets visit https://bit.ly/PleinAir24VIPticket

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.

The monthly meeting of Birding Kingsport will be held Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 584 Lebanon Road, Kingsport. The program will be “Stopover Habitat, A Critical Component for Birds During Migration” by David Aborn, PhD., at UTC. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend.

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.

Kadencia, an 11-piece ensemble that plays music and dance styles native to Puerto Rico, will perform Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. at Lee Theatre in Pennington Gap, Virginia. This performance is sponsored by Pro-Art Association in partnership with the town of Pennington Gap and the Lee County Community Foundation in conjunction with the W. Campbell Edmonds Concert Series. For more information and to make reservations please visit proartva.org.

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.

Master percussionist/multi-instrumentalist Tom Teasley and flutist John Wubbenhorst will present a fusion of world music Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Jettie Baker Center in Clintwood, Virginia. Tickets are $10 at the door, with children and students admitted free. For more information and to make reservations visit proartva.org.

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.

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 Corey Snowden on Sept. 29.

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.

Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives will perform at East Tennessee State University’s Martin Center Feb. 6, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. 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.

Outdoorsmen, 4535 Highway 11W, Blountville, will host   ShooterBand on Sept. 28. Line dance from 6-7 p.m. The band plays from 7-10 p.m. Potluck at 6:15 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.

“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 [email protected]. 

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.

Bays Mountain Park Planetarium has debuted a new show. “Phantom of the Universe – The Hunt for Dark Matter” is now showing as the main planetarium program through Dec. 31. 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 alternate planetarium feature showing Saturdays and Sunday at 2 p.m. through Dec. 31 will be “Appalachian Skies.”

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. starting in September. 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.

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 [email protected]. 

Wolfe family reunion, for all descendants and friends of Jacob and Jalah Wolfe, will be held Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Senior and Community Building at Keith Memorial Park in Nickelsville, Virginia, beginning at 11 a.m. Those attending are asked to bring enough food for their family.

The annual Churchwell reunion will be held Sunday, Sept. 29, from noon to 4 p.m. at Eastman Cabins, Picnic Shelter 28 (past the playground and to the left). Please bring a covered dish, lawn chairs and drinks for yourselves. Paper products, cups and utensils will be provided.

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.

As the International Storytelling Center’s 2024 Storytelling Live series enters its final weeks, storyteller Laura Simms will be in residence Sept. 24-28. Simms specializes in larger-than-life myths blended with intimate personal stories. Show times are 2 p.m. daily. To purchase tickets, visit www.storytellingcenter.net or call 800-952-8392.

LampLight Theatre in downtown Kingsport will present “Canary’s Cry” now through Sept. 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. 

The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre’s production of “Anastasia: The Musical” will run now through Sept. 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” now through 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 Play That Goes Wrong” now through 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 ”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.

Theatre Bristol brings the original love story, “Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam and Eve,” to the ARTspace stage in September and October. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28, Oct. 5 and Oct. 12. at the Theatre Bristol ARTspace, 506 State St. Tickets are available at www.TheatreBristol.org. Or call 423-212-3625.

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.

Theatre Bristol will present “Scrooge! The Musical” on the Paramount Bristol stage Nov. 22-24 and Dec. 6-8. Show times are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 5:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.ParamountBristol.org. Or call 423-212-3625.

“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 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 [email protected] 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.