Monthly dances by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park recreate the open-air tennis court dances that entertained 75,000 workers and their families in the Secret City during World War II.
“Put on your dancing shoes, another summer of tennis court dances are kicking off on the Jackson Square tennis courts,” a press release said.
The all-ages dances are scheduled monthly on the third Thursday.
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The Oak Ridge Philharmonia will present two free POPS concerts in August in Oak Ridge and Knoxville.
“We hope you can join us for a generous portion of very enjoyable and inspiring music,” a press release said.
Musical performances will include:
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Charlotte Blake Alston, Bil Lepp, and Josh Goforth will entertain this weekend at the Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)
The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival kicks off Friday at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge with three nationally-known storytellers sharing tales and music that will make you laugh, sing, and learn as you listen.
The storytellers are Charlotte Blake Alston, Josh Goforth, and Bil Lepp.
“All three use the power of storytelling to entertain and educate audiences, with hilarious, exaggerated tales or with true stories that shed light on cultures and historic events,” a press release said.
At 7 p.m. Friday, Alston will tell the inspiring story of the Six-Triple-Eight, the first all-Black Women’s Army Corps battalion assigned to military duty in Europe during World War II. She received a standing ovation after telling the story at the 2022 National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough. [Read more…]
Members of the Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival team gather in this year’s festival t-shirts. They are, from left, seated, Pat Postma, Matt Tucker, Liz Tucker, Becky Dodson, and Ram Uppuluri. From left, standing, are Vanessa Spratling, Martha Hobson, Kay Brookshire, Charles Crowe, Judy Wilson, Ray Smith, Sue Byrne, and Mark Watson. (Photo by Linde Mills)
Volunteers from civic, charitable, and business organizations throughout the community are planning to welcome three renowned storytellers to Oak Ridge for the June 7 and 8 Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival at the Historic Grove Theater.
Members of the three Oak Ridge Rotary Clubs are taking lead roles in the Flatwater Tales team planning the festival, which originated in 2018 as a community project led by Emily and Charlie Jernigan, Pat Postma, and Martha and David Hobson.
This year, Sue Byrne and Martha Hobson are co-chairing the Flatwater Executive Committee. Others on the Executive Committee are Lydia Birk, treasurer; Charles Crowe, leading the revenue team; Becky Dodson, heading the promotion team; and Pat Postma, secretary who is also on the performances team with Liz Tucker and Matt Tucker.
The storytellers coming to Flatwater Tales are Charlotte Blake Alston, Josh Goforth, and Bil Lepp. [Read more…]
Oak Ridge Playhouse is closing out its 81st season of shows with an exciting revamp of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s beloved masterpiece, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” a press release said.
It’s one of the most enduring musicals of all time, and the Oak Ridge Playhouse will offer seven performances between Friday, May 10, and Sunday, May 19.
“From dreams to destiny, this is the extraordinary story of Joseph,” the press release said. “Witness his meteoric rise from favored son to betrayed brother, from prisoner to right-hand man. Blessed with prophetic dreams and one very colorful garment, experience Joseph’s dazzling journey like you’ve never seen before.
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The summertime tennis court dances organized by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park start in two weeks.
The first dance of this summer is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16, on the Jackson Square Tennis Courts. They continue monthly on the third Thursday.
“The park recreates the open air tennis court dances held during the Manhattan Project to entertain the
75,000 war workers and their families contained within America’s Secret City (Oak Ridge),” a newsletter said. “The dances are an all-ages event, and all are encouraged to participate. Featuring swing music
from the 1940s, you might get bit by the jitterbug out on the court.”
Marble City Opera will present two performances of “Il Tabarro” by renowned composer Giacomo Puccini in Oak Ridge and Vonore in June.
The first performance will be at the Port of Tellico in Vonore on Saturday, June 22.
The Oak Ridge performance will be at Melton Lake Park on Melton Lake Drive in Oak Ridge on Sunday, June 23.
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Charlotte Blake Alston (Submitted photo)
The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival, inspired by the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee, will bring three nationally known storytellers to Oak Ridge on June 7 and 8 with performances at the Historic Grove Theater, the Oak Ridge Public Library, and the Oak Ridge Senior Center.
The storytellers are Charlotte Blake Alston, Josh Goforth, and Bil Lepp.
“Each uses the power of storytelling to entertain and educate audiences, with hilarious, exaggerated tales or with true stories that shed light on cultures and historic events,” a press release said.
All three storytellers will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, June 7, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Grove Theater. [Read more…]
The Oak Ridge Civic Music Association has appointed Joy Bonamarte as executive director. The appointment was announced by ORCMA President Larry Vance.
ORCMA is home to the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra, Oak Ridge Chorus, Chamber Music Series, and Coffee Concerts, and the organization is gearing up to celebrate its 80th anniversary in the upcoming 2024-2025 season.
“Bonamarte brings a dynamic blend of artistic passion and strategic leadership to her new role,” a press release said. “With over a decade of experience in arts management, marketing, and a deep commitment to community engagement, Joy is poised to lead ORCMA into its next phase of growth and impact.”
[Read more…]The Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board will host the first Art in the Park, and it will feature local artists, interactive art displays and crafts, face painting, refreshments, and local musician performances.
Art in the Park is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at the Alvin K. Bissell Park Amphitheater Pavilion.
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Submitted image
The Secret City Radio Show next week will feature Dom Flemons, who won a Grammy Award for best folk album in 2023, a press release said.
The show will also feature Kelle Jolly, the “Tennessee Ukulele Lady,” the press release said.
The show is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Friday, April 5, at the Grove Theater, and it will be broadcast on East Tennessee radio station WDVX, 89.9 FM. [Read more…]
Friends of the Library Book Sale is in the Oak Ridge Public Library Auditorium on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
The sale starts 5-7 p.m. Thursday for members only, with memberships available at the door.
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