Oak Ridge Today

Secret City Festival is Friday, Saturday

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Secret City Festival (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The two-day Secret City Festival on Friday and Saturday will feature music, food, history, science, and much more, a press release said.

The festival is hosted by the City of Oak Ridge and presented by Celebrate Oak Ridge. It will be in Alvin K. Bissell Park from 10 a.m. until about 11 p.m. on Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8.

The festival showcases Oak Ridge’s unique role in American history and scientific innovation with various events and activities for the entire family to enjoy.

Musical headliners at the concerts will include iconic rock bands Loverboy, performing on Friday, June 7, and 38 Special, performing on Saturday, June 8. Tickets for each concert are available online. The festival is free to attend, but concert-goers must purchase a ticket.

[Read more…]

International entertainers, food & crafts at Children’s Museum on Feb. 23

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Spice of India dancers will perform traditional Indian dances on Feb. 23, 2019, at the Children’s Museum International Festival. (Photo by Rob Welton)

Spice of India dancers will perform traditional Indian dances on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at the Children’s Museum International Festival. (Photo by Rob Welton)

 

The Oak Ridge International Folk Dancers will join entertainers representing cultures around the world when the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge hosts its annual International Festival on Saturday, February 23.

The family-friendly International Festival will present entertainment, crafts, and cuisines from many countries, with musical and dance entertainment on stage throughout the day and crafts for children to make and take home, a press release said. The festival entertainment will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. February 23 at the Children’s Museum at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.

Crafts that children may make and take include crocodile masks, an Egyptian necklace, and a French flag, the press release said. They may also learn about collecting international postage stamps and take their own passport around the festival booths to have it stamped and get a prize. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society presents smartphone camera workshop Thursday

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Doug Edlund (Submitted photo)

Doug Edlund (Submitted photo)

 

Did you know that one of the best cameras you can own is in your smartphone? A program in Oak Ridge on Thursday titled “The Best Camera May Be the One in Your Pocket” is designed for people who have iPhones, Androids, and other smartphones, a press release said.

The class was rescheduled from January 29 to Thursday, February 7, because of weather. The class will be at Roane State Community College’s Oak Ridge Campus in the City Room from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Sponsored by the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society, Doug Edlund, assistant director with UT Institute of Agriculture Marketing and Communications, will share his tips and tricks to get the most out of your smartphone photography, the press release said.

“From lighting to composition, Edlund shares his experiences to help you get the best results to make your digital photos stand out,” the release said. [Read more…]

Today: Artist who specializes in visual concerts has show at Grove Theater

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Desmond Darko

Desmond Darko

 

Desmond Darko, an Oak Ridge native, specializes in creating visual concerts in which the audience both hears and sees the music.

On Thursday, January 10, he and two other artists will present “Ice Cold: A Concert.” The event, sponsored by Pink House, will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Historic Grove Theater, 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.

Tickets cost $5 through a link on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/events/320437028559678/ ) or $6 at the door.

Pilot Club has Arts & Crafts Fair on Friday, Saturday

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Scottie Baxter is a new crafter at the Pilot Club’s 42nd annual Arts and Crafts Fair in Oak Ridge on Friday, Nov. 16, and Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. Scottie creates vintage lace wall pockets out of lace. Here she is removing the lace from one of her wall pockets. (Submitted photo)

Scottie Baxter is a new crafter at the Pilot Club’s 42nd annual Arts and Crafts Fair in Oak Ridge on Friday, Nov. 16, and Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. Scottie creates vintage lace wall pockets out of lace. Here she is removing the lace from one of her wall pockets. (Submitted photo)

 

The Pilot Club’s 42nd annual Arts and Crafts Fair will take place from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday, November 16, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, November 17, at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

The craft fair will include 84 booths, with a variety of arts and crafts such as silk and burlap wreaths, jewelry, scarfs, handbags, glass etching, crocheted items, repurposed furniture, pottery, wind chimes, lotions, scrubs, wood working, jams, jellies, natural goats milk soaps, photographers, authors, wood chimes, Christmas crafts…and the list goes on and on, a press release said. There will also be food for sale from the kitchen and a table of homemade baked items. Admission is free. [Read more…]

Street Painting Festival at Jackson Square will include Ed Westcott Challenge

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The annual Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge, is fun for artists of all ages. This year’s festival, which raises funds for Roane State Community College scholarships, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13, at historic Jackson Square. (Photo courtesy Roane State Community College)

The annual Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge, is fun for artists of all ages. This year’s festival, which raises funds for Roane State Community College scholarships, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13, at historic Jackson Square. (Photo courtesy Roane State Community College)

 

In celebration of Oak Ridge’s 75th anniversary, the 19th annual Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival will have two “firsts.”

The October 13 event will be held in historic Jackson Square, and it will offer the first-ever Ed Westcott Challenge for artists interested in chalking a creative interpretation of a famous photograph by Manhattan Project photographer Ed Westcott.

The festival will, as always, offer prizes for artists in each category. But this year, artists in any category can win an all-ages, all-categories bonus prize as part of the Ed Westcott Challenge, a press release said.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge and a fundraiser for Roane State Community College scholarships, the annual art extravaganza will be held on Saturday, October 13, at historic Jackson Square. Chalking will begin at 8 a.m. Categories are available for all ages, teams, and families. Artist participation is free, the press release said. [Read more…]

Calling all artists! Register for Street Painting Festival at Jackson Square

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The Rotary Club of Oak Ridge’s annual Street Painting Festival will, for the first time, be held at Jackson Square on Oct. 13, 2018. (Submitted photo)

The Rotary Club of Oak Ridge’s annual Street Painting Festival will, for the first time, be held at Jackson Square on Oct. 13, 2018. (Submitted photo)

 

The Rotary Club of Oak Ridge’s annual Street Painting Festival will, for the first time, be held at Jackson Square.

The festival gives artists of all ages an opportunity to showcase their talent and have fun, a press release said. Plus, the event raises funds that provide scholarships to Roane State Community College students who otherwise could not afford to attend college. More than $200,000 have been raised since the first festival in 2000, the press release said.

The festival will be held on Saturday, October 13. Chalking of sidewalk squares at Jackson Square will begin at 8 a.m. Categories are available for all ages, teams, and families. Artist registration is free, and chalk and other supplies will be provided, the press release said. [Read more…]

Arts festival in Jackson Square on Saturday

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Mad Hatters Art Festival Through Looking Glass 0718 390x600

The Mad Hatter’s Arts Festival in Jackson Square on Saturday will feature arts and crafts vendors, poetry, music, food, dancers, authors, and interactive arts stations.

The free festival, the first of its kind, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s presented by Through the Looking Glass Antiques and Collectibles in Jackson Square.

A Jabberwocky Poetry Slam is scheduled at Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab and Kitchen from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. An open mic will start at 2 p.m. for walk-ins who didn’t sign up for the family-friendly event but want to perform.

Sixteen local songwriters will perform original acoustic music all day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the square. There will also be musicians playing cover songs at the festival, said Linda Johnston of Through the Looking Glass.

At noon, the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet dancers will perform in the square. [Read more…]

Painting with a Twist fundraiser Thursday to benefit Emory Valley Center

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Paint this painting while helping Emory Valley Center!

Paint this painting while helping Emory Valley Center! (Submitted photo)

 

Painting with a Twist in Knoxville is holding a “Painting with a Purpose” fundraiser for Emory Valley Center at its Farragut location, 11000 Kingston Pike, on Thursday, July 12, from 6-8 p.m. A portion of each $35 registration fee will be donated to Emory Valley Center’s Early Learning Center renovation project. Pre-registration is required and there are some seats still available. Please reserve your seat with this link today:

https://www.paintingwithatwist.com/studio/knoxville/event/1603240/

“Painting with a Twist is a fun way to create your own piece of art with friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors while also meeting new friends!” a press release said. “For your registration fee, you will receive all instruction and supplies to create a beautiful painting you can take home at the end of the evening. You may also bring snacks to share and soft drinks for the event, wine will be provided by a donor (for people 21 and older)!” [Read more…]

Lavender Festival is Saturday in Jackson Square

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Image Credit: Shawn Millsaps

Lavender Festival (Image Credit: Shawn Millsaps)

 

The Lavender Festival in Jackson Square on Saturday will celebrate health, herbs, crafts, local foods—and lavender. There will also be music, children’s activities, and a wine tasting. It’s the 20th year of the festival, which is the only Lavender Festival in Tennessee.

“The Lavender Festival is a perennial crowd favorite, full of tradition, fun, and always something new,” a press release said.

The 20th annual Lavender Festival is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 16, in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge.

The festival, which attracted about 8,000 people last year, is always free, with plenty of free parking available in surrounding city and business lots, and on side streets.

As is tradition, a bagpipe player will open the festival at 8 a.m., playing from upper Blankenship Field into Jackson Square. Also keeping with tradition, Alan McBride will follow with the hammered dulcimer in the bandstand. A complete music schedule is found below.

Informative presentations will be held in the lobby of Pinnacle Financial Partners, and they will include Thyroid Health & Tips for Optimal Brain function (10 a.m.), Home-Crafted Lavender Products (11:30 a.m.), and Turning Back the Bones of Time (1 p.m.).

Also returning for its third year is “A Taste of Tennessee Wines,” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., benefitting the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Secret City Festival is this weekend

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Although numbers weren't immediately available, organizers said a record-setting crowd attended the Three Dog Night concert at the Secret City Festival on Saturday. (Photo by Jon Hetrick)

A record-setting crowd is pictured above at the Three Dog Night concert at the Secret City Festival in June 2015. (File photo courtesy Jon Hetrick)

 

The Secret City Festival on Friday and Saturday will feature music, food, children’s activities, historic exhibits, arts and crafts, technology, robotics, magic, a juggler, a K-9 search demonstration, wine tasting, tours of two federal sites, veterans parade, an attempt to set a world record in a basketball game, and headline concerts featuring Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx, and Little River Band.

There have been pre-festival events this week, including a Battle of the Bands tonight (Thursday, June 7), and a live radio broadcast featuring two bands on Monday, and a Children’s Movie Night on Wednesday.

At the Secret City Festival this weekend, a main stage concert on Friday night will feature Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx. The opening band is The Band Legacy. The show starts at 7 p.m.

The main stage concert on Saturday night will feature the Little River Band. The opening band is Janelle Arthur. The show starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available online or at Citizens First Bank at 1298 Oak Ridge Turnpike for $25. [Read more…]

Pre-Festival Wednesday night: Children’s Movie Night features ‘Despicable Me 3’ at ORHS

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Children’s Movie Night tonight (Wednesday, June 6) will feature “Despicable Me 3” at Oak Ridge High School. It’s a pre-festival event for the Secret City Festival this weekend.

The movie is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. Wednesday at Ben Martin Track at Oak Ridge High School.

The first pre-festival event was Monday, a live radio broadcast by WDVX 89.9 FM, featuring Ridge City Ramblers and Kukuly and Gypsy Fuego.

Another pre-festival event this week, before the Secret City Festival on Friday and Saturday, is a Battle of the Bands at the pavilion at Alvin K. Bissell Park at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, presented by United Way of Anderson County, the Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board, and MERLE FM.

There are many events scheduled for the Secret City Festival on Friday, June 8, and Saturday, June 9. [Read more…]