Dancing Archives - Oak Ridge Today

Halloween spectacular ‘Kindred Spirits’ is Oct. 27 at Roane State’s Roane County campus

Posted at 1:24 pm October 12, 2018
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

Pictured is a scene from the 2017 version of “Kindred Spirits,” which drew crowds of about 350 to each of its two performances. This year’s “Kindred Spirits” production, with performances at 1 and 3 p.m., will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in the O’Brien Theatre on Roane State’s main campus in Harriman. (Photo by Roane State)

By Bob Fowler
Roane State staff writer

It’s an extravaganza for the Halloween season that features a cast of 130 singers, dancers, musicians, and actors, and it’s growing in popularity.

It’s the annual “Kindred Spirits” production, with performances at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 27, in the O’Brien Theatre on Roane State Community College’s main campus at 276 Patton Lane in Harriman. Admission is $5.

“It’s one of the highlights of our year,” said Professor Brenda Luggie, Roane State’s choral director. “The music students absolutely love it.”

The hour-long, family-friendly show features Roane State music students, actors from Midway High School’s Drama Club, and about 100 dancers of all ages from Arts in Motion, with studios in Rockwood and Kingston. [Read more…]

Arts festival in Jackson Square on Saturday

Posted at 11:27 am August 10, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

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…]

Civic Ballet presents original ballet inspired by ‘Into the Woods’ on April 7

Posted at 8:51 pm March 31, 2018
By Wendie Aurin Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association will present an original ballet inspired by “Into the Woods” on Saturday, April 7, at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center.

Artistically directed by Molly Koon Quist along with assistant artistic director Sharon Nicklow-Cousins and assistant to the directors Sarah Jett, “Into the Woods” offers a unique take on some of your favorite fairy tales, a press release said.

“This is the first time we are performing this particular show,” said Wendie Aurin, assistant production manager. “Our dancers are excited to bring the stories of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Red Riding Hood, and more to life in this entertaining ballet.”

Tickets for “Into the Woods” are on sale now at www.orcba.org or tickets may be purchased at Mott’s Floral Design on Tulane Avenue, the press release said. [Read more…]

International Festival at Children’s Museum to feature entertainers, food, crafts

Posted at 2:18 pm February 14, 2018
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

The Knox Accordion-AIRs, Wolfgang Schaber and Linda Warren, will be featured performers at the Children’s Museum International Festival on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. (Submitted photo)

The Knox Accordion-AIRs will be the featured performer when the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge hosts its annual International Festival on Saturday, February 17. The lively accordion duo will join Native American dancers, Greek and Indian folk dancers, hip hop dancers, and others during the multi-cultural festival, a press release said.

The family-friendly International Festival will present entertainment, crafts, and cuisines from cultures around the world, with musical and dance entertainment on stage throughout the day and crafts for children to make and take home. The festival entertainment will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Children’s Museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.

The Knox Accordion-AIRs are Wolfgang Schaber and Linda Warren. Schaber began studying the accordion as a child in his home country of Austria, the press release said. Warren, who describes herself as “a Tennessee girl through and through,” has been playing accordion since she was six. She enjoys squeezing country, rock ‘n roll, and Memphis blues and gospel music on her accordion. Schaber enjoys playing polkas, marches, a waltz or two, folk tunes, and classical music. [Read more…]

Free West African drum, dance performance at ORAU on Thursday

Posted at 1:58 pm February 14, 2018
By Amy Schwinge Leave a Comment

The public is invited to see the Austin-East High School Drum and Dance Ensemble in recognition of Black History Month at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, at Pollard Auditorium at ORAU. The free West African drum and dance performance is presented by the ORAU Diversity Council. (Submitted photo)

There is a free West African drum and dance performance at ORAU in Oak Ridge on Thursday in recognition of Black History Month. The performance will feature the Austin-East High School Drum and Dance Ensemble, and the public is invited.

The performance is presented by the ORAU Diversity Council, and it’s scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, February 15, in Pollard Auditorium at 210 Badger Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Focusing on the culture of traditional West African drum and dance, Austin-East students in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to learn not only West African dance but also ballet and modern as part of their performing arts program,” a press release said. “Austin-East students have performed at many venues, including University of Tennessee sports halftime shows, Knox County Schools and other schools in surrounding counties, and the Tennessee Valley Fair, to name a few. The ensemble has been in existence since 1999.”

This press release was submitted by Amy Schwinge.

Oak Ridge Civic Ballet performing ‘The Nutcracker’ on Saturday, Sunday

Posted at 9:56 am November 18, 2017
By Wendie Aurin Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association is performing Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” on Saturday, Nov. 18, and Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center. (Photo by ORCBA)

The Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association is performing Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” on Saturday, November 18, and Sunday, November 19, at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center.

Directed by Molly Koon Quist along with assistant director Sharon Nicklow-Cousins and assistant Sarah Jett, “The Nutcracker” offers artistic entertainment for family members of all ages.

“We have so many talented dancers in East Tennessee,” said Wendie Aurin, assistant production manager. “We are excited to have them showcase their creativity in such a classic ballet.”

Courtney Walker, Fancisco Aguilar, and Murillo Barbosa of the Georgia Ballet, as well as Howard Merlin of the Boston Ballet as Drosselmeyer, will join the talented cast, a press release said. Frank Murphy from Classic Hits 93.1 WNOX will also make a guest appearance. [Read more…]

Secret City Festival: Seven days of celebration

Posted at 4:53 pm May 29, 2017
By Carolyn H Krause Leave a Comment

Two weekends, counting Fridays. Two weekdays. Seven days of celebration, from June 2 through June 10, 2017, mostly at A. K. Bissell Park. And admission to all events is free of charge. (Photo and caption courtesy Celebrate Oak Ridge and Carolyn Krause)

Two weekends, counting Fridays. Two weekdays. Seven days of celebration, from June 2 through June 10, mostly at A. K. Bissell Park. And admission to all events is free of charge.

The new Secret City Festival, brought to you by Celebrate Oak Ridge, will be bookended by two special weekends. The first weekend will celebrate Oak Ridge and World War II history. A free family movie will be shown on Tuesday, June 6; the arts will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 7; and music and art are the focus of the second weekend, June 9-10.

On Friday, June 2, tours of the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with shuttles running to and from the American Museum of Science and Energy and New Hope Center. U.S. citizenship and pre-registration are required for tours. Graphite Reactor tours at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will also be held then on a first-come, first-served basis, with departure on buses from AMSE.

Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch will officially open the festival, and the crew of the U.S.S. Oak Ridge will present and ring the U.S.S. Oak Ridge bell at 8:30 p.m. At 9 p.m., the movie “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” will be shown free of charge.

Overnight, approximately 200 re-enactors will be setting up an overnight encampment with World War II-era tents in Bissell Park. [Read more…]

An Evening Out to benefit Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County

Posted at 2:01 pm April 21, 2017
By Michelle Powell Leave a Comment

Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County Kids Count 5k

Photo courtesy Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County

Some of East Tennessee’s most exciting performing artists will share one stage in Oak Ridge in a concert to raise funds for the Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County, or CACAC, a press release said.

The event attracts a cadre of talented singers, songwriters, dancers, and performers from the area, the press release said. This year, it’s scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Friday, April 28, at the Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road in Grove Center.

Two of the area’s most talented performers will be highlighting the evening, the press release said. Kelle Jolly, “The Tennessee Ukulele Lady,” is one of East Tennessee’s most celebrated jazz musicians and a WUOT personality, the release said. Dominick White, a baritone with the Marble City Opera Company, will share his talent in the evening of fun.

Other singers, plus dance ensembles, will be performing including tango, lindy hop, and Greg Carney’s hip-hop. The emcee of the evening will be Zach Farrar who will also be handling the live auction.

“This event makes a difference in the lives of children,” said Sally Avery, president of the CACAC Board of Directors. “An evening of entertainment while supporting the kids, it is the event to be at this year!” [Read more…]

See the 2017 Secret City Festival schedule here

Posted at 4:03 am March 10, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

See the Secret City Festival schedule of events above. The events start Friday, June 2, and end June 17.

Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are available. For more information, contact [email protected].

Children’s Museum to host International Festival Feb. 18

Posted at 10:41 pm February 2, 2017
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Obayana Ajanaku of Indigenous Vibes will create positive vibes on the djembe drums Feb. 18, 2017, at the Children’s Museum International Festival. (Submitted photo)

Indigenous Vibes, a culture-based entertainment group that creates positive vibrations using traditional West African drums, will be the featured performer when the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge hosts its annual International Festival on Saturday, February 18.

Led by Obayana Ajanaku, Indigenous Vibes drummers use the djembe drums to bring the message of diversity, confidence, unity, and pride through their entertainment, a press release said. The festival audience will be invited to participate in dancing to the drum rhythm.

The festival entertainment will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. February 18 at the Children’s Museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive, with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. [Read more…]

Community-wide Valentine’s Dance at First United Methodist on Feb. 11

Posted at 7:36 pm February 2, 2017
By Jan Ryan Leave a Comment

first-united-methodist-church-of-oak-ridge-jan-2017

First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge will celebrate recent renovations with an open house on Sunday evening, Jan. 8, 2017. The church is located at the intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike and North Tulane Avenue. (Photo courtesy Jeff Kile)

First United Methodist Church has its Third Annual Community-wide Valentine’s Dance on Saturday, February 11.

The Valentine’s Day dance is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. February 11 in the Multipurpose Room at First United Methodist Church, which is at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

“Come dressed to impress for a fun-filled night of dancing and fellowship!” a press release said.

Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served, the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Civic Ballet presents ‘The Nutcracker’ next weekend

Posted at 5:42 pm November 13, 2016
By Christy Rickman Leave a Comment

oak-ridge-civic-ballet-association-nutcracker

The Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association will present “The Nutcracker” next weekend, November 19 and 20, 2016. (Photo by ORCBA)

The Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association will present Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” next weekend, November 19 and 20. The performances will be at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center.

Directed by Molly Koon Quist, “The Nutcracker” offers artistic entertainment for family members of all ages, a press release said. The feature shows will include the added value of the University of Tennessee Chamber Orchestra and Farragut High School Advanced Chorus, a press release said.

“We are thrilled to showcase our talented dancers in such a classic ballet for the Oak Ridge community,” said Christy Rickman, president of ORCBA.

Courtney Walker and Fancisco Aguilar of the Georgia Ballet as well as Grant Howard as the Russian Soloist will join the talented cast from East Tennessee. Frank Murphy of Classic Hits 93.1 will also make a guest appearance, the press release said. [Read more…]