Oak Ridge Today

2016 Tennessee Fall Homecoming lineup announced

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Museum of Appalachia Wilson Barn Stage

A performance at a previous Fall Homecoming at the Museum of Appalachia near Norris. (Submitted photo)

 

The Museum of Appalachia has announced the music lineup for its 37th Annual Tennessee Fall Homecoming from October 7-9.

High-profile artists scheduled to appear include 20-year Homecoming veteran, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver—an IBMA Hall of Fame Member and 2016 Grammy-Nominated artist; Mountain Faith, semi-finalists on Season 10 of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”; Lonesome River Band, Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo award-winners; and seven-time IBMA Vocal Group of the Year award-winners, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out.

One of the nation’s largest, most authentic music and folk festivals, Homecoming features more than 70 musicians performing on four outdoor stages, a press release said. Each year, tens of thousands of music fans come to enjoy concerts spanning many genres—including bluegrass, country, gospel, and Americana music. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum hosts Young Child Celebration on April 16

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Jim and Woodenstar

Jim and the Woodenstars will present a ventriloquist’s show for children when the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge hosts a Celebration of the Young Child from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 16. (Submitted photo)

 

Jim and the Woodenstars will present a ventriloquist’s show for children when the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge hosts a Celebration of the Young Child from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 16.

The comedy ventriloquist’s act, at 11:45 a.m., will headline a host of children’s activities, including creative movement, storytelling, crafts for kids to make and take, and LEGO building. The Oak Ridge Fire Department will lead a fire safety program, and the Oak Ridge Police Department will present a stranger danger program.

Jim Bryson has taken his Woodenstars’ family entertainment to festivals and events nationally and internationally, and they have appeared on cruise ships. The act has opened for Alabama and for Grammy award winner Michael W. Smith, among others. A former police officer, Bryson also presents safety and fire prevention shows with his Woodenstars.

Author Kathleen Fearing will join in the celebration, entertaining children with her stories. She writes books for children of various ages, among them “Adisa’s Basket,” “Voyage of Dreams—An Irish Memory,” and “My Friend the Werewolf—What Would You Do.” She also has had several stories published at www.storiesforchildrenmagazine.org. Fearing has won awards from Writer’s Digest and the Tennessee Mountain Writer’s Conference. She retired in Norris after teaching education and children’s literature at the college level. [Read more…]

Arts and Antiques in Jackson Square starts this month

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The Jackson Square Merchants Association is starting a series of Saturday events called Arts and Antiques in the Square.

The series will be on the last Saturday of the month. It starts April 30 and runs through October 29.

“Our goal is to celebrate the local artistic talent in our area, help recycle antique/vintage items, as well as showcase the businesses in and around the square,” a press release said.

It pointed out that Oak Ridge Farmers Market is also in the square on Saturdays, starting later this month.

Arts and Antiques in the Square is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month, with setup from 8-8:30 a.m. Local artisans and vintage/antique dealers can sell, and there is a $25 cost for space. [Read more…]

Youth Showcase, Auction features rising stars in benefit for Child Advocacy Center

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Sydney Buckner

Sydney Buckner will perform at the Third Annual Youth Showcase and Auction on Friday, April 22, 2016, at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

The Third Annual Youth Showcase and Auction on April 22 will feature rising stars—extremely talented performers in their late teens and early 20s—in a benefit for the Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County, a press release said.

The Youth Showcase and Auction is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 22, at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 per child/youth.

“Arrive at 6 p.m. to enjoy delicious treats, socialize, and browse the silent auction items,” the press release said. The performance begins at 6:45 p.m.

Matt Shafer Powell

Matt Shafer Powell

Matt Shafer Powell of WUOT-FM will be the master of ceremonies.

“Zach Farrar returns as auctioneer, and will get (the) audience bidding on exciting items such as Disney Park Hopper tickets, a Volunteer Princess Sunset Dinner cruise for two, beautiful quilt, etc., during the performance,” the release said. There will also be a raffle.

All proceeds will be used to provide services for children who have been victims or witnesses of child abuse, neglect, or other crimes. The services are provided by the Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. [Read more…]

Today: Music of America Concert at ORHS

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The Oak Ridge Community Band/Wind Ensemble is pictured above during its Spring Concert on April 19, 2015. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Community Band/Wind Ensemble will present its last indoor concert of the 2015-2016 “Every Day is Better with Music” series on Sunday, April 3. This performance will be held at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center at 3:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for all adults over age 18, and it includes free refreshments in the lobby at the conclusion of the show.

“This Sunday’s performance promises to be exceptional featuring music about America and a number of selections written by American composers,” a press release said. “A highlight of this concert will be guest soprano vocalist Lettie Andrade De La Torre, who will be making a return appearance to sing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beautiful ‘Music of the Night’ from ‘Phantom of the Opera.'”

Another high note of Sunday’s show will be a unique narration of Ernest Thayer’s poem by Oak Ridge High School student Lucas Potter as the band plays Randol Bass’s “Casey at the Bat” focusing on America’s favorite summertime sport, baseball, the press release said. [Read more…]

Charlie Daniels Band, Grand Funk Railroad to headline Secret City Festival

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The Charlie Daniels Band will headline the Friday night, June 10, concert at the 2016 Secret City Festival in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

The Charlie Daniels Band and Grand Funk Railroad with Atlanta Rhythm Section will be the headliners in the Friday and Saturday night concerts at the Secret City Festival in June.

“After a record-breaking concert turnout in 2015, the 14th annual Secret City Festival on June 10th-11th aims to keep the good times rolling,” a press release said.

The concert headliners were announced Friday by radio sponsors 96.7 MerleFM and 93.1 WNOX.

Daniels continues to “bring down the house” at age 78 with his genre-defining Southern rock anthems and his CMA Award-winning country hits, the press release said. The legendary musician was recently announced as a 2016 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the press release said. He is best known for such hits as “Uneasy Rider,” “The South’s Gonna Do It Again,” “Trudy,” “Long Haired Country Boy,” “Midnight Wind,” and “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” [Read more…]

Bluegrass music featured in benefit for Colton Stout Memorial Scholarship

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Bluegrass music and barbecue will be featured in a scholarship benefit show in Oak Ridge on April 8.

The show is titled “Follow Chaos: An Evening of Bluegrass.” It’s at the historic Grove Theatre in Oak Ridge at 7 p.m. Friday, April 8.

The show will feature area bluegrass musicians Mason T. and Carl Capps, and Hardin Valley Thunder.

“This special night is a benefit for the Colton Stout Memorial Scholarship and promises to be an evening of homegrown, finger-picking musicianship, and finger-licking cuisine with catering by Buddy’s Barbecue,” a press release said.

Established in 2014, the Colton Stout Memorial Scholarship helps selected students obtain their EMT-Advanced Certification. For students, this evening’s benefit concert is confirmation that everyday offers an opportunity to change someone’s life for the better, the press release said.

Colton Stout served admirably as a Campbell County EMT-IV, was a proud member of the Anderson County Rescue Squad, and a firefighter with Marlow Volunteer Fire Department. Helping others was vitally important to Colton, and it is the Colton Stout Memorial Scholarship’s mission to carry on his commitment to helping others by awarding scholarships each year to individuals who share similar goals of service. [Read more…]

Artists, arts supporters to be recognized during Tribute to the Arts on Tuesday

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Arts agencies will showcase their talents during a Tribute to the Arts in Oak Ridge on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, and local artists and arts supporters will be recognized. (Submitted image)

 

Arts agencies will showcase their talents during a Tribute to the Arts in Oak Ridge on Tuesday, and local artists and arts supporters will be recognized.

This is the second time that the Arts Council of Oak Ridge has offered this unique gala giving members of the community a chance to recognize local artists and arts supporters for their wonderful work promoting the arts in Anderson County, a press release said.

Tribute to the Arts is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, at the Saint Mary’s Family Life Center in Oak Ridge.

“Each of the arts agencies will be showcasing their talents, so it’s the perfect time to sample an appetizer of arts in our community,” the press release said.

The event is being co-promoted by Arts Council of Oak Ridge and the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge Sunset, with proceeds from ticket sales and a silent auction benefiting both organizations and their philanthropies. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the Arts Council of Oak office at (865) 482-4432 or contacting any representative from the eight member organizations. Those groups are Oak Ridge Art Center, Oak Ridge Civic Music Association, Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association, Tennessee Mountain Writers, Oak Ridge Playhouse, Oak Ridge Community Orchestra, Oak Ridge Community Band, and the Music Arts School. [Read more…]

ORHS Orchestra shines in New York City

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The Oak Ridge High School Orchestra is pictured above at Ellis Island in New York City on March 14, 2016. (Photo by ORHS Orchestra via Twitter)

 

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Oak Ridge High School Orchestra is in the mist of a record-setting year. During the past month, 28 ORHS Orchestra students earned All-East Tennessee Orchestra honors, and 13 earned All-State Tennessee Orchestra recognition. Both of the previously mentioned accomplishments were the most of any orchestra program in East Tennessee.

Also, the orchestra performed in the East Tennessee Band and Orchestra Concert Festival this month and earned all superior ratings in every category and sub-category for all four judges at the event. This was the first time in ORHS Orchestra’s history to achieve this feat.

This past weekend, the orchestra traveled to Washington, D.C., and New York City to compete in a national orchestra competition with schools from Tennessee, Georgia, Missouri, California, Texas, and Arizona. ORHS Orchestra stole the show with 11 total awards including: [Read more…]

Today: ‘Evening of Rhythm and Song’ at Oak Ridge UU Church

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The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will present an “Evening of Rhythm and Song” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 18.

“Percussion Ensemble Heritage O.P. and the First UU Nashville Choir, led by Rev. Jason Shelton, will join together to present an evening of music that will make your spirit sing and your body groove,” a press release said. “The concert will be held in the sanctuary, and will, by design, morph into a party in the Social Hall. You do not want to miss what promises to be a fantastic evening!”

ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 at the door, with a $3 discount for students and seniors. Advance tickets are available on line at oruuc.org/events. For more information, call the church office at (865) 483-6761.

Summer theater program set at Oak Ridge Playhouse

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Students Josh Cormany of Knoxville, then 15, and Lauren McCoig of Oak Ridge, then 12, perform a scene at the 2014 Oak Ridge Junior Playhouse Theater Camp showcase.
(Photo by Suzanne McNeil)

 

By Betsy Abernathy

The Oak Ridge Junior Playhouse is preparing for its annual summer program for young people interested in theater. The Oak Ridge Junior Playhouse Theater Camp will run from June 6 through June 17, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. each weekday. The camp is open to rising third through rising 12th graders and will be held in the studios of the Dance Centre of Oak Ridge, which is at 108 East Division Road in Oak Ridge. On the last day of camp, the participants will present a workshop showcase on the Oak Ridge Playhouse stage.

Former campers, many of whom continue to be involved in theater at their schools and communities, speak highly of the summer program. Josh Cormany, 17, of Knoxville, who stage managed the recent Junior Playhouse production of “The Snow Queen,” recommends the camp to kids interested in theater.

“My favorite thing about the Playhouse Theater Camp is that you get to have fun and learn about theater in a friendly and nonjudgmental environment,” Cormany said. “The camp is so enjoyable because you can just be yourself.” [Read more…]

Children’s Museum hosts exhibit of Historic Norris Dam photos

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The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will host the opening of an exhibition by Harvey Towns commemorating the 80th anniversary of the completion of Norris Dam. The opening reception will be from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at the Children’s Museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive. Refreshments will be provided.

On March 4, 1936, the outlet conduit gates in Norris Dam were closed and the storage of water in the reservoir began. This exhibit displays rare and historic photographs of construction leading up to that event. Norris Dam, hydroelectric facility, was the first dam built by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

In March 2015, a cache of original panorama photographs taken by contract photographer Rell Clements to document construction of the dam was discovered at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge by Exhibit Director Margaret Allard. Because of the age and fragile condition of the photographs, an effort to digitize and reproduce modern copies was begun. [Read more…]