Oak Ridge Today

Guest column: Don’t miss ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’; show ends this weekend

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Ain't Misbehavin'

By Gene R. Dunaway

It opened April 25 at the Oak Ridge Playhouse and closes Sunday, May 11, and “Ain’t Misbehavin'” is a production to miss at your peril! A show of almost two hours of non-stop music, dance, and jive, I found myself struggling to remain seated and not jump up and join in the fun.

Go through the lobby doors, and you have time traveled back to Harlem during World War II. The smoky haze of a late-night club envelopes you. A lone piano player, Wendel Werner, is stroking the keys.

Presently, he is joined on stage by Alexis Tidwell, Lar’ Juanette Williams, Amy Coleman, Dann B. Black, and Tony Williams II. This ensemble, backed up by an intimate house band, explores the heights of a full-blown party to the depths of love gone wrong.

Along the way, we are treated to exceptional solos, duets, trios, quartets, and quintets. The dancing is contagious and choreographed by resident artistic director Reggie Law (a man of many talents). [Read more…]

‘Why Art’ exhibit opens Friday at Children’s Museum

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Oil Pastel

Jihye Jung is the young artist who created this oil pastel painting of a dragon. (Submitted image)

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will host the opening of the exhibit “Why Art?” from 6-7 p.m. Friday, May 9, showcasing children’s art and highlighting the benefits of art education in a child’s academic life.

Children who are students of private art teacher Anjela McEahern will exhibit drawings and paintings in various media, including graphite pencil, colored pencil, pastel, watercolor and acrylic paint. Her 23 students, who attend preschool through eighth grade, will each have a work of art in the exhibit in Imagination Gallery at the museum at 461 W. Outer Drive.

The exhibit will also include a mural created by Phil Yeh, an artist representing Cartoonists Across America and the World, during the 2010 Street Painting Festival sponsored by the local Oak Ridge Rotary Clubs. Yeh and Leona Kitchings, who contributed to the mural, sketched Oak Ridge landmarks, and many local artists painted the landmarks.

Entertaining with a violin performance will be Michael Lin, a Farragut Middle School student and first violin in the Youth Chamber Orchestra in the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Association. [Read more…]

Anderson County calendar of events for May

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Anderson County Tourism Council

The Anderson County Tourism Council building on Highway 61 near Interstate 75 is pictured above. (Photo courtesy Anderson County Tourism Council)

Submitted

Here is a calendar of events for Anderson County in May:

  • Spring Colors Train Ride and Dinner Trains—May 3 and 17 at Secret City Excursion Train

Southern Appalachian Railway Museum is offering one-hour excursions with narration on May 3 and 17. Departure times will be 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. During the ride, passengers will hear the story of the Manhattan Project, which was one of the most remarkable industrial achievements ever accomplished. There will also be a dinner train on the 3 and 17 at 6 p.m. Diners will be treated to a delicious entrée prepared by Chef Andras. For more information, call (865) 241-2140 or visit www.southernappalachia.railway.museum. [Read more…]

Honors: Three ORHS students, resident win writing awards

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Student Prose Abby Douglas and Lucas Potter

Pictured above are Abby Douglas and Lucas Potter. (Submitted photos)

Submitted

Three Oak Ridge High School students and longtime resident Wanda Ensor Grooms were honored in a writing contest held in conjunction with the Tennessee Mountain Writers annual conference in April. Contest winners in seven categories were announced and awards presented during the conference banquet.

In the Student Poetry category, Abby Douglas received first place recognition for “The Other Ten Percent,” and Emily Stansfield received third place for her poem, “The Enemy.” Douglas received second place in the Student Prose category for “Easier Than I Had Imagined.” Lucas Potter won third place in Student Prose for “Forever Friends.” [Read more…]

Jewish Film Series features ‘Kedma’ on Saturday

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Jewish Congregation Tree

The Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge will have its monthly Jewish Film Series on Saturday evening.

Each month, Rabbi Rashkovsky picks a different Jewish film ranging from comedy to drama, from fiction to documentary, a press release said. This month’s film will be “Kedma” (Israel, 2002, NR, 100 minutes).

“Having just survived the holocaust, a small group of Jewish refugees boards a ship and reaches the shores of Palestine,” the press release said. “One week later, the state of Israel will be established, launching them into another violent and confusing period in their lives.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Chorus has final concert of season on Saturday

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Oak Ridge Chorus

Oak Ridge Chorus

The Oak Ridge Chorus will present its final concert of the season at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Oak Ridge. The concert is sponsored by the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association.

Conducted by Seth Maples, the group will join voices in traditional English and American choral music including Aaron Copeland’s “Zion’s Walls,” Alice Parker’s arrangement of “My Gentle Harp,” and selections from Gilbert and Sullivan.

Tickets are $15 adults and $5 for ages 19 and younger, and they will be available at the door.

For more information, call (865) 483-5569 or visit www.OakRidgeSymphony.org.

The First Baptist Church is at 1101 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

What’s happening in Oak Ridge from May 2-7

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Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge starting Friday, May 2, and continuing through May 7.

This weekly listing of events is compiled by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau:

[Read more…]

Roane State Concert Choir earns honor in international competition

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Roane State Concert Choir

The Roane State Concert Choir won a silver award at the Canta en Primavera festival in Malaga, Spain. From left are music director Geol Greenlee, students Amanda Cole, Kela Oberloh, Amber Delk, Mason Van Horn, Paul Davis, Jeremiah Jacks, Eddie Rivera, Amanda Holly, Trisha Davidson, Judy Rivera, and Ashley Sherrill, and choral director Brenda Luggie. (Submitted photo)

 

Roane State Community College’s Concert Choir won a silver award at an international choral festival held in Malaga, Spain.

The choir traveled to Malaga, a seaport on the Andalusian coast of southern Spain, last month during spring break. Under the direction of Brenda Luggie and accompanied by Geol Greenlee, the 11-member choir performed in the Canta en Primavera (Sing in Spring) festival.

“The group was the only ensemble from the U.S., and in their first international competition, scored silver (level 9), less than two points from the winner’s score,” Luggie said. “Their success is not just a feather in their caps, but a memory they will cherish for the rest of their lives.” [Read more…]

Secret City Festival concert tickets on sale today

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Kix Brooks with Mic

Country artist Kix Brooks performs at the Great Eastern Exposition in West Springfield, Mass., on Sept. 27. (Submitted photos)

Eddie Money and Kix Brooks to headline 2014 concerts

It’s Secret City Festival time again in Oak Ridge! The bands have been selected, the schedule is filling up, and tickets to this year’s headliner concerts go on sale today (Tuesday, April 29). Tickets are priced at an early bird rate of $18. After May 30, ticket prices go up to $20. Children 10 and under are free with a paying adult.

Grammy-nominated ’80s rocker Eddie Money will bring his blue-collar brand of rock ‘n’ roll to the concert main stage on Friday, June 13, at 7 p.m. The Friday night concert also features local band Jada Blade.

Legendary country music artist Kix Brooks will bring his high energy, hit-filled show to the main stage Saturday, June 14, at 7 p.m. The Saturday night concert will feature opening band Phoenix Drive. [Read more…]

Chamber Series concert with Zukerman rescheduled

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Eugenia Zukerman

Eugenia Zukerman

The Chamber Series concert that had been scheduled for this evening has been rescheduled due to illness.

The concert will feature world-renowned flutist Eugenia Zukerman. It had been scheduled for this evening at the Pollard Auditorium. But it’s been rescheduled for 3 p.m. May 11 at Pollard.

It’s the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association’s final Chamber Series concert of the season.

‘Legends of the Knight’ screening to benefit ADFAC this Sunday

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Legends of the Knight

A movie poster for “Legends of the Knight,” which will be screened at the Historic Grove Theater on April 27 to benefit ADFAC.

A special screening of “Legends of the Knight,” a documentary by acclaimed filmmaker Brett Culp, will be held at the Historic Grove Theater on Sunday, and it will benefit a local nonprofit.

“Legends of the Knight” weaves together the uplifting true stories of individuals who have overcome devastating obstacles, unselfishly given to the community, and embraced their inner superhero because of their love of Batman, a press release said.

The screening starts at 3:45 p.m. Sunday at the Grove Theater, which is at 123 Randolph Road. It will benefit Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC. [Read more…]

What’s happening in Oak Ridge from April 25-30

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Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge starting Friday, April 25, and continuing through April 30.

This weekly listing of events is compiled by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau: [Read more…]