Oak Ridge Today

Violin concert on Saturday will help ADFAC

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Aaron Colverson

Aaron Colverson

Aaron Colverson, a classically trained violin soloist, will play a mix of contemporary and classical music during a Saturday night fundraising concert in Oak Ridge.

The music from Africa, combined with the Appalachian music, will be followed by music from China and from music’s Classical era.

The coffee concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge. It’s presented by the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association, and it will feature visual imagery along with the music.

The concert is free, but donations of $5 or more are suggested. All proceeds will benefit Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC. [Read more…]

ORCMA concert features Cumberland Piano Trio, Japanese pianist

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Emi Kagawa

Emi Kagawa

The ORCMA Chamber Music Series continues with a concert by the very popular “home team”—The Cumberland Piano Trio—on Saturday, Feb. 8, in Oak Ridge. The Cumberland is an outgrowth of Oak Ridge’s own “Isotone” group, which has since blossomed into a regional music attraction.

This concert will feature the world-renowned pianist Emi Kagawa. A native of Osaka, Japan, Kagawa has been active as both a soloist and a chamber musician, a press release said. She has performed extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Italy, and Japan.

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Pollard Auditorium, which is at 210 Badger Ave. in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum Hosts International Fest Feb. 15

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Childrens Museum International Festival

Dancers at the 2013 International Festival at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

Picti, a duo performing Celtic rock, will be featured performers at the International Festival on Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. The duo will have the audience on their feet as they entertain with bagpipes, bouzouki, whistles and drums, drawing on tribal elements from Celtic traditions.

Festival goers will experience entertainment, crafts, and cuisines from cultures around the world at the family friendly event, with musical and dance entertainment on stage throughout the day. Participants will dine on international cuisine, children will make international crafts to take home, and all will visit booths displaying crafts and traditions from world cultures.

The International Festival will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Children’s Museum, 461 West Outer Dr., Oak Ridge. Food will be available from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Returning this year will be the Kids Fest from 8-10 a.m., featuring international crafts, tasting food from other cultures, and dancing. The Kids Fest is for children in second through seventh grades, the cost is $15 per person, and pre-registration is required. Accompanying adults are admitted with regular International Festival admission. [Read more…]

Knoxville Opera director, conductor speaks to AAUW on Monday

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Brian Salesky

Brian Salesky

Brian Salesky, executive director and conductor of the Knoxville Opera, will be the featured speaker at an AAUW meeting on Monday.

The luncheon meeting of the AAUW, Oak Ridge Branch, starts at 11:30 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church, Room 102.

Salesky’s presentation is titled “Knoxville Opera: Serving Knoxville with Passion for 36 Years!” [Read more…]

What’s happening in Oak Ridge from Jan. 23-29

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Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge starting Thursday, Jan. 23, and continuing through Jan. 29.

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

What’s happening Oak Ridge from Jan. 19-22

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Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge starting Thursday, Dec. 19, and continuing through Dec. 25, Christmas Day.

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

Oak Ridge Folk Dancers offer free lessons at library

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Folk Dancing Lessons at Oak Ridge Public Library

The Oak Ridge Folk Dancers will offer a three-part workshop in the Library Auditorium to introduce participants to the joy of folk dancing and provide free lessons, a press release said.

The classes will take place on the following Monday evenings: Jan. 27, Feb. 3, and Feb. 10 from 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Adults and supervised children (8 years of age and older) are welcome to attend.

“No prior dance experience is necessary, no partner is needed, and the only equipment required is comfortable clothes and shoes!” the press release said. [Read more…]

Guitar lessons at Senior Center on Fridays, meeting today to gauge interest in banjo lessons

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Guitar Lessons at Oak Ridge Senior Center

The Oak Ridge Senior Center will be offering free guitar lessons for senior citizens age 50 and older on Fridays beginning Jan. 10.

Beginners will start at 9 a.m., and more advanced students will follow. The only requirement is to bring your own guitar.

Seniors of all skill levels are encouraged to come out and join in the fun.

The Oak Ridge Senior Center will also be holding a meeting to find out about community interest in banjo lessons. The lessons will be provided free of charge to seniors age 50 and over. All that is needed is a banjo and a willingness to learn. [Read more…]

Students to raise money for Emory Valley Center at musical coffeehouse Friday

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Emory Valley Center Early Learning Center

A coffeehouse at First Presbyterian Church on Friday will benefit the Emory Valley Center, which has been raising money for a new building on Emory Valley Road.

A coffeehouse at First Presbyterian Church on Friday will raise money for the Emory Valley Center.

The coffeehouse “promises to be fun-filled and very musical,” and it will feature 11 acts and 19 performers, a press release said. The performances will include folksy guitar plucking, women’s a capella, and modern dance.

The night will help the Emory Valley Center launch its final year of fundraising for a new building on Emory Valley Road, the release said.

The coffeehouses are operated by college students, and they are designed to provide an enjoyable musical venue while also raising funds for worthy causes in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Christmas coffeehouse at First Presbyterian for Free Medical Clinic

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Ellen Bast Performs Modern Dance at a Coffeehouse

Ellen Bast will perform modern dance at tonight’s Christmas Coffeehouse. (Submitted photo)

College students who are home for the holidays are hosting a coffeehouse fundraiser with live music on tonight (Friday night) from 7 to 10 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge.

The young adults hope to generate enough proceeds tonight to give a “very merry” Christmas to the clinic. The coffeehouses have become a reliable and persistent funding source for the clinic. The students have donated more than $12,000 since 2011 from the coffeehouse.

“We give them 100 percent of what we bring in, ” said Sumner Byrne, George Washington University student and event organizer. “It feels great to be making a difference.”

Byrne said many students who participate attend different colleges.

“This is a great place to get together, enjoy old friends, and make some new ones,” Byrne said. “The coffeehouse music provided by local musicians is always superb, and we raise money for a good cause. How much better can it get?” [Read more…]

Comedy show at Back 2 Brewski’s on Friday

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Laughs on Taps Comedy Show at Brewski's

A free comedy show at a Grove Center bar on Friday will feature a half-dozen comedians.

The Laughs on Tap Comedy Show starts at 9:30 p.m. Friday at Back 2 Brewski’s. It’s hosted by Danny Whitson.

The comedians include Dallas Delaney, Gail Ann Grantham-Moore, Sam Donnelly, and Leo Russell. The show features Trae Crowder, and the headliner is John Upton.

You must be 21 years old or older to enter. [Read more…]

What’s happening in Oak Ridge from Dec. 19-25

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Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge starting Thursday, Dec. 19, and continuing through Dec. 25, Christmas Day.

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

[Read more…]