Entertainment Archives - Oak Ridge Today

Comedy group Einstein Simplified at UT Arboretum for May 6 fundraiser

Posted at 11:49 pm March 13, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Einstein Simplified

Enjoy an early Mother’s Day with comedy group Einstein Simplified

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society again presents an evening of laughter and live improvisational comedy with Einstein Simplified during a fundraiser on Sunday, May 6.

The fundraiser is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. May 6 at the UT Arboretum on South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Come enjoy the fun as this well-known Knoxville area comedy improv group entertains us with original, unrehearsed improv,” a press release said. “If you like ‘Second City’ and ‘Saturday Night Live,’ this show is for you! Given today’s roller coaster political climate, we expect a very funny show. Don’t miss it!”

Due to popular demand in 2017, the group is returning to the Arboretum for the second year, the press release said. [Read more…]

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…]

Photos: ORHS Fusion Orchestra on ‘Blue Plate Special’ radio show on WDVX

Posted at 2:44 pm February 5, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak-Ridge-High-School-Fusion-Orchestra-1-Feb-3-2017-Web

The Oak Ridge High School Fusion Orchestra performs on the “Blue Plate Special” on WDVX 89.9 FM at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge High School Fusion Orchestra performed on the “Blue Plate Special” radio show on WDVX FM 89.9 on Friday. Here are photos from the show.

The groundbreaking fusion orchestra is now in its second year at ORHS, and it is the brainchild of ORHS Orchestra Director Doug Phillips, a press release said. According to Phillips, the class is a result of his doctoral studies during the past seven years at one of the top music universities in the world: Boston University.

“The class is a unique way to teach orchestra students for several reasons,” Phillips said. “First, in a traditional orchestra, all of the students are guided by notes on a paper that tell them exactly what to do and when to do it, how loud to play it, when to stop, etc., while the teacher acts as an overseer and dictates of all activities. [Read more…]

ORHS Orchestra has 17 students in All-East Tennessee Orchestra Clinic

Posted at 7:07 pm February 4, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge High School Orchestra Feb 4 2017 600x422

Oak Ridge High School Orchestra students pictured from left above are Jade Dush, Hannah Constance, Lindsey Young, Olivia Mahathy, Mandy Pitz, Jamimie Clark, Meghan Campbell, HyeJi Bang, Aaron Beavin, Logan Roeling, Alek Wereszczak, Noah Constance, Kenny Moon, Eagle Yuan, Jared Anderson, Michael Ma, and Jay Casey. (Photo courtesy Doug Phillips)

Oak Ridge High School Orchestra placed 17 students in the All-East TN Orchestra Clinic. The clinic was held in Gatlinburg this weekend. The students are pictured above. They are: [Read more…]

ORHS Masquers present ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ in March

Posted at 1:27 pm February 23, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge High School Masquers, the school’s drama program, will present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the delightful musical, for four performances in March. Joseph is played by freshman Tre Jackson, left, and Father Jacob is played by Joseph Self. (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge High School Masquers, the school’s drama program, will present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the delightful musical, for four performances in March.

The performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, March 4; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 5; and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at the Oak Ridge Performing Arts Center. The Performing Arts Center is at Oak Ridge High School at 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Advanced tickets are $7 and are available at the ORHS office and The Ferrell Shop. At the door, tickets will be $10.

Under the direction of Dana Wham, who has directed, choreographed, or acted in numerous adult and children productions throughout the region, this year’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is a complete operetta, with nearly every line sung, a press release said. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum International Festival features music, dance, crafts, cuisine on Feb. 20

Posted at 4:26 pm February 8, 2016
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Shamrock Road (Submitted photo)

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will present entertainment, crafts, and cuisines from cultures around the world at its annual International Festival on Saturday, February 20.

Shamrock Road, a band specializing in Irish ballads, will be the featured performer for the international event. The family-friendly festival will feature musical and dance entertainment on stage throughout the day, international food and culture booths, and crafts for children to make and take home.

The festival will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. February 20 at the Children’s Museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.

Shamrock Road plays many old pub standards and contemporary ballads by such artists as Mary Black, Christy Moore, and U2. Two of the band members have lived in Ireland. Bob Morin, on vocals and 12-string guitar, lived in County Tipperary for several years. Steve Reddick, on vocals, banjo and harmonica, attended college in Cork City. Other band members are Mary Tuskan, on vocals, guitar, banjo and mandolin; Jake Alexander, on bass; and Amanda Morgan, on fiddle. [Read more…]

Four Oak Ridge students sing in Bijou Awards competition

Posted at 5:15 pm January 17, 2016
By Savanna Schubert Leave a Comment

Bijou-Awards-Composite-Photo-Jan-16-2016

Four Oak Ridge students sang in the Bijou Awards competition at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. They are, clockwise from top left, Oak Ridge High School seniors Jacob Moreno and Treston Henderson; Marian Vacaliuc, a 7th-grader at Jefferson Middle School; and Sarah Hepler, an 8th-grader at Robertsville Middle School. (Photos by Savanna Schubert)

KNOXVILLE—On Saturday night, students from all over East Tennessee gathered for a night of competition at the Bijou Theatre. Students from across the region had the chance to audition to win a spot to perform on stage at the historic location.

The Fourth Annual Bijou Awards was a competition to showcase students and their performing arts talents, such as singing and acting. The competition had five different categories, and five students were selected for each category. The categories were: Rising Star, Male Acting, Female Acting, Male Singing, and Female Singing.

Four Oak Ridge Schools students were chosen to compete in this year’s awards. Sarah Hepler, an eighth-grader from Robertsville Middle School, and Marian Vacaliuc, a seventh-grader from Jefferson Middle School, sang in the Rising Star competition. Treston Henderson and Jacob Moreno, seniors from Oak Ridge High School, competed in the Male Singing category. [Read more…]

Partnership benefits Children’s Museum, model railroaders

Posted at 1:00 am January 4, 2016
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Knoxville-Area-Model-Railroaders-Tutt-Acly-December-2015

Brad Tutt, left, and Peter Acly, with the Knoxville Area Model Railroaders, run a model of the American Freedom Train at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. The train with its steam engine is a replica of the 1976 train that carried symbols of America throughout the country to celebrate its 200th birthday. (Submitted photo)

Larry Burkholder grew up next to the railroad tracks in Portsmouth, Ohio, where the mainlines of the Norfolk and Western Railroad guided thundering steam engines through town.

“I spent a lot of time next to the tracks, to the consternation of my parents. It just got into my blood back then, all the big and smoky steam engines. You’d stand beside them and cinders would blow down on you head,” Burkholder recalled. That childhood experience inspired a lifelong interest in model railroading, though it wasn’t until he retired that he had the time and space to set up a train layout in his basement.

He joined the Knoxville Area Model Railroaders soon after that, and the donation of an extensive model train layout by Milton Lloyd and his family to the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge kicked off a long-term and mutually beneficial relationship linking the museum with Burkholder and the model railroaders. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum hosts ‘Spooktacular’ Event Oct. 30

Posted at 5:30 pm October 22, 2015
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

To celebrate Halloween, the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will host a Not-So-Scary Spooktacular Event from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, October 30.

Young visitors are invited to create their own trick-or-treat bags before visiting the exhibits. Activities are free with admission.

Among events at the museum will be: [Read more…]

Photos: Record-setting crowd at Three Dog Night concert

Posted at 10:00 am June 14, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Secret City Festival Crowd at Three Dog Night Concert

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. Here’s a panoramic view from the stage. (Photo by Jon Hetrick)

Numbers weren’t immediately available, but organizers and volunteers said a record-setting crowd attended the Three Dog Night concert at the Secret City Festival on Saturday night.

Here are a few photos by Jon Hetrick and John Westcott. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum hosts Celebration of Young Child April 17

Posted at 4:25 pm April 8, 2015
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Ron Anglin delights young and old with his juggling and comedy program, “Quite a Catch.” He will present his juggling feats on Friday, April 17, for the Celebration of the Young Child at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge.

His show will be at 10 a.m., and the celebration will take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.

Before and after the show, children may create “make and take” crafts with the Florence Crittenton Agency, be “Kids in Motion” with the National Fitness Center, learn about fire safety from the Oak Ridge Fire Department, experience healthy living with a “Balance and Nutrition” program by the Anderson County Health Department, and taste healthy snacks presented Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Three Dog Night to headline Saturday night concert at Secret City Festival

Posted at 9:36 pm April 2, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Three Dog Night (Submitted photo)

Three Dog Night will headline the Saturday night concert at the Secret City Festival in June.

The band’s hits include “Joy to the World,” “An Old Fashioned Love Song,” “Mama Told Me (Not To Come),” “Black and White,” “Shambala,” and “One.”

The 13th Annual Secret City Festival is June 12-13. Three Dog Night will play on Saturday, June 13. [Read more…]