For the past 63 years, the Arts Council of Oak Ridge has been more than just a nonprofit organization. It has forged friendships, worked with some of the best community leaders, fostered new arts organizations, and proudly supported a region rich in arts and culture, a press release said.
But now it is time to start a new phase for the arts in Oak Ridge, the press release said.
The Council has decided to close its doors. [Read more…]
The Arts Council of Oak Ridge is asking for your help funding arts, music, ballet, and other organizations.
The Arts Council organizes the United Arts Fund Drive. That helps member organizations that include Oak Ridge Civic Music Association, Oak Ridge Civic Ballet, Oak Ridge Arts Center, Oak Ridge Community Band, Oak Ridge Philharmonia, and Music Arts.
There are also two affiliate organizations, Tennessee Mountain Writters and Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge.
The funds raised through the United Arts Fund Drive go directly to the member organizations you designate, a press release said.
“It is through your support that these organizations can continue to grow and thrive,” the release said.
[Read more…]The Oak Ridge City Council on Thursday will consider whether to approve up to $75,000 in funding for expenses associated with the 2017 Secret City Festival.
The money would allow Celebrate Oak Ridge, the new nonprofit organization responsible for the festival, to pay expenses for this year’s festival, which started Friday, June 2, and ended Saturday, June 10.
The city has previously provided $50,000 in start-up funding for the new organization. That funding was considered in December.
On June 6, Celebrate Oak Ridge, an organization run by volunteers, requested additional funding from City Manager Mark Watson to “timely meet contractual obligations associated with the festival, including entertainment costs and other vendors fees,” according to a resolution that City Council members will consider Thursday.
“Celebrate Oak Ridge does not have sufficient capital reserves to meet their contractual obligations during the final week of the festival, which would impact this and potentially future events,” the resolution said. [Read more…]
The Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association will present “Beauty and the Beast,†and “The Firebird†on Saturday, April 8, at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center. (Photo by ORCBA)
The Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association will present “Beauty and the Beast†and “The Firebird†on Saturday.
You will also have a chance to meet “Belle” and her royal friends at the Princess Tea Party on Saturday.
Both events are at Oak Ridge High School. The Princess Tea Party is Saturday morning, April 8, and the shows are Saturday afternoon and evening.
“Beauty and the Beast,†is the classic tale of an arrogant prince who is turned into a hideous Beast until he learns to love and be loved in return, a press release said. Directed and choreographed by Sharon Nicklow-Cousins and Sarah Jett, the talented dancers of the Civic Ballet bring to life Belle, the Beast, and their castle servants.
“The whole family will enjoy the ballet as our gifted dancers enter the world of ‘Beauty and the Beast,’†said Christy Rickman, ORCBA president. [Read more…]
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…]
The Arts Council of Oak Ridge is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and the organization is asking for your support in its United Arts Fund Drive.
“Our annual United Arts Fund Drive is a way for you or your business to help keep the arts alive and thriving in Oak Ridge,” a letter to supporters said.
The eight members of the Arts Council of Oak Ridge are Oak Ridge Art Center, Oak Ridge Civic Music Association, Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association, Tennessee Mountain Writers, Oak Ridge Playhouse/Junior Playhouse, Oak Ridge Community Orchestra, Oak Ridge Community Band, and Music Arts School.
The Arts Council promotes the organizations and their events, raises funds, and provides a network to help them grow, the letter to supporters said.
Pledges to the United Arts Fund Drive must be received by July 31 to be included in programs and publications. [Read more…]
Jim Dodson
Jim Dodson, an Oak Ridge art teacher and community leader, has announced that he will be a candidate for Oak Ridge City Council in the November 8 election.
Dodson, a teacher with Oak Ridge Schools for 29 years, has a strong record of community service and leadership on several civic boards and organizations, a press release said.
“I will definitely work alongside my Oak Ridge and East Tennessee neighbors for a better quality of life in our community,†Dodson said. “I hope to give our residents a voice on City Council and continue to promote excellent educational opportunities for all our kids and young adults.
“I will also continue to help recruit businesses and families to Oak Ridge as the place to relocate. I look forward to working as an Oak Ridge City Council member to maintain and improve all city services while providing safe and thriving neighborhoods. It’s my vision that what Oak Ridge has to offer should not be a secret anymore.†[Read more…]
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…]
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…]
A concert crowd at the 2015 Secret City Festival in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Robert Welton)
The 2015 Oak Ridge Secret City Festival drew record attendance, despite the heat, organizers said. Concerts by the Marshall Tucker Band and Three Dog Night attracted the highest number of spectators in festival history.
“We were ecstatic with the turnout for both concerts,†says, Marc DeRose, executive director of the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We knew the bands would be popular but didn’t expect to see quite so many people. It was outstanding!â€
Attendances for The Marshall Tucker Band and Three Dog Night were more than 2,200 and more than 3,500, respectively. The previous record was 2,300 for the Rick Springfield concert in 2013.
“After seeing how many tickets were sold at the gate for Friday’s Marshall Tucker concert, we decided to move the concert fences back to accommodate the expected additional 1,000-plus spectators for Three Dog Night,†DeRose said. [Read more…]
Visitors to the Secret City Festival can expect tighter security measures and maybe a few delays when entering the concerts this year, all in the name of safety, organizers said.
No backpacks or coolers will be allowed into the concert site, and all bags will be subject to search, organizers said in a press release. This includes bags used to store chairs. Visitors should expect delays if carrying in anything that needs to be searched.
Organizers suggest festival attendees only bring their concert tickets, money for food, an ID to buy or consume beer, and a chair for the concerts. Once inside the concert site, festival seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The concert site opens at 5:30 p.m.
