Oak Ridge Today

Lavender Festival is Saturday, June 17

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The 19th annual Lavender Festival returns Saturday, June 17, 2017, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. (Photography by Shawn Millsaps)

The 19th annual Lavender Festival is Saturday, June 17, 2017, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. (Photography by Shawn Millsaps)

 

The 19th annual Lavender Festival is Saturday, June 17, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. The Lavender Festival is a perennial crowd favorite, full of tradition, fun, and always something new, a press release said. The festival celebrates all things herbal, crafts, local foods, and more.

Admission to the festival is free, with plenty of free parking available in surrounding city and business lots, and on side streets, the press release said.

As is tradition, a bagpipe player will open the festival at 8 a.m., playing from upper Blankenship Field into Jackson Square. Also keeping with tradition, Alan McBride will follow with the hammered dulcimer in the bandstand. A complete music schedule is found below.

Also returning for a second year is “A Taste of Tennessee Wines,” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., benefitting the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge. The tasting is hosted by Great Valley Wine Trail, which is made up of four independent wineries in East Tennessee. Your $10 tasting ticket is available at the gate (for those who are 21 with a valid identification). Tasters receive a complimentary wine glass, and if they purchase wine, a six-compartment wine tote. Customers are allowed to enjoy the wine outdoors in the Square during festival hours, with lunch served all day by plenty of food vendors and food trucks, restaurants, and even hors d’oeuvres by Chapel on the Hill. [Read more…]

‘Liberal Redneck,’ ‘Son of a Preacher Man’ to perform in comedy show at Grove

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Comedy at Grove May 28 2016

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Fresh off 14 million views (and counting) for his Facebook rant on public restroom use by transgender people, Trae Crowder will join headliner Drew Whitney Morgan onstage for Comedy at the Grove on Saturday May 28.

Crowder, who calls Knoxville home, went “viral” recently when he posted a short video supporting transgender public restroom use and in the process turned the stereotype of the bigoted southern redneck on its ear by becoming an improbable ally to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community, a press release said. The self-proclaimed “Liberal Redneck,” who was a cast member for an Impractical Joker spin-off for CMT and is a writer/comedian for NBC Universal’s Talent Infusion Program, likens his material to being “southern-fried intellectual humor.”

Morgan is the New York City-via-East Tennessee headliner and the 2015 winner of the Stand-Up Showdown at the Pit. He is the son of a preacher man who has traveled the world to weave together intense stories with cutting edge observations on culture, religion, and identity, the press release said. His style has been described as “decidedly southern, extremely smart, and charmingly sarcastic,” the release said. [Read more…]

Comedy at the Grove with Blayr Nias is Saturday

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Comedy at the Grove April 23, 2016

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Comedy at the Grove is back with the amazingly funny Blayr Nias. She has worked with the best well-known comedians, making her mark in the comedy world. Also featured will be Asheville’s own Tom Scheve and Art Sturtevant, with Knoxville’s comedic son, Sam King, rounding out the funny as the host. Birdwell Catering will be available for your beverage needs. You must be 18 to enter and 21 to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.

Headliner: Blayr Nias

Blayr Nias is not your average female comic. She lives by the credo “If you can’t be a good example, then you’ll have to be a horrible warning.” When she hits the stage, it’s with manic energy, high-octane humor, and her trademark mega-watt smile giving her the nickname “GummyBlayr.” Winning audiences over across the country with a dynamic stage presence, she shares tales of her misadventures as “the bad girl next door.”

This Massachusetts native graduated from the George Washington University with a degree in theater and creative writing. In 2012, she was featured in the Pink Collar Comedy Tour at the Piccolo Spoletto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina and performed in the Laugh Your Asheville Off Festival in Asheville, North Carolina, headlined by Jim Gaffigan. She was a featured artist in the Charlotte Video Project, a collection of short films about the culture of the city. In September 2013, Blayr was named a finalist in Comedy Central’s Up Next Comedy Competition. [Read more…]

Today: Comedy at the Grove

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Comedy-Grove-Nov-20-2015

Comedy at the Grove is back at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge today (Friday, November 20). The show starts at 8 p.m.

Janet Williams, “The Tennessee Tramp,” will be performing along with Oak Ridge’s own Danny Whitson and Knoxville’s Jake James as host, a press release said. Tickets are $10 per person, and you must be 18 to enter.

Birdwell Catering is also returning to suit your refreshment needs, the press release said. You must be 21 to buy and consume alcohol.

“Join us for a fun filled night full of laughs!” organizers said.

Here is more information on the performers from the press release: [Read more…]

Pumpkin Festival is Saturday in Grove Center

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Pumpkin Fest 2015

By Jim Widener

The 13th Annual Pumpkin Festival in the Historic Grove Center on Halloween will feature live music, family-friendly activities, and food vendors. The Pumpkin Festival is from noon until 6 p.m. Saturday, October 31, at Oak Ridge’s Historic Grove Center. The community is invited to enjoy Halloween with us!

Dress up and get in the spirit. Kids are especially encouraged to enter the costume contest. Our celebrity judges will present prizes for the best costumes. Pets and their people are encouraged to dress in outrageous, fanciful costumes and join in the fun! Pets are allowed to come in on a foot-powered float, like a wagon or decorated bicycle. And don’t forget the pumpkin chunkin’ contest! [Read more…]

Party in the Park features family-friendly fun, crime prevention, music, food on Saturday

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Neighborhood Watch Program Party

Oak Ridge Police Department Officer John Thomas, front left, invites children to meet one of the ORPD’s K-9s at last year’s crime prevention celebration. Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi is pictured at back left. (Submitted photo)

 

The first annual Party in the Park on Saturday will feature family-friendly activities for children and adults, crime prevention presentations and information, free food, and more. It’s scheduled from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, October 17, at A.K. Bissell Park near the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

The Oak Ridge Police Community Resource Office and the Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program will host the 2015 Party in the Park, with activities celebrating the partnership between the community and the police department. The focus of the event is crime prevention, safety, health, and wellness.

Kristine Kinsey will serve as master of ceremonies and comedian. Magician Danny Whitson will perform feats of magic during the celebration. Festivities will also include Oak Ridge Police K-9 demonstrations, safety and health exhibits, Oak Ridge Electric Department bucket rides, and drug abuse prevention information. [Read more…]

Josh Phillips, an Oak Ridge native, to headline Comedy at the Grove on Sept. 25

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Comedy at the Grove on Sept. 25

Oak Ridge native Josh Phillips will headline Comedy at the Grove on Friday, September 25.

The show is presented by Danny Whitson. It starts at 8 p.m. September 25, at the Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.

“Come join us in celebrating Josh Phillips’ birthday!” a press release said. “Enjoy a night full of entertainment by some of the best local comedians.”

The show is for adults 18 years old and up. You must be 18 to purchase tickets and enter. You must be 21 or older to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages which will be offered before and during the show.

Tickets are only $10, organizers said. [Read more…]

Taste of Anderson County on Sept. 19 helps United Way, Free Medical Clinic

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Taste of Oak Ridge 2013

The Taste of Oak Ridge, which has become the Taste of Anderson County, is pictured above in 2013. (File photo)

 

The Taste of Anderson County on September 19 will feature food and music and help two local organizations: United Way of Anderson County and the Free Medical Clinic.

The Taste of Anderson County, which has been expanded from the previous Taste of Oak Ridge, will be at Jackson Square starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, September 19.

“Flavors from some of the area’s favorite restaurants and the sounds of local musicians will fill the newly renovated parking lot at Jackson Square,” a press release said. “This year will be bigger and better than ever with vendors from all over the county. More importantly, this event brings a substantial amount of support for two local causes: United Way of Anderson County, and the Free Medical Clinic. Both of these nonprofits are working hard this year to make a big impact in the community. But they can’t do it without the community there to support them.”

The entertainment lineup includes comedian and magician Danny Whitson as the master of ceremonies. Whitson is a professional entertainer from Oak Ridge who specializes in magic and comedy. He has been performing for 15 years, the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Public Library has open house, new services described

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Oak Ridge Public Library

The Oak Ridge Public Library is pictured above.

The Oak Ridge Public Library will host an open house on Saturday, August 29, from 3 to 5 p.m. All Oak Ridgers are invited to visit the Library to enjoy the newly renovated lights and to learn about two new services—digital magazines and streaming video.

Patrons with an active library card can now choose from 20 monthly magazines to read on their computer, phone, or other mobile device, a press release said. ESPN The Magazine is for the next generation of fans who want to stay on top of their favorite sport. Game Informer is the largest computer and video game magazine, with knowledge and insight into the games market. Taste of Home features real food from real home cooks, all made with easy, affordable ingredients. To read these digital titles and other magazines, the free Nook reading app and a free Barnes and Noble online account are required. [Read more…]

Magic at the Grove features magicians, family entertainment on Saturday

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Magic at the Grove

Magic at the Grove on Saturday, August 8, will feature magicians that will entertain the entire family, a press release said.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. at the Historic Grove Theater in Grove Center, and beverages and snacks will be available for sale.

Tickets can be purchased through www.brownpapertickets.com or at the door.

The featured magicians are: [Read more…]

Comedy at the Grove is Saturday

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Comedy at the Grove

Comedy at the Grove will be presented by local comedian and magician Danny Whitson at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge on Saturday, May 23.

The headliner will be Spanky Brown. The show will also feature Brent Terhunem and a guest appearance by Eric Steele, and it will be hosted by Tyler Sonnischen.

Birdwell Catering will provide food and beverages for purchase, a press release said. Doors will open at 7 p.m., and the show will start promptly at 8 p.m. You must be 18 to enter and 21 to purchase alcoholic beverages.

Here is more information from a press release:

HEADLINER: Spanky Brown [Read more…]

Sponsored: Comedy Night at the Grove on Friday

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Comedy at the Grove Theater

Comedy Night at the Grove Theater on Friday, October 17, will feature local comedians.

Shane Rhyne, a Clinton native who now lives in Claiborne County, will be the host.

The featured comedians will be Karen George Comedienne, who was born in Chattanooga and lives in Oak Ridge, and Danny Whitson, an Oak Ridge native.

“(Karen) has performed in Washington, D.C., Cleveland, Knoxville, and Chattanooga,” a press release said. “She’s an actor, mother, comedian, and Realtor. Clean comic with an attitude!” [Read more…]