Oak Ridge Today

‘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…]

ORION astronomy club to feature talk on origin of universe, life on Earth

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Bob Compton

Bob Compton

The ORION astronomy club will have a discussion of the origin of the universe and life on Earth during a talk next week.

The talk will be presented by Robert N. Compton, senior corporate fellow emeritus, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and professor emeritus (physics and chemistry), University of Tennessee.

His talk is titled “On the Origin of the Universe and Life on Earth.”

Humans have long desired to understand our origin and place in the grand cosmos, a press release said. [Read more…]

Youth Showcase, Auction features rising stars in benefit for Child Advocacy Center

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Sydney Buckner

Sydney Buckner will perform at the Third Annual Youth Showcase and Auction on Friday, April 22, 2016, at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

The Third Annual Youth Showcase and Auction on April 22 will feature rising stars—extremely talented performers in their late teens and early 20s—in a benefit for the Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County, a press release said.

The Youth Showcase and Auction is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 22, at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 per child/youth.

“Arrive at 6 p.m. to enjoy delicious treats, socialize, and browse the silent auction items,” the press release said. The performance begins at 6:45 p.m.

Matt Shafer Powell

Matt Shafer Powell

Matt Shafer Powell of WUOT-FM will be the master of ceremonies.

“Zach Farrar returns as auctioneer, and will get (the) audience bidding on exciting items such as Disney Park Hopper tickets, a Volunteer Princess Sunset Dinner cruise for two, beautiful quilt, etc., during the performance,” the release said. There will also be a raffle.

All proceeds will be used to provide services for children who have been victims or witnesses of child abuse, neglect, or other crimes. The services are provided by the Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. [Read more…]

ORNL associate lab director to discuss discovery of elements 115, 117; super-heavy nuclei; ‘island of stability’

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Jim Roberto

Jim Roberto

Jim Roberto, an associate laboratory director at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, will discuss the discovery of elements 115 and 117, super-heavy nuclei, and the “island of stability” during a Wednesday evening talk next week.

Roberto, ORNL associate laboratory director for science and technology partnerships, will give the featured talk to the ORION astronomy club at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 16. The talk will be at the Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.

Roberto’s talk is titled “The Discovery of Elements 115 and 117: SuperHeavy Nuclei and the ‘Island of Stability.'” Roberto will review recent progress in super-heavy element research with particular focus on the significance of element 117 and its decay products as evidence for the existence of the presumed “island of stability” for super-heavy nuclei, a press release said. [Read more…]

High Places Community Church has first ‘Night of Doubt’ on March 26

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High Places Community Church

High Places Community Church is pictured above.

 

The first annual “Night of Doubt” will be hosted by High Places Community Church at the Historic Grove Theater at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 26. The coffee house-style event is an offering of space to the community for the sole purpose of creating a safe place to ask questions, express skepticism, and share doubt in a group setting.

“There will be no sermon, no rebuttals, and any attempt to answer the doubts expressed will be strictly forbidden,” according to Reverend David Allred. “This is about affirming the reality of doubt as being central to the human experience; it is not an opportunity to debate or argue.”

Allred says the idea came from a Rob Bell book the church read for a recent retreat, but also from an experience he had with a high school girl 10 years ago who openly asked in small group where God was hiding when she was sexually assaulted.

“We were talking about God’s presence and how God is with us when she erupted with powerful emotions surrounding this terrible memory,” Allred said in a press release. “It would have been highly inconsiderate of her experience to even attempt a ‘pat-answer’ about faith in that moment. The doubt, grief, and anger she felt needed a safe release. No answer would have sufficed for that kind of pain as she shared. Sometimes healing comes through just being able to let it out safely and the best ‘Christian’ response is to simply listen.” [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…]

Today: Celebrate veterans with Community Band concert

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Oak-Ridge-Community-Band-Summer-Concert-July-4-2014

The Oak Ridge Community Band performs in a summer concert on July 4, 2014. (Photo by Larry Perry)

 

The Oak Ridge Community Band/Wind Ensemble will hold a Veterans Concert on Sunday, November 15, at 3:30 p.m., at the Grove Theater Performing Arts Center.

Everyone is invited, but area veterans are particularly encouraged to attend this event which is being held in their honor, a press release said. The program will include patriotic selections, swing era music, and a special ceremony to recognize veterans who have served both in peacetime and during war time.

Directed by band leader Dale Pendley and assistant conductor Lisa Michaels, the Community Band will perform Irving Berlin’s “Songs for America” featuring “This is the Army, Mister Jones,” “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor,” “This is a Great Country,” and “God Bless America.” Other patriotic selections will include John Philip Sousa’s “Liberty Bell,” James Hosay’s “Pride of the Fleet,” and Bob Lowden’s arrangement of “Armed Forces Salute” with “Semper Paratus,” “The U.S. Air Force,” “Anchors Aweigh,” “The Caisson Song,” and “Marines Hymn.” [Read more…]

Reminder: EmiSunshine show is Friday at Grove Theater, benefits United Way

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Emi Sunshine at Grove Theater

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On Friday, October 30, the historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge will return to its roots, hosting a benefit concert headlined by 10-year-old EmiSunshine, the newest talent to take the country music world by storm. Knoxville band Handsome and the Humbles will open the concert, proceeds of which will benefit United Way of Anderson County.

EmiSunshine was born in Madisonville, Tennessee, and grew up listening to Tom Petty and June Carter Cash, sounds which have influenced her current style. From the official EmiSunshine website: “Whether she’s performing on the ‘Today’ show or the Grand Ole Opry or taking the stage at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, she is fearless, confident, and firm in her musical direction. As she says, she sings ‘old-time music,’ but it’s her own unique blend of roots music that is equal parts Americana, bluegrass, gospel, and country, with a little bit of blues thrown in for good measure.”

Since a video of her singing on a street went viral, EmiSunshine has amassed an impressive fan base and has given repeat performances in some of the top cities and venues in East Tennessee. However, her motivation remains simple. “I love how I get to sing to people and make them happy,” she says. “I’m really blessed that I get to do this. It makes me feel amazing, like I’m touching somebody’s life.” [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…]

Emi Sunshine at Grove Theater on Oct. 30, proceeds benefit United Way

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Emi Sunshine at Grove Theater

EmiSunshine, a young East Tennessee musician who has performed on the “Today” show and at the Grand Ole Opry, will play at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge on October 30, and proceeds will benefit United Way of Anderson County.

EmiSunshine is from Madisonville, and she is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.

She will perform with Handsome and the Humbles on Friday, October 30. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. They can be purchased at The Ferrell Shop, Razzleberry’s, Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge, and United Way. Online tickets are available at http://emisushineatthegrove.brownpapertickets.com/. [Read more…]

Reminder: ORHPA celebrates 70th anniversary of end of WWII with special showing of historic movie

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The Beginning or The End

A historic Ed Westcott image of the original showing of the movie, “The Beginning or the End”—The Story of the Atomic Bomb and Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

Reminder: A 70th anniversary celebration of the end of World War II will feature a special showing of the historic movie “‘The Beginning or the End,’ The Story of the Atomic Bomb and Oak Ridge.”

This movie was Hollywood’s first attempt to tell the fascinating story of the creation of the world’s first atomic bomb in the massive, top-secret Manhattan Project. The movie was originally released in 1947, just two years after the end of the war. It stars Brian Donlevy, Robert Walker, and Tom Drake.

The celebration has been organized by the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association. It’s scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, August 29, at the Historic Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road in Grove Center.

“We wanted to honor those who perished in WWII, our great veterans, Manhattan Project and Cold War workers, and the world-changing Y-12 plant on this anniversary,” said Mick Wiest, president of the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association. “It’s important to remember and be grateful.” [Read more…]