Oak Ridge Today

Pre-Festival tonight: WDVX live broadcast with Ridge City Ramblers

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Ridge City Ramblers

Ridge City Ramblers

 

A live radio broadcast show in Oak Ridge tonight will feature Ridge City Ramblers and Kukuly and Gypsy Fuego. It’s a pre-festival event for the Secret City Festival this weekend.

Ridge City Ramblers plays bluegrass, and Kukuly and Gypsy Fuego plays gypsy jazz, according to WDVX 89.9 FM, a listener-supported radio station that will broadcast the show live.

The concert is this evening (Monday, June 4). The music is scheduled to start at 6 p.m., according to WDVX and ORNL Federal Credit Union, which is presenting the show.

It’s the first in a series of free summer concerts in Oak Ridge called the “Summer Sessions” and presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union. Performers will include bluegrass and Americana bands from throughout the region. Future concerts will be held on the following Saturdays: July 21, August 18, September 8, and October 6. All concerts will be held outdoors at the pavilion in Alvin K. Bissell Park at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. They are free. The full lineup can be found on ORNL FCU’s Facebook page or at ornlfcu.com/summer-sessions. [Read more…]

Three Rotary clubs present Flatwater Festival on June 2

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Ridge City Ramblers perform at the Flatwater Festival in 2017. (Photo courtesy Flatwater Festival)

Ridge City Ramblers perform at the Flatwater Festival in 2017. (Photo courtesy Flatwater Festival)

 

Bands, beer, boat races, and bounce houses. Wine, water, and soda. Face painting, food vendors, and fun for all, including corn hole games.

The second Flatwater Festival presented by the three Rotary clubs of Oak Ridge will be held from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, at Melton Lake Park.

What’s new this year? A team-building regatta featuring up to 20 boats will be held from 12:30 to 5 p.m. in collaboration with the Oak Ridge Rowing Association. A “build a boat” race by participants who make their own cardboard boats ahead of time will be held at 5 p.m.

In addition, the festival at Melton Lake Park is sandwiched between the Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival events on Friday, June 1, at the University of Tennessee Arboretum and Sunday, June 3, at the Oak Ridge Playhouse.

The three-day festival will be a fundraiser for the three Rotary clubs’ community service projects, including four new benches for the Oak Ridge waterfront in 2018, a press release said. [Read more…]

Steve Reddick is Oak Ridge Schools’ Teacher of the Year

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Steve Reddick

Steve Reddick

 

Steve Reddick has been named Teacher of the Year for Oak Ridge Schools.

Reddick is an eighth-grade American history teacher. He has been teaching at Jefferson Middle school for 34 years.

“He believes there is no more relevant or exciting subject to teach, as students are ‘citizens in training,’ who will one day vote, pay taxes, serve our country, and be part of our local, national, and global communities,” a press release said. “Steve notes that democracy requires ‘lots of practice’ and engaged citizens who embrace their civic responsibilities with discernment, reflection, and a seriousness of purpose. He utilizes print and electronic resources to develop his students’ reading, writing, thinking, and discussion skills, as well as the “habits of mind” that they will need to become active, engaged citizens. Students compare differing points of view, weigh evidence, and discuss topics and historical interpretations respectfully.”

Reddick makes a point of framing these habits in both historical and contemporary contexts, the press release said. [Read more…]

Rock to Bach Music Festival on Saturday will benefit Oak Ridge Civic Music Association

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Kelle Jolly on ukelele (Submitted photo)

Kelle Jolly on ukelele (Submitted photo)

 

Note: This story was updated at 12:55 p.m.

The sixth Oak Ridge Rock to Bach Music Festival, presented by the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association, will showcase talented local musicians on Saturday, February 10, at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

A feast for music lovers, Rock to Bach will feature 19 live performances from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., a press release said. The performers include bands with singers, such as the Ridge City Ramblers and Mt. LeConte Jug Band, as well as string quartets, a flute choir, a jazz band, and two klezmer bands.

Solo artists are Allen McBride on the hammer dulcimer and vocalist Kelle Jolley, one of East Tennessee’s most celebrated jazz musicians. She is the host of Knoxville’s radio show on WUOT 91.9FM, “Jazz Jam with Kelle Jolly,” an hour-long show on Friday at 8 p.m. that celebrates great local, national, and international singers of jazz, the press release said. [Read more…]

Flatwater Festival is Friday at Melton Lake Park

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The three Rotary clubs of Oak Ridge will hold a fundraiser on Friday, June 2, at five that’s full of fun. It’s called the Flatwater Festival, and it is open from 5 to 11 p.m. You can watch teams of two build boats of plywood with simple hand tools in two-and-a-half hours. Then you can watch them paddle their boats as they race across the lagoon at Melton Lake Park.

The event is free and you can listen to area bands Ridge City Ramblers, The Unnamed, and Four Leaf Peat, as they play folk, blues, and Irish/Appalachian music on the stage, starting at 5:30.

But bring money so your kids can play in a bounce house ($5) and you can be a contestant in a cornhole tournament ($10). You will also want to drink and eat. At the festival for a small price, you can buy beer, barbecue, and burgers. Other offerings include hot dogs, wine, ice cream, and bottles of “flat” water. [Read more…]

Three Rotary clubs to present Flatwater Festival on Friday, June 2

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Flatwater Festival logo (Created by Jim Dodson)

Flatwater Festival logo (Created by Jim Dodson)

 

Bands, beer, boats, and bounce houses. A cornhole tournament. Wine, water, and soda pop.

Teams that build, decorate, and paddle boats while you watch and listen to live music. Barbeque, hamburgers, hot dogs, and ice cream.

Does that sound like a party? It’s the inaugural Flatwater Festival fundraiser on Friday, June 2.

The Flatwater Festival, a fundraiser for community projects supported by the three Rotary clubs of Oak Ridge, will be held from 5 to 11 p.m., Friday, June 2, on the peninsula of Melton Lake Park. Admission to the festival is free, and $5 per person will be charged for unlimited time at the bounce house and obstacle course.

A portion of the proceeds from the festival will go to Emory Valley Center in memory of Dr. Gene Caldwell, a pediatrician, state lawmaker, EVC fundraiser, and Rotarian. The rest will support the diverse community service projects of the Rotary clubs. [Read more…]

Janelle Arthur to perform at Barbecue, Bluegrass Bash for CASA on Saturday

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CASA-Tennessee-Heartland-Barbecue-Bluegrass-Bash-0216-600x180

American Idol finalist Janelle Arthur will perform at the Barbecue and Bluegrass Bash on Saturday, an annual fundraiser for CASA of the Tennessee Heartland.

Arthur, an Oliver Springs singer, was part of the first-ever all-female Top 5 on American Idol, a popular televised singing competition, in April 2013.

Besides Arthur, this year’s Barbecue and Bluegrass Bash will feature a silent auction, a live auction featuring Bear Stephenson, live bluegrass with the Ridge City Ramblers, and a delicious barbecue buffet, organizers said.

The CASA Barbecue and Bluegrass Bash raises money to help abused and neglected children in Anderson, Blount, and Scott counties. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum hosts A Tennessee Evening on Dec. 4

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Tennessee Gala Volunteers at Children's Museum of Oak Ridge

A Tennessee Evening Gala volunteers join Mary Ann Damos, museum executive director, in the museum’s Appalachian Exhibit log cabin. From left, they are, seated, Pat Imperato and Cande Seay, and standing, Nancy Harrison, Lee McGetrick, Damos, and Larry Burkholder. (Submitted photo)

 

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will host a Tennessee Evening Gala on Friday, December 4, celebrating Tennessee heritage with music, dance, and fine food representing the state’s traditions.

Guests are invited to come as a favorite Tennessee personality or character to the semi-formal event held from 6-11 p.m. December 4 at the museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.

The Ridge City Ramblers will entertain with toe-tapping bluegrass and Americana music. Also entertaining will be Henry Perry, bringing his harmonica blues music to the event, and Slade Trammell, a concert pianist. The Knoxville Contra Dancers will bring old-time folk dancing to the Gala.

Beth Haynes of WBIR-TV will emcee the Gala. Haynes co-anchors WBIR’s “Live at Five at Four” with Russell Bivin and anchors 10 News at Five and the 10 p.m. news at Fox 43. [Read more…]

TORCH Brew Review, a beer-tasting fundraiser, on Aug. 29

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TORCH Brew Review

Photo from the Brew Review on Sept. 12, 2014, by Margaretanne Ingle.

 

Trinity Out-Reach Center for Hope, or TORCH, has its Second Annual Brew Review on Saturday, August 29. It’s a one-of-a-kind fundraiser in Oak Ridge.

The Brew Review is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, from 7 to 11 pm, at St. Mary’s Catholic School Gymnasium at 323 Vermont Avenue in Oak Ridge.

The evening will include beer tasting, finger foods, and live music, a press release said. Guests can mingle with their food and beer, dance to live music and/or enter the Corn Hole Tournament.

The bands performing are The Portals, Rhiannon, Jack Russell and the Terriers, and Ridge City Ramblers. [Read more…]

Dragon Boat Festival includes races, music, beer garden, kids area

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Four Dragon Boats

Dragon boats are pictured above at the Oak Ridge Dragon Boat Festival at Melton Lake Park on May 31, 2014. (Submitted photo) 

 

The second annual Oak Ridge Dragon Boat Festival this weekend will include dragon boat races, music, vendors, a youth area for kids, and a beer garden.

The Oak Ridge Marina boat ramp will be closed on Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, for the festival, organizers said. They expect increased traffic congestion on Melton Lake Drive this weekend. Organizers are encouraging those who attend to park at Roane State Community College on Briarcliff Avenue and catch a ride in a bus or van to the waterfront.

Thirty or or more teams of 20 paddlers each are expected in Oak Ridge for the 2015 Dragon Boat Festival.

The festival, which will raise money for local charities, will start on Friday evening, May 29, with a “Lanterns on the Lake” ceremony, music, beer garden, and other festivities. [Read more…]

Enjoy Ridge City Ramblers, strawberries at Farmers Market

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Ridge City Ramblers

The Ridge City Ramblers will play at the Oak Ridge Farmers Market in Jackson Square on Saturday. The Ridge City Ramblers are, from left, Gary Coleman, Mary Tuskan, Scott Linn, Abbie Hoerner, Tom Beehan, and Steve Reddick. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Farmers Market is hosting The Ridge City Ramblers in concert this Saturday (May 16). The concert is free, and it’s scheduled from 9-11 a.m. in the middle of the market.

Plus, it’s strawberry time in Tennessee! Locally grown, just-picked berries are plentiful this week in the market, which is open Saturdays from 8 a.m.-noon and Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m. in Jackson Square.

On May 23, the Oak Ridge Farmers Market will host its first ever Kids Day, a free event featuring live farm animals, crafts, games, and music for children.

CASA’s Barbeque and Bluegrass Bash is Saturday

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Ridge City Ramblers

The Ridge City Ramblers are pictured above. (File photo/submitted)

 

Submitted

CASA of the Tennessee Heartland’s 12th Annual Barbeque and Bluegrass Bash is this Saturday. After all the snow and crazy weather, it’s time to get out of the house and have some fun!

Once again, the Ridge City Ramblers will be pickin’ and singin’ through the night, a delicious barbeque buffet will be provided, and the night will hold lots of entertainment. The event moves this year to an exciting new venue—205 Main (previously the Ray Viles Ford Building in Clinton).

A full barbeque buffet dinner (including pulled pork, grilled chicken, salad, mac and cheese, and baked beans—vegetarian option available) will be provided along with desserts, wine and beer bar, and moonshine tastings. Silent and live auctions include vacation packages, Raku Pottery from Bill Capshaw, fine jewelry, and many more exciting baskets and packages. [Read more…]