All advertisements are accepted and published by the publisher upon the representation that the agency and/or advertiser is authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The agency and/or advertiser will indemnify and save the publisher harmless from any lossof expense resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any advertisement, including claims or suits for defamation, libel, right of privacy, plagiarism, and copyright infringement.
Founder: Bill Williams
Hello Friends!
It is time for the Appalachian Fair! All of the kids and some adults are very excited. What is your favorite part of the fair? Is it the rides, the music, animals, crafts for the food? For some of us I think it is the small town vibe and running into friends. Whatever you love I hope you get to visit and enjoy the fair! As I write this I am enjoying weather being in the 70s. I hate to see Summer leave us but I must admit I do love Fall. I hope everyone has a great week!
Bristol TN/Va
WEDNESDAY Aug 21st
Every Other Wednesday All-Star Jazz and Jam 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House
THURSDAY Aug 22nd
My New Favorites
7:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar
Sounds of Summer: Hells Bells (AC/DC Tribute)
7:00pm at Downtown Center
FRIDAY Aug 23rd
Cory Michael Harris & Black Bottom Road 7:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar
Trevor Meade 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House
Damon Heath
8:00pm at The Corner
Kayla McKinney 10:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar
SATURDAY Aug 24th
Kudzu Killers 7:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar
Chris Long 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House
Jacob Woodruff
8:00pm at The Corner
If Birds Could Fly 10:00pm at Bristol Casino Bar
Hustle Souls
10:00pm at O’Mainnin’s Pub
MONDAY Aug 26th
Anthony Childress 7:00pm at Cascade Draft House
TUESDAY Aug 27th
Sounds of Summer: Turkey Creek 7:00pm at Downtown Center
Johnson City
WEDNESDAY Aug 21st
Rheva & Keegan’s
Irish Fiddle Tunes 5:30pm at Mulligan’s Gaming Pub
HB Beverly 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza
THURSDAY Aug 22nd
Justin Mychaels 6:30pm at Rocks Wood FIred Pizza
FRIDAY Aug 23rd
Jeff Lane 6:30pm at Rocks Wood FIred Pizza
Holly Ann & Dirt Road Rising 8:00pm at Tulip’s Grub & Pub
Brim & Marci Leal 6:30pm at Rocks Wood Fired Pizza
Kingsport
THURSDAY Aug 22nd
Victor Lawson and Boogie Chillen 7:00pm at Lakeview Marina
FRIDAY Aug 23rd
Club Rewind 7:00pm at Lakeview Marina
G-Man Blues & Dr. Ron w/Special Guest Daniel Byrd 7:00pm at Model City Tap House
Robby Taylor & Dominique Romero 7:30 at Gypsy Circus
Full Sirkle
9:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar
SATURDAY Aug 24th
Midnight Gypsys 7:00pm at Lakeview Marina
Cari Coates Band 7:00pm at Model City Tap House
Total Justice
9:00pm at CJ’s Sports Bar
SUNDAY Aug 25th
Jason Lloyd 7:00pm at Lakeview Marina
Elizabethton
FRIDAY Aug 23rd
Corey Snowden 6:00pm at Jiggy Rays
SATURDAY Aug 24th
“On The Border” The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band. 7:00pm at Elizabethton Covered Bridge Jams
The Salty Moondogs 8:00pm at Jiggy Ray’s Abingdon, VA
SATURDAY Aug 24th
Orbital Planes 6:00pm at Abingdon Vineyards
SUNDAY Aug 25th
Josh Bowles, Tom Zeske III and Special Guests 2:00pm at Abingdon Vineyards
“Appalachian Elixir”
This year marks the tenth anniversary of Long Journey Home, Johnson County’s Heritage Arts and Music Celebration. Each year this tiny mountain town comes to life with stories and songs that honor the iconic Old Time mountain music style that shaped country music as we know it. The three day festival spans Labor Day Weekend August 30th, 31st, and September 1st.
This year’s Long Journey Home festival events include: Buskin’ on Main, a showcase of local
LONG JOURNEY HOME 2024
and regional acoustic talent playing up and down Main StreetThe grand opening of Johnson County Center for the Arts’ new Gallery on Main, and an outdoor film at dusk on the evening of Friday, August 30th.
The unveiling of Appalachian Elixir, a new mural honoring Clarence “Tom” Ashley, who traveled for decades with Doc Whitecloud and then Doc Hauer’s Medicine Show on August 31st.
The Musical Heritage Homecoming Tour, showcasing authentic OldTime music played on the front porches of the iconic musicians
who shaped early country music by musicians who still carry on the legacy of true mountain music - August 31st.
A traditional Sunday Singin’ at Heritage Hall Theatre featuring authentic old time gospel music on September 1st.
The fun begins on Friday evening with a ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new Johnson County Center for the Arts Gallery on Main at 5pm. Then Buskin’ on Main Street follows at 6pm. This event brings the small town to life with music, friends, and plenty of good eatin’.
On Saturday, August 31st, the Musical Heritage Homecoming Tour begins with the unveiling of the newest addition to the Mural Mile in Downtown Mountain City at 2pm. This new mural, Appalachian Elixir, gives a nod to Clarence “Tom” Ashley’s early career as a medicine show huckster. Roy Acuff credited Tom with “showing him the ropes of show business” during their years together in Dr. Hauer’s Medicine Show in the 1930’s. Next up is a visit to the Clarence “Tom” Ashley home place at 3:30 pm where you’ll hear musicians perform right on his front porch, including Kenny Price and Jerry Moses who carry on Ashley’s iconic clawhammer banjo style and Backroads Bluegrass, an authentic
mountain string band featuring Jack Proffitt. Bring a chair or a blanket, kick back in the shade, and enjoy an evening of outdoor music.
The weekend closes with a traditional Sunday Singin’ at Heritage Hall Theatre, where you can hear traditional mountain gospel and sing along from 2 to 4:30pm.
Event maps may be picked up at the Center for the Arts and other local businesses. The Musical Heritage Mural Mile and Long Journey Home were made possible in part through funding from East Tennessee Foundation, Johnson County Community Foundation, and Tennessee Arts Commission as well as the generosity of community members. To learn more, visit www. longjourneyhome.net.
“It’s about as real as it gets. If you were wondering whether authentic Appalachia still exists, look no further.”
For more information, please contact:
Cristy Dunn at 423-957-6346 cristy@jocoartcenter.org or visit www.longjourneyhome.net.
Guided by ETSU Experts, Discover Stargazing Spots in Appalachia
It can be a challenge to leave the glare of city lights, even in the more rural areas of Appalachia. Light pollution, too, isn’t a friend to stargazers, helping mask the planets, stars and galaxies. But that doesn’t mean you have to journey thousands of miles to marvel at cosmic views.
“One can certainly enjoy stargazing by traveling just a few miles out into the countryside,” said Dr. Gary Henson, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and director of the ETSU Planetarium.
For those interested in stargazing and related events, Henson offers some recommendations and tips.
ETSU Observatory
The Harry D. Powell Astronomical Observatory at ETSU holds a range of events throughout the year, with the first one happening on Sept. 7. These free events happen one Saturday each month during the academic year. During the open houses, telescopes will be set up and available for visitors to use.
The observatory is located at 1101 Narrow Lane in Johnson City.
ETSU Planetarium
The Planetarium at ETSU is a spacious theater capable of stunning visual graphics thanks to a state-
of the-art, full-dome digital projection system.
The first public show of the new academic year is Aug. 22 with a theme of searching for planets orbiting stars other than our sun.
Beauty Spot
Known for breathtaking panoramic views of both Tennessee and North Carolina, the Unaka Mountain Beauty Spot is located on the Appalachian Trail in Unicoi County.
Area residents have raved about the views for years, but amateur hikers should be warned: some areas of the trail can be steep.
Mile Marker 47
On Interstate 26, traveling northbound, is the overlook at mile marker 47.
It offers a large, circular concrete viewing area to take in the sights. It’s also well elevated over the interstate, meaning headlights don’t usually create a major light pollution issue.
Tips
Always check the weather before you travel. Clear and dry conditions are most suitable for stargazing.
An open meadow or field allows viewers to see more of the sky, making the experience more enjoyable.
Always learn more about an area before visiting. Hiking challenges, road closures and more should be checked out ahead of time.
If you are ever curious about the level of dark skies in our region or wherever you may be traveling, visit the World Atlas Night Sky Brightness map.
TRI-CITIES NIGHTLIFE
WEDNESDAY
Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at The Pub Out Back (The Italian Pizza Pub) - Johnson City 7pm
Karaoke w/ Eric Huskins VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm
Karaoke Night at Wonderland Lounge and Bar - Johnson City, TN 9pm
Karaoke with Ron at Kingsport Moose Lodge 6:30pm
Loudmouth Karaoke at Michael Waltrip Brewing Company - Bristol, VA on Wednesday, April 5th at 7pm
THURSDAY
Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub - Johnson City, TN 8pm
Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Wild Wings Cafe - Johnson City, TN 9pm
Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City, TN 10pm
Karaoke at Jiggy Rays Pizzeria - Johnson City, TN
Karaoke at Tipsy Toad Tavern - Jonesborough, TN
FRIDAY
Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Rainbow Asian Cuisine - Johnson City, TN 9pm
Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at The Sports Mill - Kingsport, TN 8pm
Karaoke w/ Eric Huskins VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm
Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm
Karaoke with Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub and Grille - Bristol, TN 10pm
SATURDAY
Karaoke with Absolute Entertainment at Tulips Grub & Pub Johnson City, TN 8pm
Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm
Karaoke w/ Eric Huskins VFW Post 2108 – Johnson City, TN 8pm
Karaoke at Numan’s – Johnson City, TN 10pm
Karaoke with DJ Clyde and Prestige Entertainment at Macado’s -Kingsport, TN 9pm
Karaoke with Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub and Grille - Bristol, TN 10pm
TRIVIA BINGO DJ NIGHT
TUESDAY
Team Trivia at Wild Wing Café Johnson City TN
DJ Trivia at Union Street Taproom Erwin, TN 5pm
Trivia at The Corner Bar Bristol, VA 8pm
Trivia at Aubrey’s Johnson City 7pm
WEDNESDAY
Trivia at Tipsy Toad Jonesborough, TN 7pm
Trivia Night Mellow Mushroom
Bristol, VA 7pm
Trivia at Aubrey’s Bristol 7pm
THURSDAY
Mellow Trivia at Mellow Mushroom
Johnson City, TN- 7pm
Trivia at Riverside Taphouse at South Fork
Bluff City, TN 7pm
TUESDAY
Singo at Riverside Taphouse at South Fork Bluff City, TN 6:30pm
WEDNESDAY
Bingo at Tipton Street Pub
Johnson City, TN 9pm
Singo at Holy Taco & Cantina
Boones Creek, TN 8pm
Blazin’ Bingo at Mellow Mushroom Johnson City, TN 6pm
THURSDAY
Bingo at Mellow Mushroom Bristol VA 6pm
Singo at Aubrey’s Bristol 7:00 PM
THURSDAY
DJ B-Digital at O’Mainnin’s Pub and GrilleBristol, TN 10pm
FRIDAY
Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub - Bristol, TN 10pm
SATURDAY
Handsome Hodge Entertainment at O’Mainnin’s Pub - Bristol, TN 10pm
SUNDAY
DJ B-Digital at O’Mainnin’s Pub and GrilleBristol, TN 10pm
SODOKU CROSSWORD
ACROSS
DROP QUOTE
1. Lobster-eaters' accessories
5. Football great Favre
10. Australia's lang.
14. Opera highlight
15. Uncle of storytelling
16. More than a little
17. First streaker?
19. Words in the middle of a noted palindrome
20. Handel inspiration
21. Traveled by plane
22. Poem used in Beethoven's "Choral Symphony"
26. Smallest amount
30. Suit specialists
34. Commencement
35. Hockey defenseman Paul
36. Legislative vote
Arthur Hays Sulzberger
37. "You got it"
39. Win over
42. Wallach or Whitney
43. Grazing grounds
47. Came into being
48. Purse taker
51. Al ___ (firm)
52. Infamous Dutch spy
54. Tolerated
57. Claim
62. "____ Misbehavin'"
63. Plain and simple
66. Miss, in Marseilles: Abbr.
67. Make butter the oldfashioned way
68. Off-roaders, familiarly
69. Interstellar dist.
70. Dirty and unkempt
71. 10th-grader, for short
Answers to last week’s puzzles can be found on page 09.
Down
1. Medicinal ointment
2. Hymn word
3. Presidential runs
4. Verbalizes
5. Expansive
6. Lucille Ball, e.g.
7. British recording co.
8. 8 options, on ATMs
9. Dept. of Homeland Security org.
10. Crabtree partner
11. Fiddler while Rome burned
12. Sprouted
13. "____ Eyes"
(song by The Eagles)
18. Influential pre-Renaissance
Florentine artist
21. Pro
23. Communication system for the deaf
24. Not Rx
25. Comedian's bit
26. Asocial sort
27. ___ Gay (WWII bomber)
28. Tomato gelatin
29. Pastor's speech (abbr.)
31. Keep an ___ (watch closely)
32. Bakers get a rise out of it
33. Eastern wrap
38. Dab with absorbent paper
40. Bottommost points
41. Dr. of rap music
44. Pitcher's stat
45. Former ember
46. Where ships come in
49. Actor, at times
50. Dined on
53. Like undercooked eggs
54. One of two O.T. books
55. Pinball-machine word
56. Sole
58. "Split" soup ingredients
59. Fully aware of
60. Request for a response, briefly
61. Keyboardist John
63. ATM manufacturer
64. "___ wise guy, eh!"
65. Fruitcake
OF THE WEEK PETS
Admiral Adorable is a playful explorer who loves to chase toys and snuggle up for naps. She‘s an 8 month old beautiful Tabby that brings joy and warmth to every moment,
Admiral PEPPER Adorable
sweet, affectionate and ready for her forever home! Admiral Adorable is microchipped, up to date on all vaccines and spayed, ensuring she’s healthy and ready for adoption.
Meet Pepper, the lovable mixed breed with beautiful speckles and a tail with a white tip, is seeking a forever home.
She is Sweet as syrup! Pepper is a tail wagging bundle of love that weighs 59 lbs, plays well with other dogs,
spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, heart worm tested negative and ready to bring joy to your days. She will also sit for treats and is very trainable. If you’re up for a lot of love, adopt Pepper and let the adventures begin!!! Bday 12/3/22.
If you are interested in adopting
Last Week's Puzzle Answers
Sudoku
Crossword
Cryptogram:
"The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large."
Dropquote:
"Describing the Internet as the Network of Networks is like calling the Space Shuttle a thing that flies."
ETSU’s Dr. Ted Olson Helps Create Appalachian Hip-Hop Album
Earlier this month, Appalshop’s record label June Appal Recordings released “No Options: Hip-Hop in Appalachia.” Organizers timed the release to coincide with two important historical observations: Aug. 8, which many Black communities celebrate as Emancipation Day, and Aug. 11, National Hip-Hop Day.
“During the pandemic, Dr. William Turner (a noted scholar on African American communities in Appalachia) and I co-hosted the podcast series ‘Sepia Tones: Exploring Black Appalachian Music,’ and we produced an episode celebrating hip-hop in Appalachia. It was obvious that a number of talented hip-hop artists lived in the region, yet few of those artists were known beyond their home communities,” said Dr. Ted Olson, a professor of Appalachian Studies and Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Studies at East Tennessee State University.
Part of the album was recorded in the ETSU Recording Lab, and Olson served as co-producer and co-curator.
“Dr. Turner and I applied for a grant from the nonprofit organization Appalshop allowing us to produce an album to showcase the music of many of the region’s hip-hop artists,” he said. “Taking two years to complete, with several of the recordings being made in the ETSU Recording Lab, ‘No Options’ is the first album to document the diversity of hip-hop music from Appalachia.”
Previous compilations of historical and contemporary American hip-hop have tended to ignore recordings by Appalachian artists, organizers said, choosing instead to focus on more urban areas of the American South.
“No Options,” meanwhile, purposefully celebrates the unique perspectives of small-town and rural hip-hop artists. Artists hail from throughout the region, including Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and New York. One of the artists, Stunna T, has a track called “Show Up” that was recorded via phone in Wallens Ridge State Prison in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. The album is available for preorder now through June Appal’s Bandcamp.
THINGS TO DO THINGS TO DO
JOHNSON CITY
SATURDAYS
ACOA (adult children of alcoholics) 1:30-3:00pm. Call for info Bill 423-444-6107 or Cheryl 423-262-6149
THURSDAY AUG 22ND
Tri-Cities Turtles Run Club
12:45pm at Yee-Haw Brewing Co.
FRIDAY AUG 23RD
Johnson City Love & Hiking
Date For Couples (Self-Guided)
7:00am at Willow Springs Park
SATURDAY AUG 24TH
Johnson City Love & Hiking
Date For Couples (Self-Guided) 7:00am at Willow Springs Park
Johnson City Farmers Market 8:00am at the Pavilion in Downtown Johnson City
Unladylike Comedy
8:00pm at Wallace Theatre
BRISTOL
WEDNESDAY AUG 21ST
Bristol Bloom Collective | All Local Flower Market 9:00am at West State Studio
THURSDAY AUG 22ND
Weekly Trunk Show 5:00pm at LUMAC Rooftop Bar
FRIDAY AUG 23RD
Mitch Burrow 7:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club
SATURDAY AUG 24TH
Board Game Night 5:00pm at Bristol Public Library
Mitch Burrow 8:00pm at Blue Ridge Comedy Club
KINGSPORT
SATURDAY AUG 24TH
Farmer's Market 7:00am at Kingsport Farmers Market
Nature: Wolf Howling 10:00am at Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium
Brunch 11:30am at Gypsy Circus Cider Company
JONESBOROUGH
TUESDAYS
Jonesborough Storytelling Guild “Stories n’More” Show 7:00pm at The Intl. Storytelling Center
SATURDAY AUG 24TH
Jonesborough Farmers Market 8:00am at Downtown Jonesborough
Historic Jonesborough Town Tour 1:00pm at Chester Inn State Historic Site
ABINGDON, VA
WEDNESDAY AUG 21ST
Game Night 5:00pm at Abingdon Commons
Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Community Center
FRIDAY AUG 23RD
Movies for Adults 2:00pm at Washington County Public Library
SUNDAY AUG 25TH
Bingo 5:00pm at Abingdon Community Center
BLUFF CITY
SATURDAY AUG 24TH
Bluff City Farmers Market
9:00pm at Bluff City Ball Field
August 19-24, 2024
PAGEANTS & CONTESTS
Fairest of the Fair Pageant
Monday, Aug. 19th @ 7pm
Little Miss Pageant
Tuesday, Aug. 20th @ 6pm
Baby Show
Saturday, Aug 24th @ 9am
Youth Talent Contest
Thursday, August 22nd @ 7pm
Dance Competition
Friday, Aug. 23rd @ 7pm
Got Talent Contest
Saturday, Aug. 24th @ 7pm
$25 Monday-Friday, August 19-23
$30 for Saturday, August 24
WXBQ / MAIN STAGE
Those who qualify may receive:
• Payment up to $1,295, which varies by study
• Study-related care from local doctors at no cost
• Study medication at no cost
Participating in research studies helps contribute to the advancement of future medicine and treatment options.
To see if you qualify, visit www.MyCoughTrial.com or call 1-866-488-8088
Local Events:
1.. Twilight Alive July 19th Kingsport, TN
2. Hillbilly & Vet Pre-Party July 20th
7pm Wild Wings Café
3. Hillbilly & Vet Car & Bike July 20th
3pm – 7pm Wild Wings Café
4. 3rd Annual Tri-Cities Takeover August 25th
Bike Nights:
Wednesday: 19E Pit Stop
Wednesday: Jonesborough VFW
Thursday: Darrell Waltrip
Thursday: Old Town Tavern
Friday: Tulips
August 3rd Peacemakers Greenville, TN
Bike Night and Bike Show
Rides:
1. Hillbilly Shine Ride to Maggie Valley NC Meet 8am KSU
8:30am Jonesboro VFW
2. Bear Barnes Memorial Ride August 17th
Bike Rallies:
1. 15th Annual Hillbilly Show & Shine July 26th – 27th
2. 85th Annual Sturgis Bike Rally August 2nd – 11th
Beanz Biker Corner Beanz Biker Corner
Hello again everyone, it’s a HOT summer so lets go camping in the mountains, by the river, or at the lake. I love to go camping. I tent camp. Today, it seems like most people enjoy camping. Heck, I know I sure do! And who’s to blame them – camping is an amazing outdoor activity. But everybody has their own way of camping. Some like tents, or RV or a pull behind. No matter how you camp, you are making memories with family and friends. It’s a great way to get back to nature and get away from the noise of the city and the everyday rush. Stress just seems to melt away.
Recreational camping has a long history, with origins traced back to ancient times when early humans built temporary structures in the wilderness for shelter and survival during hunting and gathering expeditions. However, modern recreational camping as we know it today was popularized in the late Victorian era Thomas Hiram Holding, who wrote the first edition of "The Camper’s Handbook" in 1908, is considered the founder of modern recreational camping. For the overwhelming majority of human
By Anne Hartley
history, people have “camped” as a way of life. We humans lived a nomadic existence out of necessity, moving with the seasons, following food sources and avoiding inclement weather. A roving lifestyle in nature was all we knew for millennia. That, however, is far removed from the type of camping we’re talking about today. We’re interested in modern camping; the campground, sleeping bag and tent, kind of camping.
Here are some camping safety tips:
1. Choose the right shelter and site for your camping trip. 2. Stay upto-date with the weather and be prepared for any changes. 3. Pack and store food safely to avoid spoilage and contamination. 4. Practice campfire safety and never leave a fire unattended. 5. Use insect protection and avoid areas with high infestation. 6. Be aware of allergies and bring any necessary medication. 7. Protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen, hats, and clothing. 8. Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. 9. Learn about local wildlife and keep a safe distance from them. 10. Be careful near water and follow the rules for swimming and boating. 11. Avoid poisonous plants and learn how to identify them.
Back when I was a kid, camping trips consisted of a leaky tent pitched on a rocky piece of earth and some marshmallows burnt to a crisp over the campfire. Don’t get me wrong, I loved camping then and I still love it now, but there’s no denying that camping has evolved in ways that were unimaginable a few decades ago. Today, modern campgrounds boast everything from waterparks to coffee carts, and they appeal to a larger number of people than ever before. With the amenities offered at some American campgrounds these days, there’s nothing rough about roughing it.
Useless Facts:
1. The total number of campers each year was constantly growing, but the boom was quite noticeable after the pandemic. In 2021, there were 93.8 million active camping households in the United States alone, from which 9.1 million households were camping for the first time in their life.
2. The majority of campers live in urban areas, so going camping for them is also escaping the busy city life. In a survey held in 2021, more than half of all campers (56%) were coming from urban living areas.
3. Camping is for everyone, regardless of their income. In fact, about 41% of first-time campers in 2020 came from higher-income households.
4. The average number of nights campers spend on a campground is between 7 and 9 nights.
5. You don’t need to travel long distances to enjoy nature. In 2021, 56% of campers traveled less than 100 miles for their trip. In fact, one third of them stay within just 50 miles of their homes.
Full Moons of 2024
1. Buck Moon on Sunday, July 21 - 6:19 am
2. Sturgeon Moon on Monday, August 19 - 2:28 pm
3. Harvest Moon on Wednesday September 18 - 10:36 pm
4. Hunters Moon on Thursday October 17 -7:27 am
5. Beaver Moon on Friday November 15 - 4:29 pm
6. Cold Moon on Sunday December 15 - 4:02 am
Social Sentiments
By Wendy Hayden socialsentiments
Back Your Brand
What makes your brand stand out above the crowd? How would you describe the unique purpose of your brand in less than 60 seconds?
The Social Sentiments brand stands for bringing dreams to life through the use of social media marketing. The passion behind the brand is an accidental discovery of a love of social media. When that passion was realized, a world of opportunity opened up to help people understand the power of social media.
A strong elevator pitch shows that you believe in your brand and are passionate about sharing your expertise with people
who can benefit from it. Your belief in your brand will shine when you keep your passion in mind. Always remind yourself of why you created your brand and why it is worthy of sharing with the world. Your pitch should reflect the reasons why you back your brand, what makes it stand out, and the good it can create for potential clients.
The ability to back your brand in 60 seconds is crucial to selling your unique expertise. Bring your brand to life with your inspiring short story!
Barter’s Shawshank Redemption is Authentic in More Than One Way
In the dimly lit backstage corridors of Barter Theatre, the cast of The Shawshank Redemption put on uniforms that are more than mere costumes. These prison uniforms, painstakingly stitched together by the hands of actual prisoners, enhance the realism of the production with an unparalleled level of authenticity. As the actors slip into the rough, coarse fabric, they are not only stepping into their roles, they are stepping into the lives of those who crafted these garments. This connection to the real-world experience of incarceration deepens their performance and brings a profound emotional weight to the stage. Each thread and seam of these uniforms tells a story of resilience and redemption, mirroring the very essence of The Shawshank Redemption. For the prisoners who created them, it is a rare opportunity to contribute to the outside world, to leave a mark beyond the prison walls. For the cast, it is a poignant reminder of the human lives entwined with their art. This collaboration between those inside and outside the prison system transcends the
boundaries of the stage, offering a powerful testament to the shared humanity that binds us all.
An important design element is that prisoners during the mid-20th century did not wear jumpsuits or scrubs. They wore jeans and button-up shirts. And they were allowed to wear belts and/or suspenders and have shoe lacesall of which are forbidden now.
“As I was searching online to find enough shirts and jeans, remembering they have to be identical to each other, in the sizes for our cast, I kept running into ‘out of stock’ notices. Finally I decided to just go to the manufacturer’s website and try to buy the clothes directly from them,” explained Barter’s Costume Shop Manager Alice Sullivan. “The label is Prison Blues, manufactured by Correction Connection. What I learned from the website is that this company employs people who are incarcerated in Oregon.”
From what Sullivan learned, the inmates construct all of the garments, which are then used throughout the Oregon Department of Corrections, but
also sold for profit to the public.
“The company motto ‘Made on the INSIDE to be worn on the OUTSIDE’ is actually true! This really spoke to me,” Sullivan said. “The authenticity of the clothing supports the work our actors are doing in creating their characters. These are not just costumes. The costumes are real prison uniforms and are very similar to the uniforms worn by inmates in the 20th century.”
This is such a well known film that Barter’s Producing Artistic Director Katy Brown felt it would be necessary to lean into that design for our show.
“When people picture Red and Andy (DuFresne) in their minds they always see Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins as they looked in the film,” Sullivan said. “And what I really like about the costume design for the film is that the inmates’ shirts are NOT just plain, blue chambray work shirts. They are actually striped - known as Hickory Shirts. The small stripes add texture and depth.”
Additionally, the uniforms came in actual sizes, whereas today the
options are small, medium, large, etc. This was much more expensive to the taxpayer, and required more labor to produce and maintain, than the uniforms we know today.
“Some of the cast members were so impressed they asked for the company website so they could buy things for their personal wardrobes,” Sullivan noted. “The clothing is competitively priced, but the quality is much better than most anything else on the market. For instance, the Prison Blues jeans do not have any spandex, and they are constructed from heavy denim.
“Anyone who wore blue jeans in the mid to late 20th century will remember when Levi’s would last for years! That’s what these jeans are - old school Levi’s. Correction Connection uses very high quality fabrics and thread. The workmanship is outstanding! These garments are meant to last for years and they willphysically and also in the minds of the audience.”
Home Cooked Wine Pairings
Growing up in the south, particularly from our “neck of the woods,” you learn early on the importance of good eatin’. I’m sure I’m not alone in reminiscing about all those meals at Grandmas, where the whole family squeezed in elbowto-elbow to indulge in her home cooking. In fact, with most of my childhood memories having turned to fuzzy clips of vague emotions, these times of celebration and post-church family fellowship are some of the only clear recollections I have left. As I’ve gotten older and broadened my culinary horizons, I still have to admit that as much as I love exploring other cuisines, my heart will always belong to the simple, greasy, down-home dishes of Appalachia. But how will that ever co-exist with my newfound love of French wine? Beautifully, it turns out!
When I decided to make my piece this week about pairing vino with classic southern dishes, I had no intention of making them France specific. But as I reviewed my brainstorming chicken scratch, I was surprised to see that every single glass was from the land of the Louvre, and try as I might, I could not dream up a better pairing. So as crazy as it sounds, it seems the hills of the French countryside might in fact have something in common with the sticks and hollers of Appalachia.
When I was thinking up my favorite country dishes, naturally I started with my absolute favorite breakfast staple- gravy and biscuits. My Granny used to bake drop biscuits called “cat heads” because they were, you guessed it, as big as a cat’s head. They weren’t the fluffy, golden and perfectly symmetrical buttermilk versions most of the rest of the world is used to, but there was pure
deliciousness in every lumpy bite; particularly when smothered with her famous sausage gravy. Fried and crumbled in her biggest skillet, the woman never measured anything, just using pure instinct and years of experience to add the perfect amounts of whole milk, flour and seasonings to the ample pool of grease. As I pondered what wine could possibly hold up to this hearty concoction that seems to be all over the board and typically consumed early in the day, only 1 answer came to mind- classic Champagne. I’m a firm believer that most problems can be solved with bubbles, and if you’re ever in a predicament where you need a wine that will play off a little bit of everything, it’s a great go-to. Champagne in particular has a more yeasty flavor than other sparkling wines, making it a great match for biscuits and gravy. While it offers a creamy nuttiness, it’s still light enough to not be extra weight on an already heavy meal. Remember, all sparkling wine is commonly referred to as Champagne incorrectly, but TRUE Champagne must come from the Champagne region of France. Try to get one that has been aged for a couple years, but if you’re ballin on a budget, there are some terrific NonVintage (NV) options out there that won’t break the bank.
For the next course, there’s no way I could cultivate a list of home cooked cuisine without mentioning soup beans and corn bread. There’s hardly another scent in this world that can make me go as wild as a big pot of simmering pintos on a stovetop with a cast iron skillet full of cornbread in the oven below. You can eat them however you want, but my preferred method is to ladle a giant spoonful of beans over a hunk of crumbled cornbread and top it with a couple dashes of Texas Pete. On a cold winter day, nothing will warm your bones better, I assure you. But what sort of wine would be the perfect
complement to such a simple but filling concoction? My mind immediately traveled to Burgundy. French pinot has an earthiness that plays well with the beans, while still having just enough structure to stand up to the added texture of being cooked in pig fat. Aim for a nice Cote de Nuit Village wine for a full-bodied Burgundy experience without the hefty price tag of the well-known Grand Cru vineyards.
For suppertime in the south, I had 3 staples immediately come to mind and they all deserved an honorable mention and pairing suggestion. I felt it was only fair to give you a seafood, a white meat and a red meat option, depending on your mood. For the fish dish, there was no way I could avoid discussing shrimp and grits. This savory blending of seafood and breakfast carbs for dinner is the meal that changed my mind about crustaceans as a teenager, and the addition of spicy andouille sausage is the perfect way to round out this deliciousness. The only way it could be any better is with a big glass of Sancerre. While most would think that Sauvignon Blanc would be far too citrusy or delicate for a meal this robust, this French version of the grape is actually quite versatile and is a fabulous complement to more savory flavors. It still holds the characteristic green, white and yellow fruit profiles, but has a salinity that creates perfect balance to full flavors.
If you’re in the mood for something with feathers, how about pairing a glass of French chardonnay with a big bowl of chicken and dumplings?
A white Burgundy is a great option for this one-pot meal. Opt for a Cote de Beaune over Chablis, as these tend to be oaked, giving them more of the creaminess to play off the texture of the dumplings. I feel that Chablis being unoaked would be too light and fruity for a dish this savory.
Finally if you’re craving something carnivorous, let’s go read all the
by Kathie Scalf
way with a pan full of meat loaf and a bottle of Bordeaux. This classic red blend would not only go great with a thick slice of loaf straight out of the oven, but would also be the perfect way to wash down a leftover meatloaf sandwich on white bread. Bordeaux, particularly styles from the Left Bank which contain more cabernet sauvignon, have delicious, grippy tannins that help balance out the fattiness of the red meat. You could also add a splash of this vino to jazz up your standard ketchup based glaze!
If there is 1 thing I could hammer home to everyone I know, it would be “don’t be afraid of wine!” All these things sounds so fancy and complicated when in reality, most wines can be quite versatile. Don’t be scared to match your favorite comfort foods with grapes from far-away lands that are a little hard to pronounce. They always say opposites attract, and when it comes to food and wine, that couldn’t be more true!
XO - Kathie
After his Academy Award nominated performance as Ken (a name I’m partial to) in “Barbie,” Ryan Gosling is back on the big screen in “The Fall Guy.” The film is loosely based on the popular 1980’s television series of the same name. Gosling stars as Colt Severs, a talented Hollywood stuntman who works as a stunt double for action film star Tom Ryder (Aaron TaylorJohnson). While filming a stunt in Ryder’s latest film, Severs is severely injured and leaves his career and abandons his girlfriend Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt), who is a camerawoman. Flash forward eighteen months later and Severs is working for a small Mexican restaurant as a valet in order to make a living. Severs is eventually contacted by Ryder’s film producer Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham), who reveals his ex-girlfriend is directing her first film, the science fiction epic “Metalstorm” starring Ryder, and she wants him to join them for filming in Sydney. Severs is intrigued, and agrees to the job, but after arriving
By Ken Silvers theloaferonlineprint
The Fall Guy
in Sydney discovers his former love never wanted him there. Moreno is still angry about being cast aside by her former love after his accident. The two eventually agreed to work together again, but not after Moreno makes Severs do a dangerous stunt many times as an act of vengeance against her former love. Of course, we all know they will reunite, but not before some clever bantering and teasing takes place. While the former lovers are trying to reunite, Severs is sent to find Ryder who doesn’t show up on set one day, and Meyer reveals to Severs that their star has gotten in trouble with drug dealers and has disappeared. Severs manages to track Ryder down after being attacked by Ryder’s actress girlfriend Iggy (Teresa Palmer) at Ryder’s apartment. Eventually Severs is led to a nightclub where he meets Ryder’s drug dealer and matters really become dangerous. Severs is drugged and later kidnapped, and it’s revealed Ryder has been involved in a crime that could sink his career. After several fights, boat and car chases, Ryder is told to come back to the set for some additional filming not realizing Severs and Moreno have hatched a plot to bring down the star, despite interference from producer Meyer. Let’s just say Ryder is very involved in a stunt and is shocked to be in the presence of the presumed deceased Severs. The filming is eventually completed, the film is a hit after a surprise casting change and Severs and Moreno are happily together once more. Surprisingly the
film has a slow start, but once the action kicks in, the film is high octane fun. Gosling with his understated wit, is great as the heroic stuntman, and his chemistry with co-star Blunt is great, and she holds her own against the star power of Gosling. This film is just pure fluffy fun disguised as a crime thriller, and when laughs are combined with action, they
form the right ingredients for a warm season film at the theater. If you want a film involving little concentration, which I consider a summer “cotton candy” film, then “The Fall Guy” is your ticket. You will also enjoy the surprise cameos by a couple of actors. (Rated PG-13)
Bristol
CONCERT SCHEDULE CONCERT SCHEDULE
GREENVILLE
BRISTOL TN/VA GREENEVILLE TN
PARAMOUNT
Jun 1 Mac McAnally (sold out)
Jun 20 Steve Earle
Jul 18 The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Aug 2 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
Aug 17 Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Sep 28 Dusty Slay (two shows)
Oct 4 Destination Soultown featuring the Sensational Soul Cruisers
Sep 13-15 Ashley McBryde, The Wallflowers, The Red Clay Strays, Sam Bush, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The Steeldrivers, 49 Winchester and more.
JOHNSON CITY
JOHNSON CITY TN
MARTIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Aug 17 The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA
Spp 28 Black Jacket Symphony will perform will perform Elton John’s Madman Across The Water
Oct 7 Ben Folds
FREEDOM HALL
Aug 16 Jamey Johnson
Oct 20 Whiskey Myers
Kingsport
RED WHITE AND BOOM
Jul 6 The Marshall Tucker Band and The Cleverlys
FUN FEST AT J. FRED JOHNSON STADIUM
Jul 25 Crowder
Jul 26 Tyler Hubbard, Emily Ann Roberts & Carson Peters
Jul 27 Goo Goo Dolls with Phillip Phillips
NISWONGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Jul 19 Dugger Band
MARION VA
THE LINCOLN THEATRE
Jun 15 Mark Lowry & Friends with Endless Highway and The Sound
Jun 21 Zach Rushing with Cletus T. Judd
Jun 22 The Piano Men Tribute to Billy Joel & Elton John
Aug 24 Landslide: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Oct 19 & 20 Gene Watson
Nov 8 Killer Beaz
Nov 16 Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
Knoxville
KNOXVILLE TN
BIJOU THEATRE
Jun 14 Kevin Smith
Jun 21 Lucinda Williams
Jul 13 Rob Schneider
Jul 14 Tab Benoit & Anders Osborne
Aug 9 Sister Hazel
Aug 16 Kimberly Perry & Tanner Adell
Oct 26 Henry Cho
Oct 27 Robin Trower
Nov 8 Gaelic Storm
TENNESSEE THEATRE
Jun 8 Brad Williams
Jul 9 Brit Floyd: P.U.L.S.E.
Jul 13 1964 The Tribute
Jul 18 Ben Folds
THOMPSON BOWLING ARENA
July 14 The Doobie Brothers with Robert Cray
Aug 24 Heart and Cheap Trick
Sept 12 Hootie and the Blowfish with Collective Soul and Edwin McCain
Oct 5 Aerosmith and The Black Crowes
Oct 25 Jelly Roll
Nov 19 Justin Timberlake
KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM:
Jun 12 Josh Gates
Jun 13 Matt Rife
Jun 29 David Spade
Oct 10 Air Supply
Oct 26 Dusty Slay
KNOXVILLE CIVIC COLISEUM:
Jul 25 Jordan Davis
Oct 3 Brantley Gilbert
GATLINBURG
GATLINBURG TN
THE MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL AT GATLINBURG CONVENTION CENTER
Aug 23-25 Joan Jett, Tesla, Night Ranger, Foghat, Aldo Nova, Slaughter, Quiet Riot, Lynch Mob, Great White, Dangerous Toys, Vixen and many more.
Nashville
NASHVILLE TN
RYMAN AUDITORIUM
Jun 13 The Del McCoury Band
Jun 15 Hauser
Jun 21 & 22 Blackberry Smoke
Jun 30 The Alan Parsons Live Project
Jul 10 Dave Barnes
Jul 17 Asia
Jul 20 Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox
Jul 24 Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks with special guests The Return o Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Jul 25 Ricky Scaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Jul 29 Donnie Osmond
Aug 9 America
Aug 16 Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Aug 18 Joe Bonamassa
Aug 22 The Turtles, The Cowsills, The Association and others
Aug 28 Steve Earle
Aug 29 Terri Clark
Aug 30 Passenger
Sep 4-6 The Red Clay Strays
Sep 23 The Beach Boys
BRIDGESTONE ARENA
Jun 14 Luis Miguel
Jun 23 Alanis Morissette, Joan Jett & Morgan Wade
Jul 19 Alabama
Jul 21 Sebastian Maniscalco
Jul 27 Hootie and the Blowfish with Collective Soul and Edwin McCain
Aug 6 Future & Metro Bloomin
Aug 9 & 10 Chris Stapleton
Aug 14 Five Finger Death Punch with Marilyn Manson and Slaughter To Prevail
Aug 20 Earth Wind & Fire with Chicago
Aug 27 Glass Animals
Aug 28 Sammy Hagar and Loverboy
BROOKLYN BOWL
June 16 Kings X
Aug 6 10CC
NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM
Aug 9 Bush with Jerry Cantrell and Candlebox
Sep 28 Megadeth with Mudvayne and All That Remains
Oct 26 Judah & The Lion
ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE
Jun 6-8 2024 CMA Fest
Jun 22 Cypress Hill
Jun 29 Sarah McLachlan
Jul 12 Styx, Foreigner and John Waite
Jul 13 Lake Street Dive
Aug 2 Boys II Men
Aug 3 Thirty Seconds to Mars
Aug 6 Tate McRae
Aug 13 Creed with Tonic and Finger Eleven
Aug 20 Wallows
Aug 31 King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
GEODIS PARK IN NASHVILLE:
Aug 30 Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid & the Linda Lindas
BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER
Jun 2 John Anderson acoustic
Jun 16 Bachman Turner Overdrive
Jun 22 Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
Jul 27 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
Aug 1 Night Ranger
Aug 2 Taylor Hicks
Aug 22 Cinderella’s Tom Keiger Band
Aug 24 & 25 Aaron Lewis Acoustic
Aug 30 Crowder
Is That a Nintendo in Your Pocket?
In late April, Apple updated the rules to their app store and for the first time this new language allowed for apps to be officially available for the iPhone and iPad that emulate games. Shortly after the change, the gaming app Delta was released and became massively popular. After reading about Delta, I downloaded it to my phone and I haven’t looked back since.
Now, I’m not going to go into detail on how to get games onto your phone to use with the app. You’re a savvy human who understand how to google, but let me tell you that having a game boy full of 80 games ready to go with me at all times has been a game changer. It’s perfect for little moments of pure joy when you need one. There is something so simple and great about being stuck a waiting room, then knocking out a good twenty minutes playing the game boy version of “Jeopardy” from 1991.
Delta emulates Nintendo systems, mostly from the 1990s. It can play games made for the original Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Game Boy and Game Boy color,
Batteries
Not Included
By Andy Ross
and also the Nintendo DS. What makes Delta so great is the way it effortless does this, packing it all in a simple, elegant package. You load the game rom file to your phone and it matches it to the right cover art and self-organizes the games by system. You just tap the cover and your game starts, with a touch screen controller that is designed to look like the one for the system that game is for.
Now sometimes playing a video game by touch controls can be a be a bit, well, lacking. Delta makes up for this by having haptic feedback, giving you a little bit of a more tactile experience. What impresses me the most is how natural Game Boy games take to the form. On a iPhone screen they’re roughly the same size, if not a little bit bigger, than the screen of original Game Boy hardware.
The nostalgia aside, it’s far more engaging and entertaining, to me, to open up delta and play some of these games over their modern mobile counterparts. The current apps for “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy” are OK, but they feel a bit lacking to me. Tap on delta, tap on the game, and in a minute you’re doing your best to keep up with the computer. It’s comforting, fun, and just a marvel of modern technology to think of the games I use to haul around in a bag on vacations, all being on one device in my pocket.
I’ll tell you what’s shocked me the most out of all the games I’ve been playing. I’ve become mildly addicted to playing golf games. Yep. I am not athletic in real life, I’ve only ever been golfing once, I nearly drove the cart off a cliff that time. Yet there is something so relaxing and enjoyable about playing a few rounds of PGA European Tour from 1994 while I wait when dining alone in a crowded restaurant.
I even did an entire 18 hole round
of “Jack Nicklaus Golf” when I was waiting in the green room the other night before I got on stage, mostly as I tend to arrive rather early and had quite a bit of time on my hands. Then after that I played the very bad to OK Game Boy tie-in game for the 1993 action film “Cliffhanger.”
A game which is fun in a weird and rather ridiculous way.
That may not seem that impressive
or interesting to you, technical wonders are more common and less dazzling these days. For those of us who are depressed elder millennials, it is impressive. It’s also a comfort and in these times when we often feel tired and overwhelmed, there is a pure comfort in being able to just knockout a round of “Tetris" the way you first fell in love with it on your phone. See you next week.
