The Loafer March 31st

p a g e p a g e

6

Dar He: The Story of Emmett Till

10

The Band Perry to close Fun Fest ...plus so much more

Page 2, The Loafer • March 31, 2015

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March 31, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 3

Volume 29 Issue #17

Where are all the eggs?

Find ‘em and win!

Publisher Luci Tate Editor Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle Office Manager Luci Tate Cover Design Bill May Advertising Dave Carter Elaine Farris Terry Patterson Lori Hughes Contributing Staff Jim Kelly Andy Ross Ken Silvers Mark Marquette Published by Pulse Publishing, LLC., P.O. Box 3238, Johnson City, TN 37602 Phone: 423/283-4324 FAX - 423/283-4369 www.theloaferonline.com info@theloaferonline.com e-mail: editorial@theloaferonline.com (editorial) adcopy@theloaferonline.com (advertising) 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 loss of 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

in this issue ....

4

The Loafer’s Egg Hunt

5

‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ to support violence prevention

8

Downtown Johnson City’s First Friday ‘Spring Fever’

11

Bowl for Kid’s Sake Strikes Again!

13

ETSU’s Farmer’s Market to kick off new season

16

Audition for “The Lion King, Jr”

21 Vermont Band to visit Jonesborough 22

Hops & Howlers Craft Brew Fest

music & fun 14 24

Spotlight - Great Music & Fun Times Crossword & Sudoku

16 17 21 25 26

Stargazer - “MarQ’s Stargazer Hits 18 Loafer Years” Skies This Week Screen Sceens - “Insurgent” Batteries Not Included - “A Particular Kind of Terror” Kelly’s Place - “Home Organs”

columns & reviews

Page 4, The Loafer • March 31, 2015

The Loafer’s Egg Hunt Before we have fun counting, lets understand more about the whole Easter Egg Hunt thing. So The Loafer googled and found some good facts about Easter Egg Hunts… (courtesy of ehow.com) animal of the Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. According to the History Channel, the Easter Bunny legend started long ago in Germany with an egg-laying hare named “Osterhase.” German children made nests and left them outside for the hare to lay her eggs in.

The idea of an egg-laying rab-

Easter Egg Hunting began in America when German immigrants brought their Osterhase tradition to Pennsylvania in the 1700s. The festivity soon spread across the nation, and baskets replaced nests. Eventually, the game evolved into a treasure hunt, and the prizes expanded from just hard-boiled eggs to include chocolate, candy, toys and coins. In many families, the Easter Bunny leaves a basket filled with gifts, not just eggs to find.

Since ancient times, eggs have been seen as a symbol of new life for obvious reasons. They have been associated with Pagan spring festivals. Some believe that the egg might represent the stone that was

rolled away from Christ’s tomb, revealing his resurrection.

Decorating eggs for Easter probably began in the 13th century, when eggs (in addition to meat) were forbidden during the Christian Lent season, which ends on Easter. To mark the end of the time of penance and fasting, people painted and decorated eggs before eating them. For centuries, parents emptied raw eggs and dyed the eggshells or dyed hardboiled eggs for their children to find. Some also hand-painted the eggs with elaborate designs. Today, the colored egg has evolved into a plastic egg that you can hide a small treat inside.

Reference:www.ehow.com

How many eggs can you count throughout The Loafer?

Although Easter is one of the two major Christian holidays, one of its biggest traditions, the Easter Egg Hunt, has nothing to do with Christianity. In fact, the Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs are linked to Pagan traditions. But however you look at it, the Easter Egg Hunt is a beloved event for kids everywhere. Who are we kidding? Even adults everywhere enjoy a good

.

egg hunt. Here’s how the tradition began.

Now, there wouldn’t be much of an Easter Egg Hunt without the Easter Bunny, so to understand the origins of egg hunting, we must first look at why rabbits are associated with Easter. Known for their prolific procreating, rabbits have long been a symbol of fertility. In fact, rabbits were the sacred

bit might have started with the Romans, who believed that all life came from eggs. Another link between the rabbit and the egg comes from Pagan traditions, in which the rabbit was associated with the moon and the egg with the sun. On the spring equinox, when day and night are the same length, the rabbit and egg come together.

Count every egg you see throughout The Loafer. Including front and back pages, advertisements, inside stories, everywhere.

Send your count to eggs@theloaferonline.com How many eggs can you find?

Submit your entry via email by 11:59pm Sunday, April 5th. Email your full name, mailing address & contact phone number to eggs@ theloaferonline.com.

Entries may also be submitted

by mail by writing your egg count, full name, mailing address and contact phone number and mail to: The Loafer, PO Box 3238 Johnson City TN. 37602 2 correct guess Participants will win Tickets for two to any Barter Theatre play in 2015.

In the event of multiple ties, winner(s) will be randomly selected through blind draw. Winner(s) will be contact by April 7th, 2015.

See Official Rules for details.

OFFICIAL RULES NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR OTHERWISE RESTRICTED BY LAW.

1. HOW TO ENTER: This contest begins at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on March 31, 2015, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on April 5, 2015. To enter email your count to eggs@theloaferonline.com during the contest period. You may also enter via mail by typing or neatly handwriting your complete response including your name, mailing address and contact phone number and mailing it to: The Loafer Easter Egg Hunt Giveaway, PO Box 3238, Johnson City TN 37602. All mail-in entries must be postmarked by April 5, 2015. Limit one entry per person for the Easter Egg Hunt Contest.

2. ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal residents of the United States who have reached age of majority in their state of residence. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Employees (including immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each) of the Sponsor and each of its parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, participating advertising and promotion agencies and prize suppliers are not eligible.

3. DRAWINGS: Prize drawings will be held on or about April 7, 2015, from among the total eligible entries received to randomly select three First Prize winners. Decisions of the Sponsor are final and binding. Winners will be notified on or about April 7, 2015 by email, phone or postal mail at Sponsor’s discretion. Odds of winning will depend upon the total number of eligible entries received.

4. PRIZES AND APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE: 2 prizes for Tickets for two to ANY 2015 Barter Theatre play.

5. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION: This Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws. Winner may forfeit prize if the Sponsor is unable to contact him or her within 7 days of first attempted notification. In such event, the prize may be awarded to an alternate winner.. THE PRIZE IS AWARDED WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. By accepting prize, winner agrees to hold the Sponsor, its respective directors, officers, employees and assigns harmless for any injury or damage caused or claimed to be caused by participation in the Sweepstakes or use of the prize. Winner assumes all liability for any injury or damage caused or claimed to be caused by participation in this promotion or use or redemption of the prize. Sponsor is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the Sweepstakes or in the announcement of the prize. All decisions of the Sponsor are final. Entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor.

6. WINNERS’ LIST: For name of winner, send a separate self-addressed, stamped envelope to: The Loafer P.O. Box 3238 Johnson City TN 37602 Request must be received by May 1, 2015.

7. SPONSOR: The Sponsor of this Sweepstakes is The Loafer, PO Box 3238, Johnson City TN 37602

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March 31, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 5

Men invited to ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ to support violence prevention Men from throughout the community are invited to “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” at East Tennessee State University on Thursday, April 2.

This special “race” is an International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence. Participating men will don high heels for this one-mile march through the ETSU campus, which will begin at 6 p.m. at the D.P. Culp University Center’s Cave patio.

Ladies may participate, too, but will be allowed to wear sneakers.

“It’s not easy walking in these shoes, but it’s fun and it gets the community to talk about something that’s really difficult to talk about – gender relations and men’s sexual violence against women,” said Kate Emmerich, a counselor with the ETSU Counseling Center and coordinator of the organization OASIS (Outreach and Advocacy: Sexuality Information for Students).

Emmerich says the goals of the event are preventive education and healing. “It helps men better understand and appreciate women’s experiences, which can help to change perspectives, improve

gender relationships and decrease the potential for violence,” she said. “It also informs the community that services are available for recovery, and demonstrates that men are willing and able to be courageous partners with women in making the world a safer place.”

Around 100 heel-clad men participated in ETSU’s first “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” in 2014, and OASIS and other campus and community sponsors hope to

draw even more walkers to this second annual event.

Organizations, athletic teams, departments and groups of friends are encouraged to form and enter as teams. Awards will be presented for Most Spirited Team, Most Spirited Individual, Most Spirited Cheering Squad, Best Walk and Mr. Congeniality.

Registration is $5. Male participants may rent high-heeled shoes for $5 in advance or $7 the day of

the march, or they may bring their own. Proceeds will benefit the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program at Johnson City Medical Center.

For registration or more information, call the ETSU Counseling Center at 423-439-4841 or email oasis@etsu.edu.

For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423439-8346.

Have an event coming up?

Email a press release and photos to:

editorial@theloaferonline.com

Page 6, The Loafer • March 31, 2015

Harrowing History North Carolina actor shines light on dark chapters of black history

Actor and playwright Mike Wiley portrays heroes, sports legends, fugitive slaves, murderers and murder victims – black, white, male and female. Stereotypes, racism and fears of the unknown are banished by the stark light Wiley focuses on those dark corners and abysses.

In Dar He: The Story of Emmett Till, Wiley has written a script in which he embodies 36 characters to re-enact the story of a 14-yearold black Chicago youth, who in 1955 stepped off a train in Mississippi and crossed a line that led to his mutilation and death and a nationally publicized trial of the men accused of his brutal murder.

Newsman Ed Bradley called Till’s death “a spark that ignited the civil rights movement in America.”

Seventy years later, that fateful train stops one more time on Thursday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m.

ETSU’s Martha Street Culp Auditorium, sponsored by Mary B.

Martin School of the Arts as part of ETSU’s “Think. Live. Respect.” series.

“I think the timing for us to present this is significant,” says Anita DeAngelis, director of the School of the Arts. “The university developed a series of events for the spring semester to evoke conversations about race relations with our student population and community. So we are excited to bring Mike here for this performance and conversation. Following the performance, Mike will come out of character and participate in a Q&A with the audience.”

After the “tornado” of a performance, Wiley says the talkback following is a critical element of the experience. “The Q&A is always my favorite part, because I get to leave the play behind and have a really good discussion with the audience,” he says. “It’s extremely important.”

The discussion not only allows

the actor to step out of the shadow of this dark history, but it helps audience members do the same.

“They get to shake off the play as we talk …” he says. “Audiences see I’m certainly an actor doing this, but over the course of the play, they develop this hatred for the men that killed Emmett, and so, once I step away from that, it allows them to step away from the hatred as well.”

Wiley enacts the riveting saga of Emmett Till through “conversations” with a Look magazine journalist, Emmett’s mother, Mamie, and others caught up in the events surrounding the pivotal moment in America’s history, when the Chicago teen “walked into a world he could never understand,” Wiley says, “a world of thick color lines, of hard-held class systems and unspeakable taboos.”

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History ....... Continued from

Young Till, who was on his first visit to Mississippi, walked into Bryant’s Grocery in Money, Miss., with several other teens to buy bubble gum. While there, he apparently whistled at a white woman, the owner’s wife. Till was subsequently abducted and found a few days after the incident, floating in the Tallahatchie River, his body beaten beyond recognition, shot in the head and tied with barbed wire by the neck to a 75-pound weight.

“I do these plays,” Wiley says, “because I believe stereotypes and racism and things of that nature arise from fear — because we are scared of the unknown. When we were children … we thought that box in the corner was a monster because we didn’t have the lights on to tell us that it was just a box.

But when the lights came on and we saw it was just a box, the fear disappeared.

“The same logic can be applied to our perceptions of other cultures or religions or races. We turn the light on. We figure out who they are. We learn about them.

Then we’re not afraid of them anymore.”

Because of the confluence of

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race-related events recently, Wiley says, “We have an opportunity to educate and really change the minds when it comes to society and race and inclusion. I think people are interested in hearing about the root of some of these tragic events. I’m a big believer in that if you don’t know your history, then you’re doomed, as people say, to repeat it.”

Former Atlanta mayor and ambassador to the U.N. Andrew Young Jr. has endorsed the play to encourage ongoing exchange.

“This is a very important time for us to think really deeply and together about the problems that affect our society,” Young says in a video, “and Dar He: The Story of Emmett Till is one of the basic points that open that dialogue for our time … realizing that here in 2015 we’re still struggling with many of the same questions. But the answers are not the same.”

As well as the topic, the range of characters, historical information and locales make Dar He’s impression indelible. “Wiley is a marvel to watch as the characters he portrays appear and disappear before us,” says Robert McDowell in Triangle Theatre Reviews. “Wiley

recreates Till, Huey, and all of the other characters with a depth and clarity that make each one readily identifiable, and as distinct as an entire cast of players could make them.”

The play has been made into a film, Dar He: The Lynching of Emmett Till (2012), starring Wiley again playing all the parts. His other plays include The Parchman Hour about the Freedom Riders; A Game Apart, a look into the life of Jackie Robinson; One Noble Journey, the story of a man who shipped himself to freedom in a box; Tired Souls: King and the Montgomery Bus Boycott; and Blood Done Sign My Name, about the recollections of author Tim Tyson on the 1970 murder of Henry Marrow.

“To me, it’s very important that I tell these stories because who knows where, or if, these stories will be told,” says Wiley, who holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is the 2010 Lehman Brady Visiting Joint Chair Professor in Documentary Studies and American Studies at Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill.

“The stories are important to me, because they are my history. It’s all of our history …

“I especially want to share stories with young people who perhaps aren’t being given the opportunity to hear the stories in their schools or in their communities.”

In addition to school and community performances, the writer and actor has appeared on Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel and National Geographic Channel, as well as on PBS. “Wiley reminds us that we are all actors and observers, oppressors and the oppressed,” says Scott Walters in American Theater, “participants in a larger world and reflective thinkers.”

For more information on Wiley’s work, visit http://www.mikewileyproductions.com. Tickets for Dar He: The Story of Emmett Till are $5 for students of all ages, $10 seniors 60+ and $15 general admission.

For information about the ETSU Mary B. Martin School of the Arts, call 423-439-TKTS (8587) or visit www.etsu.edu/martin.

Please “Like” ETSU Mary B. Martin School of the Arts on Facebook and follow it on Twitter and Instagram @ArtsAtETSU.

Page 8, The Loafer • March 31, 2015

‘SPRING FEVER!’

Begins The Friends of Olde Downtowne’s First Friday of the Month Events for Downtown, Johnson City

Explore….. Create…… Stay out late

The first Friday in March is the official date for the Friends of Olde Downtown’s First Friday event themed “SPRING FEVER!” from 6-9pm on Friday, April 3, 2015.

Historic Downtown is the place to be the First Friday of EVERY month! Bring your friends and family to this free event, in the street and EXPLORE. More than three dozen locations — including art galleries, retail shops, museums, co-working spaces, restaurants and bars, coffee shops and more — participate in this event, which every month offers something new and surprising.

Be here April 3rd for exhibit openings at the galleries and museums; have a look around downtown and Founder’s Park in a Rickshaw (bicycle taxi) built for 2…or 3! Then take some swings in the JC Cardinals batting cage. It is time to get a start on gardening with bulbs, flowers and supplies, and then plant something to take home compliments of Lowe’s.

Fresh cut flowers? Find them here.

Smile pretty (or silly) for the camera in our free photo booth. Enjoy cotton candy and popcorn then learn some new moves dancing in the street to the feel good sound of Big Daddy Love! This popular band will be at The Willow Tree Cafe for a complimentary show with the music flowing outside.

See if you can stump the balloon

artist (she can make anything!) then go make your own designs at the big bubble tables. And since it is Easter weekend there will, of course, be egg decorating!

All this, along with an upcoming variety of entertainment options: roaming entertainers, outdoor concerts, vendors, storytellers, dancers, fire throwers, hula hoopers and… well, you get the idea! CREATE memories here at First Friday with our activities and experiences for children, adults and families.

STAY OUT LATE – When you add to this everything going on at the restaurants, bars and theaters that make up the downtown mix

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First Friday ....... Continued from

March 31, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 9 previous page

you will understand why downtown Johnson City is the place to be.

East Main Street (200-300 blocks) and South Roan Street (from State of Franklin to East Market Street) are closed from 5-9:30 pm, however each venue has their own times and will be opened/closed accordingly.

Follow First Friday on Facebook for event highlights, photos, the latest news and more.

Call for Performing Artists! Vendors! Musicians! Y-O-U! First Friday is seeking roving entertainment, artists, vendors and musicians. If you are interested in participating, please contact: Deanna at blueplumdirector@gmail.com.

April 3 – Spring Fever!

May 1- Corazon Latino Festival August 7 – Our Northeast TN Great Outdoors September 4 – Main Street America October 2 – Autumn in Appalachia November 6 – Gather Around the Campfire December 5 – Tree Ceremony, JC Parade with Mr. and Mrs. Claus

‘Take Back the Night’ events planned at ETSU

Friends of Olde Downtowne may modify or change scheduled First Friday Events due to inclimate weather. This will be announced via social media by 3pm the day of the event. If you have an idea for a First Friday Event we encourage you to contact us, or if you would like to volunteer your time helping out with a First Friday event, let us knoweveryone is welcome!

East Tennessee State University students are set to “Take Back the Night” in an annual event raising awareness about sexual and gender violence.

On Wednesday, April 1, at 7 p.m. in the Cave patio of the D.P. Culp University Center, a “Take Back the Night” candlelight vigil will honor survivors of sexual and personal violence.

In addition, the Clothesline Project on the Pedestrian Mall will provide an opportunity to add a message to “Break the Silence” surrounding violence against women. The Clothesline will be available on Thursday, April 2, from 3-8 p.m. The events are hosted by Outreach and Advocacy: Sexuality Information for Students (OASIS) at ETSU. For more information, call the ETSU Counseling Center at 423-439-4841 or email oasis@ etsu.edu. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at (423) 439-8346.

Page 10, The Loafer • March 31, 2015

Fun Fest Announces Sunset Series Entertainers:

last year; “Whatever She’s Got”, “Kiss You Tonight” and “Broke My Heart”.

Sponsors for the Friday night concert are Appalachian Power, AGC Glass Company North Sponsors for the Thursday night America, Domtar, Wendy’s and concert are Honda Kingsport, WXBQ. Fun Fest 2015 will end the Tele-Optics, Inc., Carter-Trent Fuweek with opener, Echosmith neral Homes and 88.3 WCQR. The Friday Night Concert kicks and headliner, The Band Perry. off with the award-winning, coun- Echosmith, who released their try music duo, Thompson Square. first single, “Cool Kids” in 2013.

Thompson Square is best known “Cool Kids” reached number 13 for their two, No. 1 singles, “Are on the Billboard Hot 100 and was You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” and certified Platinum by the RIAA. “If I Didn’t Have You”. The duo Their second single, “Bright” is has released two albums, which already climbing the charts and have produced a combined eight has currently peaked at 19 on the chart singles on the Hot Country Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Songs and Country Airplay charts. Singles.

The Band Perry is a country Thompson Square is no stranger to Kingsport. They served as ce- music group that originated in lebrity guests on The Santa Train Greeneville, TN and is composed of siblings Kimberly, Reid and in 2011 and 2012.

Co-headliner for the evening Neil Perry. They released their will be David Nail. Nail, a GRAM- self-titled debut album on OctoMY-nominated country artist, is ber 12, 2010. From this album, “If best known for his chart topping I Die Young” reached number one 2012 release, the latest album, Eye byMac has received an American single, “Let It Rain”, which was on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country On It, has entered the Billboard Music Award for Favorite Chris- released in 2011. His latest album, Songs and Hot Adult Contempo200 at No. 1 and won a GRAMMY tian Artist and KLOVE’s Artist of I’m a Fire, has produced three The Band Perty ....... and Billboard Music Award. To- the Year Award. singles on country radio in the

The Band Perry to Close Fun Fest

Fun Fest 2015 (July 10th-18th) is proud to announce the entertainers for the 2015 Sunset Concert Series. TobyMac will kick off the series on Thursday, July 16th followed by co-headliners, Thompson Square and David Nail on Friday, July 17th. The festival finale will be The Band Perry on Saturday, July 18th.

Thursday night’s Contemporary Christian Concert will open up with Brandon Heath, a multiDove Award winner and five-time GRAMMY nominee. Heath is best known for his No. 1 hits, “I’m Not Who I Was” and “Give Me Your Eyes”. His fifth album, No Turning Back, was released on February 10, 2015.

The headliner for this year’s Contemporary Christian Concert is TobyMac. TobyMac is one of the first and best-known Christian rappers. His latest studio single, “Beyond Me”, is climbing the charts on Christian radio. Since its

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The Band Perry ....... Continued from rary Tracks charts and has been certified quadruple platinum.

Their second album, Pioneer, was released April 2013 and produced additional number one singles in “Better Dig Two” and “DONE.”, plus the Top 10 hits “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely” and “Chainsaw”.

Most recently, The Band Perry was awarded a GRAMMY for Best Country Group Performance on their latest single, “Gentle on My Mind”.

Eastman Chemical Company is the sponsor for the Saturday Night Concert. Radio sponsors for the event are Electric 94.9 and WXBQ. The Sunset Series will take place on the Brock Services Stage at J. Fred Johnson Stadium. Additional Series sponsors include Eastman Credit Union, Charter Spectrum, Verizon, Cigna, WJHL, WCYB, WKPT and the Kingsport Convention & Visitors Bureau.

G&K Services’ Friends of Festus VIP packages are a value-added option for concert-goers. Friends of Festus reserved seating pack-

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ages are priced from $50-$70 per seat, based on which night you are attending. The package also includes a reserved parking area close to the stadium and a $15 Fun Fest merchandise gift certificate. A limited number of Friends of Festus packages will be available beginning March 30th. You can purchase your package visiting the Fun Fest Office at 400 Clinchfield St. or by calling (423) 392-8836.

Beginning March 24th, online Sunset Series general admission tickets and packages can be purchased at www.funfest.net. Single night tickets for Thur. and Fri. night are $15 each and for Saturday night, $20. Combo packs for Thur/Fri. are $25, the Thur/Sat and Fri/Sat combo packs are $30 and the All 3 Nights package will be $45. Combo tickets are ONLY available online. Any remaining single-night, general admission tickets will be available beginning Friday, June 20 at 9 a.m. at the Fun Fest Store at 400 Clinchfield St., Ste. 100.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake Strikes Again!

Bowl for Kids’ Sake Strikes Again! Registration for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Tri-Cities 2015 Bowl for Kids’ Sake is now open. People all over the Tri-Cities need to dust off their bowling shoes and come out to support this agency’s primary fundraising and friend-raising effort.

Over the past year Big Brothers Big Sisters has served 135 children in the Tri-Cities area by developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of the children served. This year the agency wants to serve 25 through this event and that means raising $25,000!

For more information or to learn about the great work Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Tri-Cities is doing like them on facebook, www.facebook.com/TriCitiesBBBS, or follow them on twitter, twitter.com/BBBSTriCities. If you would like to support this important work, get involved with Bowl For Kids’ Sake and make a difference in a child’s life!

This year’s event dates are: Thursday, April 16 • 6 to 9 p.m. • Belmont Lanes • Bristol Friday, April 17 • 6 to 9 p.m. • Holiday Lanes • Johnson City Saturday April 18 • 5 to 9 p.m. • Warpath Lanes • Kingsport

Here’s what you do: 1. Form a Team (2–4 of your favorite people!)

2. Register at www.TennesseeBig.org/BowlTriCities and choose the location, date and one-hour time slot for your team.

3. Raise money: Collect at least $25 per person to participate.

Make a difference in the life of a child!

4. Come out and bowl! Shoes, lanes, door prizes, food, and fun are all included. (Bowling skill optional)

Page 12, The Loafer • March 31, 2015

Popular Show

“Astronaut” Returns

Old Fashioned Easter

The Town of Unicoi History Committee will be holding an Old Fashioned Easter on Friday April 3rd from 1pm-3pm at the Bogart Bowman Cabin. Cookies and Lemonade will be served and don’t forget a visit from the Easter Bunny! Other activities include: • Easter Egg Hunt • Egg Race • Dyeing Easter Eggs Naturally • Jump Rope Making • Easter Egg Decorating • Scavenger Hunt • Sack Race • Survivor Puzzle Game • Easter Bonnet/Hat Contest (Must be handmade/decorated) The day will be filled with lots of Easter Fun so make sure to bring your family out to join in the fun!

The Old Fashioned Easter is a free event and is the public is invited. Attend the Old Fashioned Easter and get a glimpse into Easter’s past. Bogart-Bowman Cabin is located at 5012 Unicoi Dr., Unicoi, TN

Planetarium Staff at Bays Mountain Park have announced the limited return engagement beginning this weekend of “Astronaut,” one of the more popular shows that made its original debut in April 2013.

Beginning with our earliest understanding of the stars in the night sky, it’s the dream of many children: becoming an astronaut one day. Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium’s show “Astronaut” allows us all to revisit those dreams, detailing what it takes to become a member of this select field of exploration and research.

“Astronaut,” narrated by famed actor Ewan McGregor, is a fulldome presentation that takes the viewer deeper into the journey of becoming an astronaut and the rigors one must endure in the name of space science. Experience a rocket launch from inside the human body, and witness in amazing detail the physical impact a variety of space activities have on the body.

Produced by NSC Creative, the program is part of a triple-feature

that also includes a live presentation highlighting the current night sky pointing out constellations and planets that are easily visible. The third and final feature is a short presentation on space exploration of the past and where we are going. A fun, live activity caps the event.

“Astronaut” can be seen during the months of March and April each Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $4.00 per person and can be purchased at the gift shop located in the Nature Center.

Annually, more than 150,000 visitors pass through Bays Mountain Park making it one of the State of Tennessee’s Top 50 Most Visited Attractions, according to the State of Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

One of the nation’s largest cityowned parks with 3,550 acres, Bays Mountain Park features 40 miles of hiking trails, a state-ofthe-art planetarium, wildlife habitats, fun exhibits, a 44-acre lake, ropes course with zip line, trails for mountain biking and much, much more.

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Farmers Market at ETSU

set to kick off new season April 2

The Farmers Market at East Tennessee State University will kick off a new season Thursday, April 2.

The market will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on campus in the parking lot between the D.P. Culp Center and Roy S. Nicks Hall and will feature fresh, local food as well as live music from ETSU’s Department of Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies.

Approximately 10 vendors will take part in the weekly market this season, which runs through April 30.

“We start before any other markets do and we run until the week before finals,” said Ashley Cavender, market manager. “With it being so early in the growing season, the market will include more prepared food-based items like donuts, pretzels, sausage dogs, tamales, salsas, guacamole, artisan breads and baked goods. We’ll also have lettuces, local meats, eggs, chocolate and skin care products.”

Cavender is also working to create a “plastic bag ban” at the market for the first time in its history.

“We’re purchasing reusable bags for vendors to give to customers for their items and hopefully they will bring them back with them each week,” she explained. “We also have a lot more free stuff to

give out this season and new shirt colors for our market T-shirts with our famous logo.”

The Farmers Market at ETSU is open to the public as well as students, faculty and staff of the university. For more information,

or to volunteer with the farmers market, contact Cavender at farmersmarketetsu@gmail.com.

You can also follow the market on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ FarmersMarketatETSU.

March 31, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 13

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TUESDAY - March 31 JASON LLOYD & FRIENDS at Biggie’s Clam Bar

THE MUDBUGS

at Acoustic Coffeehouse

WEDNESDAY - April 1 OPEN MIC

at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

BIG DADDY LOVE

at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room - First Friday

BRADFORD LEE FOLK at Bone Fire Smokehouse

ACOUSTIFRIED (Country) 10pm at O’Mainnin’s Pub

THE GENTLMEN & LIARS at Biggie’s Clam Bar

SOUTHERN COUNTRYMEN BAND (Country)

at The Outdoorsman

GORGAN SOCIAL SCENE (Folk) JASON EDWARDS & at The Harvest Table Restaurant RANDAL SHELTON PLAN Z (Rock) 8pm at The Mecca Lounge 10pm at O’Mainnin’s Pub LONG SHOT JASON EDWARDS & at Country Club Bar & Grill RANDAL SHELTON 5pm at Mad Greek Restaurant

MAL COOPER HUSTLE SOULS

at Acoustic Coffeehouse

THURSDAY - April 2 JAZZ

at Wellington’s - Carnegie Hotel

CAROLINA BOUND

at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

LAURA THURSTON (Folk)

10pm at O’Mainnin’s Pub

SATURDAY - April 4 JAY STORM

at Biggie’s Clam Bar

CROOKED ROAD RAMBLERS at Carter Family Fold

RICK MORRIS COUNTRY BAND

7pm at David Thompson’s Produce

SOUTHERN COUNTRYMEN BAND (Country)

JAMEN DENTON & DERRICK BOARDWINE

7:30 at Willoughby Ruritan

STEPHEN LEE RICH MEGAN WORMZ BIHN

ISKA DHAFF

at Bone Fire Smokehouse

at The Acoustic Coffeehous

FRIDAY - April 3 WHETHERMAN TREE READ

at Acoustic Coffeehouse

NOMADZ

at 620 State Street

F-BOMB at Capone’s

at The Hideaway

7 MILE FORD

at Country Club Bar & Grill

CATFISH FRYE BAND (Rockin’ Boogie Blues) 8:30pm at Holiday Inn (Exit 7)

NIGHTSHIFT

(Country, Southern Rock, Oldies) 7pm at Buffalo Ruritan

BIG SPIDER COUNTRY HUDSON K LITTLE WAR TWINS at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

EARTH BY TRAIN at Bone Fire Smokehouse

JEFF SWAFFORD MOONSHINE & WINE at Acoustic Coffeehouse

SUNDAY - April 5 LOGAN FRITZ

at Bone Fire Smokehouse

MISSISSIPPI BEND TOMMY C. LEWIS at Acoustic Coffeehouse

MONDAY - April 6 OPEN MIC

at Acoustic Coffeehouse

Spotlight Directory Acoustic Coffeehouse 415 W Walnut St. Johnson City 423/434.9872 Biggies Clam Bar 417 W Stone Dr Kingsport 423/765-9633 Bone Fire Smokehouse at the Hardware 260 W Main St Abingdon Va 276/623-0037 Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch 620 State St Bristol 423/573-2262 Buffalo Ruritan 200 Willowbrook Dr. Bluff City 423/391-7382 Capone’s 227 E Main St Johnson City 423/928-2295 Carter Family Fold 3449 A. P. Carter Hwy Hiltons Va 276/594-0676 Country Club Bar & Grill 3080 W State St Bristol 423/844-0400

David Thompson’s Produce 251 Highway 107 Jonesborough 423/913-8123 Elizabethton Moose Lodge 288 Lovers Lane Elizabethton 423/542-5454 Elizabethton Senior Center 428 E. G Street Elizabethton 423/543-4362 The Harvest Table Restaurant 13180 Meadowview Sq Meadowview Va 276/944-5140 Holiday Inn (Exit 7) 3005 Linden Dr Bristol Va • 276/466-4100 Mad Greek Restaurant 2010 Franklin Terrace Johnson City 423/328-9070 Moose Lodge 15605 Porterfield Hwy Abingdon, VA 276/ 628-2756 Old South 601 Spring St Johnson City 423/929-3663 The Old School House Saltville VA O’Mainnin’s Pub 712 State St Bristol • 423/844-0049 Tavern @ Ridgfields 2320 Pendragon Road Kingsport 423/ 765-0031 The Mecca Lounge 117 Spring St Johnson City 423/928-9360 The Outdoorsman 4535 Highway 11W Kingsport Renaissance Center 1200 E Center St Kingsport 423/392-8415 Rush Street 1229 E Stone Dr Kingsport 423/247-3184 Show Palace 14364 Lee Hwy Bristol Va 276/494-6610 State Line Bar & Grill 644 State Street Bristol 423/652-0792 VFW Greeneville 70 Harlan Street Greeneville 423/638-4201 Wellington’s Restaurant Carnegie Hotel 1216 W State of Franklin Rd Johnson City 423/979-6400 Willoughby Ruritan 5145 Marvin Rd Bulls Gap Va The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room 216 E Main St Johnson City Woodstone Deli 3500 Fort Henry Dr Kingsport 423/245-5424

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Whetherman is the moniker of independent singer-songwriter Nicholas Williams, who has released five full-length albums of melody-filled folk tales since beginning in 2007 with a highly anticipated sixth record, ‘Seeds for Harvest’ set to releaseApril 30th. Growing up in the Midwest, his surroundings gave way to songs filled with personal truth, awareness of nature, poetic and earnest vocals alongside easy-listening grooves that will lift your spirits and feed your soul, akin to the likes of Ray Lamontagne or Van Morrison’s early recordings.

Under Whetherman, Williams has opened for acclaimed acts such as: The Wailers, The Wood Brothers, Howie Day, Donavon Frankenreiter, Anders Osbourne, Town Mountain, Brendan James and Zach Deputy.

In the US, he’s performed in over 40 states, over a span of 150 shows annually since 2011. During June of 2014 Williams toured overseas in Germany, France and Spain, and in May of 2015 will be performing throughout the UK for the first time. The Whetherman project is completely DIY under Williams’ direction, you can find Whetherman’s music on the Official Whetherman site, Bandcamp, Daytrotter, iTunes, as well as streaming on Pandora Radio and Spotify. Weatherman will be performing at the Acoustic Coffeehouse in Johnson City on April 3rd.

ACOUSTIFRIED

Friday, Apr. 3 - O’Mainnin’s Pub

March 31, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 15

Page 16, The Loafer • March 31, 2015

MarQ’s Stargazer Hits 18 Loafer Years

Stargazer MarQ and first telescope 1966

This week is my 18th at The Loafer sharing my passion for astronomy and the exploration of outer space.

Raised a Baby Boomer, I share many memory spikes with my peers including the killing of President Kennedy, his brother Bobby and Martin Luther King; the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show; and of course the historic Apollo 11 landing on the Moon.

My home town is Findlay in Northwest Ohio, south of Toledo (and also home of Pittsburgh

Steelers quarterback Ben Rothlisberger). I grew up with a healthy fear of two things: a Russian Hbomb and the selection of paddles in the principal’s office used on my rear-end a few times!

In 1997 my daughter was an infant, the Hubble Space Telescope was just repaired with new glasses, the Space Shuttle was practicing techniques to build a space station. And Pluto was a planet.

There have been a lot changes in 18 years. And nothing is more evolving (except maybe a teen-

ager) than our knowledge of the Universe.

Wow, how time flies! And I’ve certainly enjoyed my years at The Loafer. It all started when longtime friend Dave Carter called me and said the editor of The Loafer was looking for a story about Comet Hale-Bopp that was creating a sensation in the evening skies of March 1997.

Carter was among the many who knew my passion for stargazing, and I was a groupie to the talented DJ’s local radio shows.

When I managed Ritz Camera in Bristol, he’d stop by to catch up on what was in the skies—pre-Internet days.

I had written a column about stargazing before, so jumped and presented then Loafer editor Mike Clark with not only the Hale-Bopp story complete with my photos of the comet, but three other stories for a potential column. They were written on paper with an IBM Selectric typewriter. Mike called me to give the column a go-ahead, and I was thrilled!

That April 2, 1997, The Loafer featured Bill May’s artwork of a person looking coincidentally similar to myself announcing the arrival of Comet Hale-Bopp. For a few years I typed up my Stargazer column and drove to The Loafer office to hand deliver it or leave it in the mailbox at night. No doubt one of my first e-mails was sending my column to The Loafer’s cyber address.

So I’m grateful to Dave Carter, Mike Clark and, of course our founder Bill Williams for opening the door to share my passion for the Sun, Moon, planets and stars

all these years.

I’ve also been able to feed my addiction for writing and photojournalism as I’ve had a career in newspapers and magazines since a teenager. Those anguished writers and trigger-happy shutterbugs know of what I speak: there is truly something inside my psyche that craves for me to write words and take photographs almost every day.

I only digress to thank all the loyal readers of not only my column, but the half-dozen other columns that are enjoyed each week in The Loafer—sprung from the writers’ angst of subjects and deadlines.

You Loafer readers are treated each week for the past 29 years to the talents of some dedicated people who just love bringing you our regions longest-running entertainment weekly. I am just privileged to be among them.

Foremost of The Loafer staff is new publisher Luci Tate, who has been office manager for 22 of its 29 years. She has championed our publication all her adult life. Under Luci’s leadership, a new era is upon The Loafer as it stands tall as the unique and informative alternative to social media—something you can get your hands on!

I could roll the numbers and share how many Loafer issues I’ve been in, and the number of words that might be, but you can do the math (it’s about 940 issues and more than a million words).

I’ve missed only one issue in 18 years (a family emergency out-oftown—again, pre-Internet days!)

And I’ve written dozens of stories and had published hundreds of photographs over the years, most of them while covering the NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway.

But my favorite contribution to the editorial side of The Loafer is being “The Stargazer.”

So, what qualifies me to write this column? Let me indulge in my astronomy bio: I basically have no memories of not owning a telescope or a camera, and that’s around age 8 in the 1960s. No one in my family ever talked about the Moon and stars, but my Dad did have several cameras I was curious about. One of them I used to take my first astrophotos in 1967.

I distinctly remember being in third grade and one day open-

ing the textbook to artwork of the nine planets across both pages.

Wham! Something hooked me. I did one of my first book reports on the planets, written on that green notebook paper within the big, red lines, and have never looked back.

I’ve been president of astronomy clubs, chairman of star conferences, and been on the talk circuit with a comedy/satire show called “Starry Nite Live!”, an obvious knock off of the TV show. My astro SNL is has astronomy headline news, a Top 10 Astro Nerd Wish List and the mind-reading of “Starnak,” a rip-off of Johnny Carson’s famous “Carnak.” My SNL show also features the Red Neck Astronomer, Col. Twilight and the amazing discoveries of the Barney Rubble Telescope. Get it? And the humor is appreciated by non-astronomer types as well.

My astronomy passions are the Moon, Mars and the Star of Bethlehem, all of which I’ve written extensively and given public talks.

I’ve sent my name on CD’s attached to the Martian landers, and have collected autographs from nine of the 12 men who walked on the Moon. Yes, I’m eat up with it!

There are few things in the world I enjoy more than sharing what’s up in astronomy and space. I’ve talked to hundreds of groups from 4th grade classes to Boy Scouts to church groups. But none give me more pleasure than writing my weekly columns for The Loafer.

And I hope to share that celestial joy for many more years to come.

www.theloaferonline.com

March 31, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 17

Celestial events in the skies for the week of Mar. 31 - Apr. 6, 2015 as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.

This week is the Full Moon that determines the date for Easter Sunday, and it’s appropriately called the “Pascal Moon.” Easter is determined by this simple formula: the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the first day of Spring (vernal equinox) is Easter Sunday. Spring 2015 was March 23, and Full Moon is Saturday April 4th, that makes the next day, Sunday, April 5th the sacred Christian holiday.

Tues. March 31

All this Spring the planet Venus will demand your attention as it shines brilliantly into the evening twilight, setting around 9 pm. On this date in space history, the mission of interplanetary spacecraft Pioneer 10 was officially ended by NASA. The first unmanned robot to visit Jupiter, it is the “grandfather” of today’s high-tech spacecraft New Horizons, heading to a flyby of Pluto in July 2015.

Wed. April 1

Astronomical hi-jinks on April Fool’s Day are no stranger to the nerdy science think-tanks in science history. Some of the pranks by playful astro nerds over the years include announcing that the two moons of Mars are actually Martian satellites; the Space Shuttle accidentally landing in San Diego; and astronomical papers shuffled amongst the academia— like the discovery of “bigon” particles—just to keep their brethren on their toes. Watch out for Twitters of alien invasions and Facebook posts of messages from Little Green Men. And as always, trust none of what you see and less of what you hear.

Thurs. April 2

On this 1845 date in space history, the first photograph of the Sun was taken by two French physicists. Today, several websites provide a live, 24/7 look at our most important star. My favorite is SpaceWeather.com, but the Solar Dynamic Observatory site is also provides amazing views of our always active Sun.

Fri. April 3

On this 1966 date in space history, the Soviet Union’s Luna 10 became the first spacecraft to orbit the Moon. Today NASA has the Lunar Recognizance Orbiter (LRO) in operation sending back data about our closest celestial neighbor.

Sat. April 4

On this 1930 date in space history the American Interplanetary Society was formed by three science fiction writers, G. Edward Pendray, David Lasser and Laurence Manning. Four years later, renamed the American Rocket Society, it was pioneering liquid fueled rocket tests, and gaining popularity among those followers of rocket pioneer Robert Goddard. By 1959, there were 21,000 members, all eager to see mankind reach for the stars.

Sun. April 5

On this 1991 date in space history, Space Shuttle Atlantis was launched with one of NASA’s great space observatories, the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. The 18-ton satellite with four telescopes made discoveries for nine years before being de-orbited in June 2000. Fifteen years later, data from Compton is still being sifted for facts about the destruction of stars that create the intense and deadly gamma rays visible from great distances measured in millions of Light Years.

Mon. April 6

On this 1965 date in space history, the first communications satellite was launched. Intelsat 1 was nicknamed “Early Bird,” and sent the first live images between America and England from its geosynchronous orbit, 22, 500 miles high.

Page 18, The Loafer • March 31, 2015

Encore Theatrical Company to hold auditions for “THE LION KING, Jr.”! of a full- staged theatrical production. Disney’s “The Lion King” has captivated the imagination of audiences around the world and now for the first time, Encore and Walters State will be the regional premiere as one of the first theatres in the nation to have the opportunity to produce this one-of-a-kind musical in our community.

The African savannah will come to life with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle and back again in this inspiring coming-of-age tale. Featuring the popular songs like “Circle of Life,” “Hakuna Matata,” “I Encore Theatrical Company and Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Can Walters State Community College You Feel the Love Tonight?” and are pleased to partner together to many more, “The Lion King” will produce the Young Stars Series be a memorable theatrical experiproduction of “The Lion King, Jr.” ence not to miss!!

Auditions will be held on MonThe Young Stars Series is designed to give students up through high day and Tuesday, April 6 & 7 at school the opportunity to be a part 6:30 p.m. at Studio ETC, located at

180 W. Main Street in Morristown.

The production team is looking to cast approximately 25-30 students ages 6-18. There are 9 male and 6 female principal and supporting roles and an ensemble of 10-15 members. A casting breakdown of roles available may be found at www.studioetc.org.!

Those wishing to audition should prepare 16-32 bars of an upbeat musical theatre song or a Disney-like song in the style of the show. Please bring a copy of your sheet music in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided. CD accompaniment is not advised.

Students may also be asked to participate in a dance or movement audition and possibly reading from the script.

Rehearsals will begin mid-April with performances scheduled for June 5-21. For More information, please contact 423-318-8331 or visit www.etcplays.org.

Seamanship Course offered

The Tri-Cities Boating Club is offering a comprehensive course on Seamanship beginning April 7th in room L226 at Northeast State Community College library.

Classes will meet from 6pm to 8pm.

This Seamanship course is a natural first/step in building a foundation for confidence and competence for safe and enjoyable boating on the water. It extends the knowledge and skills of the boater in handling and maneuvering a vessel, either sail or power.

The course provides a better understanding of how boats behave under various conditions including close quarters and open water operations. Knowledge and skills are increased in the areas of anchoring, emergencies, rules of the road and marlinspike/basic knots.

Appendices include information to safe operations in waters of our neighbors to the north and south,

Canada and Mexico. An On-TheWater component enhances the learning experience.

The Tri-Cities Boating Club is a member of the United States Power Squadron, a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to making boating safer and more enjoyable by teaching classes in seamanship, navigation and related subjects. Squadron members are boating families who contribute to their communities by promoting safe boating through education.

Seamanship Course Northeast State Community College Library (Room L226) Dates: Tuesday, April 7th and Mondays, April 13-June 1 6:00 – 8:00 PM Pre-registration is required Fee for Non-Members is $90 and for Members is $45 Contact: John Whitehead (423) 239-6875, E-Mail: tricitiesboating@ gmail.com

www.theloaferonline.com

March 31, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 19

Kilby Spency & the Crooked Road Ramblers at the Carter Family Fold

Saturday, April 4th, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a special concert by Kilby Spencer & the Crooked Road Ramblers.

Admission to the concert is $10 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 11, under age 6 free.

The Crooked Road Ramblers play traditional old time dance music from the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. Members of the band are Kilby Spencer on fiddle, John Perry on guitar, Peco Watson on clawhammer banjo, Donald Hill on guitar and vocals, Wayne Dye on mandolin, and Karen Carr on bass and vocals. Most of the band are second and third-generation musicians who now play old time mountain music influenced by their families and communities.

Kilby grew up in a musical family. His parents are Thornton and Emily Spencer of the Whitetop Mountain Band – a band that has

performed for over four decades.

John Perry is well-known throughout our area for his guitar playing.

Lots of people remember John for playing in the award-winning band the New River Ramblers.

Donald Hill has been playing music his entire life. His father, Leon Hill, was a musician and singer as well. Don is the senior member of the band, and he was actually

playing guitar with the Whitetop Mountain Band in 1982. In fact, he was playing at the 1982 World’s Fair while Kilby was being born.

Karen Carr is a dream-come-true for any old time or bluegrass band.

She loves to play music and sing.

She and Don also handle comedy for the group. Karen is deeply rooted in the musical heritage of the region with relatives who

for many years. Kyle Creed taught him a great deal on the banjo.

Don’t miss Kilby Spencer and the Crooked Road Ramblers at the Carter Family Fold. It will be an evening of down-home entertainment. Bring along your friends and your dancing shoes!

Carter Family Memorial Music Center, Incorporated, is a nonprofit, rural arts organization established to preserve traditional, acoustic, mountain music. For further information on the center, go to www.carterfamilyfold.org.

Shows from the Carter Family Fold can be accessed on the internet at www.carterfoldshow.com.

Carter Music Center is part of the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. You can visit the Crooked Road Music Trail site at played including Fred Cockerham thecrookedroad.org. Partial fundand Wilson Ramey. Karen’s won ing for programs at the center is the award for best old-time bass at provided by the Virginia CommisGalax twice. Wayne Dye is a for- sion for the Arts and the National mer member of the Russell County Endowment for the Arts. For Boys – a band formed by the for- recorded information on shows mer sheriff of Russell County – coming up at the Fold, call 276Trigg Fields. Peco Watson is well- 386-6054. The Fold is on Facebook known throughout the region. He – page Carter Fold – and Twitter played with the award-winning – @carterfoldinfo. For more info New Ballards Branch Bogtrotters call 276-594-0676.

Page 20, The Loafer • March 31, 2015

Celebrate Easter at Heartwood Hop into Easter with Brunch at Heartwood.

The Easter Brunch event, Sunday, April 5, will be $22.95 for adults and $12.95 for children from ages 5-12 (plus tax and gratuity). Children under the age of 5 will be free of charge. Brunch will be served from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling 276.492.2400.

Heartwood is your gateway to the rich culture of Southwest Virginia – with juried crafts, heritage music and local food and wine. Be inspired by the handmade treasures found throughout Heartwood’s galleries juried by ‘Round the Mountain and take the opportunity to buy that perfect gift.

Kick up your feet to the soulful music from The Crooked Road. If that wasn’t enough, THE MENU* enjoy an innovative meal from Food and Beverage General Manager Jassen CampSalad Station bell while basking in the spectacular views Spring Mix, Spinach, Romaine from the Heartwood Restaurant. The resand Accompaniments taurant features regional ingredients, local Breakfast Station wineries and breweries.

Biscuits and Pastries, Bacon and Sausage, The Coffee and Wine Bar at Heartwood Breakfast Frittata, French Toast Casserole, offers fresh pastries and breakfast treats daiSausage Gravy, Home Fries ly beginning at 9 a.m. (10a.m. on Sunday).

Lunch Station Lunch with daily specials will be served Sorghum Glazed Ham, Chicken Caponata, Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Roast Leg of Lamb, Shrimp & Grits, in the Heartwood Restaurant. A southern Mac & Cheese, Zucchini and Squash, Sugar BBQ is offered Thursday evenings, 5 p.m.

Snaps, Rolls and Cornbread to 9 p.m., and the Sunday Brunch will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every SunDessert Station day. For more information: visit https:// Assorted Cakes and Pies, Cobblers, www.heartwoodvirginia.org or call HeartBread Pudding *Vegetarian options will also be available. wood at 276-492-2400.

Arts Array presents “The Imitation Game”

The Arts Array Film Series presented by Virginia Highlands Community College is in its 44th year. All films are presented at the Abingdon Cinemall on Mondays and Tuesdays at 4 p.m. and again at 7:30 pm.

The Imitation Game (April 6 and 7) During the winter of 1952, British authorities entered the home of mathematician, cryptanalyst, and war hero Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch). Little did officials know, they were actually incriminating the pioneer of modern-day computing. Famously leading a motley group of scholars, linguists, chess champions, and intelligence officers, he was credited with cracking the so-called unbreakable codes of Germany’s World War II Enigma machine. An intense and haunting portrayal of a brilliant, complicated man. Featuring Keira Knightley as Joan Clark.

The Arts Array Film Series is part of the comprehensive cultural outreach program of Virginia Highlands Community College.

The series is co-sponsored by the Abingdon Cinemall, the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Emory& Henry College, and King University.

Admission to the films is free for the faculties and students at the supporting institutions. Members of the general community may attend for $7.75.

For a brochure on the series or more information, please contact Tommy Bryant at 276739-2451 or email him at tbryant@vhcc.edu.

www.theloaferonline.com

March 31, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 21

In Theaters Now

Box Office Top 10 Insurgent (2015)

Beatrice Prior must confront her inner demons and continue her fight against a powerful alliance which threatens to tear her society apart with the help from others on her side.

“Insurgent”

The new film in the “Divergent” series, “”Insurgent”, has hit the big screen, and the sequel certainly cranks up the action. If you have seen the first film or read the books the movies are based on, you already know the premise of the film series. If not, I will quickly cover the jest of the series. The first film in the series, “Divergent” was released in 2014, and introduced us to a futuristic society in the city of Chicago where people are divided into distinct factions based on their virtues. However, there are those who don’t fix into any faction, called Divergents, and such humans are to be killed or captured for study. The first film closed with the lead character, Tris (Shailene Woodley) on the run with her new love Four (Theo James), brother Caleb (Ansel Elgort), and a soon to be traitorous tag-along. The new film opens with the four still on-the-run, but taking refuge in a farm compound that provides food for those in the city. Their refuge is short lived, as the group is soon on a perilous journey back to the city.

When Tris and Four meet up with a underground group in the city they not only dealing with new strangers, but Four’s newly discovered mother as well. Eventually, Tris knows she must turn herself into Jeanine (Kate Winslet), the powerful leader of the Erudite faction, who is determined to “study” Tris, and stop all Divergents, as she knows the faction system is crumbling and rebellion is at hand. Meanwhile, Tris must discover a way to stop Jeanine and save mankind. Concerning the actors, I really enjoyed the performances in the film, even though I feel Woodley and Jennifer Lawrence of “The Hunger Games” film series could be interchangeable in

Cinderella (2015)

When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella’s fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger.

Run All Night (2015)

Mobster and hit man Jimmy Conlon has one night to figure out where his loyalties lie: with his estranged son, Mike, whose life is in danger, or his longtime best friend, mob boss Shawn Maguire, who wants Mike to pay for the death of his own son.

Do You Believe? (2015)

When a pastor is shaken by the visible faith of a street-corner preacher, he is reminded that true belief always requires action. His response ignites a journey that impacts everyone it touches in ways that only God could orchestrate.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)

As the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has only a single remaining vacancy - posing a rooming predicament for two fresh arrivals - Sonny pursues his expansionist dream of opening a second hotel.

Focus (2015)

In the midst of veteran con man Nicky’s latest scheme, a woman from his past - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up and throws his plans for a loop.

Chappie (2015)

In the near future, crime is patrolled by a mechanized police A sniper on a mercenary assas- force. When one police droid, sination team, kills the minister Chappie, is stolen and given new of mines of the Congo. Terrier’s programming, he becomes the successful kill shot forces him into first robot with the ability to think hiding. Returning to the Congo and feel for himself. years later, he becomes the target of a hit squad himself.

The Gunman (2015)

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) (2015) A spy organization recruits an unrefined, but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program, just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

their roles. The supporting actors, led by co-star James, all continue their roles from the previous film with ease. The film is visually stunning, and is perfect for the 3D format. If you enjoyed the first film in the series, you will definitely be impressed with the sequel, as the

stakes are even higher for Tris and company. “Insurgent” is an enjoyable sci-fi/action film, which will be followed by a third film in 2016.

Rated PG13

B

When a diabolical pirate above the sea steals the secret Krabby Patty formula, SpongeBob and his nemesis Plankton must team up in order to get it back.

Page 22, The Loafer • March 31, 2015

Tickets on Sale April 1st for the Hops & Howlers Craft Brew Fest Advance tickets for The Hops & Howlers Craft Brew Fest in Abingdon will go on sale April 1st, with a special Early Bird price of $30 available through April 15th. The one-day beer festival takes place June 20, 2015 in downtown Abingdon, featuring over 30 breweries from the region, plus food vendors and live music from Ancient Cities and Blue Mother Tupelo.

Hops & Howlers is presented by Abingdon Main Street and the Abingdon Music Experience.

The festival takes place from 4:00pm to 9:00pm Saturday June 20th, at the Abingdon Market Pavilion on Remsburg Drive. In its first year, the Brew Fest attracted over 500 visitors, and organizers are expecting a bigger turnout for the second year, after making tweaks to improve the experience for attendees. The later time helps beat the summer heat, and brewery booths will be located under the shade of the pavilion. The lawn in front of the band will be available

for chairs and picnic tables.

Formed by creative songster, DJ, and former actor Stephen Warwick, Ancient Cities melds well-crafted lyrics with synthladen psychedelia and cinematic moodiness. With electrifying sets at festivals like FloydFest, Bristol Rhythm & Roots, Drumstrong and more, the band turned the heads of critics, fans, and contemporaries alike. “Ancient Cities bridge the gap between indie-rock and classic rock with swift, fuzzy guitars, excited drumming and dreamy atmospheres”-Inforty (UK) Next on the bill is the unique southern soul sound of Blue Mother Tupelo. Paste Magazine calls this husband-and-wife duo “swampy, gospel-tinged southern soul-blues…[with] soul-searing harmonies.” Blue Mother Tupelo is American music that will pull you in to stomp and sway all night Fest is a beer tasting festival that long. offers festival goers the chance to The Hops & Howlers Craft Brew sample regional & micro-brews, as well as ciders. The breweries are carefully chosen for the ultimate, boutique brew fest experience, which also includes live music and local food options. Tickets are limited, to keep lines short and provide the most opportunities for attendees to learn about the brews they’re tasting. Over 30 breweries will be represented at the fest, including local favorites Wolf Hills Brewing, Damascus Brewery, and Holston River Brewing, as well as pioneers in the craft beer industry like New Belgium, Rogue Brewing, Oskar Blues and Devil’s Backbone. The festival also features a Homebrew Competition, open to home brewers across the Tri-Cities.

This festival is co-presented

by Abingdon Main Street and the Abingdon Music Experience.

Abingdon Main Street is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making the downtown district a place where people want to shop, dine, stay and play, by planning events and activities, and supporting locally-owned businesses.

For more information visit www. abingdonmainstreet.com.

Tickets include up to twenty-one 3oz tastes and a souvenir tasting glass. Early bird tickets for $30 are

available for two weeks only, April 1st through 15th. Regular advance tickets are $35, and same-day tickets will be $40. The Festival is also offering a limited number of $55 VIP tickets, which include early admission, complimentary refreshments, and a tasting of 4 additional beers exclusively served in the VIP tent. Tickets are on sale through the website http://hopsandhowlers.com/.

The event is restricted to those 21 and up. Special Designated Driver tickets are available for $10, for those who do not intend to drink, but are 21 and up as well.

Valid ID is required for entrance.

Hops & Howlers Craft Brew Fest is sponsored by EcoLogical Energy Systems and Walling Distributing. EcoLogical Energy Systems will set up an information booth and free solar charging station at the event where attendees can charge their phones.

For tickets and more information on the event, visit http:// hopsandhowlers.com/ or contact Sara Saavedra Cardinale, Special Events Coordinator, at (276) 6762282 or scardinale@abingdon-va. gov.

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March 31, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 23

Vermont Band to Visit Jonesborough for Contra Dance Fun!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, April 4, 2015, at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS Members and $4 for students. There will be a 30-minute lesson for all beginner contra dancers at 7:00pm.

New England roots music ensemble Atlantic Crossing will be appearing from 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Based in the Champlain Valley of Vermont, Atlantic Crossing has performed songs and instrumental music of New England, Canada, and the British Isles, as well as original material inspired by these musical traditions, for over a dozen years. Viveka Fox, Rick Klein, Peter Macfarlane and Tristan Henderson between them play fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, tenor banjo, low whistle, cornet, bodhran, djembe, and Quebec-style foot percussion. Featuring rich harmonies and driving rhythms, Atlantic Crossing’s arrangements show a deep love for the tradition along with a high level of creativity, emotional expression and just plain fun.

Atlantic Crossing is among a small group of Vermont musicians who are bringing to life the music of the Helen Hartness Flanders Collection of traditional songs.

Flanders was Vermont’s most important folklorist, recording hundreds of traditional songs from an

older generation of singers in the 1930s and ‘40s. The members of Atlantic Crossing gather material from the archives of field recordings at Middlebury College and then arrange the songs for the contemporary listener. They also research, write and perform material related to Vermont history. Their ability to tell the stories of ordinary men and women living in extraordinary times has led to collaborations with the Mount Independence state historical site, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, and the Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Commission. In 2007, Atlantic Crossing was recognized by the Vermont Arts Council with an American Masterpieces designation for their program exploring the cultural heritage of the Champlain Valley through music.

The three Americans and one transplanted Englishman all cut their teeth as dance musicians, and have appeared at many of the major contra dance series in the U.S. Contra dancing, which has its roots in the English and Scottish social dancing of colonial New England, came into its own in the 19th Century. Traditional Yankee fiddlers swapped tunes with newly arrived Irish and FrenchCanadian immigrants, while furloughed army band musicians brought their fifes, flutes and brass instruments to village dances.

Now-classic dances, like Hull’s Victory and Sackett’s Harbor, were

written to commemorate American victories in the War of 1812.

Later in the century, new rhythms, popularized by African-American minstrel shows, ragtime and early jazz, began to infiltrate dance halls.

By the end of the 19th century, contra dancing was popular with both rural and urban New Englanders.

But with the advent of radio and television, this homemade form of entertainment began to fade away.

It remained underground until the back-to-the-land movement of the 1970s, when young New Englanders began to seek out and value contra dancing for its community spirit. Since 1980, contra dancing has exploded onto the national scene, gaining popularity across the United States in an updated, high-energy form.

Due to other commitments, Atlantic Crossing performs mainly in New England and northern New York, but makes the time to do an extended tour each March.

This will be their 5th trip to the mid-South. They were drawn by the region’s reputation for having a lively contra dance scene (not to mention much better weather than Vermont in late March!) and have not been disappointed.

On April 4th, Atlantic Crossing will play for a contra dance led by renowned Asheville caller Diane Silver. Diane has a national reputation for her skill in getting a roomful of people up and dancing together, and her infectious enthusiasm which makes every dance a party. With Diane, Atlantic Crossing will be exploring the range of moods contra dance music can take, from frenetic to cheerfully bouncy, majestic to playful, driving to downright funky. Their repertoire of authentic traditional New England, Canadian and Celtic pieces sprinkled liberally with their own compositions is sure to get you moving, so dust off your dancing shoes and welcome spring with one of New England’s best contra dance bands and one of the South’s best callers!

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley, at 423-534-8879 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety. org and on FACEBOOK.

Page 24, The Loafer • March 31, 2015

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March 31, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 25

A Particular Kind of Terror

I’m taking my cat to the vet today. In most households this would be just a simple aspect of pet ownership, but in my household it means we’ve gone to all hands on deck. The early stages of this are simple. I place the kitty karry all in the middle of the living room, open it, and Monty, my cat, walks over to inspect it. After giving it a good sniff, he eventually walks into the kitty karry all with a demeanor that I assume translates as “I’ve not been in this box today, let me try it out.” Surprisingly, Monty has no trouble when the door to the kitty karry all is shut, he tends to settle and lay down.

From the living room to the car, Monty is quiet. He actually used to enjoy short rides in the car, so the initial part of the trip is pleasant for all. But then as Monty begins to recognize certain landmarks and scenery, the growling begins. Very low pitched, sustained guttural meows is the best way to describe the initial sound. Once we reach the vet’s office and are in the waiting room, the growls grow louder.

From Monty’s perspective, there is nothing more terrifying than a trip to vet. The amount of terror that is registered on that cat’s face during his time there, is the kind of night-vision reaction shots that producers use to try to convince you to go see whatever remake of whatever reboot horror film they drag out every Halloween. Because of Monty’s “protests,” these visit to the vet have a rather interesting look from my perspective, which begins when they bring out the rubber gloves to handle him.

The simple act of my cat getting a check up requires arm length rubber gloves of the kind you often see animal handlers use on giant

hawks or some other exotic bird that can destroy.

Monty is held just long enough to do the basics, and to give him his shots. The entire time all he does is howl, meow, drool, growl, and be generally displeased about the whole thing. If my cat could tweet, I’m sure he would tweet about this. Traumatized and immunized, my cat zooms back into the kitty karry all at speeds that are impressive, and the growling continues. The staff all look at me with looks that indicate smiles, but secretly say “How do you live with that!?”

“He’s really quite pleasant at home, I swear he’s only like this here!” I constantly say, trying to smile and nod over the sounds of my cat demanding his freedom as

if he was in an epic Broadway musical about oppressed people with dynamic vocal range. In the car on the ride home, Monty’s growls start to die down as he realizes that we are heading in the opposite direction of the vet’s. Once home, I let him out of the kitty karry all, and he takes off like a shot to some corner of the house, and doesn’t speak to me for the rest of the day.

And so is the terror that is taking my cat to the vet, it is an important part of life, made all the more interesting by the fact that my cat requires tiger wrangling gloves to be treated. If pets are a reflection of their owners, then I wonder what all this says about me? Maybe I should howl more at the doctor’s office. See you next week

Page 26, The Loafer • March 31, 2015

Home Organs Despite its rather suggestive and quasi-medical title, this column is not about anatomical parts, but represents a very important, and now long gone, slice of pop culture history that has shaped my life in many convoluted ways.

And, now that I have a Loafer email address (see above), I invite you to write and share your own memories or involvement with this subject. And the subject has to do with music, not anatomy (although anatomy certainly does play a role in creating music).

As I write this, I am sitting in a hotel room in Clarksville, Tennessee, where I will soon be giving a presentation about creativity at an educator’s conference. Within arm’s reach is a $70.00 M-Audio keyboard that I love to take on trips and now use during some of my presentations. Weighing less than five pounds, this nifty little piano-style keyboard has no internal sounds, but derives its timbres and capabilities from whatever device its handy USB cable is plugged into. In my case, I use it with the GarageBand app installed on my iPad. The keyboard is conveniently powered by the iPad, so I don’t have to use any electrical outlets to enjoy playing, and with GarageBand I have access to several musical sounds, plus a pretty neat multi-track recorder. Of course, a wide variety of portable keyboards have been available since the early 80s (and much earlier if you count accordians), but we are now living in an era that gives keyboard players unprecedented portability and versatility in creating their music.

Like most everything in our lives, music is now part of mobile culture and the much-touted “Internet of Things” (IoT) that I’ve writ-

ten about on several occasions.

As I indulge my musical fantasies with my ultra-portable keyboard I can’t help but reflect back to my other life “back in the day.” I am very thankful that I spent several years in the retail music field before I made a decision to reactivate my teaching career. Although some would say I wasted all those earlier years, I now see that experience as essential to the process of becoming who I am.

It all began back in the early 80s, when, fresh from graduate school and searching for a teaching position, I entered a music store and was offered a job as a keyboard salesperson and occasional music teacher (my degree is in history, not music). What I didn’t realize at the time was that my acceptance of that job would allow me to witness living history in a transitional time of American pop culture and business. I entered my new profession with some credibility—I had grown up playing the Hammond Organ at my parents’ motel, in church, at graduations, receptions, and at weddings and funerals.

I am definitely a product of the home organ phenomenon that is the focus of this week’s column.

When I began working as a retail music salesperson in a predominantly keyboard-oriented store (we didn’t sell guitars, band instruments, or drums), the industry was dominated by two kinds of keyboards—pianos and organs.

It wasn’t until the mid-80s that the appearance of portable keyboards and pianos began to change the rules of the game. My typical customer was a family interested in starting their children in music lessons while at the same time adding a matching piece of furniture to their living room décor. Not

only did I have to possess some minimal musical skill to meet their needs, but I also had to add unfamiliar terms like French Provincial, Mediterranean, and Contemporary to my vocabulary. And, just as important, I had to learn about the means by which these very heavy instruments were delivered to the family home, church, or school.

Back then, the Internet didn’t exist and very few people were capable of delivering these instruments themselves; esoteric contraptions like piano and organ dollies had to be affixed to these instruments to make them roadworthy and deliverable, and movers (including me, on several occasions) had to be well versed on the challenges of negotiating split foyers, belligerent dogs, and steep and winding sidewalks as instruments made

struments. The motivation here was not so much learning how to play but how to become enamored with that more expensive model.

An endless cycle of conspicuous consumption, often celebrated at special trade-up award ceremonies staged for the group organ members, was the rationale employed by the very successful home organ business at the time.

And this culture was aided and abetted by the high visibility that organs enjoyed during that time in mass media—just think of all the rock groups that played bulky and beautiful Hammond Organs and TV shows that featured organists. I was taken aback, yet delighted, to see a home organ (I believe it is a Yamaha) featured prominently on the photos accompanying Mary J. Blige’s new London sessions CD. All this began to change in the mid-80s when an array of very inexpensive portable keyboards, synthesizers, and digital pianos began to appear. Although there are many vestiges of the older world still in existence, gone are the days when people placed French Provincial cabinetry at the top of their musical wish list, and the era of the home organ, the front-of-store pumper, and group organs lessons has given way to products, like my M-Audio keybard, that reflect mobile technology rather than home décor. Of course, people still purchase “traditional” pianos and church organs, but many of these produce their sounds by digital rather than “analog” means. These instruments, of course, still have to be delivered by skilled personnel to host home parties, where a and, in the case of church organs, salesperson (often me) would be installed.

There is probably a book about on hand to dazzle prospective customers with endless and often ir- the era of the home organ just ritating renditions of “Somewhere waiting to be written—an era that My Love” and “Rocky Top.” Pro- enjoyed its greatest prominence spective buyers were most often from the mid-50s through the lured into purchasing their new late-80s. Any takers? I will enjoy organs, which were also avail- and appreciate your sharing any able in the same furniture styles thoughts about this era, and I will as listed above, by being enrolled incorporate them into a future colin a group organ class offered at umn.

See you next week. Until then, the retail store. I taught many of these classes, and they were fun in I will attend to my latest Garagea rather bizarre way. Organs were Band “masterpiece.” placed in a semi-circle and participants learned to play, not always successfully, by being carefully seated at a model more expensive and more feature-laden than the one they had just purchased. Pizza was served and participants were asked to talk about their own intheir way to those treasured spot in living rooms without incurring damage to instruments or homes.

Pianos and organs, in short, didn’t magically arrive in Amazon.com boxes.

While most piano customers usually arranged for music lessons with private teachers, home organ customers were another story. They generally bought these instruments on impulse after listening to a salesperson (called a “pumper”) playing familiar tunes either in a mall hallway, the store foyer, or at a local home show.

Customers were also encouraged

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March 31, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 27

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