Arts and entertainment throughout the region

ART The Johnson City Public Art Committee will host its eighth annual 5 x 5 Art Exhibit and Fundraiser on Friday, Aug. 7, from 5:55 to 8 p.m. at The Pavilion at Founders Park, 105 W. Main St. The event will feature more than 300 artworks donated by more than 100 area artists. Each piece will be sold for $25. Proceeds will benefit Johnson City Public Art. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will include light refreshments and live music. Create Appalachia will host an opening reception for "Digital Art Salon: Rendered Realities – Between Worlds" on Thursday, Aug. 13, from 6-8 p.m. at Create Appalachia's gallery at 225 W. Center St. in downtown Kingsport. Light refreshments will be served, and most artwork featured in the exhibition will be available for purchase. The reception is free and open to the public, but guests are encouraged to RSVP through Eventbrite to help the Create Appalachia team prepare for the event. Create Appalachia invites artists throughout the Appalachian region to submit work for "Enigmatic Encounters: The Veil Grows Thin," a juried fall exhibition celebrating mystery, imagination, folklore, and the unknown. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 12. Artwork in any visual medium is welcome, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, mixed media, fiber art, ceramics, printmaking, and other original works. Selected artwork will be exhibited from Aug. 28 through Oct.r 30 at Create Appalachia's gallery in downtown Kingsport. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 6-8 p.m. Complete submission guidelines and registration information are available athttps://enigmaticencounters26.artcall.org/. Questions may be directed to amber@createappalachia.org Kingsport is seeking local artists to hand-paint five storm drains within the city to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our rivers, stream habitat and aquatic wildlife. To enter the contest, send a color sketch of your proposed artwork to: Amanda McMullen, Water Services Center, 1113 Konnarock Road, Kingsport, TN 37664 or AmandaMcMullen@KingsportTN.gov. The deadline to submit entries is Aug. 8. The five winning artists will receive $150 each. Vicky Darnell is the latest exhibiting artist at The Circle Gallery in Kingsport. Darnell, a self-taught painter, uses her artistic talents to create images of cities, the outdoors and colorful flowers. The Circle Gallery is located on the first floor of Kingsport City Hall, 415 Broad St. Darnell's exhibit will be on display through Sept. 16. Kingsport's 15th Sculpture Walk has been installed and is ready for the public to enjoy. The Sculpture Walk is a program where the city leases sculptures from artists across the country to put on display within the city. This year, Kingsport Cultural Arts has brought five new sculptures to the city. The sculptures can be found along the Kingsport Greenbelt by the Holston River. AUDITIONS Elizabethton Community Theatre will hold auditions for "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" July 27 and 28 at the Bonnie Kate Theater in downtown Elizabethton. Performances are scheduled for Oct. 2-11. Roles are available for all ages and experience levels. For more information email info@BonnieKateTheater.org or visit www.BonnieKateTheater.org. Open auditions for "Deathtrap" will be held Aug. 1 and 2 at Theatre Bristol, 512 State St. Important details including audition times, locations, rehearsal schedules, performance dates, forms, and the five available roles for adults are available at www.theatrebristol.org/audition. For more information, call 423-212-3625 or email info@theatrebristol.org. Open auditions for "It's a Wonderful Life" will be held Aug. 22 and 23 at Theatre Bristol, 512 State St. More than 40 roles are available for adults, teens and children. A free audition workshop is being offered on Aug. 15, and registration is available at www.theatrebristol.org/tbarts. For more information visit www.theatrebristol.org/audition, call 423-212-3625 or email info@theatrebristol.org. BABY AND FAMILY EXPO A Baby and Family Expo featuring all things baby, children and family will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, at YWCA NETN and SWVA, 106 State St., Bristol, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission for moms, dads, grandparents and caregivers. Goodie bags will be offered to the first 200 attendees. For more information contact Appalachian Promise Alliance at parentingsweet@appalachianpromise.org. BIRDING Birding in the Gap will be held Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9-11 a.m. at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Led by knowledgeable park rangers and enthusiastic volunteers, this series is designed for bird lovers of all experience levels. We'll meet at the museum's front gate and set out together to explore the beautiful museum grounds and the scenic Powell River greenbelt in Big Stone Gap. This easy, accessible walk is a perfect way to enjoy nature while discovering the fascinating world of birds. The program takes place rain or shine, so please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Binoculars are welcome but are not required. No registration is needed. For more details about the "Birding in the Gap" series, contact the park at 276-523-1322. CHRISTMAS IN JULY "Christmas in July" will be held at the Kingsport Carousel, 320 Clinchfield St., on Wednesday, July 29, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. The carousel will be festively decorated, snow will be falling in the playground, and holiday music will be playing to help get everyone in the Christmas spirit. All day long, anyone (child or adult) wearing Christmas attire will receive one free ride on the carousel, and guests can enjoy free popsicles and temporary tattoos (while supplies last). The carousel will be open from 12:30-5 p.m. on July 29. CONCERTS Winds of the Mountain Empire will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a free concert on Sunday, July 26, at 4 p.m. in the auditorium of Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Boozy Creek Community Center, 1989 Shelleys Road, Bristol, Virginia, will host Gary Taylor and Muddy Mountain on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 5-6:30 p.m. A fish and chicken meal will be served at 4 p.m., and door prizes will be given away at 4:45 p.m. For more information call 276-466-0026. The Larry Prevatte Memorial Duffield Jam is held on the first, third and fifth Thursday of each month from 6-8 p.m. at the Thomas Village Community Center, 355 Cecil D. Quillen Drive in Duffield, Virginia. For more information call 276-431-1083. Fridays After 5 summer concerts, hosted by Downtown Johnson City's Main Street Program, offers free, family-friendly fun. The series is held in King Commons, 112 N. Commerce St., Friday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in July. Charlie Maples will perform on July 31. The Oak Ridge Boys will perform at East Tennessee State University's Martin Center on Friday, Aug. 28 , at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, contact the ETSU Martin Center Box Office at 423-439-2787. The Black Jacket Symphony will present Def Leppard's "Hysteria" at East Tennessee State University's Martin Center on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, contact the ETSU Martin Center Box Office at 423-439-2787. The Temptations and The Four Tops will perform at East Tennessee State University's Martin Center on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, contact the ETSU Martin Center Box Office at 423-439-2787. FARMERS MARKET Johnson City Farmers Market, located at 105 W. Main St., will be open Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. through Oct. 31. Jonesborough Farmers Market, located behind the courthouse on East Main Street, will be open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon except during Jonesborough Days and the Storytelling Festival through Oct. 31. Kingsport Farmers Market, located at 308 Clinchfield St., will be open on Saturdays through the end of November and on Wednesdays through the end of September. The hours are from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until produce and products are sold out. FUNDRAISERS Sneaker Ball Annual Gala hosted by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport will be held on Friday, July 31, from 6-9 p.m. at The Social in downtown Kingsport. Guests are encouraged to dress to impress and wear their best sneakers, as the evening will feature a best sneaker competition. The night will also include appetizers, drinks, live music, dancing, a silent auction, and a variety of other unique activities for guests to enjoy. All proceeds will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport to help provide more financial assistance for families, expand services so the club can serve more kids and families, and fund improvements to transportation options for the club. For tickets visit kbgc.org/annualgala or contact Jonathan Albarado, director of development, at jonathana@kbgc.org or 423-671-7150. A fish fry dinner will be held Saturday, Aug. 1, from 4-6 p.m. at the Fairview Community Center, 9357 Fairview Road, Duffield, Virginia. All you can eat. Dine in or carry out. Menu is fish, chicken, cole slaw, fries, mac and cheese, baked beans, hushpuppies and assorted desserts. Cost is $15 for adults and $8 for children. For more information contact April L. Lane at 276-202-1589. NATURE Bays Mountain Park has an interactive exhibit in the Nature Center titled "Discover Our Appalachian Highlands Home." The exhibit features a large lake diorama with various mammals, reptiles, birds and aquatic life native to our region. The exhibit also includes information panels and interactive sensory stations. For more information about Bays Mountain Park and its programs, events and activities, visit www.baysmountain.com. PARTY IN THE PARK Johnson City Parks and Recreation is celebrating Parks and Recreation Month with a series of weekly Party in the Park events in July. These free, all-ages events are a great way to explore Johnson City parks. The remaining Party in the Park is scheduled for July 30 at Legion Street Pool — free swim from 6-8 p.m. Kingsport will host its first-ever Party at the Park in collaboration with Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium, Kingsport Parks and Recreation and the Kingsport Public Library at the BlueCross Healthy Place at Riverwalk Park (875 W. Industry Drive) on Friday, July 31, from 10 a.m. to noon. People of all ages are encouraged to come out and enjoy all of the family-friendly activities scheduled to take place. An ice cream food truck and DJ will be on site to make the day even better, and the first 100 people will receive a free ice cream. PLANETARIUM Bays Mountain Park's latest planetarium show is "Dark Matter Mystery — Exploring a Cosmic Secret." The program will be showing daily at 2 p.m. through Aug. 31. This program, originally shown in 2019, explores the greatest quest of contemporary astrophysics — the hunt for dark matter. In this program you will learn why we know dark matter exists and how this search is one of the most challenging and exciting searches science has to offer. Join the scientists on their hunt for dark matter with experiments in space and deep underground. This 40-minute program will be followed by a brief tour of the current evening sky. REUNIONS Army Reserve 80th Division, Abingdon and Bristol units, reunion and picnic will be held Saturday, Aug. 8, from noon until 7 p.m. at Sugar Hollow Park in Bristol, Virginia, at Shelter "D." Bring your favorite picnic foods. Soft drinks will be provided. (If you are in contact with prior members please remind them.) Tenite reunion will be held Saturday, Aug. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bays Mountain Park, Shelter 9. Please bring a covered dish and drink. For more information call 423-292-4808 or 423-292-4806. Annual Compton family reunion will be held Sunday, Aug. 16, from 1-5 p.m. at the Keith Memorial Park Cabin in Nickelsville, Virginia. All family and friends are welcome. Gate City High School 50-year class reunion for the Class of 1976 will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, from 5-9 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. Cost is $30 per person. For more information contact Teal Seaver Winegar at 423-306-6678. SCIENCE Hands On! Discovery Center is an all-ages science center that offers a guest experience that includes fun, interactive programs and immersive, STEM-based exhibits for the whole family as well as exhibits and information about the Gray Fossil Site, an active fossil dig site dating back 5 million years. Tickets may be purchased at https://visithandson.org/tickets. SWIM The Kingsport Aquatic Center's outdoor water park will be open daily through July 31, and then weekends only in August and September until Labor Day. The outdoor water park is open weather permitting, while the indoor facility will be open during most inclement weather. Outdoor water park hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For information on season passes, call 423-343-9758. Johnson City's Legion Street Pool will be open daily through Aug. 1 and will be open weekends only Aug. 2 through Sept. 6 (closed Labor Day). Pool hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1-6 p.m. For more information call 423-900-7902. Wetlands Water Park in Jonesborough is open for the season. For more information call 423-753-1553. The Riverview Splash Pad, 1101 Martin Luther Jr. Drive, Kingsport, and the Healthy Place Splash Pad, 875 W. Industry Drive, Kingsport, are open for the summer season. Both splash pads will be active from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. every day during the summer through Labor Day. The splash pad can be turned on during these hours by rubbing a silver activator pad located near the attraction. THEATER Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present "The Savannah Sipping Society" through Aug. 8. In this comedy, four very different Southern women, all strangers, are drawn together by an impromptu Happy Hour and decide it's high time to reclaim the excitement their lives once held. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present "The da Vinci Code," based on Dan Brown's international bestseller, through Aug. 8. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present the musical "Guys and Dolls" through Aug. 9. This great American musical comedy features hits like "A Bushel and a Peck" and "Luck Be a Lady" and tells a story of romance, adventure, second chances, and the transformative power of love. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. The Jackson Theatre in Jonesborough has announced its lineup of movies for August including Hitchcock Fest 2026, Speakeasy Cinema, family favorites, classic films, and specialty movie series. Upcoming movies include "The Sword in the Stone" Aug. 2 at 3 p.m. (pay what you can); "The American Miracle" Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. (free admission); "Sweet Liberty" Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.; "La Danubio" Aug. 6 at 7 p.m.; and "Alexander Hamilton" Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. (pay what you can). Hitchcock Fest offerings are "Dial M for Murder" (1954) Aug. 13 at 7 p.m., "To Catch a Thief" (1955) Aug. 16 at 7 p.m., and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" (1941) Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. TRAINS The Chuckey Depot Railroad Museum in Jonesborough is open free of charge, but donations are appreciated. The depot is located at 110 S. Second Ave. in Jonesborough. Museum hours are: March through September: Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. October through February: Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit Jonesborough.com or call 423-753-1010. Submit items for Out & About at features@sixriversmedia.com.