Arts and entertainment throughout the region

ART The 2026 International FL3TCH3R Exhibit: Social & Politically Engaged Art will be on view through Sept. 27 at Fischman Gallery in downtown Johnson City. A public program featuring this year's juror, Jessica "J.B." Burke, will be held on Friday, Sept. 4, with a juror's talk beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by an awards presentation at 7:30 p.m. and a public reception. Approximately $2,000 in awards will be presented. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Fischman Gallery is located at 133 N Commerce St., Johnson City. "Paws for a Cause" will be on exhibit Aug. 26 through Sept. 26 at Impressions Gallery, 246 Broad St., Kingsport. The public is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 5-8 p.m. at the gallery. This special exhibition of artwork created by members of the gallery will help raise funds for Petworks. Donations of cat food, dog food and towels will be collected Aug. 26 through Sept. 3. And people who purchase any of the cat/dog themed artwork will be helping Petworks and local artists. Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park is accepting digital submissions for the 20th annual Wildlife Weekend Photography Contest held each year in conjunction with Wildlife Weekend. Amateur photographers of all ages are invited to submit photos that capture the natural beauty of Steele Creek Park and its inhabitants. The submission deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 16. Complete rules and instructions for submitting entries are available at www.bristoltn.gov/PhotoContest. Create Appalachia will host "Enigmatic Encounters: The Veil Grows Thin," a juried fall exhibition celebrating mystery, imagination, folklore, and the unknown, Aug. 28 through Oct. 30 at its gallery in downtown Kingsport. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 6-8 p.m. The gallery is located at 225 W. Center St. Suite 115. 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 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. 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. CONCERTS Main Street Brews & Tunes will take place Sunday from 4-7 p.m. on the plaza of the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough. Food and beer will begin to be served at 4 p.m. with live music from 5-7 p.m. For more information call the Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423-753-1010. 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. 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. NATURE Bays Mountain Park will offer free admission on Sunday, Aug. 16. Bays Mountain Park will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 16, while the nature center will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The free admission is sponsored by the Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtors. While gate fees will be waived all day, program fees for planetarium shows, barge rides, etc., will still be in effect. 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. 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 Canceled: Tenite reunion originally scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15, at Bays Mountain Park, Shelter 9, has been canceled due to the park temporarily being closed. 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. Gardner family reunion, for the descendants of William and Elizabeth Palmer Gardner and their families and friends, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 1 p.m. at the home of Terry Gardner, 4162 Ann Goode Cooper Road, Hiltons, Virginia, on the North Fork of the Holston River. Please bring a potluck dish. 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 Toddler Time — for children ages 5 and under and their parents/guardians — will be offered Wednesdays through Sept. 2 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. For admission costs and more information call 423-343-9758 or visit swimkingsport.com. The aquatic center's outdoor water park will be open 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. Johnson City's Legion Street Pool will be open weekends only through Sept. 6 (closed Labor Day). For more information call 423-900-7902. Wetlands Water Park in Jonesborough will be open weekends only in August and September. Hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday from noon to 5:30 p.m. in August and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5:30 p.m. in September. For more information call 423-753-1553. THEATER LampLight Theatre in Kingsport will present "It's All Relative," a brand-new Foggy Valley adventure, through Aug. 30. This uplifting comedy explores identity, belonging, forgiveness, and the truth that our greatest heritage isn't found in a DNA report, but in the family God creates through faith in Jesus Christ. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. with matinees on Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. For reservations and more information, contact the LampLight box office at 423-343-1766 or visit www.LampLightTheatre.com. FHG Productions in Kingsport will present "Peter Pan" through Aug. 23. Featuring swashbuckling pirates, pixie dust, unforgettable characters, and heartwarming moments, the production is suitable for the whole family. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. A special sensory friendly show will be held Saturday, Aug. 22, at 2 p.m. FHG Productions is located at 2152 Hawthorne St., Kingsport. For reservations, visit FHGproductions.org. 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 "To Catch a Thief" (1955) Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" (1941) Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. Bonnie Kate Theater in Elizabethton is showing classic movies throughout August. Upcoming movies include "Men in Black" Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. and "The Omega Man" (1971) Aug. 16 at 2 p.m. For more information call 423-895-1762. Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present "Grandma Gatewood Took A Walk" through Aug. 23 at Barter's Smith Theatre. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present "Come From Away" Aug. 26 through Nov. 1 on Barter's Gilliam Stage. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present "Dracula" Sept. 10 through Oct. 31 on Barter's Gilliam Stage. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present "Kings Mountain" Sept. 17 through Oct. 31 at Barter's Smith Theatre. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" Sept. 22 through Nov. 6 at Barter's Smith Theatre. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. TRAINS The Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society and Museum will sponsor a train excursion on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad on Saturday, Sept. 26. For more information and to order tickets, go to www.wataugavalleynrhsorg or email wataugavalley@gmail.com. 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.