Arts and entertainment through the region

ART "Frame of Mind, a collection of unframed original watercolor creations by artist Alexis Levine, is on display at The Gallery @ Barr Photographics, located at 203 W. Main St. in Abingdon, Virginia. The exhibit will be celebrated with a holiday gala reception and art talk on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 2-4 p.m. "Frame of Mind" will hang, and be offered for sale, through Jan. 30, 2026. ••• "Outdoor Inspirations" is the latest exhibit on display at The Circle Gallery in Kingsport. The exhibit features more than a dozen paintings from five local plein air artists — Brenda Bundrant, Matt Conrad, Gail Greenoe, Kathy Hawk and JoAnne McDonough. The artists featured in The Circle Gallery belong to an East Tennessee group called Just Plein Nuts, and they paint at outdoor locations around the region. The artists are also members of the Kingsport Art Guild. The Circle Gallery is located on the first floor of Kingsport City Hall, 415 Broad St. "Outdoor Inspirations" will be on display until Dec. 18. BALLET Intercity Ballet of Kingsport will present the holiday classic "The Nutcracker" on Dec. 11, 12 and 13 at the Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center Auditorium. Tickets may be purchased by calling 423-246-2199 or 423-323-2474 or at the door prior to each performance. BIRDING The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, will offer a monthly Birding in the Gap series on the second Saturday of each month. Participants should meet at the front gate of the museum. The Birding in the Gap monthly series will be held rain or shine. Participants are asked to wear appropriate clothing for the weather and comfortable walking shoes. Binoculars are encouraged but not required. Registration is not required for this program. For more information email swvamuseum@dcr.virginia.gov or call 276-523-1322. CHRISTMAS ••• Christmas in the Country at Exchange Place Living History Farm, 4812 Orebank Road in Kingsport, will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fresh greenery, wreaths and roping, unique folk arts and handicrafts, and traditional holiday foods will be on sale. The celebration also features demonstrations of winter time activities on the 19th century farmstead and hands-on experiences for all ages. ••• Elite Starz Dance Team will present "Christmas With The Grinch" on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m. at the Daniel Boone High School theater. The heartwarming story of how the Grinch found the true meaning of Christmas will be told through dance in a magical musical. The show will include all genres of dance and tumbling routines performed to your favorite Christmas tunes. Tickets will be available at the door. ••• The Johnson City Public Library is hosting a series of free holiday concerts on Mondays at 6 p.m. in December in the second-floor Buffalo Mountain Room. The musical performances, which are appropriate for all ages, will feature unique arrangements of both classic and contemporary holiday music. Featured performers are harpist Kathy Carmack on Dec. 8, We Three Horns (French horn trio) on Dec. 15, and Johnson City Symphony Orchestra Quartet (featuring violin, cello and viola) on Dec. 22. Call 423-434-4454 or visit jcpl.org/events for more information about each holiday concert. ••• The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department will host an inclusive Christmas Party on Friday, Dec. 12, from 6-8 p.m. at the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Complex, 301 Louis St. The event is open to all with intellectual and physical disabilities and will feature hot chocolate, games, crafts and Christmas-themed activities. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite tacky holiday sweater. Although the event is free, officials are asking folks to register to know approximately how many people will be showing up. To register, please visit https://bit.ly/3WDlO7q. ••• Allandale Mansion Christmas Tours will take place on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 1-6 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 1-5 p.m. Tickets will be available online and at the door. Typically, every room of the mansion features a Christmas tree and is decorated with a theme. The Christmas tours are self-guided and normally take around 30 minutes to an hour. The mansion will have volunteers on hand throughout the house to answer any questions about Allandale and its history. Harpist Martha Painter will be performing on Dec. 13 from 1-3 p.m. Cookies and hot cider will be offered on both days. For more information call 423-229-9422. ••• Celebrate the holiday season in Johnson City as Candy Land Christmas transforms the heart of downtown into a winter wonderland. More than 180 uniquely decorated Christmas trees can be found throughout downtown including King Commons, Founders Park, Buffalo Street pocket park, Majestic Park, and along Main Street. The decorated trees will remain on display until Jan. 4. ••• Abingdon, Virginia's Festival of Trees has returned to the Abingdon Visitor Center, 208 W. Main St. Trees decorated by local businesses and organizations will be on display for public viewing and voting through Dec. 30. Guests can cast their votes inside the Visitor Center with donations of school or pet supplies, helping to support local causes while celebrating the season's spirit of generosity. Viewing hours are Mondays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. CONCERTS Boozy Creek Community Center, 1989 Shelleys Road, Bristol, Virginia, will host Harlan County Grass Dec. 6 from 5-6:30 p.m. (Fish and chicken meal with lots of sides, desserts and drinks at 4 p.m.) For more information call 276-466-0026. ••• Members of the Tusculum University Community Chorus will perform their Christmas concert, "Illuminare" by Elaine Hagenberg, on Monday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre of Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center. It is a five-movement piece complete with a chamber orchestra that will last about 30 minutes. In addition to "Illuminare," the chorus will sing "Thou Must Leave Thy Lowly Dwelling" and "A Consort of Christmas Carols." The concert will conclude with a sing-along of Christmas selections that will enable the audience to participate. ••• The Candlelight concert series is coming to MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center in Kingsport. Scheduled performances are: Queen vs. ABBA, Dec. 20; and Christmas Carols on Strings, Dec. 20. Tickets can be purchased at: https://feverup.com. DANCE Outdoorsman, 4535 Highway 11W, Blountville, will host Julie Williams and the Hired Guns on Friday, Dec. 12, from 7-10 p.m. Line dance from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Potluck at 6:15 p.m. Upcoming bands are Gunslingers on Dec. 19 and Kickin' up Dust on Dec. 26. HISTORY AND HERITAGE The Tri Cities Civil War Round Table will host a presentation by Jim Ogden titled "The Battle of Chickamauga Illustrated" at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, in Room 239 of the Renaissance Center, 1200 E. Center St., Kingsport. The presentation is free and open to the public, and all interested are invited to attend. Individuals wishing to dine with Ogden at 5 p.m. that Monday at Johnny Brusco's New York Style Pizza (1700 N. Eastman Road, Kingsport) should request reservations by contacting Dr. Michael Smith at michaellanesmith@charter.net. 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. PLANETARIUM Laser light shows will return to Bays Mountain Planetarium for the holiday season. Laser Holidays will feature a mix of holiday music. Dates are Dec. 12-13, 19-20 and 22-23 at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Laser Zeppelin featuring music by Led Zeppelin will be shown Dec. 12 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 13 and Dec. 19 at 9 p.m. Laser U2 featuring music by U2 will be shown Dec. 12 and Dec. 20 at 9 p.m. and Dec. 13 and Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. To register, visit https://bit.ly/414qLcI. For more information, visit www.baysmountain.com or call 423-229-9447. ••• "Big Astronomy" is showing in the Bays Mountain Park Planetarium Theater through Dec. 31. The 45-minute program is being shown Tuesday through Friday at 4 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays at noon and 4 p.m. The alternate planetarium feature showing Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Dec. 31 will be "Appalachian Skies." For more information about Bays Mountain Park and its programs, events and activities, visit www.baysmountain.com. PROJECT FRIENDSHIP Project Friendship by the Kingsport Altrusa Club is continuing its meet-and-greet events at Shooters Billiards in Kingsport on the second and fourth Fridays at 6 p.m. This event is for anyone who works from home, is new to the area, or just doesn't get out often. It's a low-key way to meet others and have fun! Text to 423-384-0425 for more information. REUNION Fletcher, Freeman, Derrick and related families December reunion will be held Saturday, Dec. 20, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Randall's Restaurant, 120 Old Union Road, Church Hill. Please call 423-245-2155 or 423-502-0863 for more information. 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. THEATER LampLight Theatre in Kingsport will present a Victorian Christmas musical, "The Candy Maker's Dream," now through Dec. 21. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. A special daytime performance will be held Friday, Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m. Reservations may be made by calling the LampLight box office at 423-343-1766, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or online at www.lamplighttheatre.com. ••• FHG Productions will present "A Christmas Carol" Dec. 12-21 at 2152 Hawthorne St., Kingsport. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m., with a special matinee performance on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. For tickets or more information visit FHGProductions.org. ••• Barter Theatre will present "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical" now through Dec. 28 on Barter's Gilliam Stage. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. ••• Barter Theatre will present "The Innkeeper's Wife," a heartwarming take on the greatest story ever told, written by resident playwright Catherine Bush, now through Dec. 28 at Barter's Smith Theatre. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. ••• Theatre Bristol will present "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" live on stage at Paramount Bristol in performances Dec. 6-7. Show times are Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Paramount Bristol is located at 518 State St. in Bristol, Virginia. For ticket information call 423-212-3625 or visit ParamountBristol.org/White-Christmas. ••• Theatre Bristol will present "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus," Dec. 12-21 at the Cameo Theatre, 703 State St., Bristol, Virginia, Dec. 12-21. Tickets are on sale at www.theatrebristol.org/tickets. TRAINS The Chuckey Depot Railroad Museum in Jonesborough has opened a new exhibit titled "All Aboard! The Golden Age of Rail Travel," which features the years between the late 1800s and mid 1900s. The exhibit will display artifacts and stories of well-known passenger trains such as the Santa Fe "SuperChief," the Pennsylvania Railroad "Broadway Limited" and Southern Railway's "The Tennessean." The Chuckey Depot Museum 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. ••• The Kingsport Model Trains Project operates eight model train layouts in six rooms at the Lynn View Community Center including a 24-by-20 "O" scale representation of the Santa Train. The site is open the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and most Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m. To double check, visit the group's Facebook page. The project continues to seek a new home or at a minimum 3,000 to 4,000 square feet of storage until a new home is found. ••• Submit items for Out & About at features@sixriversmedia.com.