
Downtown Bristol Blog
Downtown Merchants & Residents Update: Neighborhood Watch and Upcoming Events at Believe in Bristol office

Attention Historic Downtown Bristol business owners, merchants, entrepreneurs, and residents! Believe in Bristol will be holding a "Downtown Update" on Monday, April 22, at 6p.m. at the Believe in Bristol office, 36 Moore Street, Bristol, VA. We will be discussing establishing a downtown Neighborhood Watch, with special guest Nicole Slagle of the Bristol, VA Police Department. We will also be presenting information on upcoming downtown events, including Border Bash and State of the Arts Weekend — these events are great opportunities to tap into the thousands of potential customers who attend! Attendance at this meeting is free, and light refreshments will be provided. For more information, please contact Ben Collins of Believe in Bristol on 423-742-7081 or email rrodgers@believeinbristol.org.
7th Annual Corn Bread & Collard Greens Blues Festival

Come to the Foundation Event Facility on Saturday, April 20, at 8p.m. for the 7th Annual Corn Bread & Collard Greens Blues Festival! Where else can you enjoy great live music from Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues, Eddie Shaw, and Catfish Fry Band with cornbread, collard greens, chicken wings, and beer? All proceeds benefit our local Susan G Komen foundation! You don't wanna miss this one! Doors open at 7p.m. and tickets are $40 GOOD TIMES General Admission and $500 GOLD ELITE – Table for 10 (Includes cornbread, collard greens, chicken wings, souvenir mug, and one beer ticket per seat). Tickets are on sale now at www.foundationeventfacility.com.
Soulful Weekend at Shelbee's Vintage Cafe

Shelbee's Vintage Cafe will be offering Soulful Weekends on the 1st and 3rd weekend of each month. We will offer: collard greens, yams, mac n cheese, beans, meat options will change weekly, banana pudding, cobblers and much more! This weekend the Soulful Weekend will be on Saturday, April 20, 1-6p.m. and Sunday, April 21, 11 until the food is GONE. FIRST COME FIRST SERVED! Check Facebook for menu details.
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Official opening of CrossFit 423!

Join us to celebrate the official opening of CrossFit 423 — open house, competition and food.
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Press Conference to Announce Border Bash 2013 Line-up!

Border Bash 2012, copyright Dan Hardoby
Now in its 14th year, Border Bash, a free concert series, has grown into a true Bristol tradition! Every first and third Friday, May – August, families join Believe in Bristol, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, and Birthplace of Country Music® to celebrate our music heritage and community spirit! This year’s lineup is unmatched – from Folk Rock and Alt-Americana to Southern Soul and Country Swing, the bands will deliver soulful vocals and toe-tapping sound throughout the summer. We look forward to releasing this year’s stellar line-up and unveiling the poster for Border Bash 2013! Please join us for a press conference on Friday, April 19, at 11:00 a.m. at the Believe in Bristol office located at 36 Moore Street, Bristol, VA.
How I Became a Pirate at the Paramount

King University Theatre presents HOW I BECAME A PIRATE at the Paramount Center for the Arts on Thursday, April 18th and Friday, April 19th at 7:30pm and Saturday, April 20th at 2:30pm. Based on the popular children's book, How I Became a Pirate tells the tale of ten year old Jeremy Jacob who joins a pirate crew for the adventure of a lifetime. Tickets: $10 Adult, $8 Seniors, $5 Local students and children, Free for King University students. For more information or to buy tickets, contact the Paramount on 423-274-8920.
Thursday Night Painting Party at blowfish emporium: Chickadee

Thursday night painting party at blowfish emporium on Thursday, April 18, 6-8pm! This fun night is open to whoever signs up... so bring a friend, bring a group, or come solo and meet new people! $32 per person, includes all materials. You are welcome to bring snacks & BYOB (alcohol is premitted for those 21+). For more information or to register, please contact blowfish emporium on 276-644-1428 or info@blowfishemporium.com.
Author Book Signings during National Library Week at the Bristol Public Library

Local authors will sign books at the Bristol Public Library during National Library Week, on Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18, from 4:30-6pm in front of the Burriss Reading Room. Two local authors, Lightnin' Charlie and Tim Rouse, will be at the library on Wednesday, April 17th. Lightnin' Charlie has been a favorite of music fans for almost thirty years. His hilarious and sensational autobiography The Trials and Tribulations of a Traveling Troubadour is now in its second edition and is in over 18,000 bookstores worldwide. Tim Rouse is a Bristol native and 8th generation Appalachian. He is proud of his roots and constantly inspired by "his people". Having grown up in this area he has a deep and profound respect for the place, the people and their heart. On Thursday, April 18th, oral historian and author Kathy Shearer will be at the library. She is the author of Tales from the Moonshine Trade. Shearer became interested in moonshine stories while interviewing people for her three previous books, community histories based on oral narratives and old photographs she collected in Russell County, Virginia. For questions about this event or any other library programs, call 276.645.8781 or visit bristol-library.org.
Upcoming Events
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Weekend Passes on Sale for $45
January 01 - May 31, 2013April youth and adult activities at the Bristol Public Library — storytimes, book clubs, and much more!
April 01 - 30, 2013606 State Street Gallery Featured Artists for April: Lauren Pruett and Alexis Snyder
April 01 - 30, 2013Author Book Signings during National Library Week at the Bristol Public Library
April 15 - 18, 2013How I Became a Pirate at the Paramount
April 18 - 20, 2013Thursday Night Painting Party at blowfish emporium: Chickadee
April 18, 2013Ryan Ward at O'Mainnin's Pub
April 18, 2013Beer tasting at Inari Wines
April 19, 2013Press Conference to announce Border Bash 2013 Line-up!
April 19, 2013Soulful Weekend at Shelbee's Vintage Cafe
April 20 - 21, 2013Official opening of CrossFit 423!
April 20, 2013The Shifters with Electric Ills at O'Mainnin's Pub
April 20, 2013Wine tasting at Inari Wines
April 20, 20137th Annual Corn Bread & Collard Greens Blues Festival
April 20, 2013Open Jam at O'Mainnin's Pub
April 22, 2013Downtown Merchant & Resident Update: Neighborhood Watch and Upcoming Events at Believe in Bristol office
April 22, 2013ETSU Old-Time, Bluegrass and Country Bands at the Pickin' Porch
April 22, 2013606 State Street Jammers at 606 State Street
April 22, 2013Unplugged Open Mic at O'Mainnin's Pub
April 23, 2013Thursday Night Painting Party at blowfish emporium: Waves of Freedom
April 25, 2013JP Parsons at O'Mainnin's Pub
April 25, 2013Beer tasting at Inari Wines
April 26, 2013King University Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Choir present DANCE! at the Paramount
April 26, 2013Kristen Cothron at 620 State
April 26, 2013Drifting Westward at Machiavelli's
April 26, 2013Honey Badgers at 620 State
April 27, 2013Student photographers host exhibition at KP on Bank Street
April 27, 2013Pinterest Project Saturday at blowfish emporium: Children's Van Gogh Flower Vase
April 27, 2013Wine tasting at Inari Wines
April 27, 2013The Paramount Chamber Players present Lasting Impressions at the Paramount
April 27, 2013606 State Street Jammers at 606 State Street Gallery
April 29, 2013Featured Artists for May at 606 State Street Gallery: Josh Shaffer and Fred Martin
May 01 - 31, 2013Beaver Creek Storytellers at 606 State Street Gallery
May 02, 2013Wine tasting at Inari Wines
May 04, 2013Derby Day at the Foundation Event Facility
May 04, 2013Artists' Reception — Josh Shaffer and Fred Martin at 606 State Street Gallery
May 10, 2013606 State Street Jammers at the 606 State Street Gallery
May 13, 2013Annual Police Memorial at Cumberland Square Park
May 15, 2013An Intimate Evening with Clint Black at the Paramount Center for the Arts
May 17, 2013606 State Street Jammers at the 606 State Street Gallery
May 20, 2013606 State Street Jammers at the 606 State Street Gallery
May 27, 2013Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Weekend Passes on sale for $50
June 01 - August 31, 2013More Upcoming Events »