Believe in Bristol

Border Bash is Back!

Celebrating 17 years in Historic DowntownBristol, Border Bash—Bristol's premier spring/summer concert series—is back for another amazing season starting May 20, 2016! Hosted by Believe in Bristol, the Birthplace of Country Music, and the Cities of Bristol, Virginia and Tennessee, Border Bash is about fun, family, great music, and creating memories to last a lifetime.

Border Bash takes place on State Street in Historic Downtown Bristol. Vendors and activities set up at 6:30 p.m. and live music begins at 7:00 p.m. Border Bash is a free community event.

2016 Border Bash band lineup:

May 20 -The CarolinaCatskins(ragtime, Appalachian swing) andThe TennesseeStifflegs(old-time, Western swing)
June 3 -The Dirk Quinn Band(funk/jazzimprov) andElliot Root(alt-rock)
June 17 -AbbieGardner & Jesse TerryandTheMidatlantic(folk-rock,newgrass)
July 4 -Front Country(Americana) andRob Nance(Americana)
July 15 -The Comet Conductors(rock) andB R U N S(rock)
August 5 -The Grand Shell Game(prog-Americana) andThe Kodiak Brotherhood(southern rock)

Downtown Bristol Events

Bike Night w/ Southern Rebellion

May 12 | Quaker Steak and Lube

Quaker Steak & Lube presents Bike Nights! All summer long (through October) Thursday nights in downtown Bristol, VA.

About Southern Rebellion
Southern Rebellion is a high energy country music group founded in the Tri-Cities area of Northeast Tennessee. Their focus is to bring our original music that has the heart of southern rock, the twang of old fashioned country music and the soul of Memphis blues all mixed together with a new age mainstream sound.

Ryan Ward

May 12 | O'Mainnin's Pub

Ryan Ward will perform at O'Mainnin's Pub in downtown Bristol.

About Ryan Ward
Ryan Ward is a talented, eclectic singer/songwriter, with an endless passion for music. He picked up his first acoustic guitar at the age of 8. Today, Ryan has incorporated many styles from artists that range from Lindsey Buckingham, Stephen Stills, to Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. Ward started writing songs at the age of 17, but focused more on stylistically solving puzzles with the guitar. Currently, Ward is focused on relaying his message through the vibrations of strings and lyric content.

"When You Get There" is an upcoming EP that includes current songs that will soon become available online and in select stores. This compilation is a blend of acoustic rock, folk, indie, and alternative. Ryan states: "I cannot categorize my music. I guess you have to listen and decide for yourself!" Whatever genre it may be, Ryan Ward's music is not to be missed!

Tango Lesson

May 13 | Bristol Ballet

Join Bristol Ballet for a Tango lesson at Bristol Ballet Studio. The lesson will begin at 7:30pm, followed by dancing from 8:30 – 10:30 pm.

Cost is $5 per person. All proceeds benefit Bristol Ballet, a 501(c)3 non-profit.

Refreshments will be provided, but a snack to share is always welcome!

BCM's Free Family Fun Day

May 14 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum

Bring in the whole family for musical activities, stories and songs, homemade instruments, and more!

Train Station Celebrates National Train Day

May 14 | Bristol Train Station

Bristol will be celebrating NATIONAL TRAIN DAY at the Bristol Train Station on Saturday, May 14, 2016! Speakers, history tours, music, and vendors. Watch for Details and Save the Date, 2pm — 5pm. Please visit http://www.bristoltrainstation.org to learn more about the Bristol Train Station.

Radio Bristol Songwriters: Martha Scanlan

May 14 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum

Radio Bristol Songwriters is a showcase of artists as lyrical storytellers. Radio Bristol is proud to welcome former Reeltime Traveler and Tennessee native Martha Scanlan to the stage for this inaugural Radio Bristol Songwriters event. A master of her craft, Scanlan’s work hasbeendescribed as powerful, haunting, and comforting all at the same time.

Tickets on sale April 8, 2016 at birthplaceofcountrymusic.org.

Salsa Carnival

May 14 | Shelbee's Vintage Cafe

Shelbees will be decorated in the Latin Flare for our Carnival, so come dressed in a colorful flavor and dare to impress. Start with a brief Salsa lesson at 7:30 pm, then feel free to roam and enjoy the Latin themed appetizers and buffet. Featuring contests and prizes throughout the evening as you dance into the early morning hours. Cover charge is $10 per person, all Beer $3.

The New Conspirators

May 14 | Bristol Brewery

The New Conspirators will be bringing their honky tonk stylings to one of the finest brewery establishments in the southeast!

Bristol Brewery is proud to have The New Conspirators at the Brewery Saturday, May 14, from 8:00 — 10:00 PM. Come out to Bristol Brewery for some good tunes, some good food from Foodie Fiction, and, of course, some good beer!

American Craft Beer Week

May 16–18 | Studio Brew

"Beer is an art. A very tasty art." -Studio Brew

Join us at Studio Brew to celebrate the art of beer. We're kicking off American Craft Beer Week in style! Art Untapped will be for sale at the brewery these three nights...come out and support a great cause! Proceeds from the sale of each keg goes to a local non-profit organization:

Believe in Bristol,Kingsport Carousel,What's the Buzz Johnson City,Overmountain Chapter Trout Unlimited,WETS-FM,The Warrior's Canvas & Veterans Art Center,Washington County, TN Animal Shelter,Friends of Literacy,Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley

Also Coming Up

More Upcoming Events »


Community Notice Board

Save on Coats & Jackets at L.C. King

Through May 16

Click here to view specials.



Bristol Office Supply Weekly Specials

Through May 13

Click here to view weekly specials.



Highland View Elementary Student Artwork Showcase

Through June 1 | Hayes Furniture Building

The Arts & Entertainment District is hosting the 5th Annual Student Art Gallery in Downtown Bristol. In an effort to “Cultivate Bristol’s Creativity,” the district has invited the local schools to help us beautify our community by providing art to decorate the front windows of the former Hayes Furniture Building on State Street.

“The student art gallery is an invaluable tool for growth for our future artists, engineers, designers, and painters of tomorrow,” says Maggie Bishop, Associate Director for Believe in Bristol. “By giving children the chance to be part of our arts community, we hope that they will grow to love the arts and make them an important part of their lives – and one day they will be the ones keeping the arts alive here in our downtown!”

Each school or group that participates has a month-long period to display their students’ art in the space. The sixth gallery of art went up last week, showcasing space themed artwork in honor of Earth Day, from Pre-K and kindergarten students at Highland View Elementary.

Mrs. Ayers Pre-K students made a planet Earth in honor of Earth Day using a shaving cream and paint technique. They placed a paper plate on the shaving cream with blue and green paint and it created a print that resembles the Earth.

Mrs. Kistener’s kindergarten class learned about pattern by making a paper weaving robot that’s out of this world! First, kindergarten students made their paper weaving with construction paper by weaving strips over and under. They learned how to use a “magic trick” with each row of paper by starting with an opposite. After finishing their paper weaving, they used paper to cut their robot’s head, arms, and legs out. Last, they added space buttons and details using tin foil and shiny sequins.

Mrs. Downes’ kindergarten class created a rocket ship to blast off with into space! First, students drew their rocket ship in pencil with their art teacher in a guided drawing. They drew the Earth behind their rocket ship and Saturn in the faraway distance with stars scattered throughout shining brightly. Students outlined their drawings with black crayons and then colored using crayons. Last, students created a watercolor resist using black watercolor paint over their crayons and added glitter to their rocket ship’s flames.

Artwork by the students from Highland View Elementary will be on display at the Hayes Furniture Building until June 1, 2016.

For more information, please contact Maggie Bishop at Believe in Bristol at 276-644-9700 or maggie@believeinbristol.org.