Believe in Bristol

Downtown Bristol Blog

PUSH! Film Festival Has New Dates and Website; Currently Accepting Submissions

PUSH! Film Festival has set new dates, unveiled a new website, and is currently accepting film submissions. PUSH! Film Festival’s committees have been working hard since the inaugural festival ended in June 2015 to make the 2016 festival a follow-up success. With the months of planning came the idea of moving the festival weekend to October 21–23, 2016.

“When our Lead Committee discussed the idea of moving PUSH! from June to October, we revisited our mission and our goal for PUSH! to be a filmmakers’ festival,” said Festival Chair, Jessica Barnett. “Changing the festival’s timing to October provided a longer lead time for filmmakers to submit their films, and it also makes it easier for college and university students to attend. We really want to foster the talents of our local student filmmakers – by giving them an opportunity to showcase their work, meet other professional filmmakers, and attend an established film festival in their local community, we hope that they will be inspired and motivated to keep telling their stories through film.”

Another change the festival is excited to share is their new website, www.pushfilmfest.com. Camellia Digital worked with PUSH!’s Marketing Committee to design a new website that would reflect PUSH!’s brand, but also be filmmaker and audience friendly.

“We are so happy with our new website design! We cannot thank Camellia Digital enough for their help and hard work on this project. They have done a phenomenal job – they were great to work with, and we look forward to working with them on future projects,” said Briana Morris, PUSH!’s Marketing Chair.

PUSH! is currently accepting film submissions for the October festival. Please visit www.pushfilmfest.com to make your submission by the deadline of June 5.

PUSH! Film Festival is also looking for contributors. For more information about contributing to PUSH! Film Festival, please visit www.pushfilmfest.com, or contact Christina Blevins or Maggie Bishop at 276-644-9700, pushfilmfest@believeinbristol.org.

About PUSH! Film Festival
PUSH! Film Festival, held in Historic Downtown Bristol, TN/VA, hosts a variety of curated movies, workshops and presentations about film, along with screenings of juried shorts, features, and films focused on Tennessee and Virginia.



Birthplace of Country Music Receives Multiple Honors

The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM), parent organization of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, and Radio Bristol, took home top honors at the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association's (NETTA) 19th annual Pinnacle Awards, including "Best of Show" for BCM's interactive remote exhibit at the Bristol, Virginia Welcome Center. BCM received two Pinnacle Awards for its public relations and advertising campaigns surrounding the CD release ofOrthphonic Joy: The 1927 Bristol Sessions Revisited, an award was given for the organization's website, and one for the economic impact of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, which is estimated to add more than $16 million in tax revenue for Bristol and the surrounding region.

Additionally, BCM board member Keith Liskey was honored as NETTA's Volunteer of the Year. The former chief operating officer of Strongwell Corporation in Bristol, Virginia has been integral in the development of business plans for each of its branches, and he also works closely with staff to curate and promote artisan wares at The Museum Store.

In March the Birthplace of Country Music Museum also received honors recently from the Tennessee Association of Museums (TAM). An Award of Excellence was achieved for the museum's special exhibit "Tennessee Ernie Ford: A Life On Stage," which closed in February of this year. An Award of Excellence for A/V Exhibit Component was given for the WBCM Radio Bristol station. Housed in public view within the museum's permanent exhibits, Radio Bristol provides visitors with a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the workings of a radio station and features live and pre-recorded programming.

In addition, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion are both winners in the hearts and minds of more than 400,000 readers of Virginia Living Magazine. The museum was voted "Best Museum" in southwest Virginia in a readers poll for the magazine's "Best of Virginia 2016" issue, published in early May. Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion ranked in the top 3 for "Best Family Entertainment"; Abingdon, Virginia's Historic Barter Theatre took home first place in the category.

"Everyone at the Birthplace of Country Music is inspired and passionate about our mission," said Leah Ross, BCM Executive Director. "Any achievement by our organization is a direct reflection of the hard work of our staff and volunteers. We are very grateful our work has been recognized."



Downtown Bristol Events

Art Untapped

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

Hiring Expo

May 19 | Bristol Motor Speedway

Connect with local employers May 19th from 10am to 7pm at the Bristol, TN Hiring Expo. This FREE event will feature over 2,000 Bristol jobs! Full and part time jobs are available. Some offers will be made on the spot!

For more information, phone 423-764-4171 or email hiringexpo@bristoltn.org.

Are you an employer with positions to fill? Come be part of the largest hiring event in the area! This event is 100% free to both employers and job seekers. All sectors and industries are welcome. An 8 ft. table with table cloth, 2 chairs, wi-fi, and private interview space are provided. Table space is limited! Contact us at 423-764-4171 no later than May 10, 2016 to reserve your space.

"Morristown: In the Air and Sun" Film Screening

May 19 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum

“Morristown: In the Air and Sun” will be screened in the museum’s Performance Theater on Thursday, May 19 at 6:30pm. A working class response to globalization, this hour-length documentary looks at the issues of immigration, factory flight, and the organized demand for economic justice. The film is free and open to the public.

This film screening is part of the programming to accompany our special exhibit “Made in Tennessee: Manufacturing Milestones.” The exhibit chronicles the rich variety of manufacturing traditions in Tennessee over the past 2 ½ centuries from the early agricultural and craft heritage to our current age of advanced technology and global competition. The diverse panels and artifacts highlight the history of manufacturing in Tennessee, while also featuring a huge variety of the industries and companies that were once found – or still exist – throughout the state, including several local manufacturers.

For more information about the film, check out:http://www.annelewis.org/Morristown_info.html.

Economics and Finance in a Two-Percent Economy by John Silvia

May 20 | Bristol Train Station

John Silvia is a managing director and the chief economist for Wells Fargo. Based in Charlotte, N.C., he has held his position since he joined Wachovia, a Wells Fargo predecessor, in  as
the company’s chief economist. Prior to his current position, John worked on Capitol Hill as senior economist for the U.S. Senate Joint Economic Committee and chief economist for the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing and Urban A airs Committee. Before that, he was chief economist of Kemper Funds and managing director of Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.

8:00 – 8:20 am: Complimentary Hot Breakfast Buffet

8:20 – 8:30 am: Welcome ~ Shana DelForge Jones, Business Banking Bristol

8:30 – 9:30 am: John Silvia, Global Economist

Please RSVP to liz.weaver@wellsfargo.com 423-793-3849 or shelby.chierchia@wellsfargo.com 540-563-6655

Border Bash: Carolina Catskins

May 20 | Downtown Bristol

Birthed in North Carolina, the Carolina Catskins are known for their jugband sound and Appalachian Swing. Band members include Lanky Strawbones, Dirty "big spicey" Spice, Rhino Horn, Ginger Tiddley Winks, and Hersh Mcgersh.

Border Bash, a free summer concert series held annually May through August, celebrates its 17th anniversary including children’s activities, arts & craft and food vendors in addition to live music and much more. All the events will be in the 400 & 500 Block of State Street this year, except for June 17th, which will be held in the Downtown Center, and July 4th, which will be held in Cumberland Square Park.

Border Bash is a free community event supported by the Cities of Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee, Anne and Ben Cowan, Bank of Tennessee, Blackbird Bakery, Blakley-Mitchell Co., Brown, Edwards & Co., Camellia Digital, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Express AV Productions, New Peoples Bank, Renasant Bank, Revolution Curbside Recycling, Strongwell Corporation, The Bristol Hotel: McCall Capital, LLC, Tom and Barbara Smith/ Merrill Lynch, Tri City Tent and Event, Walling Distributing, Wells Fargo and media sponsors Bristol Herald Courier, Radio Bristol, 99.3 The X, Electric 94.9 FM, WCYB-5, and WXBQ 96.9 FM.

Darrell Scott

May 20 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum

The Birthplace of Country Music is proud to present an intimate Friends of 1927 concert experience with esteemed Grammy-nominated performer, recording artist, and ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Darrell Scott.

The Friends of 1927 Concert Series is an intimate concert experience where fans have the opportunity to interact with the artists in a relaxed setting over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, all included in the ticket price.

Tickets are made available first to Friends of 1927 for a limited time before opening them up to the public. There is a very limited number of tickets so everyone is encouraged to purchase early.

Ask how you can become a Friend of 1927 and support the Birthplace of Country Music Museum by emailing info@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org or call 423-573-1927.

Tickets are $80 and go on sale to the public April 1.

Porch 40

May 20 | Bristol Brewery

Porch 40 will play Bristol Brewery on Friday, May 20th with Field Notes as the opener. $9 online in advance (click here to buy tickets) or $15 at the door. Show starts at 8 on the outdoor stage.

Border Bash: Tennessee Stifflegs

May 20 | Downtown Bristol

The Tennessee Stifflegs are from Knoxville, Tennessee and play time honored harmonies and high-energy swing classics. The band values the raw imperfections of an Appalachian string band, while drawing from the cannon of early western swing, hillbilly jazz, and blues music. Their obsession with these early styles of music is overt, but does not interfere with their unique and sophisticated sound. The band is led by a duo, whose practiced harmonies and swinging rhythm pair perfectly with the sounds of the evil lap steel and razor-sharp upright bass. The musical stylings of the Tennessee Stifflegs will inspire folks to dance, and are a common prescription for a bad case of the blues.

Border Bash, a free summer concert series held annually May through August, celebrates its 17th anniversary including children’s activities, arts & craft and food vendors in addition to live music and much more. All the events will be in the 400 & 500 Block of State Street this year, except for June 17th, which will be held in the Downtown Center, and July 4th, which will be held in Cumberland Square Park.

Border Bash is a free community event supported by the Cities of Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee, Anne and Ben Cowan, Bank of Tennessee, Blackbird Bakery, Blakley-Mitchell Co., Brown, Edwards & Co., Camellia Digital, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Express AV Productions, New Peoples Bank, Renasant Bank, Revolution Curbside Recycling, Strongwell Corporation, The Bristol Hotel: McCall Capital, LLC, Tom and Barbara Smith/ Merrill Lynch, Tri City Tent and Event, Walling Distributing, Wells Fargo and media sponsors Bristol Herald Courier, Radio Bristol, 99.3 The X, Electric 94.9 FM, WCYB-5, andWXBQ96.9 FM.

The Grand Ole Uproar

May 20 | O'Mainnin's Pub

The Grand Ole Uproar's musical gumbo conjures up the Texas twang of Waylon Jennings and Doug Sahm, the electric carnival of Dylan, the improvisational impulses of the Grateful Dead, and the laid-back swampy sound of J.J. Cale, as well as many other(and older) songs and artists in the American tradition.

The Grand Ole Uproar frequently tours the Southeast and Midwest, appearing recently on Knoxville TN's Blue Plate Special Radio Program on WDVX and Balcony TV Nashville. The Uproar has shared the stage with artists like Zach Deputy, PALEFACE, The Corbitt Brothers, The Deadstring Brothers, and Cosmic Charlie.

Available now on Spotify and Itunes, The Grand Ole Uproar's newest album, Good Long Spell, features guest appearances by Whiskeytown's Caitlin Cary and John Howie Jr.

Music Law for Musicians with Justin Laughter, Attorney

May 21 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum

On Saturday, May 21, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. the Birthplace of Country Music will host a seminar for musicians or music business professionalswhom are interested in learning more about the legal side of the music business.

Justin Laughter, a business, intellectual property, and entertainment attorney with Threshold Councel, PC in Richmond, Virginia will lead the seminar consisting of three separate hour long programs providing a crash course in music law – (i) Choosing and Protecting Your Band or Artist Stage Name, (ii) Songwriting and Sound Recording Law 101, and (iii) Band Entities and Agreements. Attendees will gain essential background into the legal areas relevant to their creative careers as well as practical advice to avoid common pitfalls.

Justin Laughter’s experiencerepresenting clients is wide-ranging, including business and non-profit structuring and operations, copyright and trademark protection and enforcement, internet law, and private securities offerings. He regularly counsels startups, makers, and other creative entrepreneurs.
Justin has been honored as a Virginia Super Lawyers-Rising Star in IP (2013-2016), part of Virginia Business Magazine’s Legal Elite (2011, 2014) and as one of Richmond’s Top 40 under 40 by Style Weekly Magazine (2008). He is a 2003 graduate of the University of Virginia (Phi Beta Kappa) and a 2006 graduate of William and Mary Law School (Order of the Coif).

He is also active in the nonprofit, creative, and entertainment community. Justin is a Board Member of C3: The Creative Change Center, Board Member of JAMinc, Board Member of AMP! Metro Richmond, Board Member of OneVoice, Board Member of Gallery5 (museum, art, and performance), a member of Lawyers for the Arts, and a member of the Richmond CenterStage Associates Board. He is also the former Interim Executive Director of Virginians for the Arts, a statewide arts advocacy non-profit organization. Further, Justin is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, known for its Grammy Awards. He routinely speaks to community audiences, law students, and professionals on legal topics.

Justin is Co-Founder of Educational Media Creations Company, LLC dba Silly Bus, an educational media company organized to help children feel confident, successful, and happy while learning foundational components of elementary education (see www.sillybus.net).

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online.

Detox Yin-Yang Yoga

May 21 | Wellness Yoga of Bristol

Enjoy this opportunity to experience the power of aromatherapy as a way to stay with intentional breath and focus, to facilitate releasing and softening into your practice. This workshop will encourage the release of toxins in the body and mind. You will begin with a Flow to warm up the body and get things moving and will end with Restorative Yin focused on opening up the hips to stimulate clearing in the kidney and liver meridians. Providing the perfect environment for your body to "Replenish" itself.

You may sign up for this workshop by leaving a message at 276-644-3086, place your name on the sign-up sheet at Wellness Yoga of Bristol or join the event on Facebook.

This is a Donation-only class so please feel free to donate whatever amount you wish.

Bristol Ballet presents Cinderella

May 21 | Paramount Center for the Arts

This performance by all of the students and company members of Bristol Ballet tells the delightful and well known story of Cinderella. With the beautiful music of Sergei Prokofiev, who finished the score for the ballet in 1945, there will be drama, sorrow, comedy, and happiness all wrapped into one ballet. And of course, dancing. Lots of dancing! Special guest artist Israel Rodriguez appears as the Prince.

The CHR Band

May 21 | Bristol Brewery

The CHR Band will play Bristol Brewery on Saturday, May 21st. The CHR Band is a Rock N' Roll band with deep roots in country, rock, rhythm, and blues. Show starts at 8 on the outdoor stage.

Also Coming Up

More Upcoming Events »


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Bristol Office Supply Weekly Specials

Through May 20

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LC King Summer Clearance

Save up to 75%

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