Downtown Bristol Blog
Birthplace of Country Music Museum To Participate in Blue Star Museums

TheBirthplace of Country Music Museum announced its participation in Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve and their families through Labor Day 2016. The program also provides families an opportunity to enjoy the nation’s cultural heritage and learn more about their new communities after a military move.
“Our active duty families give so much in support of communities across the U.S., and it is important for heritage sites and museums to show appreciation and support of active duty personnel,” said Dr. Jessica Turner, Director of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. “We welcome these families into the museum and hope they visit Bristol for a meaningful experience.”
“The Blue Star Museums program is a fun, free activity for military families to enjoy during the summer months,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “The program is also a great way for service member families to connect to their new communities, and it can provide a meaningful way for families to reconnect after deployment. The Blue Star Museums program is also a perfect way for the arts community to say ‘thank you’ to our service members and their families for the sacrifices they make on our behalf, every day.”
“Blue Star Museums has grown into a nationally recognized program that service members and their families look forward to each year,” said Blue Star Families Chief Executive Officer Kathy Roth-Douquet. “It helps bring our local military and civilian communities together, and offers families fun and enriching activities in their home towns. We are thrilled with the continued growth of the program and the unparalleled opportunities it offers.”
This year, more than 2,000 (and counting) museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative. Museums are welcome to join Blue Star Museums throughout the summer. The effort to recruit museums has involved partnerships with the American Alliance of Museums, the Association of Art Museum Directors, the Association of Children’s Museums, the American Association of State and Local History, and the Association of Science-Technology Centers. This year’s Blue Star Museums represent not just fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, nature centers, and dozens of children’s museums.
Downtown Bristol Events
State Street Farmer's Market

Join us at the State Street Farmer's Market, where local merchants, fresh food and fun times come together. Choose your favorite local produce, homemade foods and unique arts and crafts. The market is open from May through October.
May — October
Saturdays 8 am — Noon
July — September
Wednesdays 2 — 6 pm
Don't forget! The State Street Farmer's Market accepts SNAP/EBT cards. Participants can scan their card and receive wooden tokens of either $1 or $2 in value and can use those tokens with participating vendors.
How to Sell on eBay and Etsy Workshop

People, Inc. will walk you through the whole process of selling on Ebay & Etsy. They even have some advanced tips for those of you already selling online. Turn old inventory into cash, or make money off things cluttering your basement!
This Free Workshop Includes:
- How to set-up Ebay & Etsy accounts
- How to list items for sale
- Selling Strategies
- Advice for Amazon, Craigslist, and more!
- Tips & Tricks for Success
Click here to register online.
Full Moon Jam: Thomas Taylor

Thomas Taylor and the Nightshade Band is one of the area's finest country and classic rock bands around! They have opened up for Billy "Crash" Craddock, Earl Thomas Conley, John Anderson, Gene Watson, Exile, Billy Joe Royal, Bobby Bare, T.G. Sheppard, Billy Walker, Mark Collie, Jamey Johnson, Andy Griggs, Ricky Van Shelton, Ronnie McDowell, Dan Seals, and more.
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For the 20th year, the City of Bristol Tennessee will be hosting the free concert series "Full Moon Jam" on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Downtown Center (Country Music Mural), 810 State Street. Performances begin at 7 p.m. and continue until 9 or 9:30 p.m. through September 29th.
Bring a lawn chair or come early to grab one of the 350 chairs provided on-site. Refreshments are sold in the concessions area for a nominal fee. Clean, well-stocked restrooms also available.
You are asked not to park in the bank drive-through area adjacent to the venue and please do not to bring skateboards or bicycles into the venue. Parking is available on Shelby Street in the Municipal parking lot or on State Street in designated parking spaces.
Bands subject to change without notice. For more information visit the City of Bristol TN website.
The Pickin' Porch Show: Bill & the Belles

This week's Pickin' Porch Show will feature Bill & the Belles.
Salsa Social

Join Studio Brew for a fun night of Salsa Dancing. Studio Brew's Craft Beer, Chef Ryan's Studio Salsa & Chips, plus Aulikki's Sangria Special will be available. Come dance Salsa, Bachata, Merengue and some Hip Hop. Beginner Salsa lesson kicks off the party from 7:00pm to 7:45pm.
$10.00 cover includes your dance lesson plus complementary chips & salsa. Come and enjoy the Dance Party at Studio Brew! Cheers!
Bristol Pirates vs. Elizabethton

Tunes at Noon: Senior Show Choir presents Legends of Show Business

Come on in to the Paramount to enjoy a free live entertainment! ($5 suggested donation.) Weekly free summer series have been a tradition at The Paramount and have been made possible by David and Frances F. Caldwell.
Special Thursday night performance July 28th at 7:30.
Friday afternoon performance at 12 noon.
Bristol Bizarre presents The Blue Period

The Bristol Bizarre is not your typical visual art show. We feature the best of local painting, photography, jewelry, crafts, and more! The cover gets you 5 tickets that can be spent at carnival themed artist created games. Each local artist will have at least one piece of work in their interpretation of "The Blue Period." Come out and see what local artists have to offer.
Enjoy the live music, games, visual art, and have plenty to to drink.
21+ No Smoking Upstairs. $5 cover.
Music & Movies in the Park: Big Stone Gap

This week's movie: Big Stone Gap
FREE Music & Movies in the Park brought to you by BVU, PUSH! Film Festival, and City of Bristol Virginia and the Parks and Recreation Department! Bring a lawn chair or blanket and settle in for live music and a great movie the whole family can enjoy. Concessions available.
Movie at dusk (8:45 — 9 pm)
Madly Backwards

Madly Backwards is hitting the road for a short run of solo shows down south so tell your friends. Eric will be playing Bristol Brewery in Bristol, VA on Friday, July 29th. Free show!
About Madly Backwards:
Madly Backwards is a rock n’ roll band from Harrisonburg, VA. Formed in 2013, they are currently comprised of Eric Sites onguitar and vocals, Neil Forde on guitar, Nick Wilson on bass guitar, and Jamie Infantino on drums. Their music combines the grit of blues, the energy of funk, and the sonic experimentation of psychedelic on top of a rock foundation. They draw on everything from the alt-rock of The Black Keys to the heaviness of Black Sabbath and then add a willingness to jam reminiscent of the Allman Brothers Band to create a distinct yet classic sound. When playing live, they constantly adapt their set and often feature other musicians to produce a unique experience for every show. They are beginning to work their way around the Mid-Atlantic United States and continue to play extensively in the Harrisonburg music scene.
Rob-Con 2016

Heroes and villains will be coming to life at Viking Hall on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. Admission is $15.00 for one day or $25.00 for two days. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
“Brace for a Rob-Con of epic proportions,” said Robert Pilk, Rob-Con founder. “This is our 31st year, and this will be one of the largest multi-format conventions in the area.” The pop-culture convention is a must for comic and sci-fi fans. The convention provides attendees with the opportunity to buy, sell and interact with writers, artists and others in the comic industry.
Some of the top talent in the south will be on hand for the convention. “Fans of comic book artists and writers of the fantastic and legendary will find plenty to enjoy, with Star Wars, Dr. Who, Ghostbusters and more represented at the show,” continued Pilk. Famous fantasy artists Charles Vess, Scott Hampton and Tom Lyle will be on hand to meet fans, along with top-notch comic artists such as John Hairston, Grebo Watson, Kevin Sharpe and Alex Ogle. The convention will introduce a new area dubbed “Artist Alley” where the public can find all the artists in one location rather than spread throughout the center.
The long-running Snuffy Smith comic strip artist, John Rose, will be in attendance along with New York Times best-selling author, Jennifer Estep. Other area writers will include Gayle Trent, Misty Martin and Ronda Caudill. Comic creators Jeremy Massie, Brent Marcus Cook, Brent Harris and others will also be present.
Dr. Who fans will enjoy the life-size “Tardis” and “Dalek” from the Cosplay Kasterborous fan club. The East Tennessee R2D2 Builders will have radio controlled “droids” at the event, along with Tennessee Ghostbusters with a replica of the famous movie car.
A vast number of vendors and craftspeople will be on hand with comics, toys, jewelry, models and other collectibles. The ever-popular costume contest has grown in popularity every year and is set for Sunday at 3 p.m.
For more information, call Mountain Empire Comics at 423-274-0450 or 423-929-8245 or visit the website at www.robcon.org.
Yoga in the Park

Do you like spending time outside? Do you like listening to bird songs? Do you want to meet new friends and take care of your health? Join Wellness Yoga of Bristol in the park for a free yoga practice. Classes will be held every Saturday in June, July, and August, weather permitting. The yoga practices will be taught by Rita Gregory and Nicole Putnam. Enjoy your free yoga practice in the midst of beautiful nature! Practices will be held at Cumberland Square Park in Bristol, VA! See you on the mat!
First Appalachian Robotics Tech Saturday: Raspberry Pi

Come learn with our team about the Raspberry Pi microcontroller.
Friends of 1927 Concert: The Quebe Sisters

The Birthplace of Country Music proudly welcomes Texas swing sweethearts The Quebe Sisters (sounds like “maybe”) to Theatre Bristol for an intimate Friends of 1927 Concert experience. The triple-threat fiddle champions and multi-part close harmony singers are alumni of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and have shared stages with music legends such as Willie Nelson, George Strait, Merle Haggard, and many more.
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. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are all included in the ticket price, along with taxes and fees. Want to become a Friend of 1927? Click here for more information.
Friends of 1927 can click here to purchase tickets now. Tickets go on sale to the public July 1.
HB Beverly

Bristol Brewery is proud to welcome back HB Beverly to perform at the Brewery Saturday, July 30, at 8:00 PM. Come out to Bristol Brewery for some good tunes, some good food, from Wolfe's BBQ Food Truck, and, of course, some good beer!
BCM Museum Celebrates Second Anniversary

Since its Grand Opening in August of 2014, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum has achieved numerous awards, received national and international press coverage, and welcomed visitors from all over the world. Next month the museum celebrates its second anniversary by giving a few gifts of its own to the community in the way of savings on admission and merchandise from The Museum Store.
“We are so pleased with the museum’s awards and honors, which validate the research and effort that went into the museum,” said Museum Director Dr. Jessica Turner. “We continue to work toward building the kind of institution that will lead into the future and which this great community deserves.”
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum celebrates its second anniversary with discounts on admission and other incentives from Tuesday, August 2 – Sunday, August 7, 2016. Next week, admission to the museum will be reduced to $5 for all patrons plus taxes, museum members will receive a 20% discount on their purchase at The Museum Store (exclusions apply,) and if a patron signs up as a new member or renews a museum membership, the museum will give two (2) additional museum day passes.
“As we celebrate the museum’s second year anniversary, it’s amazing to see how far our organization has come in such a short time,” said Leah Ross, Executive Director of the Birthplace of Country Music, the parent organization of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, and Radio Bristol. “We urge everyone to come visit the museum during our anniversary week in August at a reduced cost and learn more about Bristol’s important place in music history.”
Also Coming Up
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State Street Farmer's Market
July 27 | Downtown Center -
How to Sell on eBay and Etsy Workshop
July 27 | Bristol VA Public Schools Office -
Full Moon Jam: Thomas Taylor
July 28 | Downtown Center -
The Pickin' Porch Show: Bill & the Belles
July 28 | Mountain Music Museum -
Salsa Social
July 28 | Studio Brew -
Bristol Pirates vs. Elizabethton
July 28 | Boyce Cox Field -
Tunes at Noon: Senior Show Choir presents Legends of Show Business
July 28–29 | Paramount Center for the Arts -
Bristol Bizarre presents The Blue Period
July 28 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Music & Movies in the Park: Big Stone Gap
July 28 | Cumberland Square Park -
Bristol Pirates vs. Elizabethton
July 29 | Boyce Cox Field -
Madly Backwards
July 29 | Bristol Brewery -
State Street Farmer's Market
July 30 | Downtown Center -
Rob-Con 2016
July 30–31 | Viking Hall -
Yoga in the Park
July 30 | Cumberland Square Park -
First Appalachian Robotics Tech Saturday: Raspberry Pi
July 30 | Bristol Public Library -
Friends of 1927 Concert: The Quebe Sisters
July 30 | Theatre Bristol -
HB Beverly
July 30 | Bristol Brewery -
Bristol Pirates vs. Johnson City
July 31 | Boyce Cox Field -
Bristol Pirates vs. Johnson City
August 1 | Boyce Cox Field -
BCM Museum Celebrates Second Anniversary
August 2–7 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum -
Bristol Pirates vs. Johnson City
August 2 | Boyce Cox Field -
4th Annual Bristol Chamber of Commerce State of the Cities
August 3 | Bristol Train Station -
State Street Farmer's Market
August 3 | Downtown Center -
Full Moon Jam: Billy Crawford
August 4 | Downtown Center -
Bike Night w/ Southern Rebellion
August 4 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
Bark in the Park: Lassie
August 4 | Cumberland Square Park -
The Pickin' Porch Show: Robert Lester
August 4 | Mountain Music Museum -
Laura Thurston
August 4 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Border Bash: The Grand Shell Game
August 5 | Downtown Bristol -
Border Bash: The Kodiak Brotherhood
August 5 | Downtown Bristol -
Dan Deel
August 5 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
Soulfinger
August 5 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
State Street Farmer's Market
August 6 | Downtown Center -
Yoga in the Park
August 6 | Cumberland Square Park -
Iron Horse Bluegrass
August 6 | Piedmont Station -
Soulfinger
August 6 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Beaver Creek Storytellers
August 7 | Bristol Public Library -
Bristol Pirates vs. Kingsport
August 7 | Boyce Cox Field -
Bristol Pirates vs. Kingsport
August 8 | Boyce Cox Field -
Social Media Marketing Class
August 9 | Bristol Chamber of Commerce -
Bristol Pirates vs. Kingsport
August 9 | Boyce Cox Field -
State Street Farmer's Market
August 10 | Downtown Center -
Full Moon Jam: Music Memories
August 11 | Downtown Center -
The Pickin' Porch Show: Ronnie Williams
August 11 | Mountain Music Museum -
Ryan Ward
August 11 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Hot Bristol Night Antique Car Show
August 12 | Downtown Bristol -
James Meadows
August 12 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
State Street Farmer's Market
August 13 | Downtown Center -
Yoga in the Park
August 13 | Cumberland Square Park -
Bristol Pirates vs. Pulaski
August 13 | Boyce Cox Field -
Bristol Pirates vs. Pulaski
August 14 | Boyce Cox Field -
Bristol Pirates vs. Pulaski
August 15 | Boyce Cox Field -
Bristol Pirates vs. Pulaski
August 16 | Boyce Cox Field -
State Street Farmer's Market
August 17 | Downtown Center -
Full Moon Jam / Food City Family Race Night: Retroville
August 18 | Downtown Center -
Full Moon Jam / Food City Family Race Night: Marcus Boyd
August 18 | Downtown Center -
Full Moon Jam / Food City Family Race Night: Shooter
August 18 | Downtown Center -
Bristol Pirates vs. Johnson City
August 18 | Boyce Cox Field -
Bristol Pirates vs. Johnson City
August 19 | Boyce Cox Field -
State Street Farmer's Market
August 20 | Downtown Center -
Yoga in the Park
August 20 | Cumberland Square Park -
Bristol Pirates vs. Johnson City
August 20 | Boyce Cox Field -
Quarter Bounce
August 20 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
Apps for Business Workshop
August 23 | Bristol Chamber of Commerce -
Bristol Pirates vs. Elizabethton
August 23 | Boyce Cox Field -
State Street Farmer's Market
August 24 | Downtown Center -
Full Moon Jam: Midnight Riders — Allman Brothers Tribute Band
August 25 | Downtown Center -
The Great Affairs
August 26 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
State Street Farmer's Market
August 27 | Downtown Center -
Yoga in the Park
August 27 | Cumberland Square Park -
Healing Hands 11th Annual Fundraising Gala
August 27 | Studio Brew -
Bristol Pirates vs. Princeton
August 27 | Boyce Cox Field -
Billy Bob Thornton & the Boxmasters
August 28 | Paramount Center for the Arts -
Bristol Pirates vs. Princeton
August 28 | Boyce Cox Field -
Bristol Pirates vs. Princeton
August 29 | Boyce Cox Field -
State Street Farmer's Market
August 31 | Downtown Center -
Full Moon Jam: Shooter
September 1 | Downtown Center -
Laura Thurston
September 1 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
State Street Farmer's Market
September 3 | Downtown Center -
State Street Farmer's Market
September 7 | Downtown Center -
Full Moon Jam: James Meadows
September 8 | Downtown Center -
Ryan Ward
September 8 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
State Street Farmer's Market
September 10 | Downtown Center -
Social Media 101 Workshop
September 13 | Bristol Chamber of Commerce -
State Street Farmer's Market
September 14 | Downtown Center -
State Street Farmer's Market
September 21 | Downtown Center -
Full Moon Jam: WyldeHeart
September 22 | Downtown Center -
Quarter Bounce
September 23 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
State Street Farmer's Market
September 24 | Downtown Center -
State Street Farmer's Market
September 28 | Downtown Center -
Full Moon Jam: Southern 76
September 29 | Downtown Center -
Ride the Line Bike Rally
September 30 – October 2 | Downtown Bristol -
State Street Farmer's Market
October 1 | Downtown Center -
The Black Jacket Symphony presents The Beatles' Abbey Road
October 1 | Paramount Center for the Arts -
Laura Thurston
October 6 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Dan Deel
October 7 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
State Street Farmer's Market
October 8 | Downtown Center -
Ryan Ward
October 13 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
The Royal Hounds
October 14 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
State Street Farmer's Market
October 15 | Downtown Center -
The Gentlemen & Liars
October 21 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
State Street Farmer's Market
October 22 | Downtown Center -
Below 7
October 22 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Appalachian AACA Trunk & Treat
October 28 | TriSummit Bank -
James Meadows
October 28 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
State Street Farmer's Market
October 29 | Downtown Center -
Laura Thurston
November 3 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Below 7
November 5 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Ryan Ward
November 10 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
James Meadows
November 25 | Quaker Steak and Lube -
Laura Thurston
December 1 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Ryan Ward
December 8 | O'Mainnin's Pub -
Below 7
December 16 | O'Mainnin's Pub
Community Notice Board
Bristol Office Supply Weekly Specials

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