Downtown Bristol Blog

City announces second annual Spread the Glove initiative

With cold weather quickly approaching, winters like this are especially difficult for those less fortunate in the community. Last winter the City of Bristol’s Spread the Glove campaign proved to be an overwhelming success, with over 1,000 items donated. The campaign actually began two years ago when a transit driver saw some of her bus riders without gloves and other cold weather necessities. She decided she had to do something to help out, so she set out to gather cold weather items. On cold days, she tied the items to umbrellas located at the city’s transit center for anyone to take who needed such. Other members of the community reached out to help and began knitting toboggans, mittens, gloves and scarves to donate.

Last year the city’s Community Relations Department took on the program; and with the assistance of local radio stations and high school sports teams, the Spread the Glove campaign began without any expectations of how it would work out. With those partnerships in place, the department was able to spread the word to the public. “We were overwhelmed with the thoughtfulness shown by so many in our community,” said Terrie Talbert, Director of Community Relations for the City.

This year’s Spread the Glove initiative will begin on Thursday, December 1 and will continue through the end of February.

Donations of any new or gently used gloves, hats, and scarves may be brought to the lobby in Bristol Tennessee’s City Hall, or any of the city Fire Stations. Staff will collect the items and attach a note letting everyone know the items are not lost, but are there for the taking if someone should find themselves out in the cold and in need of something warm. City staff will be responsible for placing the items in the downtown area. “Winters can be long. It will take a true community effort for the initiative to be successful again this year.” Talbert said.

For more information on the program, contact Terrie Talbert at 423-989-5500 Ext. 2055 or email tsmith-talbert@bristoltn.org.

Downtown Bristol Events

Little Women: The Musical

Theatre Bristol presents "Little Women, The Broadway Musical" November 18 through Thanksgiving weekend until December 4 at the ARTspace, 506 State Street, with tickets on sale now.

With book by Allan Knee, music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, "Little Women, The Broadway Musical," follows the adventures of Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March as they grow up in Civil War America. Jo (Lorrie Anderson) longs to publish a novel. Meg (Emily Barnes) longs for a fiancé. Beth (Annika Burley) longs for a piano. Amy (Eden Phillips) longs to be admired. This timeless tale has been given new life as an exhilarating musical filled with glorious song, dance and a few tears. Author Louisa May Alcott's classic story celebrates personal discovery and coming of age in a time of challenge and transformation.

Little Women will run from November 18 to December 4 at the Theatre Bristol ARTspace for nine shows over three weekends, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm. Box office opens 30 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets are $12, with students and seniors $10 each, available online at the Theatre Bristol website, www.TheatreBristol.org or by calling the reservation message line at 423-212-3625.

Bristol Christmas Parade

One of Bristol’s most anticipated celebrations, the 34th Annual Downtown Bristol Christmas parade, takes place Dec. 1 this year.

Helping usher in the holiday season, the parade, which starts on Bob Morrison Blvd. and travels down State Street to the historic Bristol Train Station, brings out thousands of area residents who can’t wait to see the beautifully decorated floats, as well as the jolly old man himself. Yes, that’s right, Santa will be part of the parade too, watching to see who’s been naughty or nice!

Local businesses, civic and volunteer organizations, church groups, bands, schools, neighborhood groups and beauty contestants are all invited to participate in the parade, which starts at 7 p.m. Lineup will be at 5 p.m. near the Bristol Herald Courier on Morrison Blvd.

There is a cost associated with entering floats/vehicles (starting at $25 per vehicle). Vehicles without the appropriate passes will be charged upon arrival. Please note that the deadline for entry is Friday, Nov. 18.

We look forward to seeing you there as we celebrate the holiday season in Bristol!

For more information and an application, please call Bristol Chamber of Commerce at 423-989-4850.

Laura Thurston

Laura Thurston will perform at O'Mainnin's Pub in downtown Bristol.

About Laura Thurston
Laura brings multi-instrumentalism to a new level! You will be enthralled when you see this lovely lady rappin’ on a suitcase kick drum with one foot and tappin’ on a tambourine with the other; all the while, hands on her guitar and mouth on her harp. On top of that, Laura then adds sweet sugary vocals to her acoustic Folk-Grass mix while giving energy and presence to capture your attention.

This talented musician launched her solo career in 2011, performing up and down the east coast. With her original ideas and talented executions this one woman band is sure to dazzle any audience. Laura Thurston has her own unique style from a vintage era that will enliven you and have you feelin fine.

Adults' Paint Pouring Class

You will create your own masterpiece in this two-hour paint pouring class with artist Laura King at A Work of Art Gallery & Gifts on State Street in Downtown Bristol! This class will contain an overview of the basics of paint pouring with acrylics, the difference in artistic styles, and all class members will come home with their own work of art. All supplies are included in the cost of the class. Make sure you wear clothing you won’t mind getting a little messy — just in case! Class limit is 10 students. Registration closes November 30. To find out more information, contact the gallery via Facebook, or email info@aworkofartgallery.com. To register, visit the gallery.

Instructor: Laura King
Cost: $30
Time: 6-8pm

2016 Holiday Scentsy Open House

A 2016 Holiday Scentsy Open House will be held at Bristol Brewery on Nov 20th from 6-9pm. Lots of cash and carry products available including warmers, wax bars, body products and more!

Radio Bristol Premieres: Dylan LeBlanc

Radio Bristol Premieres: Dylan LeBlancat the Birthplace of Country Music Museum on Friday, December 2.Radio Bristol Premieresfocuses on new recordings debuted before a live audience, as well as a live broadcast and webcast on Radio Bristol. The artistwill highlight music from the new release Cautionary Tale.

Overwhelmed by the speed at which his gift took him from Applebee’s server to “the new Neil Young” in a matter of months, he walked away from an unlikely major label deal after releasing two critically acclaimed albums. He slipped into a blur of booze and self-doubt. Exhausted and damaged at just 23-years-old, Dylan came home to Muscle Shoals, Alabama to write a new life for himself.

In between the moments of clarity and a few familiar falls, he also wrote a new album, Cautionary Tale: a collection of shimmering, arresting songs with the same haunting vocals that caught the attention of Lucinda Williams and Bruce Springsteen, now with a sharpened edge honed by hastened maturity.

Bristol Ballet presents The Nutcracker

Visions of Sugar Plums... and Nutcrackers and Rat Kings! The mighty battle between the mice and soldiers that brings Clara’s dream to life begins right here at the Paramount Center for the Arts with Bristol Ballet’s full length production of this popular holiday classic. Eighteen local company dancers, 35 students from Bristol Ballet, 20 community members, and three professional guest artists make up the cast for this production. Guest artists Erin Ginn (originally from Kingsport Tennessee) and Israel Rodriquez (who most recently was the Prince in Bristol Ballet’s “Cinderella” in May 2016) return to Bristol Ballet to perform as The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier/Nutcracker, and local thespian and Head Football Coach Mike Locke returns as Drossylmeyer. Full of beautiful costumes and scenery, breathtaking music, and great dancing, this is a show you’ll love to see.

To purchase tickets, visit bristolballet.org or phone the Paramount box office at 423-274-8920.

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