Downtown Bristol Events
August 12–21 | Theatre Bristol
Theatre Bristol announces August 12, 13, 19, 20, and 21 audition datesfor its upcoming holiday production of ANNIE,directed by Kenn Naegele. Veteran and novice actors are invited to audition. Roles are available for young and old, men and women, and there are opportunities to serve on the production crew. Important audition details, times for children and adults, music selections, and more are provided atwww.theatrebristol.org/audition.
This Thanksgiving,ANNIEbrings together a family — one of her very own, including dog Sandy. This heartwarming family comedy is a perfect way to celebrate the holiday together, with favorite songsMaybe, It's a Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, N.Y.C., Little Girls, I Don't Need Anything But You, and, of course,Tomorrow.The much-loved story and music finally return to the Paramount Center for the Arts stage November 17-26 for six performances.
Directing is Theatre Bristol veteran Kenn Naegele, who has performed in and directed more than 60 productions in his career in New York State and Tennessee. He most recently directedOklahoma,and he is pleased to be directing one of his favorite showsat Theatre Bristol since last directing its production ofSouth Pacific. Those interested in being a part of the production crew may contact Theatre Bristol atinfo@theatrebristol.org, or be present at any of the audition times.
For more information, visit Theatre Bristol’s website or Facebook page, contact Theatre Bristol at423-212-3625, or emailinfo@theatrebristol.org.
August 16 | Bristol Public Library
The Bristol Public Library will host a special presentation about Eclipse Safety on August 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room. Dr. Raymond Bloomer with King University will discuss eclipse safety and offer a projected view of the eclipse. During the event, guests will each receive 1 pair of free eclipse glasses to safely enjoy the eclipse on August 21.
Due to the limited number of eclipse glasses the library has received, only 100 pairs of glasses will be given out at the event; however, the remainder will be given away on August 18 at 1:00 p.m. in the Virgie R. Fleenor Gallery upstairs on a first come, first served basis. Only one pair of eclipse glasses per person permitted.
August 17 | Downtown Center
See three great bands on Food City Family Race Night: Thomas Taylor from 3-5, Wyldeheart from 5-7, and Shooter from 7-9.
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The City of Bristol Tennessee will host its annual 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 28th. 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.
Bands subject to change without notice. For more information visit the City of Bristol TN website.
August 17 | Downtown Bristol
Regularly attracting over 30,000 people every year, Food City Race Night is one of the largest and most successful fan events held in conjunction with races at any NASCAR venue. Food City Race Night features entertainment, food, and fun. Fans of all ages get the opportunity to meet their favorite drivers and their teams. Fan favorites such as Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and others have made personal appearances over the years.
Food City Race Night started in August of 1987. A few hundred spectators showed up at the Kingsport, Tennessee Food City location to see legendary car owner and former NASCAR driver Junior Johnson, NASCAR driver Terry Labonte, and a Budweiser show car. “Food City Race Night actually began with a single driver and show car appearance arranged by one of our vendors at the Eastman Road Food City,” said Steven C. Smith, the company’s president and chief executive officer. “Our customers seemed to enjoy it, so we decided to repeat it the next year, adding a couple more drivers. "
Over the next few years more and more fans began to make Food City Race night a part of their race week activities. “Each year the event continued to grow in driver participation and attendance," said Smith. "When one of our vendors secured an appearance by Richard Petty, the store literally couldn’t hold all of the fans who came out. We knew we had to relocate to a larger space and as they say, the rest is history.” To better accommodate the growing crowds, Food City Race Night was moved to downtown Bristol TN/VA in 1993. Later due to the ever increasing popularity of the event, the decision was made to also have Food City Race Night during the March race weekend. For the spring race, the event is held at BMS in the hospitality area while remaining in downtown Bristol in August. Food City Race Night events are also held in the Spring and Fall during race week at the Knoxville Expo Center.
“Food City Race Night is one way we give back to the fans for the tremendous loyalty and support they have shown our company throughout the years,” said Smith. “It’s a commitment we take very seriously, like many of the drivers and team owners who have made themselves accessible to their devoted fans. It’s what made the sport great and differentiated it from its competitors. Going forward, my greatest desire is to see that commitment thrive.”
Plenty of drivers will be available to sign autographs, along with live music, free food sampling, show cars, racing simulators and special appearances by numerous NASCAR celebrities. Advance tickets are $5 and can be purchased at selected Food City locations. Tickets will be $6 the day of the event with children 12 and under being admitted free of charge. All proceeds from Food City Race Night will benefit local organizations. Over a half million dollars has been raised through Food City Race Night and donated to various area organizations.
August 17 | Bristol Public Library
BPL Book Club will meet in the Frances Kegley Conference Room on August 17 at 6:00 p.m. This month, the club will discuss Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin. Join the BPL Book Club for a great discussion and delicious treats from Blackbird Bakery!
For more information on BPL Book Club, please contact Ambrea at the Bristol Public Library at 276-645-8780.
August 17 | Boyce Cox Field
Come to the game for a chance to win FREE tickets to Monster Energy and xfinity races. They will also give away for other BMS and Bristol Pirates items. Plus, enjoy fireworks after the game.
August 17 | Studio Brew
About Shake it Like a Caveman
Shake it like a caveman is no stranger to the highway. He’s a one man band dance party, thrusting somewhere between poolside film scores and early American work songs. Sonic and Visual dynamite that makes you move that thang.
August 17 | Blackbird Bakery
Join Blackbird Bakery and enjoy the music of guitarist Lukas Patrick.
August 21 | Bristol Public Library
Bristol Public Library will host a free live stream event of the solar eclipse August 21st at 12 pm. The library will offer a program rain or shine.
August 21 | Blackbird Bakery
Join Blackbird Bakery for live bluegrass with State Street String Band.
August 22 | Bristol Chamber of Commerce
They make up a quarter of the U.S. population and are a tricky generation to connect with. So how do you market your brand to millennials? We will present you a panel of Millennials that you can ask anything. What are your favorite brands? What social media platforms are you on? What type of ads do you respond to? Ask them your questions and they'll give you a peek inside their minds.
$25 – Bristol Chamber Members
$35 – Non-Members
Complimentary – Gold Club Members
August 22 | Bristol Public Library
On August 22, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum will present "Roots and Region: Exploring Local Music History and Traditions" at Bristol Public Library. This free-to-the-public event, which begins at 6:00 p.m. in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room, will focus on musical traditions and the formative influences that make Appalachian music so unique.
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, focusing on the history of the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings and how Bristol became the birthplace for country music as we know it today. Their museum explores sound technology, which impacted and continues to impact country music, and highlights this rich musical heritage.
The museum also contains rotating exhibitions from other institutions, including the Smithsonian, and they are constantly adapting and updating their content in their Special Exhibits Gallery. They house a research collection, including an extensive digital archive. To find out more about the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and their ongoing exhibits, check out their website at www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/museum.
August 22 | Downtown Center
Tight vocalist Linda Lay heads an all-star ensemble of award-winning instrumentalists. She spent her early years with Janette Carter at the Carter Family Fold near Bristol, Virginia. With her husband and founding Springfield Exit guitarist David Lay, Linda has toured nationally with the masters of the Steel String Guitar and is the featured vocalist on the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities' "Taking the Crooked Road Home." A Master Artist in traditional singing for the Virginia Folklife Program, Linda has performed with singers across several genres of music, from country's Vern Gosdin and Carl Jackson to Piedmont blues singer John Cephas.
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The City of Bristol Tennessee will host its annual 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 28th. 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.
Bands subject to change without notice. For more information visit the City of Bristol TN website.
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