Downtown Bristol Events
February 1 – June 30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Reading Appalachia: Voices From Children’s Literature, a new special exhibit at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum!
Dates: February 1, 2019—June 30, 2019
Walk through the pages of your favorite storybook in Reading Appalachia: Voices from Children’s Literature, a groundbreaking exhibit on Appalachian children’s books and stories.
Sporting life-size characters from Appalachian children’s books, this exhibit looks at the seminal titles from the late 1800s through the modern story of Appalachia – you’ll feel like you’re walking through the pages of a storybook. Children can stand eye-to-eye with characters from Journey Cake Ho,A Mountain Rose,When Otter Tricked the Rabbit,When I Was Young, and others.
The exhibit also includes representative clothes and toys from Appalachia, music, and hands-on activities that bring the subject to life for kids of all ages. Children are encouraged to try on masks of storybook characters and find themselves in a story. They can create their own story of childhood set in Appalachia and hear the voice of old-time storyteller Ray Hicks along with some of their favorite authors and illustrators. Each panel includes an interpretation of the text from a child’s perspective.
All are invited to walk into the pages of a story of childhood in Appalachia!
Reading Appalachiawas organized by theEast Tennessee Historical Societyand theKnox County Public Library; it is made possible through the generous support of Clayton Homes, the Jane L. Pettway Foundation, Friends of the Knox County Public Library, and the University of Tennessee’s Center for Children’s and Young Adult Literature.
The exhibit will be on display in the museum’s Special Exhibits Gallery fromFebruary 1 to June 30, 2019. Itwill be complemented by a variety of engaging public programs and can serve as a wonderful educational resource for school groups and educators.
February 2–23 | Bristol Public Library
Join The Casual Word for its typewriter tour of the Tri-Cities in celebration of Black History Month!
- Saturday, Feb 2 – Eatz on Moore Street, Bristol VA, 1-4 pm
- Saturday, Feb 9 – Main Street Pizza Company, Kingsport TN, 1-4 pm
- Saturday, Feb 23 – The Willow Tree Coffee House, Johnson City TN, 1-4 pm
February 6 | Bloom Cafe & Listening Room
Bloom hosts an open mic every first Wednesday of the month. Come join us January 2nd!
February 6 | Bristol Hotel
Come out to our rooftop bar, Lumac, for some great live music and drinks! Before the show, be sure to stop by Vivian's Table for some amazing food!
February 7 | Bristol Public Library
The Bristol Public Library will be offering a new class on essential oils, starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 7. During this workshop, participants will explore different kinds of essential oils and learn their benefits, how they can be used, and how to select safe essential oils for yourself and your family.
Interested participants can also make their own roller bottle of essential oil blends for $5 per bottle per person. Blends include immune support, muscle and joint discomfort, headache relief, sleep and calm, respiratory support, energy and focus, and seasonal relief.
Registration and supply fee are required to complete a roller bottle; however, participants are welcome to attend the class for free. For more information or to register for Essential Oils 101, please contact the Bristol Public Library at 276-821-6147 or ajohnson@bristol-library.org.
February 7 | Blackbird Bakery
Wolf Hills Jazz Quartet is Tom Peterson, Ed Davis, Joe Pendergast, and Ernie Braganza.
February 7 | O'Mainnin's Pub
Matt Smile of the Buddz will perform at Quaker Steak and Lube. There is no admission charge for this special event.
February 8 | State Line Bar & Grill
February 8 | Quaker Steak and Lube
Matt Smile of the Buddz will perform at Quaker Steak and Lube. There is no admission charge for this special event.
February 8 | Bloom Cafe & Listening Room
Come kick your night off with some country music! $5 door! Starts at 8!
February 9 | Bristol Public Library
To celebrate Valentine's Day, the Bristol Public Library is offering a special Creative & Crafty canvas class on Saturday, February 9, at 2:00 p.m. Registered participants will have the opportunity to customize a Valentine’s Day-themed canvas, using either the examples available or their own imagination.
The class will cost $5 per person, but all paint, canvases, and necessary supplies will be provided. Registration is required. To sign up, please contact the library by phone at 276-821-6147 or by email at ajohnson@bristol-library.org.
February 9 | Bloom Cafe & Listening Room
Gettin thrifty with it
Na na na na na na na nana
Come out and go thrifting at Bloom! We'll have multiple vendors with vintage and thrift items. Let's make a deal.
February 9 | Paramount Bristol
Award-winning illusionist Bill Blagg is bringing his unique style of magic and illusion to Paramount Bristol! This action-packed spectacular is filled with mind-blowing magic and jaw-dropping illusions that will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief. With over 90 minutes of incredible interactive magic, this action-packed show takes you on a magical journey you will never forget! You will witness objects floating in mid-air, vanish in the blink of an eye, and so much more. THE MAGIC OF BILL BLAGG LIVE! Is more than a magic show – it’s an interactive magic experience for audiences of all ages. You have to see it to believe it!
"Unbelievable!" – USA Today
"Absolutely Incredible!" – Chicago Tribune
TICKETS
February 9 | Quaker Steak and Lube
Please join us for EC Frazier, a night of good music, great food, and cold beer!
February 9 | Blackbird Bakery
Vicki Booker will be signing "Thorn to Rose" from 11pm — 2 am.
February 10 | Holiday Inn
Their first words. Their first steps. Their first break-up. It may sound cliché, but it all goes by so fast. Whether she’s 4 or 40, she’ll always be your little girl. You’ll always be the most important man in her life. Why not make as many happy, memorable moments in your lives as possible?
The Bristol Ballet’s 11th annual Bows & Bow Ties Father Daughter Ball celebrates healthy father-daughter relationships and has become a wonderful tradition for families in our community. We know families come in many different forms, and father figures could include grandpas, uncles, and beloved caregivers. All will be welcome to bring their favorite little girls out to make memories that will last a lifetime!
Michele Plescia, Artistic Director of Bristol Ballet, said that many attendees have come every year since the inception of the dance. “Now that says a lot about the event, but more importantly about the result — making great memories for your daughter. I just love seeing the girls all dressed up, and so happy to be at a special event like this. The dads have a lot of fun, and some of them can really dance!”
Dads or caregivers can bring their little sweethearts to the Holiday Inn located at 3005 Linden Drive in Bristol, Virginia on Sunday, February 10, 2019, 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., for sweets, treats, and dancing. From Sinatra to Taylor Swift, DJ Express will spin a variety of appropriate hits both generations will enjoy. Tickets are $15 per person. For fastest entry once you get there, please purchase tickets in advance at www.bristolballet.org. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Families will participate in a free photo shoot and will receive a digital commemorate photo file that will be emailed to them following the event. A raffle will also take place with a great assortment of gift items.
Last year around 350 fathers and daughters made Bristol Ballet’s Father Daughter Ball a wonderful success, and there are still a number of sponsorship opportunities available to help add sparkle to this amazing family tradition.
The Bristol Ballet wishes to thank our media sponsor Electric 94.9 FM, and table sponsors Bill Gatton, Permatile, House Dressing, Citizens Bank, Dean and Karen Tillison, Penny Bruce, and Barbara Hendrickson.
Proceeds from Bows & Bow Ties Father Daughter Ball benefit the Bristol Ballet Company’s programming and scholarships. For more information about the history of Bristol Ballet and its programming, visit www.bristolballet.org.
For more information about advertising opportunities, patronage, contributions and sponsorship packages, please contact Moira Frazier at mfrazier@bristolballet.org or 276-669-6051.
February 10 | Studio Brew
Open to young musicians under the age of 20 who want to share their talent with friends and family. This is not a competition. It's a jam for young people to get together and have some fun. To join in please contact us at info@studiobrew.beer or call 423-360-3258.
February 11 | Bloom Cafe & Listening Room
Time is money, money is power, power is pizza, pizza is knowledge. Knowledge gets you a Bloom Giftcard! Parks and Rec Trivia round 2!
February 12 | Bloom Cafe & Listening Room
Valentine’s special! Type In and Poetry Slam hosted by Langley Shazor. Typing at 5pm and Poetry at 7pm. Family friendly event! Learn to type on vintage typewriters or if you already know how, just type away. Feel inspired by the feeling and write a personal note, a bit of poetry, or whatever you like!
Type In: 5pm
Poetry Slam: 7pm
February 12 | Blackbird Bakery
This month's featured artist is Linda Ketner.
February 12 | Blackbird Bakery
Join us at Blackbird Bakery for the music of Sandra Parker from 6 — 8 pm.
February 12 | Bristol Public Library
Join the Bristol Public Library on February 12, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. for the next meeting of our Great American Novel Book Club. For our February meeting, we’ll be reading and discussing The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. The library will have a few copies of the next book selection, The Color Purple by Alice Walker, available for interested readers and will provide light refreshments.
Any reader is welcome to join, and no registration is required. For more information, please contact Ambrea at the Bristol Public Library by phone at 276-821-6147 or by email at ajohnson@bristol-library.org.
February 12 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum
On Tuesday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m., the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and the Bristol Historical Association will co-host an informal conversation in the museum’s Performance Theater between Ernie’s older son, Buck, and long-time Ford family friend Sid Oakley. Ford family home movies will also be screened. There is no charge for admittance, but you must RSVP to gain entry.
February 13 | Bristol Public Library
Visit the Bristol Public Library for our Classic Movie Corner: Western Wednesday on February 13 at 12:30 p.m. This month, we’ll feature a special screening of El Dorado (1966), directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and James Caan.
Cole Thornton (John Wayne) is a gunslinger-for-hire in El Dorado, Texas. Originally hired by a wealthy rancher, Bart Jason, Thornton quickly becomes caught up in a range war with the McDonald family. Although grievously wounded by a bullet, Thornton will once more put his life on the life when his friend, Sheriff J.P. Harrah (Robert Mitchum), finds himself put in danger by the same man who hired Thornton.
Not rated; 126 minutes.
February 13 | Paramount Bristol
On Ernie’s actual 100th birthday,Wednesday, February 13, the Paramount Bristol will host an afternoon of Tennessee Ernie Ford music and films culminating with the serving of birthday cake courtesy of Food City.
FREE admission with reservation.
February 13 | Bristol Hotel
Come out to our rooftop bar, Lumac, for some great live music and drinks! Before the show, be sure to stop by Vivian's Table for some amazing food!
February 23 | Foundation Event Facility
You asked and we listened, Adult Prom is back! Believe in Bristol is gearing up for our spring fundraiser, Dancing Downtown: 2nd Annual Adult Prom! Join us Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the Foundation Event Facility and party with a purpose!
This event includes all your favorite prom staples from balloon arches and cheesy prom photos to finger foods and a DJ with the added bonus of games and a bar! Nominate your friends and vote for King and Queen, dance the night away with our DJ, and create fun memories along the way — all while supporting a local nonprofit organization! This event is open to anyone and everyone over the age of 21. Relive your high school glory days: dust off that old dress, tux, or suit, or use the night as an excuse to look good and have fun!
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Individual and couple tickets will be available for sale both at the Believe in Bristol office and online (BIBadultprom2.brownpapertickets.com) for $25 and $40 respectively. Tables will be available for purchase through the Believe in Bristol office only at $185 for 8 seats (table quantity limited). Tickets include entry, food, one drink, and dancing 'til you drop. King and Queen nominations and votes, extra drinks, games, and official prom photos will be cash only.
Dancing Downtown: 2nd Annual Adult Prom is a fundraiser for Believe in Bristol; all proceeds will benefit the Main Street Program and downtown revitalization efforts. For more information, please contact the Believe in Bristol at 423-573-2201 or info@believeinbristol.org. As a Certified Main Street Community, Downtown Bristol has more to offer every day – more activities, more shops, more homes, more offices and more life. Believe in Bristol is a nonprofit 501 ( c ) 3 organization composed of dedicated citizens, business owners, government officials and other friends of Bristol who recognize the role a vital downtown plays in preserving and furthering our communities identity, spirit and economy.
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