Arts and entertainment throughout the region

ART"Outdoor Inspirations" is the latest exhibit on display at The Circle Gallery in Kingsport. The exhibit features more than a dozen paintings from five local plein air artists — Brenda Bundrant, Matt Conrad, Gail Greenoe, Kathy Hawk and JoAnne McDonough. The artists featured in The Circle Gallery belong to an East Tennessee group called Just Plein Nuts, and they paint at outdoor locations around the region. The artists are also members of the Kingsport Art Guild. The Circle Gallery is located on the first floor of Kingsport City Hall, 415 Broad St. "Outdoor Inspirations" will be on display until Dec. 18.AUDITIONSBarter Theatre will hold local auditions Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 for the upcoming 2026 season at Barter's rehearsal halls on 201 Trigg St. in Abingdon, Virginia. Actors age 18 and older are invited to attend. Please prepare one monologue no longer than 90 seconds. If you sing, please prepare one verse and one chorus of a song, or approximately 16 bars. An accompanist will be provided. All participants will be required to attend a dancer/movement audition. Performers may also be asked to present additional contrasting material at the panel's request; please come prepared for that possibility. Audition schedule is: Nov. 30, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., acting and singing auditions; 1-3 p.m., dance/movement call; and 3:30-6 p.m., acting and singing auditions. And: Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., acting and singing auditions; 1-3 p.m., dance/movement call; and 3:30-6 p.m., acting and singing auditions. For more information regarding shows, roles, dates, how to sign up, or what to prepare, please visit www.bartertheatre.com/auditions.BALLETIntercity Ballet of Kingsport will present the holiday classic "The Nutcracker" on Dec. 11, 12 and 13 at the Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center Auditorium. Tickets may be purchased by calling 423-246-2199 or 423-323-2474 or at the door prior to each performance.BIRDINGThe Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, will offer a monthly Birding in the Gap series on the second Saturday of each month. Participants should meet at the front gate of the museum. The Birding in the Gap monthly series will be held rain or shine. Participants are asked to wear appropriate clothing for the weather and comfortable walking shoes. Binoculars are encouraged but not required. Registration is not required for this program. For more information email swvamuseum@dcr.virginia.gov or call 276-523-1322.CHRISTMASCelebrate the holiday season in Johnson City as Candy Land Christmas transforms the heart of downtown into a winter wonderland. The celebration kicks off with the Grand Christmas Tree Lighting set for Saturday, Nov. 29, at 6:30 p.m. at King Commons, 112 N. Commerce St. The tree lighting will begin with a special musical performance by students from the Science Hill Percussion and Jazz Ensemble and carols will be sung by the University School Chorus. Following the performance, City officials and attendees will countdown to illuminate more than 180 uniquely decorated Christmas trees throughout downtown including King Commons, Founders Park, Buffalo Street pocket park, Majestic Park, and along Main Street. The decorated trees will remain on display until Jan. 4.•••Christmas in the Country at Exchange Place Living History Farm, 4812 Orebank Road in Kingsport, will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fresh greenery, wreaths and roping, unique folk arts and handicrafts, and traditional holiday foods will be on sale. The celebration also features demonstrations of winter time activities on the 19th century farmstead and hands-on experiences for all ages.•••Abingdon, Virginia's Festival of Trees has returned to the Abingdon Visitor Center, 208 W. Main St. Trees decorated by local businesses and organizations will be on display for public viewing and voting through Dec. 30. Guests can cast their votes inside the Visitor Center with donations of school or pet supplies, helping to support local causes while celebrating the season's spirit of generosity. Viewing hours are Mondays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 1-5 p.m.CONCERTSBoozy Creek Community Center, 1989 Shelleys Road, Bristol, Virginia, will host Harlan County Grass Dec. 6 from 5-6:30 p.m. (Fish and chicken meal with lots of sides, desserts and drinks at 4 p.m.) For more information call 276-466-0026.•••The Candlelight concert series is coming to MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center in Kingsport. Scheduled performances are: Queen vs. ABBA, Dec. 20; and Christmas Carols on Strings, Dec. 20. Tickets can be purchased at: https://feverup.com.NATUREBays Mountain Park has an interactive exhibit in the Nature Center titled "Discover Our Appalachian Highlands Home." The exhibit features a large lake diorama with various mammals, reptiles, birds and aquatic life native to our region. The exhibit also includes information panels and interactive sensory stations. For more information about Bays Mountain Park and its programs, events and activities, visit www.baysmountain.com.PLANETARIUMBays Mountain Park's night sky observing sessions — StarWatch — have returned for the fall season. StarWatch sessions allow the public to enjoy the splendor of the night sky at Bays Mountain Park's observatories. If the weather is good, attendees can typically see star clusters, nebulous gas clouds, colorful multiple-star systems, distant galaxies and the moon and planets (when visible). If the weather is poor, the park will have an alternate activity in the planetarium theater. A StarWatch session will be held Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. Be sure to dress for temperatures at least 20 degrees cooler than expected and do not use white light flashlights at the observing grounds. This is a free event and does not require registration. StarWatch is hosted by the Bays Mountain Astronomy Club and Bays Mountain Planetarium. For more information, visit www.baysmountain.com or call 423-229-9447.•••Laser light shows will return to Bays Mountain Planetarium for the holiday season. Laser Holidays will feature a mix of holiday music. Dates are Dec. 12-13, 19-20 and 22-23 at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Laser Zeppelin featuring music by Led Zeppelin will be shown Dec. 12 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 13 and Dec. 19 at 9 p.m. Laser U2 featuring music by U2 will be shown Dec. 12 and Dec. 20 at 9 p.m. and Dec. 13 and Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. To register, visit https://bit.ly/414qLcI. For more information, visit www.baysmountain.com or call 423-229-9447.•••"Big Astronomy" is showing in the Bays Mountain Park Planetarium Theater through Dec. 31. The 45-minute program is being shown Tuesday through Friday at 4 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays at noon and 4 p.m. The alternate planetarium feature showing Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Dec. 31 will be "Appalachian Skies." For more information about Bays Mountain Park and its programs, events and activities, visit www.baysmountain.com.PROJECT FRIENDSHIPProject Friendship by the Kingsport Altrusa Club is continuing its meet-and-greet events at Shooters Billiards in Kingsport on the second and fourth Fridays at 6 p.m. This event is for anyone who works from home, is new to the area, or just doesn't get out often. It's a low-key way to meet others and have fun! Text to 423-384-0425 for more information.REUNIONGate City High School Class of '68 will have its annual Christmas Breakfast on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Golden Corral in Kingsport at 9 a.m. For more information, call 423-276-2594.SCIENCEHands On! Discovery Center is an all-ages science center that offers a guest experience that includes fun, interactive programs and immersive, STEM-based exhibits for the whole family as well as exhibits and information about the Gray Fossil Site, an active fossil dig site dating back 5 million years. Tickets may be purchased at https://visithandson.org/tickets.THEATERLampLight Theatre in Kingsport will present a Victorian Christmas musical, "The Candy Maker's Dream," Nov. 29 through Dec. 21. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. A special daytime performance will be held Friday, Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m. Reservations may be made by calling the LampLight box office at 423-343-1766, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or online at www.lamplighttheatre.com.•••FHG Productions will present "A Christmas Carol" Dec. 12-21 at 2152 Hawthorne St., Kingsport. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m., with a special matinee performance on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. For tickets or more information visit FHGProductions.org.•••Barter Theatre will present "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical" now through Dec. 28 on Barter's Gilliam Stage. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com.•••Barter Theatre will present "The Innkeeper's Wife," a heartwarming take on the greatest story ever told, written by resident playwright Catherine Bush, now through Dec. 28 at Barter's Smith Theatre. For tickets call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com.•••Theatre Bristol will present "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" live on stage at Paramount Bristol in performances Dec. 5-7. Show times are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Paramount Bristol is located at 518 State St. in Bristol, Virginia. For ticket information call 423-212-3625 or visit ParamountBristol.org/White-Christmas.•••Theatre Bristol will present "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus," Dec. 12-21 at the Cameo Theatre, 703 State St., Bristol, Virginia, Dec. 12-21. For tickets visit www.theatrebristol.org/tickets.TRAINSThe Chuckey Depot Railroad Museum in Jonesborough has opened a new exhibit titled "All Aboard! The Golden Age of Rail Travel," which features the years between the late 1800s and mid 1900s. The exhibit will display artifacts and stories of well-known passenger trains such as the Santa Fe "SuperChief," the Pennsylvania Railroad "Broadway Limited" and Southern Railway's "The Tennessean." The Chuckey Depot Museum is open free of charge, but donations are appreciated. The depot is located at 110 S. Second Ave. in Jonesborough. Museum hours are: March through September: Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. October through February: Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit Jonesborough.com or call 423-753-1010.•••The Kingsport Model Trains Project operates eight model train layouts in six rooms at the Lynn View Community Center including a 24-by-20 "O" scale representation of the Santa Train. The site is open the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and most Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m. To double check, visit the group's Facebook page. The project continues to seek a new home or at a minimum 3,000 to 4,000 square feet of storage until a new home is found.•••Submit items for Out & About at features@sixriversmedia.com.