Arts and entertainment throughout the region

ART The Kingsport Senior Center will host a Spring Artisan Fair Thursday, April 30, at the Kingsport Renaissance Center showcasing the artistic creations of local senior citizens. The fair will take place in the atrium at the Senior Center, 1200 E. Center St., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. ••• Melinda Fritts is the latest exhibiting artist at The Circle Gallery. Fritts is a painter best known locally for creating work in the presence of live music — setting up among the crowd and painting bands as they perform. The Circle Gallery is located on the first floor of Kingsport City Hall, 415 Broad St. Fritts' exhibit will be on display through June 16. ••• Fischman Gallery will host the International Fl3tch3r Exhibit Aug. 7 through Sept. 27. An opening reception will be held Aug. 7, and an awards reception will take place Sept. 4. More information will be available prior to the opening. Fischman Gallery is located at 133 N Commerce St. in Johnson City. AUDITIONS FHG Productions will hold auditions for "Lights, Camera, MUSIC" on Monday, May 4, from 6-9 p.m. Performers of all ages and talents are needed for this cabaret variety show. Show dates are June 11-14. Auditions for our original adaptation of "Peter Pan" will be held Monday, June 29, from 6-9 p.m. Show dates are Aug. 14-23. All auditions held at the theater at 2152 Hawthorne St., Kingsport. For more information visit FHGProductions.org. BIRDING The monthly meeting of Birding Kingsport will be on Tuesday, April 28, at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 584 Lebanon Road, Colonial Heights. The program is "Wading Birds and Some of Their Kin" by Bryan Stevens. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend. ••• The 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 June and November. Sessions are planned for June 13 and Nov. 14 from 9-11 a.m. Led by knowledgeable park rangers and enthusiastic volunteers, this series is designed for bird lovers of all experience levels. We'll meet at the museum's front gate and set out together to explore the beautiful museum grounds and the scenic Powell River greenbelt in Big Stone Gap. This easy, accessible walk is a perfect way to enjoy nature while discovering the fascinating world of birds. The program takes place rain or shine, so please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Binoculars are welcome but are not required. No registration is needed. For more details about the "Birding in the Gap" series, contact the park at 276-523-1322. CONCERTS The Black Jacket Symphony will present Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet" at East Tennessee State University's Martin Center on Thursday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information contact the box office at 423-439-2787 or email at Tickets@ETSUMartinCenter.org. ••• Boozy Creek Community Center, 1989 Shelleys Road, Bristol, Virginia, will host Boozy Creek Grass on Saturday, May 2, 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 Larry Prevatte Memorial Duffield Jam is held on the first, third and fifth Thursday of each month from 6-8 p.m. at the Thomas Village Community Center, 355 Cecil D. Quillen Drive in Duffield, Virginia. For more information call 276-431-1083. ••• Twilight Alive concerts will return to downtown Kingsport this summer. The free concerts will take place in the 100 block of Broad Street on Friday nights beginning at 7 p.m. The concert lineup is: Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute on May 29; Carson Peters and Iron Mountain on June 5; Trey Hensley Band on June 12; KP and the Classics on June 19; Hooch – Music on the Rocks on June 26; Grand Funk Railroad with opener Nashville Yacht Club Band (on Main Street as part of Kingsport's Red, White and BOOM Independence Day Celebration) on July 4; Departure: The Journey Tribute Band on July 10; and Fun Fest's Broad Street Boogie presents Sons of Sailors: a Jimmy Buffett cover band (start time at 8 p.m. or following the Fun Fest Parade) on July 17. ••• Morningstar Flute Ensemble will perform Sunday, May 10, at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 701 Florida Ave., Bristol, and Sunday, June 7, at 3 p.m. at First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport. The theme this spring is "Music from Around the World." For more information contact Charlotte Ellis at 423-323-4933. ••• Symphony of the Mountains will present "Show Me the Paths: A Concert of Light and Hope" at East Tennessee State University's Martin Center on Sunday, May 17, at 3 p.m. For ticket information, contact the ETSU Martin Center Box Office at 423-439-2787 or email Tickets@ETSUMartinCenter.org. ••• The Lakeside Concert Series is returning to Winged Deer Park's Goulding Amphitheatre. The concerts will take place from 7-9 p.m. every Thursday in June at the amphitheater, located at 199 Carroll Creek Road in Johnson City. The four-week series kicks off June 4 with newcomer 20 Ride, a Zac Brown tribute band, followed by returning favorites The 77 Experience on June 11, and From the Edge on June 18. The Legacy Motown Revue concludes the series with some soul music on June 25. Admission is free and open to all ages. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. DANCE Watts Dance Studio's Showcase Dancers will bring "The Chocolate Factory" to life on stage Sunday, April 26, at 2:30 p.m. at the Harold McCormick Elementary School gym stage. This free performance invites audiences into the whimsical world of the infamous Wonka's famous chocolate factory. The school is located at 226 S. Cedar Ave., Elizabethton. For more information, contact the Watts Dance Studio at 423-543-3361 or 423-895-2238. ••• Jonesborough Community Dance Social will be held at the Jonesborough Visitor Center, 117 Boone St., on Saturday, May 2, featuring music by deejay Sonny Day from 7-10 p.m. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Line dance from 6-7 p.m. Bring a snack to share during the break. FARMERS MARKET The Kingsport Farmers Market, located at 308 Clinchfield St., will be open on Saturdays through the end of November and on Wednesdays beginning May 6 through the end of September. The hours are from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until produce and products are sold out. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, artisan crafts, and fresh flowers, the market will feature programs including Market Jams (live music monthly), Saturdays with the Chef, National Farmers Market Week/Tomato Fest, and the Fall Festival. FESTIVALS The Gathering in the Gap Music Festival at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park in Big Stone Gap will be held on Saturday, May 23. Featured performers will be Sister Sadie, Dave Eggar and David Shenton featuring Erin Shields and Sasha Lazard, and the Lonesome River Band. Tickets can be purchased online at www.gatheringinthegap.org, by calling the park at 276-523-1322, or by stopping by the park during regular operating hours. HOBBY HORSE DERBY Kingsport Parks and Recreation will host its second annual Hobby Horse Derby on Sunday, April 26, at Allandale Mansion from 1-4 p.m. Hobby Horsing is a unique sport that involves participants riding stick horses for events like barrel racing and jumping courses. The April 26 event will include barrel racing, a jump course and a speed race and is broken down by age categories: 3 to 6, 7 to 11, 12 to 15 and 16 and older. There is a cost to participate, and participants must bring their own hobby horse to the event. Winners will be selected based on course time and fewest faults. To register, visit https://bit.ly/422oUUG. KAYAK STARGAZING Bays Mountain Park will host Kayak Stargazing from 8:30-9:30 p.m. on May 7, 12 and 14. Each program is limited to 20 boats. Participants are required to bring their own kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard and paddling equipment, along with a Type III personal flotation device. You will also be allowed some time to paddle around the lake as you wait for the sky to darken. To register, visit https://bit.ly/4scXg2N. For more information about Bays Mountain Park visit www.baysmountain.com. NATURE An exhibit at The Nature Center at Steele Creek Park in Bristol is examining plant and animal species that originated elsewhere and now pose harm to the region's native wildlife. "Aliens Among Us: Non-Native Invasive Species in the Park" is now open in the Lakeview Gallery at The Nature Center each Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. Beginning Memorial Day, the center will remain open each day until 6 p.m. For more information, call 423-989-5616. ••• Bays 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. PLANETARIUM Bays Mountain Park will show "The Sun: Our Living Star" as the main feature in the Planetarium Theater through April 30. The 40-minute program is being shown Tuesday through Friday at 4 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays at noon and 4 p.m. This program will be followed by a brief tour of the current evening sky. For more information about Bays Mountain Park and its programs, events and activities, visit www.baysmountain.com. PROJECT FRIENDSHIP Project 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. SCIENCE Hands 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. THEATER LampLight Theatre in Kingsport will present "Alice in Wanderland: A Spiritual Journey Back to Wonderland" through May 10. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. with matinee performances Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. For ticket information call 423-343-1766. ••• Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present "Pickleball," a new comedy by Jeff Daniels, through April 26. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. ••• Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present "Always, Patsy Cline" through May 10. Based on a true story, this heartfelt musical celebrates the life and career of country music legend Patsy Cline and features songs such as "Crazy," "I Fall to Pieces," "Sweet Dreams" and "Walking After Midnight." For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. ••• Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present "The Savannah Sipping Society" May 12 through Aug. 8. In this comedy, four very different Southern women, all strangers, are drawn together by an impromptu Happy Hour and decide it's high time to reclaim the excitement their lives once held. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. ••• Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present "The da Vinci Code," based on Dan Brown's international bestseller, May 23 through Aug. 8. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. ••• Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, will present the musical "Guys and Dolls" June 9 through Aug. 9. This great American musical comedy features hits like "A Bushel and a Peck" and "Luck Be a Lady" and tells a story of romance, adventure, second chances, and the transformative power of love. For ticket information call 276-628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com. ••• Theatre Bristol will present "Grease" June 19-28 at the Paramount Bristol, 518 State St., Bristol, Virginia. Performance times are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. For ticket information or to make reservations visit ParamountBristol.org/GREASE. TRAINS The Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society and Museum will host a Spring Blossom Rail Excursion through the scenic Hiwassee River Gorge of East Tennessee on Saturday, May 16. The boarding location is 9406 US Highway 411 in Delano, Tennessee (5.2 miles south of Etowah). Free parking is available at the train loading site. Passengers will start boarding the train in Delano at 11:30 a.m. for a 12:01 p.m. departure. Premium crown and coach tickets are available. Visit www.wataugavalleynrhs.org for more information and to purchase tickets. ••• The Chuckey Depot Railroad Museum in Jonesborough 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. ••• Submit items for Out & About at features@sixriversmedia.com.