Community Calendar

Bright Star is a musical written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina during the 1920s and 1940s. The story follows Alice Murphy, a young woman who, after losing a child, embarks on a journey of love and redemption. She meets Billy Cane, a young soldier returning home from World War II, who shares a mysterious connection with her. The musical explores themes of love, loss, and the power of music to heal, and it features a score that blends bluegrass and folk elements. It received critical acclaim, winning the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Broadway musical and was nominated for several Tony Awards.

Enjoy a family friendly evening with fun crafts and gripping stories. Spooky hayrides to Halloween crafts makes this event fun for all ages, especially kids! Tales from the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild can be enjoyed in the nineteenth century barn. The SRS Paranormal will be set up to tell you all about their encounters within the Tipton - Haynes home. The Watauga Historical Association will be making apple butter for sale. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under while members of Tipton - Haynes are free!

Bright Star is a musical written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina during the 1920s and 1940s. The story follows Alice Murphy, a young woman who, after losing a child, embarks on a journey of love and redemption. She meets Billy Cane, a young soldier returning home from World War II, who shares a mysterious connection with her. The musical explores themes of love, loss, and the power of music to heal, and it features a score that blends bluegrass and folk elements. It received critical acclaim, winning the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Broadway musical and was nominated for several Tony Awards.

The Place Speaks is an exploration of how sacred histories are presented through visual art in Appalachia. Artworks by the Rev. Jimmy Morrow center divine visions and East Tennessee folklore while thematically overlapping with other visual artists in Appalachia and the American South. Using Morrow’s works and significant artifacts in the permanent collection that are grounded in regional placeness, The Place Speaks honors and respects the fusion of deeply personal, regional, and universal philosophies and beliefs as they relate to Appalachian landscapes.

Join us Thursday, Oct. 16 from 4:30-7 p.m. for the exhibition reception. Programming will begin at 4:30 p.m. with live music by musician and visual artist Abe Partridge, followed by a panel of artists and scholars from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Panelists include Dr. Rick Cary, Dr. Jenna Gray-Hildenbrand, and Aaron McIntosh.

Bright Star is a musical written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina during the 1920s and 1940s. The story follows Alice Murphy, a young woman who, after losing a child, embarks on a journey of love and redemption. She meets Billy Cane, a young soldier returning home from World War II, who shares a mysterious connection with her. The musical explores themes of love, loss, and the power of music to heal, and it features a score that blends bluegrass and folk elements. It received critical acclaim, winning the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Broadway musical and was nominated for several Tony Awards.

The Place Speaks is an exploration of how sacred histories are presented through visual art in Appalachia. Artworks by the Rev. Jimmy Morrow center divine visions and East Tennessee folklore while thematically overlapping with other visual artists in Appalachia and the American South. Using Morrow’s works and significant artifacts in the permanent collection that are grounded in regional placeness, The Place Speaks honors and respects the fusion of deeply personal, regional, and universal philosophies and beliefs as they relate to Appalachian landscapes.

Join us Thursday, Oct. 16 from 4:30-7 p.m. for the exhibition reception. Programming will begin at 4:30 p.m. with live music by musician and visual artist Abe Partridge, followed by a panel of artists and scholars from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Panelists include Dr. Rick Cary, Dr. Jenna Gray-Hildenbrand, and Aaron McIntosh.

Bristol Buzz was born from a simple idea: to make art—together.
Bristol has always been a
place for bold, original voices. Let’s carry on that legacy by creating something greater than
ourselves. When we support each other, we all move closer to our individual goals.

There are plenty of open mics around the Tri-Cities, but at Blue Ridge Comedy Club, we’re
focused on more than just stage time—we’re building a community. Our stage is your stage.
Come perform in front of fellow creatives you might never meet otherwise. All acts are welcome
(I.e. Comedy, Music, Dancing, Juggling, etc.)

The Place Speaks is an exploration of how sacred histories are presented through visual art in Appalachia. Artworks by the Rev. Jimmy Morrow center divine visions and East Tennessee folklore while thematically overlapping with other visual artists in Appalachia and the American South. Using Morrow’s works and significant artifacts in the permanent collection that are grounded in regional placeness, The Place Speaks honors and respects the fusion of deeply personal, regional, and universal philosophies and beliefs as they relate to Appalachian landscapes.

Join us Thursday, Oct. 16 from 4:30-7 p.m. for the exhibition reception. Programming will begin at 4:30 p.m. with live music by musician and visual artist Abe Partridge, followed by a panel of artists and scholars from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Panelists include Dr. Rick Cary, Dr. Jenna Gray-Hildenbrand, and Aaron McIntosh.

UPCOMING Northeast Tennessee MASTER GARDENER CLASS
We all want to share our love of gardening.

The Northeast Master Gardener Association (NETMGA) membership includes volunteers from Hawkins, Sullivan, Washington, Carter, Johnson, and Unicoi Counties. Their many activities include information booths at various home and farm shows, answering Ask-a-Master Gardener questions, teaching classes in the community, and organizing new Master Gardener classes. Their presence can be seen in many local historic site gardens, demonstration gardens and community vegetable gardens.

A new Master Gardener class will begin January 28, 2025, and go through April 29, 2025. Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Classes are available for the surrounding communities' participants and are held at the Sullivan County, Ron Ramsey Agricultural Center located at 140 Spurgeon Lane, Blountville, TN.

The cost for the class is $200 and applications are available online at the NETMGA website or UT website: https://www.netmga.net/ OR Call 423-574-1919 and press "0"

The search for money to pay for college next fall starts now! Too soon? Think again!

Starting the financial aid process early means you’ll be better prepared for the next academic year. That’s why East Tennessee State University’s Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is hosting the annual Tri-Cities Financial Aid Night on Tuesday, October 14 from 5-8 p.m. in the ballroom located on the third floor of the D.P. Culp Student Center.

Current and prospective college students and their families are invited to attend and receive in-person support with submitting their 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Attendees are encouraged to create a Federal Student Aid account and username (FSA ID) before the event.

The 2026-2027 FAFSA will use 2024 tax information for determining the Student Aid Index (SAI). Financial Aid and TRiO's EOC counselors will be on hand to help families navigate the process one on one. You can learn more about federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs as well as the ETSU General University Scholarship Application, which also opens on October 1.