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March 6, 2012Volume 26, Issue 13

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D$$*.1?()2%&(/(;2&*.)(*.::(C2(1*.;1*C"#$%&'(1*#A*2'(*C"#$%&'()*"C3;*2'(*)(C)(&(;2.2%3;*2'.2*2'(*.<(;:A*.;1X3)*.1?()2%&()*%&*."2'3)%a(1*23*C"#$%&'*2'(*(;2%)(*:3;2(;2&*.;1*&"#b(:2*/.22()*2'()(38L>'(*.<(;:A*.;1X3)*.1?()2%&()*\%$$*%;1(/;%8A*.;1*&.?(*2'(*C"#$%&'()*'.)/$(&&*8)3/*.;A*$3&&*38*(MC(;&(*)(&"$2%;<*8)3/*:$.%/&*3)*&"%2&*#.&(1*"C3;*:3;2(;2&*38*.;A*.1?()2%&(/(;2I%;:$"1%;<*:$.%/&*3)*&"%2&*83)*1(8./.2%3;I$%#($I)%<'2*38*C)%?.:AIC$.<%.)%&/I.;1*:3CA)%<'2*%;8)%;<(/(;2L

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On Friday, March 16. St. Patrick’s Day, Sigean (SHEGUN) will be performing at the Down Home in Johnson City, TN at 9 p.m.

Also performing that night will be Joseph Sobol, world class Irish Cit-tern player who will be sitting in with Sigean.

Admission price at the door will be $12.

Come on out and enjoy traditional Irish music in a great music room with a wonderful sound system and atmos-phere.

For any additional details, please check with the Down Home at (423) 929-9822. The DownHome is located at 300 W. Main Street, Johnson City, TN 37620.

The DownHome webpage is www.downhome.com

Sigean is a Irish traditional band

based in the Tri-Cities TN/VA Region - Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City.

Sigean was formed in 1997 to perform Irish traditional music and other music of the Celtic lands, The members of Sigean are:!"#$%"&'()*+,"-"./01(23"

Also band management!"42(56"7058"-"40))*+9"#+5$2"

Banjo and vocals!":$;5"</=;058"-">?208;1"

bass and vocals!"#0%"@(26*+2$()"-">0**+(55"

pipes, whistles, bodhran and vocals!"A(2B0(55+"CDE(,"-"40))*+"

and vocals!"A(11"ABF++*,"-">0**+(55"

pipes and whistles!"G+(/"E(H0="-"I011+259"J20=;"

Wooden Flute and WhistlesThe band has released two

CDs - Live at the Paramount

Theater, Bristol Rhythm and

Roots Festival. 2007 and a studio CD, Lone Shanaky-

le, in 2010.The Band’s major

05K/+5B+="(2+"#;+"G$1;,"Band, Lunasa, Dervish, Solas and the Irish session players of Asheville, NC, Johnson City, Knoxville and Oak Ridge, TN.

The band has performed at many major festivals and private events since 1997, throughout Ten-nessee, North Carolina, Virginia and California.

Sigean has appeared on the nationally distributed public television series, Song of the Mountains, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival, Blue Plum Festi-val, Big Stone Celtic Fes-tival, the Knoxville Irish Festival, Sycamore Shoals Celtic Festival, The Bar-ter Theater, White Horse Black Mountain, Jack of the Wood pub, the Down-Home in Johnson City, TN, Virginia Highlands Festival, a corporate event for Media General, the 100th anniversary celebration of the Bristol, VA/TN Chamber of Commerce, Music on the Square in Jonesborough, TN, and many more.

The band’s webpage is www.sigeanband.com. The band also has a presence on FaceBook Con-cert videos of the band may be viewed at youtube channel -Sigean100 and also at youtube channel tomswad

A Touch of the Irish - Stories of The

Wee Folk, Irish Colleens, Saints and

Sinners

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and Women’s History

Month at Rocky Mount Historic Site where history comes alive! Storyteller MaryGrace Walrath joins Rocky Mount interpreters as they share the history of Rocky Mount and the Southwest Territory on March 17th.

An 18th century historical interpreter, MaryGrace shares traditional stories and songs that may have been heard by the Cobb family when they lived at Rocky Mount.

The family oriented stories and songs can be heard throughout the day and is included in the admission cost for tour of the historic site.

For more information call Rocky Mount Historic at (423) 538-7396 or 1-888-538-1791.

St. Patrick’s Day with The Ford EcoBoost 300/K&N Pro Series East 125 at Bristol Motor Speedway will provide plenty of fun and excitement March 17 and when the winners have been crowned, the entertainment continues with a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

The BMS St. Patrick’s Day Party, which takes place in the hospitality area, kicks off at 7 p.m. with plenty of music and food, complete with green beer, green beads and ad-ditional surprise giveaways to keep with the atmosphere of the holiday.

George Wendt, who played the fun-loving, beer-drinking “Norm” on the iconic television series Cheers

will be in attendance, presiding over the festivities. Among the musical guests playing that evening is Mon-roeville and Frankie Ballard.

Monroeville is scheduled to play from 7p.m-8:30 p.m., followed by a toast from George Wendt and addi-tional music from Frankie Ballard.

Cornhole is among the games fans can enjoy during the party where several food vendors will be on hand as will a variety of beer manufacturers.

Entrance into the party is free to anyone with a March race ticket or iBelong card while food and drinks may be purchased.

A March race weekend ticket package, which includes the March 18 Food City 500 and the Ford EcoBoost 300/K&N East Series 125 events, is still available, starting at $99. A package in the Wallace Tower for both Sprint Cup races also is now available for $99, while packages for fans 15 and younger are available for the March races at half price. Lower row seating for the Food City 500 is available, with tickets starting at $65 for adults and as low as $32 for children age 15 and under.

Guests are encouraged to pur-chase in advance while the price is $5 less per grandstand ticket than the race-day cost for the same seat.

Tickets for the Ford EcoBoost 300/K&N East Series 125 double-header are available, with prices starting at $35 for adults and $17 for kids 15 and under.

BMS season tickets, which include the Food City 500 and IRWIN Tools Night Race (Aug. 25) Sprint Cup races, as well as both the Ford Eco-Boost 300, the Food City 250 and the K&N race, also are on sale. Pricing for all four races begins at just $175 in the Wallace Tower.

For more information or to pur-chase tickets, fans may call toll free at 1-866-415-4158 or 423-BRISTOL or online at www.bristoltix.com.

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The Ford EcoBoost 300/K&N Pro Series East 125 at Bristol Motor Speedway will provide plenty of fun and excitement March 17 and when the winners have been crowned, the entertainment continues with a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

The BMS St. Patrick’s Day Party, which takes place in the hospitality area, kicks off at 7 p.m. with plenty of music and food, complete with green beer, green beads and ad-ditional surprise giveaways to keep with the atmosphere of the holiday.

George Wendt, who played the fun-loving, beer-drinking “Norm” on the iconic television series Cheers

will be in attendance, presiding over the festivities. Among the musical guests playing that evening is Mon-roeville and Frankie Ballard.

Monroeville is scheduled to play from 7p.m-8:30 p.m., followed by a toast from George Wendt and addi-tional music from Frankie Ballard.

Cornhole is among the games fans can enjoy during the party where several food vendors will be on hand as will a variety of beer manufacturers.

Entrance into the party is free to anyone with a March race ticket or iBelong card while food and drinks may be purchased.

A March race weekend ticket package, which includes the March 18 Food City 500 and the Ford EcoBoost 300/K&N East Series 125 events, is still available, starting at $99. A package in the Wallace Tower for both Sprint Cup races also is now available for $99, while packages for fans 15 and younger are available for the March races at half price. Lower row seating for the Food City 500 is available, with tickets starting at $65 for adults and as low as $32 for children age 15 and under.

Guests are encouraged to pur-chase in advance while the price is $5 less per grandstand ticket than the race-day cost for the same seat.

Tickets for the Ford EcoBoost 300/K&N East Series 125 double-header are available, with prices starting at $35 for adults and $17 for kids 15 and under.

BMS season tickets, which include the Food City 500 and IRWIN Tools Night Race (Aug. 25) Sprint Cup races, as well as both the Ford Eco-Boost 300, the Food City 250 and the K&N race, also are on sale. Pricing for all four races begins at just $175 in the Wallace Tower.

For more information or to pur-chase tickets, fans may call toll free at 1-866-415-4158 or 423-BRISTOL or online at www.bristoltix.com.

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“It was the best of times. It was

the worst of times.” It’s a story about aristocrats, bar-

20=1+2=9"*$H+2="(5)"L$+="M8;1058"L$2"love, freedom and equality, and it’s coming to Barter Theatre on March 8. It’s A Tale of Two Cities, written by Charles Dickens as adapted by Richard Rose.

Rose has gained national atten-

tion with his adaptations through his twenty-year tenure at Barter Theatre. In 2009, his adaptation of Frankenstein was acknowledged as one of the best new regional theatre plays of the year. He has adapted Dickens’ holiday tale, A Christ-

mas Carol, several times, both as traditional and modern versions. Dracula, Alice in Wonderland and Jane Eyre are among others.

A Tale of Two Cities takes place in 1775, over 230 years ago, but it is so pertinent to present day,” says Rose. “With the tax revolu-tion here in our country, The Arab Spring and other political changes happening all over the globe, we are experiencing what happens when you have a true division in terms of the poor and the rich and a shrinking middle class; it is totally appropriate that this story serve as a potential reminder of the pitfalls of inequality.”NC/2"M2=1"2+B$**+B10$5="$L"

Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities generally tend to be about the love story - and it is one of the greatest love stories - of Charles Darnay and O/B0+"A(5+11+9"(5)"1;+"B$5K0B1058"

love interest of Lucie by Sydney Carton. And certainly, that love, which results in the death and yet salvation of Sydney Carton, is the core of this story set against the backdrop of the French Revolu-tion,” said Rose.

But more, than that, Rose believes Dickensian characters give names and faces to Revolu-tion. It is a deeply personal tale of individuals and how they affect and are affected by a Revolution of this magnitude. Anytime masses of people are oppressed to this degree, there will be an uprising. It is easy to see the mob, but Lucie, Darnay, Sydney and Madame Defarge personalize such an epic event. “We can all identify why they are the way they are,” Rose said.

“Dickens does not focus on the epic nature of the French Revolu-tion, but rather on how revolution affects individuals personally. In this way, Dickens helps us un-derstand through the characters of Lucie Manette, Darnay, Carton and Jarvis Lorry, the consequences of revolution both positive and negative. In this way, we can all

see ourselves in the midst of these circumstance and identify our-selves as human beings and how we might react as we do in today’s revolutions,” Rose said.

This personalization is the differ-ence of this adaptation compared to others.

Holly Williams (Disney’s Beauty

and the Beast, 2011) stars as Lucie Manette, the beautiful and noble lady who gains the favor of two men as shestruggles to take care of her father.

Charles Darnay (Nicholas Piper) and Sydney Carton (Nick Koesters) look alike in appearance, but they have chosen very different paths.

It’s a love story; a story of revo-lution; and one that spirals out of control. “As a whirlpool of boiling waters has a center point, so, all this raging circled round Mademe Defarge’s wine shop,” quotes the script.

“Violence seems to be one of the only ways we as humans can wrest power away from those who would abuse others, but when is enough, enough? When will we learn?” asks Rose.

Rose believes Dickens answers this question in part by the anti-hero, Madame Defarge, played by Mary Lucy Bivins. Bivins is often known for her humorous roles, Trudy in Elvis Has Left the

Building and Margaret in 9 to 5:

The Musical, but she’s also played dynamic and dramatic characters in Mother Courage and Holiday

Memories.

“Madame Defarge keeps track of the atrocities by the aristoc-racy through her knitting, and one can certainly empathize with her desire for vengeance. But her unending thirst for revenge - at all cost,regardless of innocent lives taken - makes her no different than those to whom upon she seeks revenge,” said Rose.

As with Madame Defarge, the Guillotine is also never satis-M+)9"(5)";+()="'0**"2$**9"1;(56="to Barter’s Resident Set Designer Derek Smith. “I wanted to show the oppressed, nameless, faceless people affected by the Revolu-tion,” said Smith. “We have over 700 masks coming out of the walls and every partition on stage to

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show the claustrophobic conditions of the time. The fact is, they were faceless to the Revolution, but these people, like Lucie and Charles and Sydney, had lives, and children and husbands and wives, lovers and foes; and they all made decisions that affected each other and the Revolution.”

Barter Theatre will host two 360° Panels; pre- and post-show discussions led by historian Martin Dotterweich and adaptor/director Richard Rose to examine prominent themes and much more. On March

9 and 10, the 360° Panels will take place 30 minutes before and after the performance; free of charge with “Tale of Two Cities” tickets for those days.

A Tale of Two Cities opens at Barter Theatre’s Main Stage on March 8—May 12. For tickets and more information, call (276) 628-3991 or visit BarterTheatre.com. A study guide is available for no charge for teachers who wish to bring their students. For informa-tion on group sales and student matinees, call (276) 619-5406.

Holly Williams, Nick Koesters and Nicholas Piper in Barter Theatre’s

A Tale of Two Cities.

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The Birthplace of Country Music Alliance brings Mountain Stage with Larry Groce back to Bristol’s Paramount Center for the Arts Sunday, March 11 at 7 p.m. for what is sure to be a quickly sold-out event. Multi-Grammy winner Marty Stuart & the Fabulous Superlatives will share the stage with Grammy nominated and International Bluegrass Music Association standout group Blue Highway.

“Even before the line-up announcement, nearly half the seats have already sold,” states BCMA Board President John Rainero. “With Marty Stuart and Blue Highway sharing the bill, we have every reason to believe this will be another sell-out Mountain Stage show in Bristol.”

Both acts were well received headlining acts at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion last September.

“Marty Stuart is a dynamic performer with a large and loyal fan base,” says BCMA/BRRR Executive Director Leah Ross, “and Blue Highway is one of the most celebrated acts in bluegrass music performing today. To see them together in an intimate venue like the Paramount, in the Birthplace of Country Music and on Moun-tain Stage, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The two-hour Mountain Stage event at The Paramount will be recorded for air at a later date. The NPR program is a produc-tion of West Virginia Public Broadcasting and is distributed nationwide to more than 100 af-M*0(1+"=1(10$5="05B*/)058"7P#&"89.5 FM in Johnson City, TN. Mountain Stage airs Saturdays on WETS at 2 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Admission to the March 11 Mountain Stage event at The Paramount Center for the Arts is $35.

Tickets are on sale now at #;+"Q(2(%$/51"G$R"CLMB+"(1"518 State Street in Downtown Bristol, TN and online at www.theparamountcenter.com.

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Marty Stuart

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In Washington County, Va., tales range from the mile-high Whitetop Mountain to the story of rails be-coming trails at Saltville, Alvarado, and Green Cove.

Local author and photographer Joe Tennis has now compiled photos and stories in a new book, Washington County, Virginia:

Then & Now (Arcadia Publishing, $21.99), produced in coopera-tion with the Historical Society of Washington County, Va.

On Saturday, March 10, the author is holding three book sign-ings, including Perkins Restaurant of Bristol (9-11 a.m.) near I-81 Exit 7; at Holston Mountain Artisans (Noon-2 p.m.), 214 Park St., Abing-don; and at the Mountain Music Museum of Bristol Mall (3-6 p.m.).

Also, on Sunday, March 11, 2 p.m., Tennis is presenting a slide show at the Museum of the Middle Appalachians, 123 Palmer Ave., in Saltville, Va.

From Clinch Mountain to Kon-narock, and from Three Springs to Glade Spring, Washington County,

Virginia: Then & Now highlights the history and beauty at the heart of the Virginia Highlands.

The 96-page book shows im-ages from the late 1800s to the late 1900s, contrasted with contempo-rary photographs of Washington County as it appears today at Abrams Falls, the Great Channels and the Virginia Creeper Trail and towns called Lindell, Mendota, Konnarock, and Plasterco.

“This book has a theme: the rail-road,” Tennis said. “Almost every photo in this book, including the cover, is tied to the railroads - from the main line through Mead-owview, Wyndale and Wallace to the paths that are now trails at Laureldale and Damascus.”

The cover shows a 106-year “then and now” difference at a trestle on the Virginia Creeper Trail, once known as the path of the Virginia-Carolina Railway.

The author contributes 79 of his own photographs to the nearly 200 images in the book, which includes vintage photos from the late 1800s to history made as recently as 2011, when a series of tornadoes struck Glade Spring. The book also in-cludes images of iconic landmarks like Brook Hall; Barter Theatre; Robert E. Lee Motel; Emory & Henry College; Moonlite Theatre; and the long-gone Washington Springs Hotel.

For more information, call (276) 628-7721.

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Patrons entered the future of Barter Theatre, the nation’s longest running professional theatre on Sunday, February 26. Not only was the new lobby unveiled, but also a challenge to the public was announced.

“We are extremely excited about the new lobby and the ability to better serve our pa-trons,” said Lori Hester, director of patron services. “No longer will patrons have to stand in cold, hot or rainy weather to ?0B6"/?"10B6+1="(1"1;+"S$R"$LMB+"or wait in line as long to use the restrooms.”

The renovation includes the addition of more will call win-dows and an automatic double )$$23"#;+"051+20$2"B$5M8/2(10$5"was re-designed to include the stairs, gift shop and concession area and will eliminate bot-tlenecks, allow patrons faster access to concessions during intermission and allow patrons with physical limitations to maneuver the space more easily. Additional restrooms have been

added to decrease lines and wait-times during intermission. Local artist D.R. Mullins designed the door to the theatre and the crown molding around the lobby entrance.

The number of patrons passing through the Main Stage lobby had grown immensely since the last renovation of 1996. The lobby hosted more than 1.5 million people in the past 14 years. The theatre is land-locked and the footprint of the lobby could not be expanded. The layout was changed to accommodate the large audiences.

“The renovated lobby will be a driver in effectively increasing ticket, concession and gift sales,” said Hester.

“The people before us have done the heavy lifting, now it is our time,” said Steve Smith. “The Bridge to Barter’s Future cam-paign is absolutely necessary to provide quality places to live and work for Barter artists,” added Mike Quillen.

“To date, Barter has raised

$5 million to ensure the historic theatre - the longest running theatre in the country - will last for generations to come and con-tinue to operate with quality that audiences have come to expect,” said Richard Rose, producing artistic director. “To complete the Bridge to Barter’s Future cam-paign, Barter’s goal is to raise $3 million more by December 31.”

‘The production building, which serves more than 70 art-ists and crafters in the costume and prop shops, and provides rehearsal spaces, is in dire need of renovating,” Duehring said. The production building and the Barter Inn, which houses Barter artists, are almost 100 years old. The monies raised during this campaign will go to making these improvements, and ulti-mately to attracting and retaining talented artists, crafts people and technicians; “an absolute neces-sity if Barter is to continue pro-ducing the quality productions audiences have come to expect. Our artists make that magic hap-

pen,” said Duehring.The improvements will pro-

vide a foundation that will sus-tain Barter for the next 50 years, believes Richard Rose, producing artistic director.

“Barter changes lives, said Rose. “Patrons remember their M2=1"G(21+2"+R?+20+5B+9"B$%?(5,"members’ lives are enriched by the variety of the work and peo-ple with whom they interact and the region is stronger because visitors and residents seek the Barter experience.”

Everything that Barter has been able to achieve has been possible because of the support of patrons, donors, trustees and company members,” Rose said. Barter Theatre continues to hold to its commitment to provide the highest quality theatre, most in-novative and meaningful educa-tional experiences, and regional economic growth.”

Barter needs your help to ad-)2+=="=0850MB(51"5++)="1;(1";(H+"arisen as a result of the growth and success of Barter Theatre

over the past decade. This cam-paign is about building and rein-forcing our infrastructure geared for further growth, expanded 2+H+5/+=9"(5)"05B2+(=+)"M5(5B0(*"stability.

With our eye toward the future Barter will focus on three main objectives.

* To improve the patron/donor experience.

* To improve the work environment for the artists and technicians.

* To improve the living condi-tions for artists and technicians.

“Achieving all of these objec-tives will enable Barter Theatre to attract and retain quality talent, reduce operating expenses, grow the capacity for earned and con-tributed revenue which in turn all enhance the patron experi-ence,” said Rose.

To donate to the Bridge to Barter’s Future campaign or for more information on the campaign and other donor op-tions, call Barter Theatre at (276) 619-3304.

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WEDNESDAYS

R(\*$3##A*";?(%$(1I*#"2*&2%$$*/3)(*;((1&*.2*,.)2() The Johnson City Symphony Orchestra’s last subscription concert of its 42nd season is a mostly Elgar evening. Perform-ing two pieces by the “enigmat-ic” Edward Elgar, the symphony will be joined by guest artist Benjamin Karp on cello under the direction of Robert J. See-bacher, the symphony’s music director and conductor. Karp will perform Elgar’s “Cello Con-certo in E minor.” The concert also includes Elgar’s “Enigma Variations” and Benjamin Brit-ten’s “Soirees Musicales.”

Benjamin Karp has performed concerti, chamber music, and orchestral repertoire on four continents. He has joined the cello section of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for two in-1+25(10$5(*"1$/2=9"MH+"I(25+80+"Hall performances, 15 Telarc CD recordings, and hundreds of per-formances in Cincinnati. During the summer months, Karp teaches, performs, and serves as head of strings at the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina. He presently is associate profes-sor of cello and coordinates the Keyboards, Voice, and Strings Division of the School of Music at the University of Kentucky.

Edward Elgar (1857-1934) was the ultimate freelance musician from the age of 16, when he left ;0="T$S"(1"("*('"$LMB+3"@+";()"some piano training and had taken violin lessons. The rest

of his music education was gained through conducting, lis-tening to music, performing, and studying scores. He played and taught in an amateur instru-mental soci-ety in Worcester, England, and even conducted at the county lunatic asylum. His “Enigma Variations,” M2=1"?+2L$2%+)"in 1899, made him famous and opened up a new world of pos-sibilities. Each movement of the “Variations” re-

fers to and was inspired by one of Elgar’s close friends, with various instruments and musical themes picking up the characteristics that Elgar wished to memorialize in this well-loved piece. The “Cello

Concerto” was the last major work Elgar composed, as his beloved wife Alice died shortly (L1+2"01="M2=1"?+2L$2%(5B+"05"UVUV3"The overall mood of the piece has been described as question-ing and speculative, perhaps 2+K+B1058"P*8(2D="B$5B+25="(S$/1"his wife’s health. After his wife’s death, Elgar composed only smaller works and turned his focus to horseracing and other leisure pursuits.

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) is perhaps best known for his “Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra,” based on a theme by Baroque composer Henry Purcell. His “Soirees Musicales” is less familiar, and is based on the music of Romantic composer Gioachino Rossini. Britten wrote the music that comprises “Soirees Musicales (Musical Evenings)” in 1936 when he was working as a composer for a documentary M*%"?2$)/B10$5"B$%?(5,3"G+L$2+"being compiled into the suite, the movements were the soundtrack for the documentary “Men of the Alps,” so it is perhaps appropri-ate that Britten chose Rossini—

composer of “William Tell,” the ultimate “man of the Alps”—as his inspiration.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 24, at the Mary B. Martin Auditorium of Seeger Chapel at Milligan College. Individual concert tickets are $30, $20 for seniors (60+), and $10 for students. The symphony accepts Master Card, Visa, and Discover. Free bus service is available from Colonial Hill, leaving at 6:15 p.m.; Maplecrest and Appalachian Christian Village, at 6:30; and City Hall, at 6:45 p.m. A limited number of free student tickets are available with a student ID.

Concerts are partially funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, B(**"1;+"=,%?;$5,"$LMB+"(1"WXYZ["926-8742.

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Art Studio Schedule

Celtic Knots: In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day learn how to draw a simple Celtic Knot!Diffendoofer Collage: Visit the Art Studio in March and create a Diffendoofer Collage in honor of Dr. Suess’s birthday!

Special Events

Through Sunday, March 18th - Can You Hear Me Now?Discover some of the smallest bones in our bodies - the ones in our ear! Celebrate Alexander Graham Bell’s birthday by learn-

ing about sound and how Mr. Bell used sound in many of his inventions. Play our palm pipes, listen to our singing crystal water glasses, and even try out our Boomwhackers! The Eastman Discovery Lab will be open by announcement periodically throughout each day.

Tuesday, March 13th - Girl Scout Day

Free admission for girl scouts that visit the museum in uniform.

Spring Break Mini Workshops

Tuesday, March 13th - Friday, March 16th - 9:30 am to 11:30 am Payment is required with registration by Friday, March 2nd for all spring break workshops. To register, please call 423-434-4263

ext. 100, T-F 9-5 or email main@handsonmuseum.org.!"#/+=)(,9"A(2B;"UZ1;"-"Q$*,%+2"Q(21,It’s time to unlock the hidden secrets and fun of the world of polymers. Party on with the Diaper Secret Challenge, try your hand

at the Leak Proof Bags experiment, create your own silly putty and more! Ages 8-13. Cost $8 for members, $10 for non-members.!"7+)5+=)(,9"A(2B;"UX1;"-"G0$4/+*=Investigate the latest in energy as you learn about the process of making bio-fuels. Test the energy levels in different fuel sources

with our refractometers, look at plant cell walls with our digital microscope, and run our alternative energy cars! Ages 7-13. Cost $8 for members, $10 for non-members.!"#;/2=)(,9"A(2B;"U\1;"-"4$2+5=0B="I;(**+58+"G+B$%+"("B20%+"=B+5+")+1+B10H+"(=",$/"'$26"1$"05H+=108(1+9"2+B$5=12/B19"(5(*,]+9"(5)"0)+510L,"+H0)+5B+"1$"M5)"("B/*?201^"O+(25"

(S$/1"M58+2?20510589"B2+(1+",$/2"$'5"JE"6019"=+?(2(1+"=12('S+22,"EF_9"(5)"1+=1",$/2")+1+B10H+"=60**="05"$/2"L$2+5=0B="B;(**+58+9"“The Case of the Missing Cockroach”. Join us for this puzzling camp of science and mystery! Ages 7-13. Cost $8 for members, $10 for non-members.!"420)(,9"A(2B;"U`1;"-"&13"Q(120B6D="

DayIt’s time for someone to expose some

Leprechaun secrets, and we will do it with this workshop. Learn how to uncover hidden rainbows, experience the magic of color-changing Leprechaun beads, and grow Leprechaun eggs that emerge and vanish in a blink of an eye. Ages 5-9. Cost $8 for members, $10 for non-members.

Tuesday, March 20th - Saturday, March 31st - Entertain Your Brain

Come discover the inner workings of your brain and neuroscience in honor of Memory Day. Make a neuron out of candy and eat your delicious cell crea-tion. The Eastman Discovery Lab will be open by announcement periodically throughout each day.

(***Please note this program may con-tain peanuts and small parts not suitable for children under 3 years of age.)

If you have any questions on these or other pro-

grams, please call (423) 434-HAND. Winter hours

(September - May) are: Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm,

Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm. Closed

Monday. Admission fees apply. All programs and

activities are subject to change without notice.

/"-0)%1'%&23&%.%()$%*+",$-'%!"#$%3455567)$8+",$-+98:9$60+;

Christopher Paul Stelling is heading this way on

March 11, where he’ll be bringing his intense live

show to Acoustic Coffeehouse.

Stelling has just released his long-awaited debut

album, Songs of Praise & Scorn, via Brooklyn

imprint, Mecca Lecca Recording Co.

His shows range from whisper-quiet, to a wall of

!"#$%&'()"#*(&(+!&,-.,)'/0&1$*,)2.+34,%&*#+'5)&melodies, incendiary howling vocals, and foot stomps

set against his signature storytelling, which conjures

up a vast and alluring palette of unearthly yet organic

imagery.

Songs of Praise & Scorn was recorded, mostly live,

this past summer above a working funeral home

in Louisville by Kevin Ratterman, who recently

engineered My Morning Jacket’s newest album,

Circuital.

The album features backing vocals from Julia

Christgau and violin accompaniment by Louisville’s

own Cheyenne Marie Mize.

Having graced the stages of a hugely diverse gamut

of venues, both small and large, on the reputation

of his live performance alone, this record is sure

'"&3"$1)6&(+!&./53,&56"$*&'"%507!&6"!'&8+'5/&5$%&relevant songwriters.

Christopher Paul Stelling

at COHO

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Saturday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m. the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert of bluegrass music by Raymond McLain and Mike Stevens. Backing them up will be =$%+"$L"1;+"M5+=1"%/=0B0(5="L2$%"the region.

Admission to the concert is $7 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 11, under age 6 free.

The McLain Family Band be-gan performing at Carter Music I+51+2"';+5":(5+11+"I(21+2"M2=1"began presenting concerts in the old A.P. Carter Grocery in 1974. Raymond McLain, Sr. formed the family band in the late 1960s ';+5";0="MH+"B;0*)2+5"'+2+"H+2,"young. The senior McLain was a Carter Family Memorial Music Center board member from the day the center was created. His son, Raymond, now serves on the Music Center’s board of direc-tors in addition to serving as the Artistic Director at the Fold. Ray-mond is Director of the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at

Morehead State University. He also performs, produces, and records.

Raymond’s 40 plus years of entertaining have taken him to performances in all 50 states and 62 foreign countries, including a tour as a musical ambassador of the U.S. State Department. For 21 years with his family band, Raymond was featured interna-tionally at thousands of festivals and concerts and also as a soloist in appearances with over 230 orchestras. Raymond was with Jim & Jesse’s Virginia Boys for ten years. He currently performs with Canadian harmonica whiz, Mike Stevens, and with his fam-ily whenever possible. Through the years, the McLains have produced dozens of CDs and records.

Mike Stevens’ talent is unorthodox. As an innovative, groundbreaking performer, edu-cator, and author Mike continues to expand the paradigms of har-monica, balancing tradition with

cutting edge innovation. He has toured the world with legendary stars of bluegrass Jim & Jesse. Roy Acuff is one of his biggest fans, often making special trips to the Opry just to watch Mike play. He has logged more than 300 performances on the world famous Grand Ole Opry stage and is a true pioneer of bluegrass harmonica – creating a much copied style of playing.

When Mike performs, the harmonica becomes a musical paintbrush with no limits. He literally breathes in the world and breathes out music. Mike hails from Canada, and he won the “Entertainer of the Year” at the Central Canadian bluegrass ('(2)="L$2"MH+"B$5=+B/10H+",+(2="before he was retired in this category.

To his credit he adds many other accolades, including “Best Selling Album of the Year” for his recording on the Pinecastle label - Blowin’ Up A Storm; “Album of the Year” for his release, Harmon-

ica; and he was made a Kentucky Colonel for his accomplishments in bluegrass music.

Together, Stevens and McLain play a new and unique combina-10$5"$L"%/=0B(*"=1,*+="2+K+B1058"their background in bluegrass, blues, and old time country music. When you combine <(,%$5)D="S20**0(51"M))*058"(5)"banjo picking with Mike’s breath-taking harmonica jamming, you can also expect to hear sounds you never thought existed--and beautiful sounds at that! Back-ing them up will be some of the 2+80$5D="M5+=1"%/=0B0(5=3

There’ll be something for eve-ryone. Come on out to the Carter Family Fold to see Mike Stevens and Raymond McLain. They haven’t performed together at the Fold since 2006, so this show will be really special. Be ready to dance and have some good, clean family fun. For more information on Raymond McLain, go to www.mclains.com. For more informa-tion on Mike Stevens, go to www.

mikestevensmusic.com.Carter Family Memorial

Music Center, Incorporated, is a 5$5?2$M19"2/2(*"(21="$28(50](10$5"established to preserve tradition-al, acoustic, mountain music. For further information on the center, go to http://www.carterfamily-fold.org.

Shows from the Carter Fam-ily Fold can be accessed on the internet at http://www.carter-foldshow.com.

Carter Music Center is part of the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. You can visit the Crooked Road Music Trail site at http://thecrook-edroad.org.

Partial funding for programs at the center is provided by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information on Saturday’s concert, contact Mountain Music Museum at (276) 645-0035. For recorded informa-tion on shows coming up at the Fold, call (276) 386-6054.

4%5(*E2(?(;&I*J.A/3;1*4:=.%;*23*2(./*.2*>'(*Z3$1

/"-0)%1'%&23&%.%()$%*+",$-'%!"#$%3=55567)$8+",$-+98:9$60+;

The mysteries of genius and the human heart collide in unexpected ways when the Northeast State Community College Department of Theater Department stages the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Proof on March 15, 16, and 17 at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on March 17 and 18. The play is being directed by Elizabeth M. Sloan.

“I have always wanted to direct this show,” said Sloan, “It is a fantastic glimpse into human relationships. We are having a blast exploring these characters and this beautifully written play.”

Written by David Auburn and set in Chicago, the play follows Catherine, a brilliant but depressed college-dropout wrangling with family and psychological issues. Her father Robert, a former genius of a mathematician who suffered from mental illness, has recently died. He appears in the play talking to Catherine, who stayed at home and cared for her father until his death.

As preparations are made for the funeral and Catherine’s sister Claire returns from New York, Catherine forms a tentative friendship with Hal, a mathematician who is one of her father’s former students. The plot shifts into high gear when Hal discovers that Robert left behind a proof of a mathematical theorem that mathematicians had thought impossible. It is an astonishing discovery, but Catherine shocks Hal by claiming she wrote the proof. But did she?

As the mystery develops and resolves, the play explores the link between genius and madness and whether either or both can be inherited. Proof also tells a story about human relationships, and how trust and love can be as dif-MB/*19"(5)"T/=1"(="/5B+21(059"(="+=1(S*0=;058"1;+"12/1;"$L"("%(1;+%(10B(*"?2$$L3

All performances will be held in the Northeast State Auditorium of the Students Building on the main campus at Blountville, adjacent to Tri-Cities Regional Airport. The play features adult language and is not recommended for children under age 16. The play has a cast of four and the action takes place on a back porch so the Auditorium is a perfect place for this intimate show.

Buy advance tickets online now at www.NortheastState.edu. All tickets are $5 for general admission. Admission is free to Northeast State students with a valid current student ID. For more information, e-mail emsloan@Northeast-State.edu or call (423) 354-2479.

NE State presents Proof

!"#$%31'%()$%*+",$-%.%/"-0)%1'%&23&

C.F. Martin & Co. will present The Evolution of the American Guitar at East Tennessee State Univer-sity on Wednesday, March 14, in the D.P. Culp University Center’s Martha Street Culp Auditorium.

The evening’s festivities, hosted by the ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music Program, begin at 6:30 p.m. with a warm-up session featuring students and faculty of the program – some playing vintage Martin guitars – followed by the presentation at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The Evolution of the American Guitar will feature Dick Boak, Martin’s director of artist and public relations, and virtuoso guitarists Craig Thatcher and Richard Starkey. Special guests taking part in the festivities will be First District Congressman Dr. Phil Roe, who owns several Martin guitars, one of which he will bring with him, and Tim Stafford, founder of the award-winning bluegrass band Blue Highway and an alumnus and friend of the ETSU bluegrass program.

Boak will offer an interactive history of the 178-year-old guitar company and showcase several im-portant examples in the evolution of Martin acoustic guitars. The presentation will focus on Martin’s colorful history, the development of the modern acoustic guitar, Martin’s historical contributions to 1;+")+M5010H+"(B$/=10B"8/01(2")+=0859"(210=1"=085(1/2+"%$)+*"B$**(S$2(10$5=9"(5)"05L$2%(10$5"$5"=?+B0MB"guitar shapes, sizes and tonewoods that lend themselves to particular musical genres.

C.F. Martin & Co. has been family-owned and -operated for six generations since its founding in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin. Located in Nazareth, Pa., it is the oldest surviving acoustic instrument-maker in the world and the largest producer of acoustic guitars in the United States.

Martin guitars are handmade by skilled craftspeople, many still using the design and techniques introduced by the company founder. The manufacturer is highly regarded for creating instruments and introducing innovations that have become industry standards, including the X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar and the “Dreadnought” size.

Current Chairman and CEO Christian Frederic Martin IV took the helm of the company in 1986.Dick Boak, a 35-year employee of the company, is the author of Martin Guitar Masterpieces and Mar-

tin Guitars: A History. In addition to his work in public relations, he is a woodworker, guitar designer and builder, draftsman and graphic artist. He is also responsible for the company’s Limited Edition guitar program, which produced signature models for more than 100 legendary artists, including Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Jimmy Buffett, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, John Mayer and Sting.

Boak was instrumental in founding ASIA (the Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans). He edited the organization’s Guitarmaker Magazine from 1989-95 and coordinated many of its regular symposia.

Blues guitarist Craig Thatcher is a band leader, guitar instructor and recording artist who has worked with such notable performers as Duke Robillard, The Fabulous Thunder-birds, Marty Stuart, Roseanne Cash, Herman’s Hermits, the Spencer Davis Group and many others. He is the leader of his own Eric Clap-ton musical tribute, “Badge,” a retrospective of Clapton’s career beginning with The Yardbirds. He is adept at many genres and can draw dis-tinction between a wide range of Martin stock and custom models to demonstrate their best attributes and tonal differences.

Nashville bluegrass guitarist and vocalist Richard Starkey has entertained audiences '01;";0="('(2)-'055058"K(1-?0B6058"(5)"vocals since the early ’70s. He has played with Bill Monroe, The Newgrass Revival and Vassar Clements, and has warmed up the stage for such luminaries as Johnny Cash, Doc Watson and Norman Blake. He is a longtime luthier – or instrument-builder – and repairman with C.F. Martin & Co. and an expert on the com-pany and its instruments.

A selection of books by Boak and merchan-dise from ETSU’s Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music Program will be available for purchase at the event.

For more information or special assistance for those with disabilities, call (423) 439-7072.

Learn about the evolution of guitars

/"-0)%1'%&23&%.%()$%*+",$-'%!"#$%3>55567)$8+",$-+98:9$60+;

C.F. Martin & Co. will present The Evolution of the American Guitar at East Tennessee State Univer-sity on Wednesday, March 14, in the D.P. Culp University Center’s Martha Street Culp Auditorium.

The evening’s festivities, hosted by the ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music Program, begin at 6:30 p.m. with a warm-up session featuring students and faculty of the program – some playing vintage Martin guitars – followed by the presentation at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The Evolution of the American Guitar will feature Dick Boak, Martin’s director of artist and public relations, and virtuoso guitarists Craig Thatcher and Richard Starkey. Special guests taking part in the festivities will be First District Congressman Dr. Phil Roe, who owns several Martin guitars, one of which he will bring with him, and Tim Stafford, founder of the award-winning bluegrass band Blue Highway and an alumnus and friend of the ETSU bluegrass program.

Boak will offer an interactive history of the 178-year-old guitar company and showcase several im-portant examples in the evolution of Martin acoustic guitars. The presentation will focus on Martin’s colorful history, the development of the modern acoustic guitar, Martin’s historical contributions to 1;+")+M5010H+"(B$/=10B"8/01(2")+=0859"(210=1"=085(1/2+"%$)+*"B$**(S$2(10$5=9"(5)"05L$2%(10$5"$5"=?+B0MB"guitar shapes, sizes and tonewoods that lend themselves to particular musical genres.

C.F. Martin & Co. has been family-owned and -operated for six generations since its founding in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin. Located in Nazareth, Pa., it is the oldest surviving acoustic instrument-maker in the world and the largest producer of acoustic guitars in the United States.

Martin guitars are handmade by skilled craftspeople, many still using the design and techniques introduced by the company founder. The manufacturer is highly regarded for creating instruments and introducing innovations that have become industry standards, including the X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar and the “Dreadnought” size.

Current Chairman and CEO Christian Frederic Martin IV took the helm of the company in 1986.Dick Boak, a 35-year employee of the company, is the author of Martin Guitar Masterpieces and Mar-

tin Guitars: A History. In addition to his work in public relations, he is a woodworker, guitar designer and builder, draftsman and graphic artist. He is also responsible for the company’s Limited Edition guitar program, which produced signature models for more than 100 legendary artists, including Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Jimmy Buffett, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, John Mayer and Sting.

Boak was instrumental in founding ASIA (the Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans). He edited the organization’s Guitarmaker Magazine from 1989-95 and coordinated many of its regular symposia.

Blues guitarist Craig Thatcher is a band leader, guitar instructor and recording artist who has worked with such notable performers as Duke Robillard, The Fabulous Thunder-birds, Marty Stuart, Roseanne Cash, Herman’s Hermits, the Spencer Davis Group and many others. He is the leader of his own Eric Clap-ton musical tribute, “Badge,” a retrospective of Clapton’s career beginning with The Yardbirds. He is adept at many genres and can draw dis-tinction between a wide range of Martin stock and custom models to demonstrate their best attributes and tonal differences.

Nashville bluegrass guitarist and vocalist Richard Starkey has entertained audiences '01;";0="('(2)-'055058"K(1-?0B6058"(5)"vocals since the early ’70s. He has played with Bill Monroe, The Newgrass Revival and Vassar Clements, and has warmed up the stage for such luminaries as Johnny Cash, Doc Watson and Norman Blake. He is a longtime luthier – or instrument-builder – and repairman with C.F. Martin & Co. and an expert on the com-pany and its instruments.

A selection of books by Boak and merchan-dise from ETSU’s Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music Program will be available for purchase at the event.

For more information or special assistance for those with disabilities, call (423) 439-7072.

Learn about the evolution of guitars

.2++5"'(="1;+"2+80$5D="?2+%0+2"a$)(6"?;$1$M50=;+2"(5)"'(="("G20=1$*"%(05=1(,"L$2")+B()+=3"#;+=+"0%(8+="(2+"breathtaking and tell the story that can only be told visually.

The public is cordially invited to attend this meeting of the Bristol Historical Association. The March 12th meeting is free to the public.

This same presentation is also going on the road. If your club or gathering would like this power point presen-tation to be shown to your organization, please contact Roxann Coulthard, (276) 466-5357.

The association is currently in its 33rd year of preserving the heritage of the region. For further details on this presentation or other upcoming events contact program chairman Tim Buchanan, (276) 669-3885.

You may visit www.bristolhistoricalassociation.com for details on the work of the Bristol Historical Associa-tion. Isabelle Ladd currently serves as president.

For over 30 years the Bristol His-torical Association has reminded its citizens of the immense history in the Twin-Cities. For those years 1;+"(==$B0(10$5";(="8(1;+2+)"("M5+"collection of photographic history that spans the years following the American Civil War.

For an upcoming meeting of the association they will present a wonderful power-point pres-entation of the highlights of that collection.

“Snapshots of Bristol His-tory” will be presented by Roy & Carolyn Williams Tuesday, March

12, 6:30 p.m. at the Bristol Public Library.

The Williams have spent a number of those years copying and digitizing the photographic collection as well as co-producing a recent association book of Bristol images, The Passing Years.

“Snapshots of Bristol History” is a power-point presentation of doz-ens of common and rare glimpses of buildings, architecture, events and memorable “Kodak” moments in the city. Literally, many are orig-inal images from the association’s Kelly & Green collection. Kelly &

Images of Bristol

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MARKMARQUETTEStargazer

@.aa$%;<*!$.;(2&*.;1*E2.)&*EC.;*h31%.:

Look up and be dazzled by the night lights of stars and planets!_**"MH+"5(6+)"+,+"?*(5+1="

and the brightest stars around are visible beginning with the evening twilight at 7 p.m., and continuing through the night.

Add this week’s Full Moon dancing across the sky, and the starry boundaries of the band of the celestial sky called the Zodiac is clear to see.

Keep looking up over the weeks ahead as Venus passes Jupiter, Mars glows red and Saturn rises in the east!

The brightest light from the traditional Lenten Full Moon will blot out all but the brightest stars of the night constellations, and there are a dozen brilliant stars poking through the moonshine.

But after this Saturday, you’ll have to wait an hour later to see the planets and stars - that’s because Day-light Saving Time kicks in on the 23-hour day of Sunday, March 11.

And in just a few weeks,

1;+"M2=1")(,"$L"&?2058"(220H+=^"The vernal equinox means equal 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night on March 20—with the daytime taking over the night!

So this week and the next are great times to get out in the early evening of 8 pm and see the celestial sights.

Shortly after this week’s `bX\"?%"=/5=+1=9"1;+"M2=1"

planet Mercury is glowing above the horizon in the bor-der of Virgo the Virgin. For about 45 minutes the planet is visible until getting too close to the horizon.

Incredibly bright and unmistakable is Venus and above it yellowish Jupiter. But not for long. On March 13, the planets are side-by-side. Then Venus climbs higher than

Jupiter for the rest of their celestial cat-and-mouse game.

While the planets Mercury, Venus and Jupiter play in the western sky, rising in the east is a bright red “star” that is none other than the planet Mars.

Mars was at “opposition” on March 5, meaning it rises exactly opposite the setting Sun on that date. That hap-

pens because the Earth is between the Sun and Mars, our planets being closest to each other in our individual orbits.

We are about 60 million miles from Mars, and it as bright as it will get over the next three weeks. But that’s a far cry from closest ever 1998 opposition of Mars at 35 mil-lion miles away!

Still, 8:30 p.m., the Red Planet is high enough in the east to draw heads upward. The red light of Mars draws the imagination of blood - ex-actly why the planet has been given the moniker of God warrior over the centuries.

In the hindquarters of Leo the Lion, Mars glows brighter as it climbs higher. That’s be-cause its light passes through less pollution in the Earth’s atmosphere, like all objects, when overhead.

Keep looking skyward - with a few inside, warm-up breaks in between stargaz-ing - and by 10 p.m., Saturn makes the scene.#;+"ML1;"$L"1;+"12()010$5(*"

planets known by all ancient civilizations, Saturn, has risen

/"-0)%1'%&23&%.%()$%*+",$-'%!"#$%3@55567)$8+",$-+98:9$60+;

E5%(&*>'%&*Week

Celestial events in the skies for the week

of March 6-12, 2012 as compiled for The

Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.

The Full Moon doesn’t dim the string of celestial pearls across the Zodiac that arches from horizon to horizon. Shortly after sunset at around 6:30 ?9%99"(**"MH+"5(6+)"+,+"?*(5+1="(5)"a half dozen bright stars show the

way across the night sky in dramatic fashion. Follow the Moon as a guide post to planets and stars this week.

And, enjoy your added hour of even-ing daylight as Daylight Saving Time

takes effect on Sunday!

Tues. March 6

The yellowish star next to the Moon tonight is Regulus, the heart of Leo

the Lion. Seeing Leo, like the Robins bobbing in your yard, is a sure sign

of Spring.

Wed. March 7

Tonight it is Mars that is the compan-ion of the Moon. The Red Planet is closest to the Earth in this “opposi-tion,” about 60 million miles away.

Thurs. March 8

Full Moon is this morning at exactly 4:39 a.m. This full phase of March is traditionally called the Lenten Moon

for the Christian Easter season. Native Americans also called this month’s

Full Moon the Sap Moon, Crow Moon and Worm Moon.

Fri. March 9

On this 1986 date in space history, P/2$?+D="c+8("Y"=?(B+B2(L1"K+'"S,"

the Halley’s Comet, giving mankind 01="M2=1"(5)"$5*,"B*$=+-/?"H0+'="$L"1;+"

famous comet.

Sat. March 10

Tonight and tomorrow the gibbous Moon makes a triangle with the bright

white star Spica and the yellowish planet Saturn, all located in Virgo the

Virgin.

Sun. March 11

Daylight Saving Time begins today at 3 a.m. We leap ahead and there is technically no 2-3 a.m. Enjoy your

23-hour day!

Mon. March 12

We should call the annual change in time “Daylight Shifting Time” as there is no real savings of light. There is just

an hour shift that leaves us back in the dark in the morning and enjoying

more evening light as the Sun sets around 7:35 p.m. The day is getting

longer by more than one minute each )(,"/510*"1;+"M2=1")(,"$L"&/%%+2"$5"

June 20.

high enough in the east to gain attention and remain a MR1/2+"(L1+2"%0)508;13

Butterscotch in color and in the constellation Virgo, the white star to its right is the bright, white Spica. Saturn and Spica will become famil-iar friends through the early Summer nights. And even with the cheapest telescope, the amazing rings are visible.

Connecting the span of planets from Mercury in the west to Saturn in the east, one can easily see the invisible line across the sky called the ecliptic.

The ecliptic is the exten-sion of Earth’s equator onto the starry realm, and the Sun, Moon and planets are found '01;05"MH+")+82++="$5"+01;+2"side. This is the Zodiac, with 01="$LMB0(*"UY"B$5=1+**(10$5=3

All but one of the star patterns in the Zodiac (Libra the Scales) are animals, thus the reference to the “celestial zoo.”

Our late winter skies have the Zodiac arching above the famous constellation, Orion the Hunter. From the west, the Zodiac begins in Pisces, then moves eastward to the small star pattern Aries, then into Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo and Virgo.

The bright stars inside the Zodiac are Aldebaran in Tau-rus, Pollux in Gemini (Castor is too far away), Regulus in Leo and Spica in Virgo. All four of these bright stars are the only ones within the Zo-diac that can have the Moon pass in front and cover them

up, what astronomers call an occultation. Only Spica is oc-culted this year, on Nov. 12th.

Beside Orion bordering the Zodiac is the bright star Procyon, and below it is the brightest of all stars, Sirius, though Venus and Jupiter, and sometimes Mars, are brighter.

The Zodiac has been im-portant to all stargazes from ancient times. The position of the Sun in the 12 “houses” of the Zodiac constellations is the basis of the false science astrology.

But, there are actually 13 constellations along the eclip-tic! The foot of Ophiuchus the Serpent Handler dips between Scorpius and Sagit-tarius. In fact, the Sun spends more time in Ophiuchus each year than Scorpius!

Go outside and enjoy the B;(5B+"1$"=++"(**"MH+"5(6+)"eye planets and more each starry night. And keep watch-ing over the next weeks as the positions of these “wander-ing stars” changes among the MR+)"$5+=3"

And therein is the mystery of the night sky that perked the interest of the ancient stargazers - just what were these stars the Greeks called “planets,” their word for wanderers?

Today we take for granted that the planets are physical worlds orbiting the Sun, each as unique and different from each other as can be.

Look up and enjoy the stars as the celestial show is yours for the asking.

!"#$%&2'%()$%*+",$-%.%/"-0)%1'%&23&

Mary B. Martin School of the Arts at ETSU will present 1;+"M*%"We Still Live Here with Writer/Producer/Director Anne Makepeace at D.P Culp University Center’s Martha Culp Auditorium on Monday, March 12, at 7 p.m., as part of the South Arts Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Film-makers.

Following a screening of her )$B/%+51(2,"M*%9"';0B;"'$5"("2011 Full Frame Inspiration Award and Best Documentary at the Arlington (Mass.) International Film Festival, Makepeace and the audience will engage in a discus-=0$5"(S$/1"1;+"M*%"(5)";+2"'$26"(="("M*%%(6+23"_"2+B+?10$5"'01;"1;+"M*%%(6+2"0="=B;+)/*+)"L$2"(L1+2"1;+"M*%9"(="'+**3"G$1;"M*%"and reception are free and open to the public.

Celebrated every Thanksgiving

as “the Indians” who saved the Pilgrims, then largely forgotten, the Wampanoag of Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, spurred on by a Wampanoag linguist Jessie Little Doe Baird, are saying loud and clear, in their Native tongue, “Âs Nutayuneân,” – “We still live here.”

Makepeace’s documentary tells the story of the return of the Wampanoag language, a language that was silenced for more than a century. Now, led by Baird, a 2010 recipient of the MacArthur Foundation fellowship for her unprecedented linguistic work, the Wampanoag are bringing their language and their culture back to life, says Makepeace’s website.

Her 6-year-old daughter, Mae _*0B+9"0="1;+"M2=1"5(10H+"=?+(6+2"05"("B+51/2,3"#;+"M*%"051+2'+(H+="contemporary vérité scenes of lan-

guage reclamation with commen-tary and expressionistic animation that reveal dark moments in New England history – epidemics, mis-sionary pressures, land loss, and the indenture of Native children – that nearly obliterated Wam-panoag culture. Ruth Lingford’s animation, Makepeace’s website says, provides powerful visuals as 7(%?(5$(8="2+B$/51"1;+=+";$220MB"events.

“It’s exciting to know we’ll have ("M*%%(6+2"$L"_55+"A(6+?+(B+D="caliber visiting our community,” says Anita DeAngelis, director of Mary B. Martin School of the Arts, which brings the series of =0R"05)+?+5)+51"M*%="1$"P#&>"(55/(**,3"N#;+"M*%")+=B20S+=":+==0+"Little Doe Baird’s remarkable work to decipher archival Wampanoag documents. Her efforts have re-sulted in a 10,000 word Wampano-

ag-English dictionary.” A(6+?+(B+D="M*%=";(H+"S++5"

screened, her website says, at festivals from Sundance to Munich, and have been broadcast on PBS, Showtime, Bravo, HBO, USA Network, Channel 4 in the UK, ABC Australia, ZDF Germany and Thames Television and screened at the Whitney Biennial, the Smith-sonian, the Musée de l’Homme and the Museum of the American

Indian. Her work has been funded by the Pulitzer Foundation, the Sundance Documentary Fund, the Corporation for Public Broadcast-ing, ITVS, the NEA, the NEH, American Masters, Showtime Net-works, HBO, PBS, A&E, and the American Film Institute. She has twice been a writer/director fellow at Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute.

The Southern Circuit Tour of

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A still from We Still Live Here

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We are pleased to be able

to offer an exciting variety

of workshops that range

from traditional skills, to

hand crafted items, and

!"#$%&'()$*#$+",+'#$-./$'.$come to Sycamore Shoals

to learn a new skill or

craft from our talented

instructors! Class sizes

are limited, so please

register early! Traditional

Arts Workshops are by

registration only and

must be pre-paid. Call

(423) 543-5808 for more

EA:./3)(*E'3.$&*E2.2(*d%&23)%:*D)(.*

*6.$(;1.)*38*0?(;2&I*4.):'I*UTjULearn and practice watercolor

techniques and style. Dress to take a short walk outdoors for photos

and observations, weather permit-ting.

Making Burnout Bowls. Instruc-tor: Ken Dykes

Saturday, March 31 Details to be Announced

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area is located at 1651 W. Elk Av-enue, Elizabethton, TN. for more information call (423) 543-5808 or

e-mail www.sycamoreshoalstn.org, or www.tnstateparks.com/Syca-

moreShoals/

information.

Primitive Adhesives. Instructor: Ken Dykes

Saturday, March 17. Details To be Announced

Intermediate Spinning. Instruc-tor: Amy Gawthrop

Sunday, Mar 18, 1:30–4 p.m.I$=1b"dXe9"05B*/)+="K++B+"WU=1"

time students in this class); $15 for returning students. Min: 1. Max: 5

Plying your yarn; ‘Z’ twist and ‘S’ twist, plying from a lazy kate,

Navajo plying, and additional spinning instruction.

Storytelling-“Adventures in Storytelling – A One Day Youth

Storytelling Camp”Instructors: Mary Jane Kennedy,

Sherri Hyder, Chad BogartSat., Mar 24, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Cost: $20 per child. Min: 8. Max: 20

Age limit:8–12 yearsThis camp will Sew the Seeds of

Storytelling, Nurture the Imagina-tion, and Share the Harvest of the Art of Storytelling. From 2 to 3pm

there will be a program geared to the parents and siblings of the participants. Bring a sack lunch

and a sense of adventure. No other materials needed.

Watercolor Painting, Florals. Instructor: Barbara JerniganSaturday, March 31. 10 a.m.–1

p.m.Cost: $12 (plus supplies) or $20

(includes supplies). Min: 5. Max: open

Independent Filmmakers is a program of South Arts. Southern Circuit screenings are funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. Special support for Southern Circuit was provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. &$/1;"_21=9"("5$5?2$M1"2+80$5(*"arts organization, was founded in 1975 to build on the South’s unique heritage and enhance the public value of the arts. South Arts’ work responds to the arts environment and cultural trends with a regional perspective. South Arts offers an annual portfolio of activities designed to address the role of the arts in impacting the issues important to our region, and to link the South with the nation and the world through the arts. For more information, visit www.southarts.org.

The website for We Still Live

Here is www.makepeaceproduc-10$5=3B$%f'(%?M*%3;1%*3"

For information about the ETSU Mary B. Martin School of the Arts $2"1;+"M*%"=+20+=9"B(**"XYZ-XZV-TKTS (8587) or visit www.etsu.edu/cas/arts/ or www.Facebook.com/ETSU.MBMSOTA.

A still from We Still Live Here

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“The Entertainment of a Thou-sand and One Nights,” March

8th through 18th. The production tells of Scheherazade, a skilled =1$2,1+**+29"';$"M"5)=";+2=+*L"

married to the cruel Sultan, who has been marrying a new woman each day. Sadly, the brides never see the light of the next day. To save her own life, Scheherazade begins the story of ‘The Speak-

ing Bird’ and then leaves it to be continued until the next day. But,

does the Sultan enjoy the story enough to allow Scheherazade 1$"*0H+"1$"M"50=;"1;+"1(*+g"#;+"B(=1"of The Arabian Nights includes actors of multiple cultures, ages and abilities -- some hearing and

some hard-of-hearing as they communicate the story using

voices, sign language and dance. For further information on the

production contact the Jonesbor-ough Repertory Theatre at (423) 791-4440 or visit www.jonesbor-

oughtheatre.com.

Friday,

March 9

ASD announces its online plant sale of local, native plants, which is a fundraiser for the Sus-tainable Forestry and Learning Landscapes programs. Hardy %$/51(05"60'0="(5)"M"8=9"B$5+-K"$'+29"?(==0$5K"$'+29"(](*+(9"serviceberry, cherry, pawpaw,

hops, mountain mint and native ferns among other plants are

available. Quantities of some va-rieties are limited so don’t miss

this opportunity and order early! ASD urges gardeners to visit

their website www.asdevelop.org by March 9 to place an order. Plant orders can be picked up at 1;+"5+'"_&E"$LM"B+"(1"UYU"</==+**"Road in Abingdon on Thursday,

March 29 from 4-6 or Friday, March 30th from 9:00-12:00.

Check the ASD website for more information at www.asdevelop.

org. Proceeds of the sale will

This Week In The Mountain EmpireWorld Heritage Student

Exchange Program, a highly 2+=?+B1+)9"5$5-?2$M"19"?/S*0B-S+5+M"1"$28(50](10$59"0="=++6-

ing local host families for high school boys and girls from Scan-dinavia, France, Germany, Italy, Thailand, China, South Korea,

and the former Soviet Republics. Students are already awaiting word on their host families for the 2012-2013 academic school

year. Host families provide room, board, and guidance for

a teenager living thousands of miles from home. Couples,

single parents, and families with or without children in the home

are all encouraged to apply. The exchange students arrive

from their home country shortly

before the 2012/13 school year begins and each World Heritage student is fully insured, brings his/her own personal spending money and expects to bear his/her share of household responsi-bilities, as well as being included in normal family activities and

lifestyles. If you are interested in opening your home and sharing

your family life with a young person from abroad, please call local Area Representative Carol-Lynn Baker at (423) 767-1645 or 1-800-888-9040 (toll free). Please also visit our website at www.

whhosts.com

Thursday,March 8

Machiavelli’s and bELIevers are hosting a 3 night Music Ben-+M"1"=?$5=$2+)"S,"7;01+"<0)8+"

Carry Out, Instant Karma, blow-M"=;"+%?$20/%9"F+'"<$()"#2()+"Center, and Honey Do. All pro-ceeds will be split between Re-

lay for Life of Dickenson County, c028050("S+5+M"1058"1;+"_%+20B(5"

Cancer Society, and St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.

Donations for St.Jude’s will be split between Bridgett Hart and Renee Bolling’s Caring Bridge

sites for their children: Ally Bol-ling and Clay Hart Admission: $10/night Bands Performing:

Thursday, March 8, MUSIC BE-GINS AT 8 p.m. for all ages: Wise

Old River, If Birds Could Fly; Friday, March 9, MUSIC BEGINS AT 9 p.m.; beginning at 10 p.m. it will be 21+: Underhill Rose, The Mumbles. Saturday, March 10,

MUSIC BEGINS AT 9 p.m., must be 21+: Sanctum Sully. Folk Soul

Revival. For questions contact Machiavelli’s at (423) 573-9955.

A taste of the Middle East hits the stage of the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre when the

Stage Hands group presents The Arabian Nights, adapted from

/"-0)%1'%&23&%.%()$%*+",$-'%!"#$%&455567)$8+",$-+98:9$60+;

S+5+M"1"_&ED="&/=1(05(S*+"4$2-estry and Learning Landscapes

programs.

Michael Reno Harrell returns to the Down Home for another great evening of entertainment! Tickets are $14. Michael Reno Harrell is an award winning

songwriter, storyteller and pub-lished author. His songs have

been described as “Appalachian grit and wit”, but his self pinned

material resonates far beyond his Southern roots. Because of his exceptional knack for

description, fans have described his songs as “little movies”.

Michael has been performing for over forty years, entertaining

audiences across the U.S. and Europe. His songs have earned both gold and platinum awards and his recordings have topped the Americana charts. Working

over 150 dates a year, he has been a featured performer at the

National Storytelling Festival, MerleFest, the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, and the Walnut Valley Festival just to name a

few. Michael will be performing songs from his 14th CD of origi-

nal material, My Town.

Saturday,

March 10

TriState Singles will be having a dance on Saturday, March 10th at the North Kingsport Fire Hall

Community Center, East Carter’s Valley Road off Lynn Garden

Drive, from 7–10 p.m. The Mail-men will be playing. Cost is

$8 for everyone. Bring a single friend and enjoy the evening. Snacks and drinks will be pro-

vided! Contact numbers: Martha Gibson 357-3232 or Susan Clay-

tor 288-4252.

Symphony of the Mountains will present the Bouquet of

Baroque Concert at the South-west Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia, (1"h"?3%3"_="1;+"K"$'+2="S+805"

to dust the snow off their heads and the world begins to wake

up from a long winter nap, Symphony of the Mountains will perform George Frederic

Handel’s famous Messiah Parts II and III to help welcome in the new Spring. This oratorio is traditionally linked in both American and British culture

with the Christmas season, but was actually written for “Passion

Week,” the week before Easter.

This English Concert Oratorio will include special guests,

Voices of the Mountains and the King College Concert Choir as well as world-renown vocalists Sun-Joo Oh, Jami Rhodes, Jaey-oon Kim and Jacob Will. Tickets

are only $28 and students are always free to Symphony of the Mountains regular season con-certs. Tickets may be purchased

at the door, by calling Symphony $L"1;+"A$/51(05=D"G$R"CLM"B+"(1"

(423) 392-8423 or on our website at www.SymphonyoftheMoun-

tains.org.

The Overmountain Weavers Guild holds its Annual Fibers

Show and Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sycamore Shoals Park in Elizabethton. Admission is Free.

The Overmountain Weavers Guild meets at Exchange Place

on the third Wednesday of every month. Meetings begin at 10:00,

usually with a program on a technique or event presented by

a member, before an informal business meeting. More informa-

tion, along with many photo-graphs of our group and events,

can be seen on our web site www.omwg.net. For information

on the annual Overmountain Weavers Guild Fibers Show and

Sale at

Sunday,

March 11

Breastfeeding Support Group, 3-4 p.m., Shakti in the Moun-

tains. Open to all mothers and mothers-to-be and children. No cost. For more information, go

to: www.lllmountainempire.org

Monday,

March 12

Dr. Bert Allen and Dr. Joy Drinnon will present their

research, “Warmer, Safer, Drier: The Results of Ministry by Ap-

palachia Service Project,” as part of the Milligan College Faculty

Lecture Series at 7 p.m. in Hyder Auditorium, located in the Milli-gan Science Building. This event

is free and open to the public.

Legion Recreation Center, 111 Legion St., will host a Spring

Break Sports Camp March 12-16 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. each

day. The camp is for ages 6-14. Fee is $20, and before/after care is available for an additional $2 per child. Campers will need to bring a sack lunch, snack and

drink each day. Participants will +5T$,"M"H+")(,="$L"(1;*+10B"L/5"featuring baseball, basketball, golf, football, soccer, kickball, ='0%%0589"(5)"M"+*)"120?=3"4$2"

more information, contact Parks and Recreation at (423)461-4850.

Please join SingleVision on Monday, March 12 for a pot-luck dinner and game night.

Join friends at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at First Broad

Street United Methodist Church in Kingsport. Please bring a cov-

S + 5 + M"1 "_ & E D = "& / = 1 ( 0 5 ( S * + "4 $ 2-e s t r y a n d L e a r n i n g L a n d s c a p e s

t o t h e D o w n H o m e f o r a n o t h e r g re a t e v e n i n g o f e n t e r t a i n m e n t !

This Week In The Mountain Empire

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ered dish to share and a drink for yourself. Afterwards, we will play a variety of games. Please

bring your favorite game(s) and join in some lighthearted

competition! Please join us for an evening of fun! No reservations required! For more information, please call Jane Adams at (423)

246-1727.

Tuesday,

March 13

Introduction to Oil Painting, 6 p.m. for 7 weeks, at Shakti in the Mountains. This class

will introduce students to the techniques and “tricks” used by the Old Masters from the

Dutch and Italian Renaissance that were continued through

time. Normally a painting like this would take close to a year to complete. Audra has created an

introductory method that may be done faster using some modern materials. Audra will walk you through each step in creating a painting in this tradition. The

step-by-step process to this form of painting will show no brush strokes and create a luminous piece. Not often taught it mod-

ern schools, anyone can take this class, from the beginner to the

professional artist. Audra taught this technique in Las Cruces,

New Mexico for 9 years and now is pleased to bring it to Johnson City. Some supplies are provid-

ed. If you refer a friend you both will receive a $20 discount. The cost of the class is $150.00 for 7 sessions CoEd. Please contact

audrdaughter@yahoo.com

A free course designed to give women the basic tools of self-de-L+5=+"(5)"B$5M)+5B+"1$"/=+"1;+%"begins this month at Northeast

State Community College in Blountville. Women can learn the

art of self-defense and survival through the Rape Aggression

Defense (R.A.D) course offered on March 13, 20, and 27 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The course is be-ing taught at the College’s main

campus, 2425 Highway 75, in the Courtyard of the Student Activi-ties Building. The R.A.D. System is a comprehensive, women-only

course that teaches awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, while progress-ing on to the basics of hands-on

defense training. The course includes lecture, discussion and

self-defense techniques, suit-able for women of all ages and

abilities. The R.A.D. program was developed through the con-tributions of instructors across the United States and Canada.

More than 250,000 women have attended a R.A.D. Basic Physical

Defense course. The course is free to women ages 13 years and older. Registration is required.

To register or learn more, contact course instructor Francis Canedo

at 423.279.3694 or ffcanedo@NortheastState.edu.

Thursday,

March 15

A big race week fundraiser 1$"S+5+M1"1;+"&+B$5)"@(2H+=1"Food Bank is being planned at the Electric Cowboy in Johnson City for Thursday, March 15th beginning at 7 p.m. The Peanut Butter and Jelly Jam will feature

a showcase by exciting new Country Artist, Jessica Nixon

and her band, River Run; Acous-tifried, along with Kevin Dorn; and Jessie Bledsoe Unplugged. Two different genres of music - country and rock for one super ticket price. Admission is only

$5.00 plus a jar of peanut butter or jelly for the Second Harvest

Food Bank. (A portion of the pro-ceeds from the ticket sales will

also go to the Second Harvest food bank.)

Friday,

March 16

Join SingleVision from 9–11 p.m. for a fun night of bowling at “Warpath Lanes”, 2449 Memorial

Blvd. (Between Ft. Henry Mall and Warpath Drive). Cost of

two games of bowling and shoe rental will be $10 or less. One

game is less than $6. Please make reservations by calling Marcy Hagen (956-1007) or just come to the bowling alley at 9 p.m.

After bowling we plan to go to Shoney’s for their $5 breakfast!

(about 10:30 or 11 p.m.). You may join us at Shoney’s if you do not want to come to the bowling al-

ley! Questions: call Marcy Hagen at (423)956-1007 or Jane Adams

at (423)246-1727.

#;+"M2=1"B*(=="L$2"I$$6058"Along the Crooked Road, a

culinary program at the South-west Virginia Higher Education

Center, announces the classes for spring and early summer 2012.

The classes are stand-alone, non-credit, taught by local chefs and

accomplished cooks, and open to the public. Designated class time

is on Monday and/or Thursday evenings from 6-9 p.m. with sev-eral special Saturday events. The classes are formatted for hands-on approach or demonstration

technique. Classes will continue through mid-June. Additional

classes may be added and posted 1$"1;+"'+S=01+"/?$5"B$5M2%(-

tion from the chefs. For detailed information about our complete

listing of classes scheduled through June 2012, please visit the website at www.swcenter.edu or call (276) 619-4300 for

more information.

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Kingsport Ballet prepares for another vibrant, exciting and outright fun ballet production, with the stag-ing of Don Quixote at the Wellmont Performing Arts Center, on the Northeast State Community College campus.

The cast, made up of a blend of guest professionals, local professionals, and Kingsport Ballet’s own Com-pany also includes some children from the school.

Artistic Director, Valeria Sinyavskaya, who celebrates ten years with the company in 2012, is proud of the hard work the students have put into this celebrated ballet classic. Some of the company members were lit-tle children upon her arrival in 2002, and have risen to have some of the lead roles in the ballet.

The Company now has several of its own professional dancers and production crew, Erika Ballard, Jessica G(22+119"_)20(5("E+'9"(5)"#$5,("@(220=3"N_)20(5("'(=";+2=+*L"$5+"$L"%,"M2=1"=1/)+51=";+2+3"&;+"82()/(1+)"and left, and she is now back performing the lead role of Kitri. We are proud to have her with us,” explains Ms Sinyavskaya.

Guest professionals, Oleksandr Vykhrest of the Columbia Classical Ballet will dance the role of Basilio. Also returning to the Kingsport Ballet stage as guest artists are Tak Khuan Chu, Edward Smirnov, and An-drei Conkin – all accomplished professionals with national and international companies.

Senior Bella Velasco, will once again perform the role of Street Dancer in Don Quixote. Bella was just in Ballet One when Ms Sinyaskaya began her tenure with the ballet school. The school has a solid group of ris-ing junior company members who make up the bulk of the cast.

Northeast State theatre students assist with sets and backdrops as well as technical production jobs. This partnership aims to involve students and volunteers in many aspects of staging a professional ballet produc-tion.

“Don Quixote is one of those ballets that invigorate and charm audiences. Kingsport Ballet invites the entire region to come and see this great production – you don’t need to leave the area to see outstanding bal-let productions,” explains board president, Mary Schnede. “This ballet has the potential to be a sellout – and leave audiences wanting more!” she says.

Public Performances: March 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. School performance: March 22, 10 a.m. Tickets may be purchased online: www.kingsportballet.org or by calling (423) 378-3967.

R3)2'(.&2*E2.2(*\%$$*'3&2*.*C)31":2%3;*38*Don Quixote

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KENSILVERSScreen Scenes

Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston are two actors that I would love to sit down with and enjoy and cup of coffee. They both seem so easy going and pretension free. A,"M2=1"%+%$2,"$L"</))"

is from his role as Josh in Clueless, from 1995, a role that brought his likeability front and center.

As for Aniston, she will for-ever be remembered as Rachel from the series Friends, where %(5,"M2=1"L+**"05"*$H+"'01;";+23"

Rudd and Aniston combine their talents in the movie Wan-

derlust, currently showing at local theaters.

The story concerns husband and wife Linda(Aniston) and George(Rudd) who have just bought an expensive studio apartment in New York despite the current economy.

While George supposedly has a secure job, Linda has changed professions quite frequently, and her latest effort 0=")$B/%+51(2,"M*%-%(60583"Linda’s attempt to sell her documentary about penguins with cancer to HBO fails, only later to discover George has lost his job, but due to no fault of his own. The couple then decide they have no choice S/1"1$"K++"1;+"B01,"L$2".+$28+D="brothers house in Atlanta, and begin their quest south.

Once they hit Georgia, they are so tired Linda forces George to stop for the night so they can rest. The two turn off the road, thanks to the forever “helpful” GPS, and end up at a rural bed and breakfast that turns out to be a hippie com-mune. #;+"M2=1"=;$B6"1;+"1'$"+R?+-

rience is a nude man running toward them on the road to the commune. They try to back up in a haste to leave, only to crash their car. The nudist, Wayne (Joe Lo Trugilo), leads them forward to the commune, and the fun really begins.

Here the two meet a very eclectic group of people resid-ing at the unique “bed and S2+(6L(=1i9"*+)"/5$LMB0(**,"by the bearded Seth (Justin Theroux). Seth immediately begins spouting the way of life at the commune, but refuses to use the word to describe his residence.

The two spend an unforget-table night with the group and leave for Atlanta the next day. Upon arrival at his brother Rick’s (Ken Marion) house, George and Linda are met with an obnoxious, dominating man with a drunk wife and smart mouth child.

George actually attempts to 8$"1$"'$26"L$2"<0B69"S/1"M5)="his brother too much to deal with, so no sooner than you can say granola, the two are back with Seth and company.

George and Linda are deter-mined to live the simple life of communal living, and dive into their new existence with excite-ment. However, as the story progresses, all is not what it ap-pears, and the couple, at least one of them, is left wanting.

Not only are the couple dealing with marital strife, but the owner of the commune property, Carvin (Alan Alda), has misplaced the deed to the property, which is coveted by a major developer.

Despite all the roadblocks and struggles, all ends well for

the couple and the residence of the commune, but not before we are treated to many laughs and shocking moments.

Rudd and Aniston make for a wonderful screen parring, and their onscreen chemistry adds to the effectiveness of the storyline.

The supporting cast is effec-tive in their respective roles, and Theroux has many oppor-tunities to show his comedic talents.

While Wanderlust isn’t perfect, the respective talents of Rudd and Aniston make up for any weakness in the script.

I, for one, would love a road trip with the two stars of this movie, even if it involved a temporary stay at a commune.

(Rated R) B

A touch of Wanderlust

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ANDYROSS**batteries not included

You’ve had a nice day, you’ve brushed your teeth, and you’re getting ready to settle down into bed for the night. You read a little, or perhaps watch TV, then you lay back, turn out the lights, and get ready for sleep.

It’s at this point that your brain tells you “Hey! You know what’s a great song!? Cecilia, by Simon and Garfunkel. Here it is!!” you try to rest, you try to turn your brain off in order to settle down to rest, but instead all you can keep thinking about is that gal who broke hearts (5)"=;$$6"B$5M)+5B+"$5"(")(0*,"basis.

Modern terminology refers to this as being an “earworm”, a song, melody, or tune that wedges itself in your head and will abso-lutely not let go. My biggest issue with these is when it happens as you’re trying to go to bed—like I mentioned above. But I often have a lot of music running around my head on a daily basis, so it’s not uncommon for me to have a little N+(2'$2%i"$2"1'$"K$(1058"(2$/5)9"it’s just when they get in the way of my enjoyment or life—or ap-pear at awkward times - that they become a problem.

In the promos leading up to the

Grammy awards this year, it seems they constantly were playing Roll-

ing in the Deep by Adele - not that I mind, I have that album and I was genuinely thrilled to see someone with honest to God talent win big like that. The only issue was that the constant repetition of the songs chorus meant that I went around for days hearing it over and over and over and over.

No one wants to see a 27 year old male singing Adele songs loudly in their kitchen while they make dinner - but I still hope my upcoming album, Andy Sings

Adele, will prove to be a big hit. Sometimes you get a song stuck

in your head without hav-ing heard it lately. It can happen at the most inop-portune times. At the funeral of a family friend, I found myself hearing The Hollies sing I’m Alive in my head - not quite right for that type of moment. I

was on a date with a rather promis-ing woman, and in my head Joan Jett was belting out I Hate Myself

For Loving You. When the local theater group lost their facility due 1$"("M2+9"J"L$/5)"%,=+*L"(1"1;+"L/5)"raiser, all I could hear in my head, however, was Burning Down The

House. Quite possibly one of the most well known ear worms would be The Song That Never Ends. For you see it just goes on and on my friends, some people started singing it along time ago, but reports indicated that they just went on singing it, because it is The Song That Never Ends. The only way the song can end is if you pass out due to lack of oxy-gen, or if some member of your family is driven to madness by your singing and strangle you.

So do you have an earworm K$(1058"(2$/5)"1;(1"5$8805D"$L"yours right now? Is it a song in the top 10, a tune from a TV ad, or just some random ditty from your lifetime playing out? Are you singing it to all your friends and co-workers, or are you just annoying the cat?

Lemme know....See you next week. For now, it’s back to Adele.

Earworm

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JIMKELLYKelly’s Place

Occasionally, I devote this col-umn to not one but several items, each of which sheds some light on the big wide wonderful world of popular culture we all inhabit. Of course, each item could merit a col-umn of its own, but it’s fun to look at how these smaller items add up to a larger whole.

So, let’s get started with Hank The Cat.

Hank is a breath of fresh air in a very crazy political climate. Seems like a little joke perpetrated by Hank’s owner has taken on a life of its own.

Anthony Roberts, the owner, has entered Hank’s name as a candidate for the Virginia seat be-ing vacated by retiring Democratic Senator James Webb. Hank’s cam-paign photo shows him sporting a tie and looking very senatorial, even presidential. He claims to be a moderate and “will work to make sure America stays the greatest land of all.” And I’m sure he will see to it that his feline constituency always has plenty of Kibbles in their bowls.

Joke or not, I believe I could vote for Hank, given the way most can-didates are behaving these days. I have already tried out an assort-ment of ties on my cat, but I don’t know if he would rather campaign or sleep.

Next up is a report about a rash of thefts plaguing California high schools. No, we’re not talk-ing about the usual and routine monetary or high-tech equipment crimes, but disappearing tubas.

Yes, tubas. According to The New York

Times, in “the last few months, dozens of brass sousaphones - tubas often used in marching bands - were taken from schools in Southern California.” Although no precise motive has been deter-mined, most assume the rather large and bulky instruments are being stolen to supply the growing Banda dance music trend. Banda requires the use of a tuba, and tubas are not exactly within the means of most band members. A good sousaphone can cost a band member anywhere from $2,000 to $7,000. Not quite like acquiring a ukulele or cheap snare drum. And Banda bands are in high demand, sometimes raking in as much as $3,000 for a wedding or other special event. And, as the Times reports, the leader and most highly paid member of the band is usually the tuba player.

Needless to say, these thefts have hurt the band programs of the affected schools. As one band director says, “And we can’t perform a concert if we don’t have any tubas.”

Who knows when this crime spree will end or where it will show up next? Should we get ready for a rash of accordion thefts or disappearing marimbas? You’ve got to admit, however, that this missing tuba spree is a little more interesting than most news stories and is tailor-made for Kelly’s Place. Don’t worry - I don’t have any of these missing tubas in my closet. Believe me, my closets are not that big and are barely able to accom-

modate a ukulele, let alone a tuba.The next item will no doubt

make far too many of us feel very old and irrelevant, and perhaps even a little mad. And it does show how ephemeral pop culture really is. Remember Paul McCartney? Wasn’t he the guy who used to play with a band called The Bea-tles? And didn’t he have a little gig with a band after that?

Well, this guy performed not one but two sets on the recent Grammy Awards broadcast, but it may come as a surprise to some of my readers that many viewers have no idea who Sir Paul is. During the broad-cast, and immediately after, the Twitterverse was literally a-twitter

with comments like “Who tf is Paul McCartney?” “I don’t know who Paul McCartney is,” “Who the heck is he!” “To be honest, I have no idea who sir paul mccartney [sic] is.”

These comments really don’t surprise me, but what really dismays me is the fact that the same devices that permitted these misinformed tweets to be transmit-ted could also immediately answer the question. The paradox is that '+"(2+"1;+"M2=1"8+5+2(10$5"05";/-man history to be surrounded with instantly-available information on a 24/7 basis yet we persist in wal-lowing in our own ignorance.

Of course, we don’t have to

like Paul McCartney, but there is absolutely no excuse for anyone to not know who he (or anyone else, including Hank The Cat) is.

Although many people don’t have a clue about the identity of Paul McCartney, it seems the whole universe can rhapsodize about Angelina Jolie’s right leg. The

0/1!"2'."$3.('$informs us that “It was the pose seen ‘round the world. Angelina Jolie stepped onto the Oscars red carpet, planting her hands on her hips and forcefully jutted her right leg out in front of her, like she was George Washing-ton crossing the Delaware River.” This simple and rather mundane (and perhaps meaningless) act sent shock waves across the Internet as parodies and PhotoShop altera-tions delighted and dazzled us.

Further, the Post enlightens us to the fact that “Angie’s bold right leg took plenty of people by surprise. Poking out from a heavy, dark Versace dress, the slender right leg seemed to have a life of its own.”

And just exactly what are we to make of this? That celebrities have right legs like most of us, or that we have reached a point where we have nothing else to talk about? What if Paul McCartney had jutted his right leg out during his two Grammy performances? Would that have made a difference in the tenor of the Tweets that were sent?

Our last item does have true sig-50MB(5B+9"(5)"J"(%"8$058"1$"*+(H+"you to contemplate it. Here is what a recent Time magazine article had to say about this topic: “For every minute that passes in real time, 60 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube...#;(1D="MH+"%$51;="$L"H0)+$"

every hour. That’s 10 years of video every day. More video is uploaded to YouTube every month than has been broadcast by the three big TV networks in the past 60 years... There’s never been an object like YouTube in human history. It gets 4,000,000,000 page views a day, which adds up to 1,000,000,000,000—that’s a trillio - a year.”

As Bob Dylan said in those long-ago pre-YouTube days, “The times they are a’changing”.

See you next week with more 2+K+B10$5="L2$%"1;+"j$/#/S+"universe. In the meantime, I hope ,$/"'0**"M5)"$/1"';$"1;(1"Q(/*"McCartney fellow really is. And, if you live in Virginia, don’t forget to cast your ballot for Hank The Cat.

More odds and endsHank the cat and

who the heck is Paul McCartney?

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