Short Takes: Movies and Music, Twilight and Bluegrass, Web Wilder, Benefit Concert

Tom Netherland | Special to the Herald Courier
Published: June 26, 2008

MOVIES IN THE PARK
Lights, camera, music!

Bring the kids to see Kids Our Age on July 3 in Cumberland Square Park in Bristol, Va. The multi-generational, happy-go-lucky-music of Kids Our Age opens a night that will conclude with a movie aimed for all ages.

The longtime Tri-Cities-based trio offers a sound “from rock to beach to everything in between,” according to their blog. Guitar, keyboards, drums.

The event, presented by Bristol Virginia’s Department of Park and Recreation, continues through July 31. After the music, stay for a movie suitable for all ages at 8:45 p.m. Visit http://www.bvub.com for movie titles.

IF YOU GO
What: Movies in the Park with performance by Kids Our Age
When: July 3, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Cumberland Square Park, Bristol, Va.
Tickets: Free
Info: (276) 645-7275
Web: http://www.kidsourage.blogspot.com

TWILIGHT AND BLUEGRASS

Young singer, young band, local legend.

Walk, pedal or drive to downtown Kingsport on June 26 for Twilight Alive and see young singer Carrie Rodriquez. Return on June 27 for Bluegrass on Broad to hear young bluegrassers Steep Canyon Rangers and local legend Papa Joe Smiddy.

Rodriquez, a violin prodigy who played New York City’s Carnegie Hall at age 10, now sings a mix of jazz, country and folk.

The Steep Canyon Rangers tiptoe tradition and today with a white-hot bluegrass sound. Smiddy long ago made his name in hereabouts as a top-notch banjoist with a flare for the clawhammer style.

Young, old, hot and blue – two nights of music forged on stage for free. Now that’s a deal.

IF YOU GO
What: Twilight Alive featuring Carrie Rodriquez; and Bluegrass On Broad featuring Steep Canyon Rangers and Papa Joe Smiddy
When: June 26-27, 7 p.m.
Where: Broad Street, downtown Kingsport
Tickets: Free
Info: (423) 246-6550
Web: http://www.twilightalive.com

WEBB WILDER
No-frills rock with humor.

That’s Webb Wilder. Scheduled for a two-night stand on June 27-28 at Down Home in Johnson City, the Nashville-based bespectacled rocker comes bearing no hits but plenty of retro bang.

Wilder’s 20-plus years career was built on roots. Hear Wilder and hear tints of Chuck Berry. See Wilder and his black-rimmed glasses and think Buddy Holly.

Wilder recalls rock of old perhaps best of all in that he leaves serious subjects to others. He’s fun. He’s wild. He’s Webb Wilder, roots rock and roller.

IF YOU GO
Who: Webb Wilder
When: June 27-28, 9 p.m.
Where: Down Home, 300 W. Main St., Johnson City
Tickets: $18
Info: (423) 929-9822
Web: http://www.webbwilder.com

FUNDRAISER
Woodlawn Baptist Church youth pastor Ray Wolfe needs a hand as he fights a rare blood disorder.

Enter some of the region’s finest bluegrass bands. A fundraiser scheduled for June 28 at the Paramount Center for the Arts will feature the talents of Gospel Grass,

Breaking Tradition and Hart Creek. Turn out, tune in and take a few bucks to give.

Go ahead. Help someone in need and help yourself to one night of fine music.

IF YOU GO
What: Fundraiser for Pastor Ray Wolfe, featuring Gospel Grass, Breaking Tradition and Hart Creek
When: June 28, 7 p.m.
Where: Paramount Center for the Arts, 518 State St., Bristol, Tenn.
Tickets: $10 suggested donation
Info: (423) 274-8920

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .