KINGSPORT – Coming this spring, Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium will be implementing three new attractions to the park.   According to plans, the park will soon begin constructing a Junior Ropes Course, a Playground and an Elevated Ropes Course above the Amphitheater parking lot and beside the Farmstead Museum.  To learn about the details of these improvements, please use the following link.  There you will find examples of the proposed additions and the key facts about the planning, implementation and utilization of these structures.

These projects are
paid for by the Visitor Enhancement Program, and funded by a portion of the
hotel-motel surcharge.

To learn more please click here.

Key Facts

Becky Hobbs Author of Nanyehi to Present Lecture
Saturday, March 6‚  2:00‚  PM
Public Invited.‚  Free Admission

Becky Hobbs

Becky Hobbs is composer and co-playwright of Nanyehi– the story of Nancy Ward, Woman of the Cherokee who was Becky Hobbs fifth great grandmother. Beckys grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth Parks, was great granddaughter of Nancy Ward and is listed on the Dawes Roll.‚  Parks was born in Indian Territory, Oklahoma in 1884.‚  She spoke a little Cherokee and told Becky stories about growing up in Indian Territory.‚  Nancy Ward was born of the Wolf Clan in approximately 1738 in Chota (one of the ‚¬mother towns of the Cherokee Nation), which is now the southeastern Tennessee area.‚  It is said on the day she was born a white wolf appeared on the horizon.‚  The color white was the symbol of peace to the Cherokee.‚  When Nancy Ward was about sixteen years old she went to battle with her husband, Kingfisher, against the Creeks.‚  Her job was to chew the bullets, to make them more deadly.‚  When Kingfisher was killed and fell to the ground, Nancy rose to take his place and lead the Cherokee to victory.‚  She was then given the title ‚¬Ghigau or ‚¬Beloved Woman of the Nation.‚  After earning this honor, she dared to stand where no woman had stood before‚¬¦in the center of the white mans council meeting, protesting war and promoting peace between Cherokee and other tribes, the colonists and the settlers.‚  Nanyehi is being produced by the Cherokee National Theatre Company.‚  Becky Hobbs will share stories and songs from the musical.

Hobbs is also appearing in concert on Saturday, March 6 at 7:30 PM as part of the Red, Hot and Blue Revue III: Singer Songwriters in the Round along with Ann Rabson and E.G. Kight.‚  Tickets are $18 regular admission and $16 student/senior admission and can be purchased by call the Central Box Office at 423-392-8417 or on-line at www.KingsportARTS.org.‚  Discounts available for groups of 10 or more.

Becky Hobbs is a gifted songwriter, as well as a captivating entertainer.‚  She plays the piano like no other female on stage.‚  High energy best describes Becky, yet she can rope you in like an Oklahoma cowgirls with her poignant ballads.‚  Her voice is unique.‚  She co-wrote the powerful Angels Among Us, recorded by Alabama, which stayed on the Billboard Top Singles Sales Chart for over a year.

The Renaissance Center is a center for arts and senior citizens activities, and as a facility for business meetings, parties, receptions, classes, showers and day long seminars with breakout rooms.‚  The facility includes a 350 seat theatre, three story skylit atrium, art gallery, gymnasium, meeting rooms and offices.‚  The Renaissance Center is located 3 miles off of Interstate 26, 1200 East Center Street.‚ ‚  For tickets or more information call 423-392-8414.

Reconnect with Leadership

Saturday, March 6, 2010

7PM til 10PM

Agota Springs, 1114 Saratoga Road, Kingsport

$45.00 Per Person

City Casual

Hearty Hors d’oeuvres by Divine Catering
Enjoy the Live music from Ivy Road

All Proceeds Fund
The Kingsport Leadership Programs

Reconnect with friends from Leadership Programs

Contact Information: Vickie Snodgrass
vsnodgrass@kingsportchamber.org or 423-392-8816

Art Nights/City Lights Presents The Kingsport Community Band
Sunday, March 21‚  2:30 PM
Tickets Available 423-392-8416 or 423-392-8417

KINGSPORT – The Cultural Arts Division of the City of Kingsport is pleased to present the Kingsport Community Band on Sunday, March 21 at 2:30 PM at the Kingsport Renaissance Center Theatre.‚  Tickets are $5 general admission, with children under12 admitted free with parents and can be purchased by calling the Central Box Office at 423-392-8417 or on-line at www.KingsportARTS.org. ‚ 

KINGSPORT COMMUNITY BAND

The Kingsport Community Band has a history that dates back to 1907, 10 years before the modern citys incorporation.

Known then as the Kingsport Concert Band, it was the only musical organization of its kind in the city. Formed by Guy E. Devault, the band eventually achieved a reputation for quality music making. After some starts and stops during the teens, the band was reorganized in 1920, and by 1927 was considered one of the best in the area.

The band ran into difficulty during the middle part of the century. It dissolved during World War II and it wasnt until 1980 that the Kingsport Community Band was formed under the direction of Jewel S. Tilson.

Reorganized at that time by Joseph Heller, owner of Josephs Musicenter, the band then boasted seven musicians who had played with the Kingsport Concert Band in the ‚¬30s.

The present-day band is made up of musicians from a variety of backgrounds ‚¬ both musical and professional. They range in age from mid-teens to 80s. Currently under the direction of Scot Fleming, the organization rehearses weekly at the Dobyns-Bennett music building. All players are welcome ‚¬ auditions are not required.

The band performs for a variety of functions, both indoor and outdoor. The mainstay of the Kingsport Community Band repertoire is a selection of concert marches, several by John Phillip Sousa and other well-known march composers. The band also plays arrangements of familiar melodies and folk songs, both old and new.