Here’s a round-up of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside:
49 Winchester to play at 2023 Rhythm & Roots festival
The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) has announced that the Russell County-based 49 Winchester will perform at its 22nd annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival in 2023.
Though 49 Winchester is the only Bristol Rhythm 2023 act to be revealed at this time – more of the festival lineup will be announced in the new year – BCM disclosed a few exclusive opportunities for festival goers.
Prices for VIP experiences for two people range from $1,500 to $3,500. Each package includes accommodations (hotel or camping), weekend passes to Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, tickets to the pre-festival kick-off concert, meet-and-greets with festival artists, tickets to tour the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and more.
Weekend passes to the 22nd annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, slated for Sept. 8-10, 2023, are available for $120 (plus tax/fees) on Tuesday, Nov. 29 through Dec. 31, 2022. Prices go up to $140 (plus tax/fees) on Jan. 1, 2023. Bristol Rhythm 2023 weekend passes and exclusive VIP experiences are on sale now at BristolRhythm.com.
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Santa Train’s Santa to speak in Bristol
Don Royston, who portrays Santa Claus aboard Appalachia’s Santa Train, will be the speaker for the monthly Speaker Series event at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, to be held Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. in the museum’s Performance Theater. The event will also stream virtually for those who cannot be present.
The Santa Train made its 80th trip from Shelby Yard in Pikeville, Ky., to Kingsport, Tenn., prior to Thanksgiving this year, making 14 stops in Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, distributing more than 15 tons and $300,000 worth of clothing, food, candy, toys, and gifts to thousands of people in the Appalachian region.
Royston has portrayed Santa since 1999.
The museum’s Speaker Series is free and open to the public; participants are asked to please RSVP if they plan to attend in person or pre-register if joining the conversation online via Zoom. For more information, visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.
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Roanoke’s Old Southwest Parlor Tour resumes
The Old Southwest Parlor Tour in Roanoke resumes after a two-year pandemic break. Seven or more homes, plus the Gish House, will be open for tours on Sat, Dec. 3 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets are $20 and will be available on tour days at the entrace of Highland Park at the intersection of 5th Street and Washington Avenue in Roanoke. Advance ticket vouchers are available at Sunnyside Market and online at oldsouthwest.org.