Old Oak Festival to feature wide variety of musical performances

Jazz, country, gospel, bluegrass and rock and roll are a few of the musical stylings that will be featured at the 2017 Old Oak Festival planned April 21-23 on the campus of Tusculum.

Featuring a wide variety of music and food and fun, the Old Oak Festival will span across three days, featuring something for everyone, be it live music, theater, arts and crafts or fabulous festival food.

“We are very excited about the wide variety of performers that we have committed to this year’s festival,” said David Price, director of music and band programs at Tusculum and coordinator of the festival.

“This year’s musical acts offer something for everyone and show off amazing artistic talent from folks in our region and beyond.”

While the list of musical performers is not complete, currently several bands have announced plans to perform and include the Brother Boys, My New Favorites, Shiloh, Ashley Bean, Sigean, the Dread Scots, Poplar Hill Reunion, the Tusculum Jazz Band, the Tusculum Marching Band, the Tusculum Concert Band, the Tusculum Handbell Choir and the Bluegrass Outlaws.

There will also be jam sessions during the festival and visitors are encouraged to bring their instrument and join for a weekend of fun with other musicians.

In addition to music, workshops for high school students will be held on Friday and include sessions on the Math and Science of Tree Identification, Contemporary Poetry, Instrumental Master Class (Band), Vocal Master Class, Introduction to Programming with Python, Drawing, the Brief Essay or Prose Poem, Medieval Siege Warfare, Songwriting, Playwriting, Political Jeopardy, Flash Fiction, SM-Art! Sensational Mathematical Art, as well as Animation, Abel Brown, as well as Shimmy and the Burns.

Workshops are presented by faculty of Tusculum and other experts in the field.

There is no charge for students to participate in the workshop sessions and lunch will be provided.  Students need to register by Wednesday, April 12. To reserve a spot, contact Kelsey Trom, assistant professor of English at ktrom@tusculum.edu or (423) 636-7420 ext. 5420.

The Museums of Tusculum College will be hosting the Old Oak’s second annual LEGO contest, “LEGO® Historians!” Participants, using their own LEGO® or other compatible plastic bricks, design and build a unique creation (not from a designed kit) based on any historical topic. Registration is open now. Deliver completed projects to the Doak House Museum, 690 Erwin Highway, Greeneville 37745. Projects may be dropped off from April 17-20, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The museums will also operate a Family Photo Preservation Station during the Old Oak Festival. The public is invited to bring up to 20 family photographs or 20 pages of family documents (letters, certificates, etc.) for digital scanning and preservation. Documents or photos will be scanned and saved to a writable CD which we will provide, or bring a personal thumb drive. Participants will also receive a handy guide to caring for their family heirlooms according to best archival & museum standards. RSVP to dboyd@tusculum.edu or 4123-636-8554 to sign up for an appointment time.

Other special events planned for this year’s festival include an art show at Allison Gallery, student theater productions and literary readings.

New this year will be archery tag, sponsored by the Tusculum Office of Student Affairs. Archery tag is played similar to dodgeball with our bows and patented foam-tipped arrows. This exciting, action-packed game offers the ultimate family-friendly experience that engages everyone.

There is no fee to attend the festival. Art vendor hours will be Friday from noon until 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Entertainment and food continues into the evening, with the final performers ending at 10 p.m.

Service animals are welcome; however, no pets allowed. Coolers, firearms and alcohol are also prohibited on the Tusculum campus property during the festival. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged.

The event is being sponsored by the Old Oak Tap Room, Artistic Printers, The Greeneville Sun and Radio Greeneville.

For updates and more information, visit the website at www.oldoakfestival.org or on facebook. For more information on registering as a vendor or performer or volunteering at the festival, contact Price at 423-636-7303.