Short skits by Greene County youth will be featured as part of Old Oak Festival, April 15-17

The Old Oak Festival will return to Tusculum College campus April 15-17, featuring crafts, music, art shows, theater, kids activities, festival food and much, much more.

As part of the entertainment, Old Oak attendees will have the opportunity to see GLAWPIGT (Great Literature Alive & Well, Playing In Greeneville, Tennessee) as they present a one-hour showcase during each day of the Festival. Show times are Friday, April 15, at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 16, at 2 p.m. and Sunday, April 17, at 2 p.m.

A truly varied hour of entertainment, the showcase includes sketch comedy, young adult fiction, poetry, amusing literary analysis, unique interpretations of fairy tales, Shakespeare and even Vaudeville style comedy.

General seating is $5 and tickets will be available one-hour prior to show time at the box office. The performance will be held in the Behan Arena Theatre in the lower level of the Annie Hogan Byrd building.

GLAWPIGT, which is celebrating its 30th year, is a literary performance group founded by Tusculum College Artist-in-Residence Marilyn duBrisk and sponsored by Tusculum College Arts Outreach. The group meets weekly during the academic year. It is comprised of students from East Tennessee ranging in ages from 10 to 17. For more information about the show case or GLAWPIGT, please contact Arts Outreach at 423-798-1620.

The Old Oak festival will span across three days and will feature something for everyone, including crafts, music, art, theater, storytelling and area authors, as well as gallery and museum exhibits.

Throughout the weekend on stage, the festival will present the sounds of the region, with a wide variety of music from bluegrass to jazz to regionally-known vocalists and musicians.

Fiddlin’ Carson Peters returns again to headline the Old Oak Festival, along with the Smoky Mountain Bluegrass band and a host of regional talent. Musicians kicking off the show on Friday include Bean Tree Remedy featuring Ashley Bean, Dave Nunez and the Perfect World Band, Mike Joy, My New Favorites and Prism – a tribute to Pink Floyd. Friday night will also feature Jack & Michael on the Terrace entertaining for an alumni event.

On Saturday, expect good old-fashioned fun from Shiloh and the Tusculum College Band closing out the night, but also plan to get to the festival early to hear Stem Winder, the Thursday Night Boys, Jake Keasly & Friends, New Chronic Dream, the Kevin Wilder Group, The Dandy Lions, Absinthe Gray, Jimmie D and the House Rockers and the Madisons.

The Carson Peters Band will be on the main stage on Saturday as well. Additionally on Saturday, some favorite features return, including the “Conduct Us” session with the Tusculum College Band, where anyone can step up and take over the conductor’s baton.

Sunday’s artists include Jim and Curtis Moneyhun, Steve Brown, the Tusculum College Handbell Choir, the Matthew Hurd Band and the regional favorite, the Great Smoky Mountain Bluegrass band.

“The musical acts this year will provide a wide variety to suit all musical tastes, with some top rate performances on all three days,” said David Price, festival coordinator and director of music for Tusculum College.

A new feature for the Old Oak Festival this year will be horse and carriage rides, sponsored by Tymley Travel, and a lineup of 10 workshops designed for high school students, through which five participants will be awarded a $500 scholarship.

The high school workshops will be offered in morning and afternoon shifts, from 9-11 a.m. and 12:30-2:30 p.m. The morning workshops will consist of an educational wetland tour and nature writing, contemporary poetry, drawing, playwriting, and music theory and songwriting. Acting, brief essay or prose poem, tree identification, photo manipulation and songwriting will be offered in the afternoon.

Another returning favorite is Joyce Carroll, puppet master. Carroll will be a puppet troubadour, appearing through the festival with spontaneous performances.

Sponsors of the event include Artistic Printers, Fatz Cafe, The Greeneville Sun, Radio Greeneville and Wayne Thomas.

There is no fee to attend the festival, other than the admission fee for the GLAWPIGT performances. Art vendor hours will be Friday from noon until 6 p.m. Author Row and the food vendors will remain open until 9 p.m. On Saturday, hours will be from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.  for art vendors and 9 p.m. for the rest of the festival. Sunday hours are 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information, contact Price at 423-636-7303.

Coolers and alcohol are prohibited.

For updates and more information, visit the website at www.oldoakfestival.org or on facebook.

 

Great Literature Alive & Well and Playing In Greeneville, Tennessee will put on three shows during the Old Oak Festival, April 15-17.