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Jonesborough Yarn Exchange: Valiant Volunteers
Jonesborough’s long running original story-based radio show, A Night with the Yarn Exchange performs at the International Storytelling Center on April 24th at 7p.m. This show is presented as a scripted, old fashioned radio show, complete with a Foley operator providing sound effects, and great regional musical guests. Each month, skits are created from real oral stories from Jonesborough and the Tri-Cities.
April’s production will be filled with these (mostly) true tales of the great volunteers in the Northeast Tennessee region, past and present. From a hilarious behind-the-scenes account from the servers (or “runners”) at Jonesborough’s famous Farm to Table Dinner, to the tear jerking account of the founding of “Compassionate Friends” group in the area, to the incredible music in between, this show has something for old and young alike.
This show is special, as it features two musical acts- a first in the monthly show’s six-year history. Joining the cast will be the all volunteer Watauga Valley Fife and Drum Corps. The Corps is a group of talented musicians who recreate the sights and sounds of 18th century colonial America with martial and traditional music of the period. The group is comprised of individuals from the Elizabethton/Carter County area and surrounding communities and is headquartered at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area in Elizabethton, Tennessee where they serve as field musicians for the park’s living history organization, the Washington County Regt. NC Militia.
Also joining the show are the Heritage Singers from Milligan College. This auditioned, a cappella ensemble consists of eight members. Heritage is Milligan’s premier traveling ensemble. They have sung for many churches, community and civic groups, and regularly represent the college around the country. With more than twenty years history, the group is regularly sought after for their distinct a cappella style and presentation.
The Heritage Alliance of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia will also make their monthly appearance on the show in a popular segment called “Ask the Historian”, while other local volunteers, such as Frances Lambert, who started the Butterfly Arboretum, as well as local volunteer firemen, have their stories performed by the talented cast of the Jonesborough Yarn Exchange.
Tickets to the live performance are only $5 or grab a season pass for $55, these can be purchased by calling 423-753-1010 or you can visit Jonesborough.com. Reservations are recommended, as the show regularly sells out.
The live performance is recorded for broadcast on WETS 89.5 FM, and can be heard the last Wednesday of the month on that station at 8:00PM. The program is also streamed online at the same time on wets.org on HD channel 1.
Night with the Yarn Exchange is part of Jonesborough’s Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts, and is sponsored by the Tennessee Arts Commission, Mountain States Health Alliance, and the Town of Jonesborough
