Market Street and Jazz Stage Lineup

Market Street Stage

Friday June 4, 2010

Avery Deakins

These Undowners

Wolf Creek

Saturday June 5, 2010

Logan Murrell

The Penny Dreadfuls

Southern Culture on the Skids

Jazz Stage

Friday June 4, 2010

Unlimited

Christabel and The Jons

Vertigo Jazz Project

Saturday June 5, 2010

Frito Puente

Makia Groove

Kinda Blue

Jazz Doctors

Daniel Weatherspoon

We are so happy to be able to showcase such wonderful and talented artists and musicians!

For more information on the Blue Plum Festival, or to get invovled through volunteering please visit the official website

www.blueplum.org

Main Stage Line-Up Announced!

2010 Blue Plum Festival Line-up

Main Stage

Friday June 4, 2010

4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Town Mountain (Asheville, NC)

5:30 pm to 6:30 pm The Brother Boys

7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas Louisiana

8:30 pm to 11:00 pm Donna the Buffalo New York

Saturday June 5, 2010

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm The Barefoot Movement North Carolina & Tennessee

2:30 pm to 3:30 pm Malcom Holcombe Foothills of North Carolina

4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Spring Creek

5:30 pm to 6:30 pm Casey Driessen Minnesota

7:00 pm to 7:30 pm Great American Taxi

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm The Gourds Texas

***Please click on the highlighted links above to be redirected to the artist/group's website!

Calling All Cooks!

The Easter holiday is just around the corner, and while browsing online I ran across something that was SOOO appropriate for the season, AND features PLUMS! The following recipe and images were featured on www.eatingoutloud.com in 2007..and I just had to share!

Rustic Plum Tart

Crust
1 1/4 c. All Purpose Flour
2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c. Unsalted butter, cut into 1/2" pieces
3 Tbsp Ice water

Filling
1 1/2 lbs Plums halved, pitted and sliced
6 Tbsp Sugar
1/2 tsp Ground ginger
1/4 tsp Ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp All purpose flour
2 Tbsp Unsalted butter, melted
1 Egg beaten (to glaze)
1/4 c. Apricot preserves

For Crust: Blend flour, sugar, salt. Add butter and cut into mixture until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 2 Tbsp of ice water, blend until moist clump forms, add more water by teaspoons if mixture is still dry. Gather dough into a ball, flatten into a disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least one (1) hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss plums, 4 Tbsp sugar, ginger, and cinnamon in a bowl. Roll dough on a floured surface into a 12 1/2" ball. Transfer to rimmed baking sheet. Mix 1 Tbsp sugar and 1Tbsp flour in a small bowl, sprinkle over the dough leaving a 2" plain border.

Arrange plums in concentric circles on the dough leaving a 2" plain border. Drizzle with melted butter. Fold dough border toward center. Brush border with egg glaze, sprinkle with 1 Tbsp sugar.

Bake tart until plums are tender and the crust is golden..about 35-45 minutes. During the last few minutes, warm the apricot preserves on the stovetop. Remove the baked pie and brush the warmed preserves over the top of the plums. Tart must cool at least one (1) hour at room temperature before serving. ENJOY!

Well, now I'm wondering how many of you have cooked with plums? What's your favorite dish? Want to have your "Blue Plum" recipe featured on this blog? Then email it to media@blueplum.org! If I have a few recipe submissions..I'll create an on-going article!

Blue Plum Festival's Media Director

Hi! My name is Brandi Woodall, Media Director for the 2010 Blue Plum Festival held in downtown Johnson City, Tennessee. My function for the BP Festival is simple...promotion! It is my goal to use social media to raise awareness for this FREE art and music festival held annually.

Last year the Blue Plum saw almost 80,000 visitors over the two-day event. THIS year the festival has been extended into Sunday, so we anticipate even more foot traffic! The dates of the festival are June 4-6, 2010 and a full schedule of events and artist line ups will be listed on the main site www.blueplum.org very soon. The headliners are still being lined up!

In an effort to keep the Blue Plum Festival in the spotlight (although we are the largest event held in the Tri!), you can find us in various social media networks including Facebook (over 1200 fans and growing daily), Twitter @blueplumfest, and Spot Social. Unlike other area events, we want to engage with our friends and followers. Because we want our fans and friends to know that we create and execute this event with all of you in mind. Because without the fans, the team of hardworking volunteers, and our sponsors there would be no festival!

Our Volunteer Coordinator, Jennifer Clements is working on "Plum Up!", our volunteer program that covers most every aspect of this 3 day festival. Want to work in your community??? Then shoot an email to us and let us know you're interested.

OHHH and where else in the area can you reach 80,000 potential clients in one weekend??? Contact David Pennington, the Blue Plum Festival Director. He'll send you over a promotional package with all of the options and opportunities to shine the light on your organization!

In closing, thank you for the follows and friend requests...keep reading, posting, and twittering! And I look forward to bringing you more information about the 2010 Blue Plum Festival as it unfolds!


Brandi Woodall
Blue Plum Media Director


Brandi Woodall is owner of Positive Approach Events & Consulting. The Premier Event Service in the Tri-Cities area. From full service event management to social media marketing, we offer services for every corporate and leisure event.

First Friday- February 5, 2010

First Friday is once upon us! And February's theme is Mardi Gras! What a list of things to do! So many events...something for everybody!

The King Centre (300 E. Main Street Johnson City, TN 37601) will feature Dilly-Dally the clown for the kiddies! From juggling to balloon animals, the kids are sure to enjoy!

Do you know what a King Cake is??? If not, come and learn all about this traditional cake and find the baby! That's right...find the baby..the winner will receive a prize!

And what is Mardi Gras without music, The King Centre will welcome the Mud Bugs to the lobby at 7:00pm...they are the area's feature New Orleans-Style band

Nelson Fine Art will also be presenting a new exhibit "Art from the Buffalo School", featuring art and design from the students of Milligan College. The reception will be hosted from 7-9pm with the faculty and student artists on-hand to discuss their work.

And a MUST for any Mardi Gras Celebration is beads!!!! So stop in at Beadworks on Main Street to pick yours up! Also, they'll be having live music and instructions on making your own jewelry. AND they are giving away 2 children's bead partys (up to 8 guests at each) during First Friday!

So whatever your fancy, whether it is beads, music, art, or food and drink...you'll find it all in Downtown Johnson City, Tennessee!

Come "Treasure" Our New Exhibit @ The Hands On Museum

Do your kids love treasure hunting? Well if so..then the Hands On Museum in downtown Johnson City, Tennessee should be on your list of things to do in this New Year!

On January 16, 2010 a new exhibit opened and will continue until April 25, 2010. This new exciting exhibit organized by NRG! Exhibits of Washington State has a dozen hands-on activities that allow the visitors to try tools for treasure hunting as well as investigate treasures! Visitors can drive an Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), underwater, crack a safe, learn their weight in gold, and experiment with real metal detectors to locate treasure!

In addition to underwater treasure hunting, the exhibit also teaches visitors to locate treasures in the attic, family heirlooms, and long-lost toys that may have hidden value. Ever heard of "geocaching"? It's a new form of treasure hunting that includes various ways of locating treasure such as; maps, landmarks, compasses and of course....GPS!

"Treasure Hunting has found it's way into popular culture through books and movies. And now, modern "Treasure Hunters" use some really exciting technology in their search for treasure," said Kristine Carter, Marketing Manger for the Hands on Museum. "This exhibit is something the whole family can enjoy together."

Hands On! Regional Museum is located at 315 E. Main Street in downtown Johnson City, Tennessee. The museum offers daily programming and exhibits focused on the arts, sciences, and humanities for all ages. For more information about this exhibit, or the museum, please call (423) 434-HAND or visit www.handsonmuseum.org.

Blue Plum 2008

Just wanted to share a video shot in 2008 at the Blue Plum Festival, courtesy of GoTricities. Jared Bentley takes a stroll through the festival and gives you a bird's eye view of vendors, music, and the experience of what the Blue Plum Festival is all about!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPOsvOTQqLI

The Main Street Pizza Company-Johnson City, TN

New Eating Establishment Opens in Downtown Johnson City, TN

The Main Street Pizza Company in downtown Johnson City, TN will have a soft opening on Thursday, January 7, 2010 from 7:00pm to 5:00am. For those of you that haven't heard of this new eating establishment, they are located at 300 E. Main Street in the King Centre in the space that formerly housed Russo's of Orleans. They are within two blocks of walking distance from Capone's, Second Level, Hideaway, Halo's, Numan's, and Tipton Street Pub.

With fantastic menu of pizza, pasta, and appetizers they are sure to have something for everyone..even anchovies! And here's a little kick they also have a FULL Bar..that's right! The bar offers beer, liquor, and of course wine until 3am. And for your sport's viewing pleasure they also have not one..but two Hi-Def Big Screens (47" and 51").

Click HERE for a down loadable version of their menu. The soft openings are scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the next few weeks. Become a fan on facebook by clicking their image above to access their fan page!

This is yet another great business that is opening up in downtown Johnson City, TN! Come and see what's happening in downtown! You'll find so many great items from antiques and art to dining and dog food. Whatever you need, you can find it all downtown!

Make a resolution this year to BUY LOCAL and support the small business owners in your town!

Introducing The Blue Plum Festival Volunteer Coordinator

Blue Plum Question #1- Who are you and can you tell us a little about yourself?


My name is Jennifer Clements. I have lived in the area all of my life, except for the four years that I spent away at college in Ohio. I am a member of the Junior League of Johnson City, TN which is a nonprofit organization that focuses on women and children's issues in the area. I also enjoy doing volunteer work for my church, Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church located in downtown Johnson City, TN.


Blue Plum Question #2- How did you get involved with the Blue Plum Festival?

Munsey Memorial Methodist Church is involved with the Blue Plum Festival as the kid's area sponsor. They provide entertainment, games, and prizes for kids of all ages during the festival. I have enjoyed helping with this part of the festival over the past four years. My involvement began with the kid's area and has progressed to areas such as procuring sponsorships for the festival.


Blue Plum Question #3- How does volunteering in your community make you feel?

By getting involved with the Blue Plum Festival I have been able to meet a lot of great people and I feel like I'm now a part of something big in our community. I enjoy being a part of something that draws people to our beautiful downtown and entertains them. The Blue Plum Festival is the kickoff event for the summer and is an event that everyone wants to attend.


Blue Plum Question #4- Any final words from the Volunteer Coordinator?

This year I will be heading up "Plum Up", the Blue Plum Festival's Volunteer Campaign. This is your opportunity to become a part of our downtown organization! We are so grateful for those individuals, organizations, and companies that volunteer yearly. This year, we ask that you too become a part of this exciting opportunity and become a part of our "Plum Up Team"!




**For more information on the festival and how you can become involved please visit our official website at www.blueplum.org.