Arts and more at ETSU: October
From music, theater and cinema to poetry and lectures, East Tennessee State University is hosting a variety of events in the arts and more this October.
The following events are open to the public and are free unless otherwise noted:
Music
Opening Bands Concert
October 4, 7:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall
The ETSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Concert Band will perform traditional, classical,
contemporary and popular works during their first concert of the fall semester.
Homecoming: Gospel Choir Concert
October 6, 2 p.m. – D.P. Culp Student Center, Martha Street Culp Auditorium
The ETSU Gospel Choir hosts this traditional worship experience to close out the university’s
Homecoming celebration each year.
Acoustic Autumn Series
October 10, 6 p.m. – Founders Park Amphitheatre, 225 Commerce Street
ETSU sponsors the October event in Johnson City’s Acoustic Autumn Series, featuring
performances by local musicians.
Guest Artist Recital: Pianist Dr. Jay Hershberger
October 12, 7:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, Powell Recital Hall
Dr. Jay Hershberger, president of the American Liszt Society and professor of piano
at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, will perform in a Guest Artist Recital.
Ben Folds: Paper Airplane Request Tour
October 17, 7:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall
Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter-composer brings his Paper Airplane Request Tour to
ETSU. During the show, fans will be invited to launch song requests to the stage via
paper airplanes. Ticket prices range from $45-$99.50.
The Sixteen
October 24, 7:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall
The Sixteen, one of the world’s most renowned choral ensembles, brings to ETSU its
repertoire of music from a wide range of periods, from Baroque to the 21st century.
Ticket prices range from $20-$28.
ETSU Orchestra Concert
October 26, 7:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall
The ETSU Symphony Orchestra presents its fall concert, “Simply Romantic,” featuring
the music of Romantic era composers, including Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Tickets are $12.
Faculty Recital: Dr. Roya Farzaneh and James West
October 27, 2 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, Powell Recital Hall
ETSU Department of Music faculty members Dr. Roya Farzaneh, flute, and James West,
guitar, will perform a joint recital.
Theater/Cinema
Homecoming Movie Night: ‘Top Gun: Maverick’
October 4, 7 p.m. – Amphitheatre
“Top Gun: Bucs Take Flight” is the theme of ETSU’s 2024 Homecoming, and in keeping
with that theme, Buctainment will show the 2022 action-adventure film “Top Gun: Maverick”
for students, faculty, staff and the community. Bring a lawn chair and blanket for
this outdoor showing at ETSU’s historic Amphitheatre.
First Friday Film Screening
October 4, 7 p.m. – Bud Frank Theatre, Gilbreath Hall
The Bud Frank Cinema hosts a film screening the first Friday of each month during
the academic year. The October film title is TBA.
Film Screening: ‘It’s Only Life After All’
October 11, 7 p.m. – Bud Frank Theatre, Gilbreath Hall
The Bud Frank Cinema presents “It’s Only Life After All,” a film blending 40 years
of home movies, raw film archive and intimate present-day verité, giving a look into
the obstacles, activism and life lessons of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers of the Indigo
Girls.
Highlands Horrorfest
October 19, 7 p.m. – Wallace Theatre, 215 E. Main Street
This third annual competitive film festival features short works by ETSU students
and alumni and other filmmakers from across the region, with a costume contest during
intermission.
ETSU Theatre: ‘The Moors’
October 24-26, 7:30 p.m., and October 27, 2 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, Bach
Theatre
The ETSU Department of Theatre and Dance presents “The Moors” by Jan Silverman, “a
dark comedy about love, desperation and visibility.” Ticket prices range from $10-$20.
Fine Arts
‘Stitch Together: The Social Seamstress in Southern Appalachia’
Continuing through January 10, 2025, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday – Reece Museum
The Reece Museum hosts this exhibit exploring the social connections of seamstresses
by showcasing the fashion and clothing of the museum’s permanent collection.
‘Process as Practice: Patricia Mink’
October 3-25, various times – Tipton Gallery, 126 Spring Street, Johnson City
This fiber arts exhibit features works by Patricia Mink, who taught in ETSU’s Department
of Art and Design for 20 years. An opening reception will be held Friday, Oct. 4,
from 6-8 p.m. Tipton Gallery is regularly open Thursdays and Fridays from 5-7 p.m.
Quilts: More Than an Heirloom
October 25, 9 a.m. – Archives of Appalachia, Sherrod Library, room 422
The Archives of Appalachia will host a live quilting demonstration featuring experts
from several regional quilting guilds, who will share how to preserve family history
through the art of quilting.
Poetry
Speaking Queerly: An LGBTQ+ Poetry Night
October 2, 7 p.m. – D.P. Culp Student Center, East Tennessee Room (room 272)
This evening of open mic poetry reading is an informal community event featuring members
of “The Mockingbird” student publication staff and other students, faculty and staff.
Lectures and More
An Evening with NASA at ETSU: A Presentation on the Europa Clipper Mission
October 3, 4:30 p.m. – Brown Hall auditorium, room 112
NASA is scheduled to launch the Europa Clipper Mission in October to learn more about
Jupiter’s moon Europa. Dr. Trina Ray of NASA will discuss the project and take questions
from the audience. A special workshop for teachers will follow the talk; registration is required for the workshop.
ETSU Elevates
October 7, 5:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall
ETSU Elevates features collaborative community engagement projects between ETSU students
and regional community partners that address economic, social or environmental issues.
The students will present their pitches in front of a live audience and three judges.
Presidential Lecture: ‘The Life and Times of Burgin E. Dossett’
October 8, 6:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, Powell Recital Hall
Fred Sauceman will share details about a remarkable era in ETSU’s history and the
life of the man who defined it – the university’s third president, Dr. Burgin E. Dossett.
East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.
Stay in Touch
Follow ETSU on Social