Calendar of Events
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
River & Rail Theatre Company & Knoxville Opera: Stuck Elevator
By Byron Au Yong and Aaron Jafferis’, a contemporary "comic-rap-scrap-metal-opera"
Directed by Keturah Stickann and conducted by the exceptional Judith Yan
Stuck Elevator is based on the dramatic true story of an immigrant delivery man trapped in an elevator for 81 hours. Through a blend of music, spoken word, and multimedia, the opera vividly portrays the psychological and emotional toll of confinement, while also touching on themes of immigration, cultural identity, and the pursuit of the American Dream. A co-production with Knoxville Opera, this opera promises to deliver a unique and impactful theatrical experience.
River & Rail Theatre, 111 State Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-407-0727, www.riverandrailtheatre.com
Appalachian Equality Chorus: We’re Still Here
Category: Music
The Appalachian Equality Chorus (AEC) invites the public to experience its most powerful and heartfelt concert yet: We’re Still Here, a spring concert series taking place in Johnson City on May 10 and Knoxville on May 16 & 17. With over 100 singers performing onstage—the largest in the chorus’s history—this genre-spanning program fuses protest anthems, pop hits, and original choral works into a bold celebration of resilience, identity, and joy.
Concert Dates:
Friday, May 10 at 7:30 PM – St. John’s Episcopal Church, Johnson City, TN
Friday, May 16 at 7:30 PM & Saturday, May 17 at 3:00 PM – Clayton Center for the Arts at Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville, TN
“We’re Still Here” is more than just a concert title—it’s a declaration. At a time when efforts to silence LGBTQ+ voices persist across the country, the Appalachian Equality Chorus offers a vibrant, unapologetic response through music. With selections by artists like Bob Dylan, Lady Gaga, P!nk, Joni Mitchell, Chappell Roan, and the Wailin’ Jennys, the concert explores the enduring legacy of protest music and the communal power of lifting our voices together.
Audience members can expect familiar favorites like Born This Way, Big Yellow Taxi, You Don’t Own Me, If I Had a Hammer, What About Us, One Voice, and We Shall Be Free, along with newer hits like Hot to Go! and Pink Pony Club—all reimagined in choral arrangements that stir the soul.
Doors open 45 minutes before showtime. Pre- and post-concert events with the Chorus will be announced on social media.
Learn more or get tickets: www.appequalitychorus.org
Follow AEC on social: @AppEqualityChorus
WDVX: Blue Plate Special & The Big Plate
Category: Free event, Kids, family and Music
The WDVX Blue Plate Special is a live performance radio show held at noon at Visit Knoxville (301 S. Gay Street) every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with your host Red Hickey… and on Saturday with host Sean McCollough. On Fridays WDVX takes the Blue Plate Special to Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria (200 E Jackson Ave) for “The Big Plate”. Make yourself at home as part of the WDVX family at this this daily free concert series. From blues to bluegrass, country to Celtic, folk to funk, rockabilly to hillbilly, local to international, it’s all part of the live music experience on The WDVX Blue Plate Special.
All seats are free, and visitors may come and go as they please.
Info: 865-544-1029, http://www.wdvx.com
