Calendar of Events

Sunday, September 8, 2024

Ijams Nature Center: Twilight at Ijams

Category: Culinary arts, food, Dance, movement, Festivals, special events, Fundraisers, Music and Science, nature

Twilight at Ijams presented by Clayton on Sunday, Sept. 8, from 6-9 p.m. will feature curated, interactive vignettes and art installations at various locations along the paved Universal Trail and Plaza. There will be opportunities to listen to and learn about bats, explore aquatic worlds, and more while enjoying a Southern feast of fresh, local bites and signature cocktails.

“Ijams is a special place that offers many ways to connect with nature,” CEO and President Amber Parker said. “Education and community-building are at the heart of everything here, which is why we wanted to include these elements in this year's program. People will enjoy authentic experiences with nature and science, engage with cool art, and build community with other nature-loving folks during activities that will even include a campfire with a gourmet s’mores bar, all while supporting a place people care about," she said.

This year’s entertainment will be provided by The Tennessee Sheiks, dancing is highly encouraged, and there will be fun surprises. Parker said the event’s online auction will open Aug. 30 to allow anyone to participate, even if they can’t attend the event.

Individual tickets for the Twilight Celebration from 6-9 p.m. are $175. VIP packages are available for four and eight people, and feature reserved seating, early check-in, premium parking, and a VIP Cocktail Party from 5-6 p.m.
Proceeds from this annual event help Ijams Nature Center welcome more than 620,000 visitors annually, offer hundreds of educational programs, and restore and maintain more than 318 acres of protected land in the heart of Knoxville.
The deadline to get tickets is Aug. 31. To reserve tickets or make a donation to support Ijams, visit www.Ijams.org/twilight-at-ijams.

Cathedral Concert: Marble City Opera

Category: Free event and Music

Faith, Hope, & Love: Music from Puccini, Verdi, and more.
By Cathedral Concert Series
Sunday, September 8 · 5:30 - 6:30pm
The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
711 South Northshore Drive Knoxville, TN 37919

The Cathedral Concert Series is proud to present Marble City Opera in a chamber concert titled Faith, Hope & Love: Music from Puccini, Verdi, and more. The program is dedicatedt to the operatic music of Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, and many more. Featuring artists Kathryn Frady (soprano), Brandon Coffer (piano), Lydia Schoen (oboe), and Kelsey Bentley (french horn). Admission is Free: Seating is Limited.(doors open 1 hour before concert) Please Respect our Sacred Space: No Food/Drink/Gum.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cathedral-concert-marble-city-opera-tickets-993732870767

Smoky Mountain Blues Society: Blues Cruise with Ray Beltran & BlueMax

  • September 8, 2024

Category: Music and Science, nature

TENNESSEE RIVERBOAT COMPANY, 300 Neyland Dr, Knoxville, TN
WWW.TNRIVERBOAT.COM and (865) 525-7827

The Smoky Mountain Blues Society will once again present live music with its continuation of our monthly Blues Cruises of 2024. This month’s performance will feature Ray Beltran & BlueMax on the Tennessee Riverboat on Sunday, September 8th at 4 pm – 7 pm. Boarding begins at 3:15 pm. Ray Beltran & BlueMax won the SMBS 2023 Regional IBC and went on to compete as our band representative in the IBC-2024 in Memphis.
Ray Beltran on Vocals & Harmonica
Danny Michel on Guitar
Geoff Trabalka on Guitar
Grady Lowery on Bass
Brent Williams on Drums

Tickets are available through the Tennessee Riverboat Company’s website, (tnriverboat.com) and by calling (865) 525-7827. Tickets are just $20 for members in advance and $25 for non-members. SMBS Members should call to claim their discount (865) 525-7827. Members will be receiving discount code by email.
www.smokymountainblues.org

Asian Culture Center of TN: 11th Knox Asian Festival

Category: Culinary arts, food, Dance, movement, Festivals, special events, Fine Crafts, Kids, family and Music

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/11th-annual-knox-asian-festival-tickets-876326364747

VIP Show (Sep 7th) VIP & Friend of Festival Members
Enjoy Ninja Show & take photos with them, Japanese Drum from Disney world show & Award winning Indian dance show
Paid Customers will receive the official T-shirt & Sep 8th General admission.

1 Day Ticket (Sep 8th) General Admission $3, FREE under 12 years old
3 stages of performances all day, Authentic foods, Passport program to travel 12 countries, Market Place

The 11th Knox Asian Festival will make its return to World’s Fair Park on September 8, 2024, with a special “Friends of the Festival” VIP event occurring the evening before, on September 7th. Taking place on Sep 7th, from 6PM until 9PM, the VIP event will be a magical night of performances featuring this year’s special guests, the ASHURA ninja corps from the Ninja Museum of Iga-ryu. As part of the first authentic ninjutsu demonstration in East Tennessee, these real-life ninjas will perform their incredible fighting skills and the ancient arts of one of Japan’s oldest ninja traditions. Also performing at the VIP event are returning fan favorites the Matsuriza Taiko Drum Troupe, as well as dancers from the Natyarpana Dance Company. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased. The cost of admission includes a festival t-shirt and all-day access to the festival the next day.

On the 8th, the 11th Annual Knox Asian Festival will begin at 10:30AM and end at 6PM. This year, the festival will charge a small fee to help cover costs and ensure the sustainability of the Knox Asian Festival and the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee, which remains a nonprofit organization dedicated to education and outreach. Admission will be $3.00 for visitors 12 years and up and free for children under 12. All entry gates will be cashless, so visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time to expedite entry into the festival—tickets can be bought online.

People who do not want to wait at the entrance on the Festival, We will have Pre-Check-in days on September 3rd 3PM -8PM at the Dicks Sporting goods at Western Mall. You can Pre-check in and receive the wristband. So you can just show it when you come in on the Festival day. NO waiting time.

As customary, the day will begin with the parade of nations, featuring representatives from over a dozen Asian countries. The parade will start at the splash pad fountains, traverse the Festival Lawn, and conclude at the Amphitheater stage.

Other performances throughout the day include the performers from the VIP event (including ninjas), as well as a variety of other acts, including gamelan musicians from Bali island Indonesia, Filipina singer Khay Shaw, and the Mabuhay Dancers, winners of the 2023 Atlanta, Georgia Philippine Independence Day cultural dance contest. Japanese Shamisen (Banjo) Music concert, Nepal Dance performance, Korean Fan Dancers from Atlanta GA, K-pop Dance, Dragon & Lion Dance by Wah Lum Kang Fu school, Nashville Tiko drum performance, Matsuriza Drum and Ninjya show is on 1:30PM and 4:30PM. There will also be a cosplay contest. Visitors will also be treated to over Forty food vendors, dozens of arts and craft vendors, and activities for the whole family.

The popular passport program will also return, encouraging all to visit each country’s representative pavilions, collect stamps, and win prizes. Thailand pavilion organize “Loy Krathong “ which is old festival that paid respect to the water sprit. You can float beautiful flower basket to pray. Japan Pavilion will have Green Tea Ceremony. Enjoy the Teahouse, which UTK students made. You also can wear summer kimono and take the photo. Indian Pavilion will organize Holi Festival, which is a popular, and significant Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colors, Love, and spring. Vietnam Culture tent will have the sample of Vietnam French Coffee.

Proceeds from the Knox Asian Festival will fund year-round cultural outreach programs that help East Tennessee’s K-12 students grow up to be global citizens & serve senior citizens and other educational non -profits.
https://www.asianculturetn.org

Sequoyah Birthplace Museum: 33rd annual Cherokee Fall Festival

Category: Culinary arts, food, Dance, movement, Festivals, special events, History, heritage, Kids, family and Music

Tennessee’s only tribally owned museum will host its 33rd annual Cherokee Fall Festival on September 7th & 8th, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day.

Visitors will have the opportunity to step back in time to experience Native American food, Cherokee arts and crafts demonstrations, music and dance. In the museum we will be demonstrating our 1800’s Acorn Printing Press. A blacksmith will be doing on-site demonstrations in the shop both days. Other demonstrations and displays will include Cherokee life in 1700’s and a Civil War encampment.

Visitors will be able to meet and talk with Cherokees from the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina. Special entertainment will be provided by the Warrior Dancers of Ani-Kituhwa who are the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians official ambassadors. Check out our reconstructed 1800’s dog-trot log cabin. Meet and chat with Miss Cherokee and have your name written in Cherokee.

Other activities include posters from Cherokee Elementary school. We will also host a children’s blowgun competition and an adult blowgun competition on both days. Traditional Indian Fry bread and Indian tacos, and other food and drinks will be sold.

This event is funded in part by Tennessee Arts Commission Rural Arts Program Grant, and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.

Tickets Adults are $10.00, children 13-18 years old are $5.00 and children 12 and under are free. Family rate( 2 adults and 2 children 13-18 yrs. old) for $25.00 also available.

Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, 576 Hwy 360, Vonore, TN 37885. Hours: M-Sa 9-5, Su 12-5. Information: 423-884-6246, www.sequoyahmuseum.org

Sequoyah Birthplace Museum: Cherokee Fall Festival

Category: Culinary arts, food, Festivals, special events, History, heritage, Kids, family and Music

The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, Tennessee’s only tribally owned museum, will host its 33rd annual Cherokee Fall Festival on September 7th & 8th, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day.

Visitors will have the opportunity to step back in time to experience Native American food, Cherokee arts and crafts demonstrations, music, and dance. In the museum we will be demonstrating our 1800’s Acorn Printing Press. A blacksmith will be doing on-site demonstrations in the shop both days. Other demonstrations and displays will include Cherokee life in 1700’s and a Civil War encampment doing living history demonstrations. There will be infantry, cannon and calvary demonstrations throughout the day.

Visitors will be able to meet and talk with Cherokees from the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina. Special entertainment will be provided by the Warrior Dancers of Ani-Kituhwa who are the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians official ambassadors. Check out our reconstructed 1800’s dog-trot log cabin.

There will be free Cherokee name cards and kits available for children. Traditional Indian Fry bread and Indian tacos, and other food and drinks will be sold.

Tickets Adults are $10.00, children 13-18 years old are $5.00 and children 12 and under are free. Family rate for $25.00(2 adults and 2 children 13-18) also available. For more information about the Festival, contact the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum at (423) 884-6246.

104th Annual Tennessee Valley Fair

Category: Culinary arts, food, Exhibitions, visual art, Festivals, special events, Fine Crafts, History, heritage, Kids, family and Music

Get ready for 10 fun-filled, action-packed days full of your fair favorites: concerts, rides, food, competitions, and more! Details TBA. Information: 865-215-1471 or https://www.tnvalleyfair.org/

Clarence Brown Theatre: Knoxville

Category: Music and Theatre

KNOXVILLE
BOOK BY FRANK GALATI
MUSIC BY STEPHEN FLAHERTY
LYRICS BY LYNN AHRENS
BASED ON THE NOVEL 'A DEATH IN THE FAMILY' BY JAMES AGEE
BASED, IN PART, ON THE PLAY 'ALL THE WAY HOME' BY TAD MOSEL

Based on James Agee’s autobiographical, Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece 'A Death in the Family', this moving and innovative new musical reunites the dynamic Tony Award®-winning creative team behind 'Ragtime'. The story begins as an adult Agee struggles to write his greatest work about the event that touched his young life and the effect it had on his family and his future. An evocative depiction of loss and grief and the forces that shape who we are, 'Knoxville' is a universal coming-of-age story about family, faith, and love—and about the boy who will grow up to write it. With a sweeping musical score and brilliant cast, this is a must-see event.

Clarence Brown Theatre, 1714 Andy Holt Ave on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information/tickets: 865-974-5161, www.clarencebrowntheatre.com