Calendar of Events

Artists from across the United States apply annually for Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts Artists-in-Residence (AIR) program, a coveted opportunity for five emerging artists. Marking the end of their 11-month artistic journey at Arrowmont is a final exhibition that showcases their recent works. On Saturday, April 18, the public is invited to meet the artists and learn more about their artwork and inspiration at a reception from 6:30-9:00 pm in the school's Main gallery.

The artists are Magda Gluszek, ceramic sculpture; Rachel Hunt, fiber, Damon McIntyre, wood; Lindsay Oesterritter, ceramics; and Susan S. Roberts, painting.

Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, 556 Parkway, PO Box 567, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. For more information: (865) 436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

Andrea Wilson will have a solo exhibit of her botanical watercolors and copperplate etchings in the Loggia Gallery at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts. Andrea won the Grand Prize in the 2008 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Art Competition and is the featured artist for this year's Pilgrimage promotional material. Opening reception for the solo exhibit is Wednesday, April 22nd from 5:30 to 7:00pm at Arrowmont.

Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, 556 Parkway, PO Box 567, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. For more information: 865-436-5860, www.AndreaWilsonArtist.com

A FORK IN THE ROAD, an M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition by Hillary Dana Williams at the UT Downtown Gallery. You are invited to come look, read, dig in, learn & share April 17-24. Please join us for a closing reception Friday, April 24, 6:00-9:00pm. There will also be an Earth Day Potluck with local farmers, Wednesday, April 22, 6:00-7:30pm. For more information please visit www.aforkintheroad.org.

106 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Wednesday-Friday 11-6, Saturday 10-3. FREE. For more information: (865) 673-0802, www.ewing-gallery.org

In Market Square, downtown Knoxville. More information: 865-637-4561, wwww.dogwoodarts.com

Harold and Maude, directed by Hal Ashby in 1971, features the requisite elements of a classic cult film; commercial failure, dark humor, existentialist drama and a killer soundtrack. Starring Bud Cort as a twenty-something death-obsessed man-child who discovers life's compelling secrets when he starts hanging around with a septegenarian, (the brilliant Ruth Gordon). It's funny, more than a little prescient and chock full of pathos. This film is holding down the number 45 spot on the American Film Institute's list of 100 Funniest Movies of all time, and number 69 on its list for most romantic. Shot in and around the San Francisco Bay Area and later made into a play that ran on Broadway. The soundtrack is partly responsible for bringing Cat Stevens to public attention. Some great tunes to be sure. Bring a friend, a lover, or live in-the-moment on your own. If you've never seen it on the big screen you owe it to yourself to experience this flashback to the 70's sensibility that helped define a generation for awhile.

803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. More information: (865) 522-0832, www.knoxbijou.com

The Museum of Appalachia will hold its annual spring "Sheep Shearing" on Friday, April 17, with special demonstrations to include spinning and quilting. Spring comes alive with gardens growing, heirloom flowers beginning to bloom, native trees putting forth their summer-green leaves-and schoolchildren on end-of-term field trips. Each spring, the winter's growth of heavy wool is trimmed from the Museum's flock of sheep. The process of producing yarn-from shearing sheep to spinning wool and using the batting in quilts-will be demonstrated. The sheep will be trimmed by master of the trade, Dean Fritz of Murfreesboro who explains the process to onlookers while using a vintage hand-cranked shearing machine.

Carmen Bonnell will demonstrate spinning wool into yarn on an old-fashioned spinning wheel. Ruby Patterson will share the historical significance of quilt patterns while she explains the quilting process to visitors. The shearing, spinning, and quilting demonstrations are part of the Museum's mission to preserve and pass along the Appalachian culture to future generations. Sheep were common on early Appalachian homesteads. Most families raised a few sheep for wool, which was used as quilt batting or to make cloth and yarn.

In addition to sheep, the Museum is home to chickens, guineas, wild turkeys, peafowl, and peacocks. Mules, Scottish Highland cattle, and "fainting" goats roam adjacent pastures. This time of year children will be delighted to see our new born lambs, goats & baby chicks. A large craft and gift shop features handiwork from regional artisans, and a small restaurant offers hot lunches, fresh-from-the-garden vegetables, and mouth-watering desserts. Facilities are available for weddings, reunions, corporate meetings, and other events. The Museum, a 501 (c) (3) organization, is located 16 miles north of Knoxville, one mile east of I-75, exit 122. For more information, call 865-494-7680, or visit the website at www.museumofappalachia.org.

Pete Townshend's tale of a young boy's journey from darkness to light – an evening of electrifying theatre, visionary rock and roll, and "maximum R&B." Music and lyrics by Pete Townshend; Book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff.

April 16-19, 22-26, 29-30, May 1-3. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of the Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2:00 p.m. 1714 Andy Holt Avenue on the UT Campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information, call (865) 974-5161 or visit the Web site.

Music and lyrics By Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty; Based on the works of Theodore Geisel
April 16-18 and 22-24 at 7:00 PM
April 19 & 25 at 2:00 PM

General Admission $10, Students $7

Roane State Community College Theater, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman, TN 37748. For more information, call Michael Golebiewski at 865-882-4589.

A lively street fair with high-quality arts and crafts booths, entertainment, children's hands-on art activities and festive food. More information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, 556 Parkway, PO Box 567, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. For more information, call (865) 436-5860 or visit www.arrowmont.org.

A wonderful, nationally acclaimed artist, Roger Dale Brown will be teaching a workshop.

213 Hotel Avenue, Knoxville. More information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityart.org

This season's concerts focus on a spiritual program contrasting the sacred and the profane. The orchestra will open with Messian's Les Offrandes Oublièes and Sibelius' Symphony No. 7, his last symphony and possibly the most profound demonstration of his inner faith. Stravinsky's Symphony of the Psalms and Borodin's Polovstian Dances, from Rimsky-Korsakov's opera Prince Igor, will feature the Knoxville Choral Society, under the direction of Eric Thorson.

At the Tennessee Theatre, 604 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. For more information, visit the Web site or call (865) 291-3310. For information about the Knoxville Choral Society, call (865) 579-6292 or visit www.knoxvillechoralsociety.org.