Calendar of Events

The first art show. Admission is free. An opening reception will be held on April 25 from 6:30-8:00 PM in the Hiawassee College Library, Madisonville, TN. The Association was established approximately two years ago and meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 1:00 PM at the Hiwassee College Science Building. For more information, contact Stephen Hankal at 423-295-5784.

South Gay Street in downtown Knoxville. For more information: (865) 524-0795, www.knoxvilleopera.com

The Tennessee Slicker

Leroy Troy delivers a strong solo old-time banjo performance in the tradition of Uncle Dave Macon, Grandpa Jones and Stringbean. At 16 he began studying with Middle Tennessee banjoist Cordell Kemp who had in turn learned much from Macon himself; at 17 he dazzled a nationwide audience on the hit TV show Hee Haw with his banjo expertise and natural gift of comedy. He is the youngest recipient of the Uncle Dave Macon Days Heritage Award.

At the Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916. More information: 865-522-5851, www.jubileearts.org

1050 World's Fair Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm. FREE admission. For more information: (865) 525-6101, www.knoxart.org

Sign up for the Guild's mini-workshop at the Knoxville Women's Clubhouse at 3930 Kingston Pike. Dr. Jim Stovall from the Dept. of Journalism at the University of Tennessee will lead a workshop on Writing for the Web. What are the differences between writing for the web and writing for other media? How can you improve your writing and build your audience? Join us for an interesting discussion, questions and answers.

Fees: $15 member; $20 non-member
You can pay by credit card or PayPal online or send your check or money order to:
Knoxville Writers' Guild, P.O. Box 10326, Knoxville, TN 37939

More information: www.knoxvillewritersguild.org

Featuring World War II Navajo Code Talker, Samuel T. Holiday. As key note speaker, Mr. Holiday will present a lecture describing his experiences as a code talker during World War II, and veterans from all wars and service people (both active and inactive) are invited to be present to be honored. In addition, approximately 100 Native Americans will be present for the day and will provide Native American storytelling and a Native American dance exhibition and social dances. The audience should bring lawn chairs for outdoor programs. In case of rain, all programs will be held indoors.

508 N. Cusick Street, Maryville, TN 37803. (865) 982-0981, www.blountlibrary.org

Led by Knoxville Ornithological Society president Mark Campen, the class will include an overview of birds, focusing on about 20 species that commonly inhabit the forests and cities of Eastern Tennessee. The first hour of the class will be a discussion of birding as an activity, including in-depth information on books, binoculars, techniques, places to go and much more. The discussion will be followed by an hour-long stroll through the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, which is also a bird sanctuary, to see the birds in action. Participants should wear good walking shoes; binoculars are recommended. The fee for this class is $10. Classes are all limited in size, and advance registration is required. More information: (865) 540-8690, www.knoxgarden.org

In celebration of Earth Day next month, we're putting together an exhibit showcasing artwork created from recycled and reused materials, and we would love for you to participate! All entries must be made of at least 50% recycled/reused materials. The opening is scheduled for April 24th from 6-9pm. The work will be judged and eco-friendly prizes will be awarded during the gallery opening. All the proceeds Mighty Mud collects from the show will be donated to Keep Knoxville Beautiful.

865-595-1900, www.mightymudclay.com. Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00am - 5:00pm

April 24-25, May 1-3, 7-10, 15-17. When a broke and failing Broadway producer and his accountant discover they could make more money with a flop than with a hit, they set out to raise 2 million dollars and produce the worst show ever. The result is a German sausage of a musical featuring dancing storm-troopers and a very gay Hitler. The biggest smash in Broadway history and winner of a record 12 Tony Awards.

227 Broadway in Historic Jackson Square, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. For more information, call (865) 482-9999 or visit the Web site.

In the history of opera there is perhaps no iconic image more well-known than that of tenor Enrico Caruso as the clown in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci. His million–seller recording of the opera's famous heartbreaking tune "Ridi, Pagliaccio" launched the opera on a journey of unequaled popularity in songs, movies, commercials, cartoons, and television! Knoxville Opera's Rossini Festival production of Pagliacci with projected English translations will tear up the stage at the Tennessee Theatre on Saturday, April 25 at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 26 at 2:30 p.m. The dynamic cast, under the baton of Maestro Brian Salesky, stars tenor Michael Hayes as the betrayed clown, turning laughter into tears.

Preceding the opening performance, a complete scene from the Festival opera will be performed on the outdoor Opera Stage at Knoxville Opera's free admission Rossini Festival Italian Street Fair (Saturday, April 25 , Noon – 9:00 p.m.) on Gay Street. The Pagliacci cast and chorus in costume will delight the crowd at 5:15 p.m. with the opening scene during which an Italian travelling clown comedy troupe arrives to announce its evening performance. Pagliacci will be performed in its original two-act, uncut 1½-hour version with one intermission. Maestro Brian Salesky will offer an onstage Opera Preview at 1:45 p.m. prior to the Sunday performance. For tickets ($10 and up for students, $15 and up for adults), please call the Knoxville Opera Box Office at 865-524-0795, extension 1.

Thursday, April 23 at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, April 24 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 26 at 8:00 p.m.

Bijou Theatre, 803. S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. More information: (865) 974-8935, www.music.utk.edu/events

This unique exhibition, featuring 34 painstakingly-crafted creations by some of Tennessee's most talented artists, blurs the distinctions between functional object and fine art. All the artists included in the exhibition are members of the Cumberland Furniture Guild, a select group of Tennessee artists who combine the best of contemporary and traditional furniture design with some surprising sources of inspiration. Their work is defined by variety rather than an identifiable regional characteristic, ranging from Greg Pennington's traditional Windsor settees to Scott Thompson's carved references to Craig Nutt's whimsical vegetable furniture.

Other Cumberland Furniture Guild artists represented in the exhibition include Chris Barber, Allen Brooks, Graham Campbell, Stephen Crump, Scott De Waard, Mark Dillon, Miles Fields, Peter D. Fleming, J. Michael Floyd, Tom Fuhrman, James Hopper, James L. Horne, Al Hudson, David Knudtson, Bob Marsh, Dale McLoud, DiAnne Patrick, Mitch Roberson, Brad Sells, Alf Sharp, Christopher Somerville, Worth Squire, Michael Summers, Matthew Teague, Scott Thompson, and Kimberly Winkle.

A members-only preview party will be held at KMA on Thursday, April 23, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Members of the Cumberland Furniture Guild will be available to speak with KMA members and discuss their work.

1050 World's Fair Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm. FREE admission. For more information: (865) 525-6101, www.knoxart.org