Calendar of Events

Award winning singer songwriter, Karen E. Reynolds, is better known locally for her clear and powerful voice and her ceaseless work in promoting independent and local musicians via her radio program, Writer's Block, which is broadcast regionally on WDVX. But this is just scratching the surface of this Knoxville native's interests. She has performed in prestigious festivals, is a regular at premier venues and has shared the stage with some of the best in the industry, establishing herself as one of their peers. Immersed in music, Reynolds is an established songwriter and performer in Nashville and as a music industry consultant, producer, promoter, agent or publicist, has worked with internationally known artists and even teaches songwriting and music business. She is a mentor for the Country Music Hall of Fame's prestigious, "Words & Music In Schools" program and was honored this past season for her work there, by joining Trisha Yearwood and others in concert at the Ford Theatre in Nashville. Karen signed a publishing deal in early 2007 which brought both independent and major label interest and she has been nationally recognized for her songwriting, as well as her work with Independent artists.

Beyond singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Kirk Fleta is a social performer. People show up to sit in with him, and people show up to sit back and listen to him. Even having built a large and loyal following notwithstanding, Fleta says that he plays for the musical expression rather than the recognition. He enjoys performing both as a solo artist and along with his ever-evolving band of brass, percussionists, jazz guitarists, and keyboards and has opened for such luminaries as Goose Creek Symphony, the Wooten Brothers and Shawn Mullins. His delivery is rhythmic, passionate and enthusiastic, and his voice has been described as powerful yet sensuous, resonant yet disciplined, and with a full melodic range. His original songs describe a life of ups and downs and showcase a perspective on life that has been acquired through a humbling journey of self-reflection and critical thought.

Reynolds & Fleta will be in performance at the Hellbender Grill located at 651 Parkway in Gatlinburg. There is no cover charge for the evening. For additional information call 865-436-6002 or visit www.myspace.com/karenereynolds or www.myspace.com/kirkfleta.

The Knoxville Watercolor Society will have a mixed-media exhibit at the Village Fine Art Gallery. The gallery is located at 4600 Old Broadway in Fountain City. There will be an opening reception on Sunday, April 26th from 2:30 to 4:30 PM. The public is invited. Refreshments will be served. Information about the show and the gallery is available on line at www.villagefineart.com or you may call owner/director, Carolyn Mullins at 687-0411. Gallery hours are 10 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday. They are closed on Sundays.

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.

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.

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

As a participating member of the Dogwood Arts Festival.

422 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Gallery Hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 6 PM & Sunday 1 – 5pm. More information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net

Exhibit: The Campaign to Establish Great Smoky Mountains National Park

(865) 215-8830, www.east-tennessee-history.org

Local artists have created beautiful works of art on 55-gallon rain barrels to help raise awareness about water conservation and water pollution. Barrels will be on display for the public to view. Auctioned on eBay May 16-25.
www.waterqualityforum.org

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

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.