Calendar of Events

60 original contemporary works by painters and sculptors hailing from around the world. Organized annually and providing a wonderful comparison to 18th- and 19th-century bird art by Catesby, Wilson, and Audobon in the concurrent exhibition "Birds of the Smokies".

1327 Circle Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9-5 and Sunday, 1-5. FREE. For more information: (865) 974-2144, http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

Throughout Mother's Day weekend the Folk Art Center will be bursting with color as craftspeople share their inspiration and expertise in a variety of fiber arts. On May 9th and 10th, the Southern Highland Craft Guild will host Fiber Weekend 2009. This year, artists participating in the free event will focus on color with a wide variety of demonstrations in dyeing, weaving, spinning, knitting, broom making, crocheting, beadwork, printing and surface design. Not only will visitors learn about the process and technique, but they will also see how color inspires and influences the craft. The Spring hues of wildflowers may weave their way into a tapestry, or the reds, oranges and yellows of a sunset may become the palette of a scarf. See how color speaks to the artist and how this inspiration can influence your own creative life.

Other themes the artists will explore on Fiber Day are recycling, repurposing and sustainability and how they influence design and object-making. Hands-on demonstrations will delight children and adults alike as they are encouraged to take part in the creative process. Some of the activities include weaving a bookmark, building collages, and surface design on fabric. On Sunday, the Folk Art Center's auditorium will be transformed into a runway for the Tenth Annual Fashion Show of Wearable Art. Fiber artist Liz Spear will emcee the event, walking the audience though a spectrum of fashion and inspiration, sharing stories about how color inspires design and technique. Styles showcased range from contemporary to traditional, from funky to classic, made by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. There will be two separate showings of the Fashion Show, at 1 and 3 pm.

A colorful backdrop for the show will be an exhibition organized by SHCG member in beadwork Amolia Willowsong. The exhibit will be a rainbow of fine fiber craft including beadwork, quilts, baskets and pillows.

Fiber Weekend is a free event on May 9 (10am – 4pm) and May 10 (two fashion shows, 1 and 3pm) at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in east Asheville. For more information, including a list of participants, visit www.craftguild.org or call 828-298-7928.

18th Annual Sea Ray Spring Pops. As the lead singer for the legendary group "Chicago" for nearly two decades, and as a Grammy-winning solo artist, Peter Cetera is the creative genius behind an unparalleled string of hit songs including "If You Leave Me Now," "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," "You're The Inspiration," "The Glory of Love," and "The Next Time I Fall."

At the Civic Auditorium, 500 Howard Baker Jr. Avenue, Knoxville, TN. For more information, visit the Web site or call (865) 291-3310.

For more information, please contact the Zoo at (865) 637-5331.

One of the most celebrated country-folk performers working today, singer/songwriter Iris Dement has won nearly universal acclaim thanks to word-of-mouth support from a multitude of fans. Her work is characteristically introspective, deeply personal stuff. (Imagine Flannery O'Conner with a guitar). She received a Grammy nomination for her work with John Prine and continues to win critical praise for every project she's involved with. Don't miss this chance to see a rare artist in an even rarer appearance at the Bijou.

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

Featuring the 10th Annual Fire and Rescue Challenge

Information: 865-588-8567, www.gwiktn.org

Enjoy a train ride behind our 1925 steam engine!

May 9, June 20, July 4-5, August 1, September 13

More information on our excursions can be found online: www.ThreeRiversRambler.com

Mast General Store Downtown Knoxville is proud to host National Geographic Explorer and photographer, Helen Thayer. Thayer will share adventures and sign her best selling books, Polar Dream, Three Among the Wolves and Walking the Gobi. Husband and wife team Helen and Bill Thayer became the first man and woman to walk the entire length of the Mongolian Gobi Desert, almost 1,600 miles east to west. Temperatures soaring up to 126 degrees, violent sandstorms stopping everything in their paths, interrogation by border guards, and scorpions were just a few of their challenges. Walking the Gobi is a story of discovery and adventure through a little known landscape and its nomadic people.

Polar Dream recounts Thayer's adventures accompanied only by her beloved husky dog named Charlie, through storms, a tent fire, breaking sea ice and polar bears. These and other thrilling and harrowing expeditions have made Thayer a dynamic and engaging storyteller who uses her incredible photographs to help draw the listener into her exciting adventures.

The sight of a wolf has instilled fear in man from the beginning of time. These often misunderstood creatures are both beautiful and fascinating. Thayer and her husband Bill traveled above the Arctic Circle to the Canadian Yukon territory where they lived within 100 feet of a wild wolf den. Three Among the Wolves is a remarkable story of wolves in the true wild state, with their pup care, hunting, and social hierarchy explained.

In an effort to share their many experiences, Helen and Bill founded Adventure Classroom, an educational program designed to bring an awareness and respect for different cultures to young people. Through this program, Thayer's hope is that, "…Although kids often see the world in a negative light without hope for their future, we work to inspire them to set goals, plan for success and never give up. There is not only hope, there is a bright future ahead for those who are prepared to set goals and work toward them."

There will be two opportunities to meet and talk with Helen on Saturday, May 9th. She will sign her books at Mast General Store downtown Knoxville from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., Helen will share her amazing photography and adventures crossing the Gobi at Ijams Nature Center. Walking the Gobi is free and suitable for adults and children. Seating is limited, so please call Ijams at (865) 577-4717 ext. 10 to reserve a seat. For more information, please contact Mike or Jim at Mast Store – 865-546-1336.

Adventures in Lime - Plaster Systems and Preservation

At the Time Warm Tea Room, 1209 N. Central St. 523-8008, www.knoxheritage.org

Drawn from the rich archive at the John Kobal Foundation in London, this exhibition focuses on the stars, the sets, and the scenes created by the film industry and memorialized by the most important photographers who worked in Hollywood from 1920 to 1960. Featuring more than 90 vintage prints, Made in Hollywood offers a glimpse into the world of fantasy, glamour, and perfection that the image makers produced. Kobal (1940-1991) was a leading Hollywood historian who collected prints by some of most important photographers working in Hollywood during its golden era: Ernest Bachrach, Margaret Bourke-White, Nikolas Muray, Clarence Sinclair Bull, Eugene Richee, George Hurrell, and many others. Their subjects are drawn from the pantheon of the greatest stars produced during the golden age of Hollywood: Garbo, Dietrich, Swanson, Cooper, Harlow, Gable, Hepburn, Bogart, and many others.

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

The art and music festival known as "Vestival" will take place on the grounds of the Candoro Marble works on Maryville Pike. The event is put on by the South Knoxville Arts & Heritage Center and will include two stages of live music, a Mother's Day Brunch free to all mothers, and several children's activities. The historic marble office building will be open to the public with an art exhibit and a permanent East Tennessee marble industry display. Featured musical groups include "The Breakfast Meats," "The Lone Tones", "The French," "The Island Home Invasion," and "O'Contrare and the MonFraryans." Booths for craft persons and artists are still available.

Also featuring an art exhibit with works by the artists who attend classes there. The classes are hosted by the Knoxville Portrait Academy. There is a reception on Friday night from 5-8 PM.

Call 609-3005 or e-mail candoromarble @ yahoo.com for more information.

A Special Evening of Delicious Desserts and Duets with Maestro Brian Salesky and Friends
Thursday, May 7, 2009, 7 p.m. This is a free event.
Heritage Piano & Organ, 11139 Turkey Drive, Knoxville, TN 37934
Please RSVP to 865-675-1512
Dressy casual attire suggested. Desserts and Wine will be served. Seating is limited – call immediately for reservations.

Piano selection event continues May 7-9 (10-7 Thurs/Fri and 10-5 Sat)
www.heritagepiano.com