Calendar of Events

There's so much fun at the Children's Festival of Reading--great authors and storytellers, musicians, giant inflatables, arts and crafts, community groups and all sorts of play--it'll be a great day for everyone! This year we're pleased to present Anna Dewdney, known for her books "Llama Llama Red Pajama".

Check out the fun at the World's Fair Park. More information: 865-215-8750, www.knoxlib.org

Leon Redbone is something of a paradox. The tunes he presents sound old-timey, but fresh. Traditional, yet oddly subversive. In performance, little seems to have changed since his debut on SNL in 1975. He still sports the mustache, the panama, the sunglasses; a vintage guitar demurely poised on one knee. He may, or may not still favor the cigar he once used to great effect. All that notwithstanding, whatever he does at the Bijou on Saturday, May 30, will be magic.

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

For people who desire a more athletic approach to the outdoors! The Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum's hundreds of towering old-growth trees make the perfect setting for this active and challenging class, which will be led by Sam Adams of Cortese Tree Specialists. Attendees will learn the fundamentals of recreational tree climbing techniques using basic rope climbing, descending, and rappelling methods. All necessary equipment is provided. Participants should wear comfortable clothing including long pants, gloves, and boots or sturdy sneakers; plus a lunch and a camera for a keepsake photo of this birds'-eye view of the Garden. The cost is $20 for members, $30 for nonmembers. Classes are all limited in size, and advance registration is required. More information: (865) 540-8690, www.knoxgarden.org

Historical re-enactments, arts, crafts, live music and more on the gracious riverside grounds of Blount Mansion.

Blount Mansion, 200 West Hill Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37901. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:30-5, Sunday 1-5. (865) 525-2375, www.blountmansion.org

Monroe Crossing is "the Midwest's Premier Bluegrass and Gospel Quintet." Named in honor of Bill Monroe, "The Father of Bluegrass," Monroe Crossing plays an upbeat blend of classic and traditional bluegrass, bluegrass gospel and heartfelt originals. Audiences can sing along to the music of Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs, the Osborne Brothers, and Jimmy Martin, performed in fresh, creative arrangements by the band. Monroe Crossing also "crosses" over to new songs and styles as well, as evidenced by their original treatments of songs like the doo-wop hit "My Girl" and Etta James' "At Last" (both can be heard on their 2005 CD, "Somebody Like You").

All Tickets $13 in advance and $15 at the Door. Tickets are all Plus Tax. The Palace Theater is located at 113 West Broadway, Maryville. TN. For advance tickets 983-3330 with Visa or MC or from Murlin's Music World 429 West Broadway, Maryville, TN.

At the Crowne Plaza Knoxville. Tickets for this grand event are $60.00 per person. This annual fundraiser supports scholarships, training, and field trips for young men of our community. If you can help by purchasing a ticket and/ or placing an ad in the souvenir booklet, it would be most appreciated!

For more information, visit http://100blackmenofknoxville.org

Let's celebrate the birth of our great state! In collaboration with six other historic sites, Ramsey House is commemorating Tennessee Statehood Day by offering free tours and special demonstrations. Join us from 10:00 until 4:00 for special demonstrations. Watch a blacksmith work his magic. Learn how to spin on the flax wheel. There will be live music, and more! We hope to see you then!

2614 Thorngrove Pike, Knoxville, TN 37914. Info: 865-546-0745, www.ramseyhouse.org

At the Athens Junior High School; all proceeds go to benefit American Legion Post 68. Goosecreek last appeared in Athens in 1973 and the band that opened for them then will open again - ROADAPPLES WITH JELLY ROLL JOHNSON. For information, contact 423-829-5052

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.

On December 22, 2008, a retaining wall at the Tennessee Valley Authority's Kingston coal-fired power plant collapsed, causing a fly ash spill of unprecedented size—2.6 million cubic yards of the wet gray sludge buried about 400 acres six feet deep. Despite TVA's massive cleanup effort, environmentalists and residents are concerned about the possible health hazards posed by the ash at the accident site and miles downstream.

Art from the Ashes includes a selection of objects by concerned artists and other individuals from across the country who learned of this accident and wanted to help affected families. This exhibition features a variety of works ranging from original paintings and sculptures to photographic reproductions, prints, and other items. The works on display will be auctioned on Sunday, June 28 with all proceeds going to the United Mountain Defense (UMD), a local environmental advocacy group whose mission includes raising funds to provide medical assistance for residents affected by the ash spill. For more information about UMD, please visit www.unitedmountaindefense.org.

KMA Community Gallery, 1050 World's Fair Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37918. 865-525-6101. www.knoxart.org

Please join us for our Volunteer Work Days on the 3rd Saturday of the month. Activities will include brush removal, weeding, and light gardening. Please provide own gloves. Tools will be available.

Dates: May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19, October 17

2743 Wimpole Avenue, Knoxville, TN. 865-540-8690, www.knoxgarden.com

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