Calendar of Events

October 16-18 in Maryville

A weekend full of live concerts, arts and crafts, food and children's activities. Visit www.foothillsfallfestival.com

Optasia Productions in association with YR Productions has joined hands to motivate some of East Tennessee's Finest Performing Artists to rally behind a “History Making Benefit” that will possibly change the lives of many in our community. Brooklyn Thomas, a beautiful six-year old girl has been struggling since birth with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, a degenerative brain disease that is causing her to lose her sight, her ability to walk, and her ability to talk. Brooklyn's mother, Rachel Vandergriff, would not accept the diagnosis that this was her child's destiny and began researching every avenue to find a cure for Brooklyn. After much research, a possible cure has been found, and with the assistance of our community, Rachel, a single parent will have the necessary funds to travel to California to receive the help that Brooklyn so desperately needs! You can read Brooklyn's story at www.Battle4Brooklyn.net.

Lar'Juanette Williams, of Optasia Productions, and Yvette Rice, of YR Productions have joined forces to bring awareness to our community and to raise the necessary funds for Brooklyn Thomas! October 16-18, 2009, Optasia Productions and YR Productions will present an entire weekend of Entertainment, Fashion, and Fun to encourage the Knoxville community to come forth and support this cause. Friday, October 16th- 7pm, will open with an original musical entitled “JOURNEY INTO PARADISE”, a full-length musical theatre masterpiece that depicts a family's spiritual journey into understanding their purpose. This production was written by Lar'Juanette Williams and musically scored by Grammy Award Winner Lester A. Snell! The Admission into the musical is ABSOLUTELY FREE, but do come with a HEART TO GIVE TOWARDS THE CAUSE! Saturday, October 17th – 6pm YR Productions will present Knoxville's First Annual CHILDREN'S FASHION SHOW! YR Productions has developed a fine reputation for producing some of our area's most exquisite Fashion Extravaganza's and this one will be done in with and Extra Special Unique Flair, featuring some of our area's most talented children! Tickets are only $20.00 and $25.00 at the door. And Sunday, October 18th will present another opportunity to see “JOURNEY INTO PARADISE”! Tickets for the CHILDREN'S FASHION SHOW may be purchased at Carmen's Hair Salon, Simply Fashion (Broadway Shopping Center), Red Carpet Spa, Make-Over's Hair Salon, & Sheila's Creative Styles. At Colston Center for the Performing Arts, Knoxville College.

For more information call YR Productions at (865) 385-7712.

The New York Times calls it "Timeless." Newsweek raves: "The ultimate fantasy of the musical stage." Rediscover the grandeur of one of history's greatest love stories in Lerner and Loewe's timeless masterpiece, CAMELOT. A sumptuous tale set in a land where honor and chivalry reign, CAMELOT follows the love triangle of King Arthur, his Queen Guenevere and the young Lancelot. With one of Broadway's most enchanting scores featuring the hauntingly romantic "If Ever I Would Leave You," "I Loved You Once in Silence," and "Follow Me," CAMELOT is the definitive musical theatre fable.

At the Historic Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Tickets and information: 865-684-1200, www.TennesseeTheatre.com.

Contemporary ethnic gypsy jewelry earrings, bracelets, charms, necklaces, rings, and more. Collected by women throughout the world who have been captivated by her creativity and high quality craftsmanship. 5607 KINGSTON PIKE, KNOXVILLE, TN 37919. Gallery Hours: Mon-Fri, 10-5:30 and Sat, 10-5. Information: 865-584-6097, www.hansongallery.com.

October 15-18 and 22-25. Join us for some spooktacular fun at Boo! at the Zoo. Little ghosts and goblins can trick-or-treat down the Boo trail, enjoy monsterific music and lots of other frighteningly fun activities! $5 for zoo members / $6 for non-members. Children under 2 are free. Information: 865-637-5331, www.knoxville-zoo.org

Developed during professor Beauvais Lyons' 2009 spring semester course in Graduate Printmaking at The University of Tennessee, the premise was for graduate students to curate an exhibition surveying uses of print media by contemporary artists. During the first phase of planning, each student compiled a list of ten modes of using print media with representative artists. The final list was broad, encompassing uses of traditional print media intended for galleries and museums to vernacular and democratic uses of the multiple that function outside of art institutions. The show also includes uses of print media to create three-dimensional and installation works, as well as prints as the basis for animations. The bulk of the work selected for the exhibition reflects the students' own interest in various forms of self-publishing, though there are also examples of prints produced in collaboration with a master printer. Taken as a whole, the exhibition offers a survey of contemporary printmaking that is grounded in traditional approaches, while also including a variety of new media and democratic forms of practice that push art out of the galleries and museums and into the world at large. There will be a gallery talk by exhibiting artist Althea Murphy-Price on Thursday, October 8, at 7PM, in the McCarty Auditorium of the Art + Architecture Building. Her visit is sponsored by the UT Print Club. The exhibition preview reception will follow in the Ewing Gallery at 8 PM.
The Ewing Gallery is located at 1715 Volunteer Boulevard on the UT campus and is open free to the public Monday and Thursday, 10-8; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10-5; and Sunday, 1-4. For more information: 865-974-3200, www.ewing-gallery.org

July 17-26 and October 8-25. Gatlinburg's premier arts and crafts show with over 180 of the nation's finest craftspeople, plus country and bluegrass music shows daily.

At the Gatlinburg Convention Center, 920 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Hours: Mon-Sat 10-7, Sun 10-5. More information: 865-436-7479, www.craftsmenfair.com

Opening night October 9

1714 Andy Holt Avenue on the UT Campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information: 865-974-5161, www.clarencebrowntheatre.org

Sale will feature framed prints, oils, photographs, and artwork with a nature and wildlife theme. Do your holiday shopping early! Ijams members receive 25% discount. Sale runs October 3-November 30. 865-577-4717

Featuring artists Nelson Ziegler (paintings in oil and watercolors) and Bob Conliffe (horsehair pottery) as well as Mountain Majesty, a special exhibition of works by the AMG regional artists' cooperative honoring the 75th anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Opening reception during First Friday art walk on October 2, 5:30-9:00 PM with music by Alexia Pantanizopolos, cellist, and guest performer. Located at 422 S. Gay Street, downtown Knoxville. Hours: Tues-Sat 11-6 and Sun 1-5. Information: 865-525-5265 or www.artmarketgallery.net.

Artist reception on Friday, October 2, 5-9 PM. At Bliss Home, 24 Market Square in downtown Knoxville. (865) 573-4010 or
rblair @ acs.ac.

Pauline Wallen, a young 87-year-old Knoxville native, is a champion at watercolor, pastel, oil and drawing. She has garnered numerous awards both in the United States and in France for her creative spirit and insight that often portray East Tennessee life. Hanson Gallery will honor Pauline Wallen with a Retrospective Show that will include works in various media showing the artist's far reach and skill. The artist will receive guests Friday, October 2, 2009, from 5-8 pm at a champagne reception being held at Hanson Gallery, 5607 Kingston Pike. Gallery owners Doug and Diane Hanson state that part of the gallery's mission is to include mature works from the community's elders and honor those artists who have lived their lives in our region and portrayed its images to us through art. “We connect people to the artist, because that is where the story is. Pauline Wallen is a community treasure, and it is a rare treat to have her in the gallery on the evening of October 2.” Work included in this Retrospective will reflect landscape, floral, figurative and architectural images. Information: 865.584.6097 or www.hansongallery.com