Calendar of Events

The Holiday Express returns to the UT Gardens again this year with extended days (including Christmas Day), appearances by Santa, and musical performances by community choral groups. The garden-scale train display decorated for the holidays will open with a sneak preview for UT faculty and staff, sponsors and Friends of the Gardens on Tuesday, November 24. It will open to the public the following day. Last year 9,300 people visited Holiday Express at the UT Gardens, and even more are expected this year. Bring the kids, grandkids and kids at heart to help make Holiday Express a continuing holiday tradition that will benefit the UT Gardens. Visit on one or more of the following dates: November 25-28: 12-8 p.m., Sunday, November 29: 12-6 p.m.; Weekends December 4-January 3: (Except Friday, Christmas Day): 2-6 p.m.; Friday and Saturdays:12-8 p.m. Sundays: 12-6 p.m.

Scrooge, the Cratchits, and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet-to-come return for those who have embraced this Dickens’ classic as part of their holiday season – and for those about to discover it for the first time. Information: 865-974-5161 or www.clarencebrowntheatre.org

Little Charlie Bucket finds the golden ticket that gains him entry into the factory of Willy Wonka, the world-famous candy man who is on a quest to find an heir. This new adaptation, drawn from the classic family film, explodes on the stage and features popular songs from the original score like "Pure Imagination" and "The Candy Man."

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

Reception: Nov. 13, 6:30-8:30PM

213 Hotel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37918. Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 9-5, Wednesday & Friday 10-5, Saturday 9-1. More information: (865) 357-2787, www.fountaincityart.org

Adapted from the novel by Roald Dahl

November 13-29 (no performance November 26)

Thursdays at 7 PM, Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 1 PM & 5 PM, Sundays at 3 PM

865-599-5284; www.childrenstheatreknoxville.com

Free and open to the public. Opening reception Friday, November 13, from 6 to 8 p.m.; artists' talk at 7 P.M.
Harlan Hambright Photographs: "An Odd World Observed" and Fran Thie: "Poetry and Pastels". Knoxville native and UT Architecture graduate Harlan Hambright parleyed his passion for architecture and photography into a diversified career as an architectural photographer spanning over 30 years. As a boy he was taught by his father to carefully observe the world around him. It is this ability to observe and photograph the sometimes obscure man-made objects that defines his work. He chooses "to document the weird artifacts and occurrences that I find when I'm just looking around." From her life as a high school teacher to a CPA Fran has brought a wealth of experience and influences to her current work as a visual artist. Fran is both self-taught and educated in painting classes and workshops led by nationally prominent artists. She has painted in pastels and watermedia for more than a decade and regularly exhibits in juried exhibitions across the Southeast, with several awards to her credit. She is active in the Knoxville arts community, and has served as president of Tennessee Artists Association and the Knoxville Watercolor Society. Currently, her work can be seen at the Art Market Gallery in Knoxville on Gay Street. Fran's love of creative writing and literature have left their mark on her lyrical view of the world, with impressionistic and expressive interpretations of nature in both landscape and abstract paintings. By means of intuitive use of color and texture, she strives to transform an ordinary scene into a special place where both drama and serenity can co-exist. Her works, whether representational or abstract, always have their foundation in the world of nature. 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 9-5, Sunday, 9-1. For information: 865-523-4176, www.tvuuc.org

The Farragut Folklife Museum will host the "Charles Dickens and Royal Doulton Exhibit," on loan from Bob Leonard, former Farragut mayor and long-time Folklife Museum committee member. This special holiday exhibit will showcase more than 200 pieces of Royal Doulton Dickensware and Royal Doulton Dickens characters. In conjunction with this exhibit, the Museum will host book signings and a special presentation on Monday, Nov. 16 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Farragut Town Hall. At 6 p.m., the following authors will be available to sign their books: Donald J. Dickenson, "Birds Eye View"; Doris Woods Owens, "Concord-Farragut"; Charles Reeves, "Battle of Campbell Station"; Malcolm Shell, "From Frontier Fort to Town Hall"; and Mark Taylor, "The Frog House." Available for purchase in the Folklife Museum Gift Shop, these books are a valuable gift idea for local history buffs. At 7 p.m., Leonard will discuss his Royal Doulton collection and the effect Charles Dickens and his novels had on the people of England and around the world. Light refreshments will also be served. The Farragut Folklife Museum is committed to preserving the heritage of its East Tennessee community and features a remarkable collection of artifacts from the area, including an extensive collection of the personal belongings of Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, first Admiral of the U.S. Navy and hero of the Civil War. Housed in the Farragut Town Hall located at 11408 Municipal Center Drive, the Museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and offers free admission. For more information: 865-966-7057, www.townoffarragut.org

The WordPlayers and Erin Stage Co. collaborate to bring this classic story to Knoxville. It is the story of Annie Sullivan and her student, blind and deaf Helen Keller. The Miracle Worker dramatizes the volatile relationship between the lonely teacher and her charge. Helen, trapped in her secret world, is violent, spoiled, almost sub-human, and treated by her family as such. Only Annie realizes that there is a mind and spirit waiting to be rescued from the dark, tortured silence. (recommended for ages 10+) November 6, 12, 13 at 7:30 pm and November 14 at 2:00 pm at The WordPlayers Theatre at MCM, 1540 Robinson Rd. in Knoxville; and November 21 and 27 at 7:30 pm and November 22 & 28 @ 2:00 pm at Erin Presbyterian Church, 200 Lockett Rd. in Knoxville. Tickets are $12 Adults, $10 Seniors/Students, $8 Groups of 10 or more, Thursdays are "Pay What You Can" nights, Signed Performance TBA. Information: 865-539-2490, www.wordplayers.org

A graduate of Maryville College in 2007, Jonathan Howe is a professional artist specializing in portrait and landscape painting. His mural design was selected to grace the grand entryway to the John J. Duncan Federal Building in Knoxville, Tennessee. The mural, which stretches nearly one hundred feet, celebrates the triumph of the United States Constitution and the strength of its people. From corporate and family portraits to beautiful mountain vistas to public mural projects, Jonathan's work displays a keen eye for light and composition with the quality of realism. Most recently Jonathan won best in show at the McGee Tyson Airport Art. Unarmed Merchants, 129 S. Gay Street, Knoxville TN 37902. Information: (865) 549-5769

Featuring two member artists: Kathy Holland, painter and Jen Hamilton, wire sculpture. The Gallery will host a First Friday Reception for the Featured Artists on Friday, November 6 with music by 'Webford Brown & the Town'. The Gallery is now selling 'artist made' Christmas Ornaments to benefit the Community School of the Arts in Knoxville. The Art Market Gallery is located at 422 S. Gay St. Holiday Gallery Hours are Monday – Saturday, 11am – 6 PM & Sunday 1 – 5pm. Information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net

Interested in the links between art, science, and technology through the ages, New York artist Devorah Sperber deconstructs familiar images to address the way the brain processes visual information versus the way we think we see. "As a visual artist," she says, "I cannot think of a topic more stimulating and yet so basic than the act of seeing—how the human brain makes sense of the visual world." Using ordinary spools of thread, Sperber creates pixilated, inverted images of masterpieces, which appear as colorful abstractions to the naked eye. When viewed with optical devices, however, the works becomes immediately recognizable as the famous paintings. The thread spools works are hung upside down in reference to the fact that the lens of the eye projects an inverted image of the world onto the retina, which is corrected by the brain. A clear acrylic sphere, positioned in front of each work, functions like the human eye and brain, not only inverting but also focusing the image so that it appears as a sharp, faithful, right-side-up reproduction of the famous painting. 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