Calendar of Events

The Children's Museum of Oak Ridge will welcome guests to a Japanese Festival of Lanterns, or "Kasuga Wakamiya," in a setting designed as the Kyoto Train Station for its eighth annual Gala on Friday, Dec. 4. The Gala will offer an elegant evening of dining on Japanese fusion cuisine, dancing with live entertainment, and a full tea presentation, or "chaji," as well as a live auction. Silent auction items will be on display for a week before the event. Jazz pianist and composer Donald Brown and Afterdance, with vocalist Sanda Allison, will entertain after dinner. The Oak Ridge High School String Quartet will perform as guests arrive at the station, and the Oak Ridge High School Chorus will sing Japanese songs in Imagination Gallery from 6 to 7 p.m. The University of Tennessee Brass Quintet will provide dinner entertainment. Ballet Gloria will perform a dance as part of the evening's entertainment. The Children's Museum's Imagination Gallery will present an exhibit of Japanese art. Information: 865-482-1074, www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org

Choral music lovers will tell you the holiday season doesn't truly begin until you've heard Handel's beloved Hallelujah chorus. The Knoxville Choral Society (KCS) will sing the "Hallelujah" plus other well-known selections from Handel's masterwork: "For Unto Us a Child Is Born," "Glory to God," "And He Shall Purify," and more. They also will present the sprightly cantata "Sleepers, Wake!" by J.S. Bach. The ensemble will ring in this year's festivities at the Cumberland County Playhouse in Crossville, TN. For more information, visit www.knoxvillechoralsociety.org.

Information: (865) 609-3005 | candoromarble@yahoo.com

We'll be celebrating in style with our official Grand Opening announcement and ribbon cutting at approximately 5 pm, but please come early at 4:30 so you can get a good parking spot and enjoy some light refreshments before the festivities really get going! We'll be unveiling our first retail store, a one-of-a-kind concept, located at 108 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902, and introducing three new products during the celebration. In addition, we'll be incorporating the Grand Opening into our Holiday Open House, with a very special guest of honor, Santa Claus! He'll be available for pictures with you and your kids, so bring everyone out. We'll be fully decorated for the holiday season, along with food, drink and holiday music. You'll also be downtown for First Friday festivities and the annual Knoxville Christmas Parade! Information:
rsvp@slamdot.com.

The theme for AIGA's 2009 Holiday Card Competition and Show is humor. Entries for the competition were submitted by November 23rd for the chance to win prizes worth up to $150 and to help raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank. The Competition was judged by Nick Hollman, a UT grad and owner of &Co. Printing is being donated by Coleman Printing. Submissions will be displayed at MagPies on First Friday, December 4th. AIGA Knoxville is proud to be hosting this exhibit at MagPies, 846 North Central, Knoxville, TN 37917, Friday, December 4th from 5pm – 8pm.
Admission is free. for more information: http://knoxville.aiga.org

For this month's First Friday event, URBhhana will host returning performers, Circle Modern Dance group, along with artwork from Tess Gray. The evening's performance program will feature excerpts from Circle Modern Dance's Primitive Light show, which will be held in Knoxville on December 17 - 19 at Laurel Theater. This small, intimate venue fills up quickly, so get your tickets in advance by clicking here!

Tess Gray is a Knoxville native whose artistic career has touched places all over the Southeast. She specializes in oil and acrylic painting but has also mastered watercolors, along with clay and photography. Currently, Tess is a member of the Arts and Culture Alliance of Knoxville and the Tennessee Artist Association.

The inspiration for her art came from her first trip to Florida with her grandparents. The tropical images she saw there left a lasting impression on her and has since influenced her work. You can learn more about her by visiting her website, www.tropicnut.com.

At the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. More information to come! Featuring music by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

Call 865-982-8463 or visit www.appalachianballet.com.

The Appalachian Ballet Company's production of The Nutcracker has been a tradition for area school systems for 37 years. Now in their 38th season, Appalachian Ballet Company will present two school matinees on Dec. 3rd & 4th at 10 am, at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Ticket prices are $5 for students and one chaperone free per 10 students. Extra chaperones are $10.

The school reservations must be made by Nov. 21th. Call the ballet studio at (865) 982-8463 for more information. Educator, Cathy Dickinson has compiled a new updated curriculum in which the teachers may use to help guide their students through the Nutcracker experience. Lesson plans will be mailed with the school reservation.

Showtime runs 125 minutes. This is not an abbreviated production. Your students will see the full length Nutcracker.

The Nutcracker is a wonderful way to ring in the holidays and introduce young children to the power and beauty of classical ballet. For over 100 years, this story has proven to be a favorite, enchanting audiences of all ages. Come see the magic with your students at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Call now (865) 982-8463.

By E.T.A Hoffman, music by Peter Tchaikovsky. Christmas' most beloved ballet completely narrated and primarily performed by children. The Nutcracker is Roane County's favorite Christmas tradition. RSCC Theatre. Tickets are $15 and available in advance and at the door (when available). For best seating, buy ticket in advance. Tickets go on sale on Saturday, October 24, 10 am, at Kingston Arts in Motion. For tickets call (865) 376-0295. Performances: Dec 3, 4 & 5, 7 pm or Dec 5 & 6, 2 pm. All performances subject to change. Check website periodically for updated information. Information: 865-882-4567, www.roanestate.edu keyword: theatre.

A holiday sale of handcrafted work by the members of the Blount County Arts & Crafts Guild, held at The Blount County Public Library, 508 N. Cusick St., Maryville. Hours: Thurs.: Noon to 7PM;
Fri.: 10a to 5p; Sat. 9a to 3p.

The sights, sounds and smells of an old-fashioned Christmas. 205 East Hill Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915. Information: 865-525-6514 or www.jameswhitesfort.org

Wood-fired clay vessels at the O'Brien Art Gallery. For specific dates and updates to exhibits: 865-882-4649, wilkersonbs@roanestate.edu, or www.roanestate.edu/art/gallery

The Art Market Gallery of Knoxville will feature the work of two member artists, Lynnda Tenpenny, mixed media and Pat Fitch, painted toys & furniture. The Gallery will host a First Friday Reception for the Featured Artists on Friday, December 4 with music by Brian Sward, guitarist. The Gallery is now selling ‘artist-made’ Christmas Ornaments to benefit the Community School of the Arts in Knoxville.
Holiday Gallery Hours are: Monday – Saturday, 11am – 6 PM & Sunday 1 – 5pm.
422 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902
865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net