Calendar of Events

Sat. Dec 19, Mon., Dec. 21. and Tues., Dec. 22
Come out to Ijams Nature Center to learn all about the “Critters in the Cold.” How do they survive without jackets? Learn about hibernation, migration, and survival tips, straight from the animal and find out exactly where they all go when it snows. Cost is $30 per day for Ijams members, $35 for non-members. To register, contact Sarah Brobst at 577-4717 ex 24 or e-mail her at sbrobst@ijams.org

Friday, December 18, at 8 p.m., Saturday, December 19, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 20, at 2 p.m.
Ebenezer Scrooge is a business man who thinks only of making money. For him Christmas is, in his own words, a humbug. It has been seven years since his friend and partner, Jacob Marley, died and on Christmas Eve Marley's ghost tells him he is to be visited during the night by three spirits. The first is the Ghost of Christmas Past who re-visits some of the main events in Scrooge's life to date, including his unhappy childhood, his happy apprenticeship to Mr. Fezziwig who cared for his employees, and the end of his engagement to a pretty young woman due to growing love of money. The Ghost of Christmas Present shows him how joyously is nephew Fred and his clerk Bob Cratchit celebrate Christmas with those they love. The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come shows him what he will leave behind after he is gone. Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning, a new man intent on doing good and celebrating the season with all of those around him. (1951 - Runtime 86 minutes). $8 for adults, $6 for children and seniors; a $2 per ticket service fee for all phone or web orders. Information: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Lucas Richman continue an age-old holiday tradition in East Tennessee with the 23rd Annual Clayton Holiday concerts. The theme of this year’s show is “Angels Among Us,” celebrating the “angels” in our community. This year, the concert will feature a slide show of art by local students. All students in Knox County schools were invited to submit art depicting their interpretation of angels. Selected works will be displayed on screens above the orchestra as the Sound Company Children’s Choir sings “Angels Among Us,” originally made popular by the group Alabama. Performances will take place on Friday and Saturday, December 18 and 19, at 7:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday, December 19 and 20, at 3:00 PM at the Civic Auditorium. The shows, sponsored by Clayton Homes, Clayton Bank and Trust and Clayton Volvo, are a perfect way to celebrate the season with the entire family. This year the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra is partnering with the Young-Williams Animal Center to make this holiday season extra special for the animals in need in our community. Patrons are asked to help our furry friends by bringing donated items to the Clayton Holiday Concert from the center’s Wish List. Wish List are available at www.knoxpets.org. Information: 865-291-3310, www.knoxvillesymphony.com

Open House - December 12; Sale - December 12, 2009 through December 23, 2010
Where: Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Av, Knoxville, TN 37918
Phone - 357-2787
Gallery Hours: Tuesday,Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wednesday, Friday 10-5, Saturday 9-1
Fountain City Art Center's ParkSide Open Door Gallery is having an "Open House" to kick off a Christmas sale which features the Art and Fine Crafts of many local artisans. Several of the items will be on sale at a 10-20% for the Christmas shopping season. Free Hot Chocolate, popcorn and a variety home baked goodies will be available for holiday shoppers. The Open House will be 10:00 - 1:00 on Saturday, December 12.

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

Oak Ridge Art Center, 201 Badger Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9-5; Saturday-Monday, 1-4. For more information, visit the Web site or call (865) 482-1441.

The open air ice rink on Market Square opens at 10 a.m. on November 27 and will be open every day through January 3rd (except Christmas Day).

The Tennessee Art Education Association is pleased to announce it's partnership with the Knoxville Museum of Art to present the Fourth Annual East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition. This exhibition features artwork created by East Tennessee middle and high school students. The competition offers students the opportunity to display their talents and be honored for their accomplishments in a professional art museum environment. The student art exhibition provides an excellent competitive arena for young artists. This year exhibition will spotlight a remarkable cross-section of the region's best student artwork from grades six through 12 and encompass an impressive variety of media, including ceramic, drawing, digital imagery, mixed media, painting, computer graphics, sculpture, traditional photography, and printmaking. There will be an awards ceremony at 6pm on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, in the Great Hall of the Knoxville Museum of Art, for the artists participating in the Fourth Annual East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition, their families, friends and school's personnel.
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

November 27,28,29, December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22.

Our most popular event with Santa, cookies, and storytelling.

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

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