Calendar of Events

Sundays at 8:00 PM. 17th-18th Century Dancing with live music. A performance group, newcomers are welcome. Rapper sword and morris dance teams. Free. At the Laurel Theatre in Knoxville, 16th Street and Laurel Avenue. Information: 546-8442, www.jubileearts.org

Tennessee Stage Company presents the readings of three new plays at the Knox County Public Library. All readings are free to the public.

+ CUPID’S ITCH by Paul Leeper - Saturday, January 30, 3:00 pm, at Lawson McGee Library. Cupid’s Itch is a unique and off beat love story set in the world of women’s boxing! A shadowy world where things aren’t always what they seem and people aren’t always what you expect. What else might one expect from a Paul Leeper play?

+ THE GOOD SON by Craig Smith - Saturday, January 23, 3:00 pm, at Fountain City Library, and Saturday, January 30, 1:30 pm, at Lawson McGee Library. The Good Son is a crime caper telling the story of a crime that went wrong and the way it comes back to haunt the guilty and the innocent. But who is guilty and who is innocent?

+ THE LAST WAFFLE HOUSE IN AMERICA by Leslie Agron - Saturday, January 16, 3:00 pm, at Fountain City Library, and Sunday, January 31, 2:00 pm Lawson McGee Library. According to playwright Leslie Agron there are no Waffle House’s in California, so as you go west across America you come, literally, to the Last Waffle House somewhere in Arizona. This slice of life play takes place in and around the Last Waffle House in America.

For over ten years the Tennessee Stage Company has presented a New Play Festival including World Premiere performances as well as readings and staged readings of new, un-produced scripts. The playwright’s attend the readings and afterwards a discussion is held with the playwright, cast and audience on the script. For more information contact the Tennessee Stage Company: 865-546-4280, www.tennesseestage.com, tennesseestage@bellsouth.com

First Friday Reception February 5, 5:00 - 9:00pm
The 10th International Shoebox Sculpture Exhibition continues a tradition begun by the University of Hawai‘i Department of Art. By invitation only, this exhibition is comprised of 81 sculptures by artists from 14 countries and includes “Meta Physical #4” by Knoxville artist Richard Jolley. The small format of the works in the exhibition, with the subsequent ease and economy of handling, provides exposure to a broad spectrum of contemporary sculpture. These triennial exhibitions were initiated as an attempt to incorporate a variety of multicultural traditions and a range of sculptural ideas, styles, and materials. As geographical borders are fractured and the global context dominates, the identity of the individual often becomes hybrid. Whether defined by the artist’s ethnicity or the location of production, all art is increasingly integrated into the fabric of contemporary society. Although the act of affirming cultural identity becomes more complex, these sculptures demonstrate the imaginative spirit and endless creativity of the individual artist.

Located at 106 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Gallery Hours: Wed – Fri 11-6 Sat 10-3. Information: 865-673-0802, http://web.utk.edu/~downtown

Reception January 15, 6:30-8:30 PM
213 Hotel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37918. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityart.com

Directed by Jayne Morgan with musical direction by Vicki Masters. Cast: Dennis Bussell, Brandon Gibson, Bill Howard, Lisa Slagle, Chelsea Samples, Dana Wham, Annie Millett, Krisha Newport.
Performances are Thursday-Sunday at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $10 plus fees for Thursday & Sunday; $15 plus fees for Friday & Saturday. For more information on the show: 865-544-1999, www.theatreknoxville.com

A co-production with Tanasi Girl Scouts Council, based on the novel by Kelly Weil. Here’s the complete performance schedule: Friday, January 15 at 7 PM; Saturday, January 16 at 1 PM and 5 PM; Sunday, January 17 at 3 PM; Thursday, January 21 at 7 PM; Friday, January 22 at 7 PM; Saturday, January 23 at 1 PM and 5 PM; Sunday, January 24 at 3 PM; Thursday, January 28 at 7 PM; Friday, January 29 at 7 PM; Saturday, January 30 at 1 PM and 5 PM.

Located at 800 Tyson Street, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-599-5284, www.childrenstheatreknoxville.com, info@childrenstheatreknoxville.com.

Bill Brown leads the Poetry Workshop; Ed Francisco leads the Fiction Workshop during "January Jumpstart X" at the Magnuson Hotel in Sweetwater, TN. Jumpstart opens with an informal social hour on Friday evening. Concurrent workshops run from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM on Saturday and 8:30-11:30 AM on Sunday. For information: 865-671-6046, www.tmwi.org, theorrs @ usit.net.

OPENING RECEPTION on Wednesday, January 13th, 7-9PM
The presence of acclaimed artists — who have lived and worked in major cultural centers across the country and internationally — enhances the educational opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the University of Tennessee School of Art. With daily contact over the course of a full semester, resident artists develop a unique relationship withthe student body which complements the creative stimulation offered by guest lecturers and the School of Art’s faculty. Representing diverse ethnic, cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds, these resident artists introduce another layer of candor and a fresh artistic standard for the students who, though early in their formal art studies, are beginning to develop their own perceptions, skills, and theories in connection with the making of art. Although the resident artists present a slide lecture during their stay, it is the direct access to their works of art that is highly anticipated and valued by both the students and the faculty. Therefore, the Ewing Gallery has sponsored group exhibitions of these artists since the inception of the Artist In Residence Program in 1982. Currently held every two years, this exhibition provides a continuing dialogue between artist-teacher and student. The Artist In Residence Biennial also offers our general university and regional community an opportunity to experience a provocative and often challenging exhibition of contemporary art. This year, the Ewing Gallery is pleased to host the work of its past four esteemed resident artists: Melissa Gordon (resident, Spring 2010), Tom McGrath (resident, Fall 2009), Giles Lyon (resident, Spring 2009), and Jackie Gendel (resident, Fall 2008).

GALLERY HOURS: Mon & Thurs: 10AM - 8PM, Tues-Wed-Fri: 10AM-5PM, Sun: 1PM-4PM. 1715 Volunteer Boulevard | Knoxville, TN 37996. Information: 865-974-3200, www.ewing-gallery.utk.edu

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission announces line-up of events for the 2010 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. The MLK Celebration programs are designed to increase awareness of Dr. King’s work and to bring all races in our community into closer harmony. For 2010, all celebration events relate to the theme of “Realizing His Dream Through Service: It Is Up To Us” and there are several new programs that underline that theme.

January 13: The kick-off event for the MLK Celebration will be the Interfaith Prayer Service at Mount Calvary Baptist Church at noon. Religious leaders from many different faiths will join in this very special worship service.

January 14: The Leadership Symposium is scheduled for the morning followed by the annual Leadership/Awards Luncheon at noon. The special guest speaker at this year’s luncheon is Dr. John Maguire, President Emeritus of Claremont Graduate University and life director of the King Center.

January 15: A community discussion by the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance at 7:00PM.

January 16: YWCA Race Against Racism during the afternoon

January 16: School-age young people are invited to participate in the all-new Youth Symposium to be held at the Children’s Defense Fund Haley Farm. The morning sessions will focus on strengthening our community by helping our youth to be leaders for equity in the future. The half-day teacher in-service credit program provides special professional development sessions for local school teachers aimed at promoting the principles and goals of the Knox County School Strategic Plan.

January 17: The traditional “Night with the Arts” will feature original productions written exclusively for the MLK commemorative events. Beginning at 6:00PM, this very special production will be at the Colston Performing Arts Center on the campus of Knoxville College and is open to the public without charge.

January 18: Our community really comes together on the MLK holiday. The annual MLK Parade is one of the most exciting events of the celebration with hundreds of participants and – this year, former Mayor and former Ambassador to Poland Victor Ash will be the Grand Marshal. The parade will end at the Greater Warner Tabernacle AME Zion Church for the annual Memorial Tribute Service with Rev. Raphael Gamaliel Warnock as the keynote speaker. Dr. Warnock is currently the Senior Pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, spiritual home of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 18: The closing tribute to Dr. King and his work will be the Holiday Celebration Concert at 6:00PM in the Knoxville Civic Auditorium featuring the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, the MLK Holiday Celebration Choir, and a variety of special guest performers.

Also new this year will be a month-long exhibit of MLK-related works of art on display at the Bijou Theatre Gallery. The gala opening of this meaningful exhibit will be from 5:00PM – 7:00PM on January 8th as part of the First Friday events.

With the exception of the luncheon on January 14, all MLK Celebration events are open to the public without charge. For additional information: www.mlkknoxville.org, or contact Michael Combs, mcombs@utk.edu.

January 9th and 16th - Contemporary Technique and Contact Improvisation at the Emporium Annex ($15 each/$10 for registration by Jan 8th or with another class).
3-4:30pm - Ground/Space, an intermediate/advanced contemporary technique class
4:30-6pm - Push to Reach, a developmental movement approach to contact improvisation.

January 10th and 17th – Choreographic Process at the Emporium Annex ($30 for first workshop/ $50 for both)
12-3pm - DIG: Dances in Gestation is an investigation of choreographic research processes that will provide a rigorous opportunity to go deeper into your practice of movement and meaning. Jan 10th is a prerequisite for the 17th. Interested choreographers should contact Angela to discuss their creative goals.

January 23rd - Creative Movement for Families at the Emporium Annex ($12 for a family with one child/$15 for two or more children)
3-4pm - Kinnect Tots for families with babies and toddlers (ages 6 months to 3 years)
4-5pm - Kinnect Kids for families with young children (ages 3-6 years)
Parents can connect with their babies and young children through creative play and movement exploration with take home ideas for development and fun.

January 24th - Somatic Movement Integration at URBhana ($30/$20 for registration by Jan 8th or with another class)
12-3 - From Mechanics to Meaning is a somatic movement exploration open to anyone regardless of age or experience. Bring your body into better harmony by engaging perception and coordination to find new possibilities.

Registration is now open and spaces are limited. Discounts are available for multiple workshops and for registration by Jan 8th. You can pre-register in person with cash or check at First Friday on Jan 8th at URBhana or with paypal on the AH Squared website.
Contact Angela at venturedance@gmail.com or call 865-246-1492. Visit www.ahsquared.com or www.circlemoderndance.com for more details. Angela Hill is a former Knoxvillian and now Sydney, Australia based performer, award winning choreographer, somatic therapist and dance educator. She is co-director for AH Squared, a creative partnership with André Hayter and was with Circle Modern Dance for over ten years. She has a BFA in Dance Education from Arizona State University and is a Certified Rolfer™, Rolf Movement Practitioner™ and graduate of the Hakomi Psychotherapy training.

Includes artists Eric Arensbak (wood), Ian Arensback (wood), Bob Bolinger (photography), Tammy Bullman (ceramics), John Fancher (mixed media), Peggy Haupt (mixed media), Mary Louise Hunt (drawing), Susie Nugent (mixed media), Doreen Prakshot (fiber), and Nelson Ziegler (painting). Opening reception Friday, January 8, 6:00-8:00 PM. 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Info: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

The Art Market Gallery of Knoxville will spotlight two member artists, Harriet Howell, featuring her hand painted silk and Brian Hodges, mixed media. The Gallery will host a First Friday Reception for the Featured Artists on Friday, January 8 from 5:30-9 p.m. with music by “One Way Street” playing soft rock. The Art Market Gallery is located at 422 S. Gay St. in downtown Knoxville. Gallery Hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 6 pm & Sunday 1 – 5pm. For more information, call 865-525-5265 or visit www.artmarketgallery.net