Calendar of Events

Trey Anastasio had an incredible 2009 with Phish, which toured for the first time in over four years and closed out the year with four consecutive shows at Miami's American Airlines Arena last week. Now the singer/guitarist is preparing to hit the road with Classic TAB, the band that has backed him on many of his solo projects. The tour concludes on Knoxville's Tennessee Theatre on February 28. The line-up for Classic TAB is Russell Remington (tenor saxophone and flute), Jen Hartswick (trumpet and vocals), Russ Lawton (drums), Tony Markellis (bass) and Ray Paczkowski (keyboards). New to the group is Natalie Cressman on trombone and vocals, who replaces her father, Jeff Cressman. The septet will perform material that spans Anastasio's solo career. Tickets on sale at the Tennessee Theatre box office, all Tickets Unlimited outlets, or by phone at 865-656-4444. Information: 865-684-1200, www.TennesseeTheatre.com

Anyone interested in a major or minor in music is encouraged to attend. Hear performances by School of Music ensembles, meet the faculty, and get information on degree programs, auditions, scholarships, UT admissions, financial aid, and housing.

1741 Volunteer Blvd. For more concerts and information: 865-974-5678, www.music.utk.edu/events.

Momentum Dance Lab will join forces with composers James Carlson, Lucie Novoveska, and Mark Volker to present Art Moves at the Knoxville Museum of Art. General admission is $10 in advance and $12 at the door, $6 for students with ID at the door, and free for children 4 and under. Art Moves is an interactive celebration of the arts, showcasing the original music and dance of local composers and choreographers inspired by works of art in the KMA's permanent collection and current exhibitions. Each afternoon performance will include choreographed pieces in several locations throughout the museum as well as improvisations by dancers and musicians. Seating will be available. In addition to a few choreographic reinterpretations of old favorites and some new pieces drawn from works in the permanent collection, this year’s show will feature an improvisation inspired by the Anne Wilson exhibit, Wind/Rewind/Weave, which will be on display at the museum from January 22-April 25. Artwork will also be performed alongside videography by Ren Cummings, juxtaposing images of the artwork with the music and dance it provoked. Art Moves was founded in 2003 by music director and composer James Carlson and choreographer Angela Hill. Each production of Art Moves is different from the last, exploring the ever-changing content of the museum. With new dimensional layers of “art within the art” incorporated in the movement, as well as some reinterpretations of old favorites, this year’s show promises to be just as memorable as years in the past. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to support the local arts community while enjoying a family-friendly afternoon of original art, music, and dance. Momentum Dance Lab was founded in August of 2007 with the mission of creating an adult contemporary dance collective striving for excellence in dance through artistic exploration, performance, and education. Momentum is currently comprised of seven Knoxville area dancer/choreographers sharing a passion for high quality contemporary and modern dance. The collective offers classes in modern technique and improvisation to the community, and is very excited to present Art Moves for the third consecutive year! For more information: 865-670-2748, www.momentumdancelab.com, momentumdancelab@gmail.com. Tickets: 865-523-7521, www.KnoxTIX.com

Reception February 26, 6:30-8:30 PM
213 Hotel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37918. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityart.com

Celebrating their 15th anniversary season, The WordPlayers aims for the sky with this entertaining and thought provoking musical revue. With book and lyrics by Helen Kromer and music by Frederick Silver, this unique work promises an extraordinary evening. For Heaven’s Sake! will make you laugh, cry and think as it takes a satirical look at the church of today. You will be stirred to ask important questions and inspired to make a difference in your world.

Feb. 25, 26, 27 @ 7:30 pm, Feb. 28 @ 2:30 pm, and March 4, 5, 6 @ 7:30 pm
TICKETS: $12 Adults, $10 Seniors/Students; $8 Groups of 10 or more; Thursdays are “Pay What You Can” nights. Tickets may be purchased online at www.cmajor.net (Events) or at the door (cash or check) All seats are general admission. Performed at The WordPlayers' Theatre at Middlebrook Christian Ministries, 1540 Robinson Rd. at Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923. For information: 865-539-2490, www.wordplayers.org

Celebrating their 15th anniversary season, The WordPlayers aims for the sky with this entertaining and thought provoking musical revue. With book and lyrics by Helen Kromer and music by Frederick Silver, this unique work promises an extraordinary evening. For Heaven’s Sake! will make you laugh, cry and think as it takes a satirical look at the church of today. You will be stirred to ask important questions and inspired to make a difference in your world.

Feb. 25, 26, 27 @ 7:30 pm, Feb. 28 @ 2:30 pm and March 4, 5, 6 @ 7:30 pm.
TICKETS: $12 Adults, $10 Seniors/Students • $8 Groups of 10 or more • Thursdays are “Pay What You Can” nights. Tickets may be purchased online at www.cmajor.net (Events) or at the door (cash or check) All seats are general admission. Performed at The WordPlayers' Theatre at Middlebrook Christian Ministries, 1540 Robinson Rd. at Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923. For information: 865-539-2490, www.wordplayers.org

RACHEL CLARK, BRIENA HARMENING, and JESSICA KREUTTER. Reception on March 5, 5:00-9:00 PM.

RACHEL CLARK: I consider the contemporary artist a deejay, mixing eclectic signs of culture and art. Using this analogy, I’ve created a painting index of one hundred paintings using personal and cultural icons to construct a range of associations within a grid installation. Rachel Clark received her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2004. That same year she was an artist-in-residence at the Ox-Bow School of Art in Saugatuck, Michigan. In 2009, Clark curated a group of forty-two art students and professional artists to form the exhibition “Seven Times Standard”. Clark is currently an MFA candidate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and lives between Knoxville, TN, and Athens, OH.

BRIENA HARMENING: The alter ego has been used by many performance artists to explore alternate personalities or to investigate identities other than themselves. Two years ago I created an alter ego, “Ilene”, as a way to explore autobiography through storytelling. Ilene’s character is a combination of my southern heritage, the southern stereotype, and myself. The stories, not always flattering, are nonfiction and comment on the diverse personalities of family members, relationships, class, and the belief systems within family units. Briena Harmening is an autobiographical, narrative artist that works in multi-media. She received her BA from Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida, and is currently an MFA candidate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Recently, her work has been exhibited in Video Artists Explore Southern Identity, at the Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum of Art in Nashville, Tennessee, and the 2nd Annual Narrative Shorts International Film Festival at California State University, Chico, California.

JESSICA KREUTTER: I am interested in the discarded object that retains a trace of time. These objects hover on the rim of what is acceptable and what is not, of life and death, of remembering and forgetting. They connote a time of transition, an intermediate time where another realm is absorbing the previous. It is also a place of fantasy and imagined time, where the histories buried in the object are invented and the future is anticipated, yet unknown. In this atmosphere, I want to imagine what forms materialize from the shadows left behind. Jessica Kreutter graduated from Lewis and Clark College with a degree in Anthropology and Sociology, and is currently an MFA candidate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Before enrolling in her graduate studies, Jessica worked as a ceramic sculpture artist and art teacher in Portland, Oregon. Her work can be found at Guardino Gallery, Mary Lou Zeek Gallery, and Beet Gallery. This year, she will take part in a group exhibition at the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia, as well as Clay? III , a show that investigates the increasingly important role of ceramics in contemporary art. Last year, Jessica was a visiting artist for the ceramics department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, as well as working as the summer ceramic studio assistant at The Mendocino Art Center


Ewing Gallery, 1715 Volunteer Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37996. Hours: Monday & Thursday: 10AM-8PM; Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 10AM-5PM; and Sunday: 1-4PM. For information: 865-974-3200, www.ewing-gallery.utk.edu

Each year the Sevier County Arts Council organizes the exhibit to showcase the talent of students from all grades, including those who are home schooled. All media is represented in this year’s show, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography and glass. This year’s entries were juried by Karen Green, the Gallery Coordinator at Arrowmont. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. For information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

Opening night, February 19

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

By Tom Griffin. A play about four, mentally challenged men who live in a home together in New England. Their social worker, Jack, is becoming burned out with his job, and his life. Lucien P. Smith and Norman Bulansky are mentally retarded. Barry Klemper is a brilliant schizophrenic who fantasizes that he is a golf pro, and Arnold Wiggins, the ringleader, is a hyperactive, compulsive chatterer, who suffers from deep seated insecurities and a persecution complex. This play is filled with laughter and compassion. A true contemporary comedy with a big heart. Roane State Theatre, Harriman. February 18-20, 25-27 at 7 pm; February 21 & 28 at 2 pm. All performances subject to change. Check website periodically for updated information. Information: 865-882-4567, www.roanestate.edu keyword: theatre.

By Tom Griffin
February 18-21, 25-28, 2010
A play about four mentally handicapped men who live in a home together in New England. Their social worker, Jack, is becoming burned out with his job, and his life. Lucien P. Smith and Norman Bulansky are mentally retarded. Barry Klemper is a brilliant schizophrenic who fantasizes that he is a golf pro, and Arnold Wiggins, the ringleader, is a hyperactive, compulsive chatterer, who suffers from deep seated insecurities and a persecution complex. This play is filled with laughter and compassion. A true contemporary comedy with a big heart. Roane State Theatre, Harriman. Admission: $7/10 (Student/Public). February 18-20, 25-27 at 7 pm; February 21 & 28 at 2 pm. www.roanestate.edu

By Terrence McNally and directed by Biz Lyon. Winner of the Dramatists Guild Hull Warriner Award. A critical and popular success, this bittersweet comedy combines poignancy and laughter as it traces the unlikely romance that begins to develop between two middle-aged "losers." NOTE: This production contains mature themes and language that may be unsuitable for children. Parental discretion is advised.
Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sunday at 3:00 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