Calendar of Events

Reception April 9, 6:30-8:30 PM
213 Hotel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37918. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityart.com

The Fountain City Art Guild will be having its annual Spring Show at the Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Avenue in the heart of Fountain City. The Center is located in the old library building next to Fountain City Park just off of Broadway and is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 to 1 p.m. The show will run from April 9 until May 7 with reception and awards on Friday, April 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and light drinks will be served and musical entertainment will be provided by guitarist David Williams. Awards, including Best of Show, First, Second and Third places along with three Honorable Mentions, will be presented at 7:00 p.m. Also appearing in conjunction with the guild Show is artwork by students from Central High, Gresham Middle and Fountain City, Sterchi, Shannondale and Inskip Elementary schools. The public is encouraged to attend this free event.

The Fountain City Art Guild is celebrating its 26th year and currently has over 40 members, most of whom will be represented in this show. It is held in conjunction with the Dogwood Arts Festival “Studio Tours” and will be open on April 25 and 26 for viewing and demonstrations by many of our artists. The Fountain City Art Guild web site is www.fountaincityartguild.com and the web site for the Fountain City Art Center is www.fountaincityart.net

Featuring Parisian paintings
Opening Reception with the artist, Friday April 9 from 6-9:00pm
The French Market, 530 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For more information call 865-540-4372; www.thefrenchmarketknoxville.com. Open Mon-Wed 9am-4pm; Thu-Sat 9am-9pm.

An original production by Chris Grabenstein.
“Meet the Author” Reception at 5:30 on Opening Night

Shows: Fridays (4/9, 16 & 23) at 7 PM - Saturdays (4/ 10, 17 & 24) at 3 PM & 7 PM - Sundays (4/ 11 & 18) at 3 PM - Thursdays (4/15 & 22) at 7 PM

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

Friday, April 9, 8 p.m., Saturday, April 10, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 11, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

MAMMA MIA! is the ultimate feel-good show that has audiences coming back again and again to relive the thrill. Now it's your turn to have the time of your life at this smash-hit musical that combines ABBA's greatest hits, including "Dancing Queen," "S.O.S.," "Super Trouper," "Take A Chance on Me" and "The Winner Takes It All," with an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. Whether it's your first visit or your fourteenth, see the show that has the whole world coming back for more, because every time feels like the first time at MAMMA MIA!

At the Historic Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Tickets and information: 865-684-1200, www.TennesseeTheatre.com.

Turning downtown Knoxville into a lively street fair with arts and crafts booths, entertainment, and festive food. Friday & Saturday, 10-7; Sunday 11-5. Information: 865-637-4661, www.dogwoodarts.com.

SWING AND COUNTRY FROM LOUISIANA: The Red Stick Ramblers play Cajun fiddle tunes, Western Swing, and classic jazz of the 1920s and 30s alongside a steadily growing number of tradition-inspired originals. Based in Southern Louisiana, they build upon the songs of seminal fiddlers like Dennis McGee and Dewey Balfa, along with jazz and country swing bandleaders such as Bob Wills and Django Reinhardt, finding a common thread of danceable rhythms and strong, elegant melodies.

1538 Laurel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916. Information: 865-522-5851, www.KnoxTIX.com

In a unique and soulful voice, Erick Baker asks listeners to feel and connect with emotions at a time when ignoring them has become the norm. His songs and performances are marked with a passionate, emotional transparency that resonate with audiences of all ages.

Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information: 865-522-0832, www.knoxbijou.com. For tickets: 865-684-1200, 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com

By Harper Lee. Set in the small Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Depression, To Kill a Mockingbird follows three years in the life of 8-year-old Scout Finch, her brother, Jem, and their father, Atticus Finch--three years punctuated by the arrest and eventual trial of a young black man accused of raping a white woman. Though her story explores big themes, Harper Lee chooses to tell it through the eyes of a child. The result is a tough and tender novel of race, class, justice, and the pain of growing up. A beautiful and deeply affecting adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee, the film and play retains a timeless quality that transcends its historically dated subject matter (racism in the Depression-era South) and remains powerfully resonant in present-day America with its advocacy of tolerance, justice, integrity, and loving, responsible parenthood. April 8-10, 15-17, 2010 at 7 pm; April 11 & 18 at 2 pm. All performances subject to change. Check website periodically for updated information. Information: 865-882-4567, www.roanestate.edu keyword: theatre.

The McMinn County High School Fine Arts Departments are currently working on their annual spring musical. This year, they will be performing the musical “Godspell”, a musical based on the gospel according to Saint Matthew. The musical, while not intended to be religious, includes parables and teachings from the Bible in order to show a community of very diverse people coming together in unity under one man’s message of love. The performances of “Godspell” are going to be in the MCHS Auditorium. Prices for pre-ordered tickets are $5.00 for children and students and $7.00 for adults. Prices at the door will be $6.00 for children and students and $8.00 adults. There is also a family pack of 5 tickets for $30.00 if pre-ordered. To reserve tickets or request more information, call Sarah Dalbey at 540-421-9191 or email swilliams5@k12tn.net.

Explore over 60 miles of trails, open gardens, camera sites and historic homes as you walk, bike ride, drive, or bus tour. Fountain City is the featured trail. Information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

Direct from a highly-acclaimed run on Broadway, the Tony-nominated Soul of Shaolin will premier at the Eastern Shanghai Theater in April. A Chinese martial arts spectacular, Soul of Shaolin features over 30 Chinese performers skilled in the art of Shaolin Kung Fu and tells the touching story of Hui Guang (pronounced “whey gwong”), an orphan boy who is discovered by the legendary monks of the Shaolin Temple and is raised among them. The show debuted at New York's Marquis Theatre in January 2009 as part of the China on Broadway series of productions. It received rave reviews from many American critics, with the New York Post describing the show as "a dazzling display of skill", while the Associated Press called it "astonishing and amazing".

In addition to a spectacular show, the Eastern Shanghai Theater will feature state-of-the-art sound and lighting and a spectacular 198-square foot LED backdrop. According to the show's executive producer, Lizhi Zhao: “The story of Shaolin is timeless and appeals to all audiences, young and old.” People coming to the Smoky Mountains this year may not want to miss limited engagement of Soul of Shaolin.
Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. each night with matinee shows Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. For ticket prices and bookings call 865-453-8888 or visit www.EasternShanghaiTheater.com.