Calendar of Events

2009-2010 Chamber Classics series: April's Chamber Classics concert will feature the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Quartet – Miroslav Hristov and Edward Pulgar on violin, Kathryn Gawne on viola and Andrew Bryenton on cello, performing the music of Bartok, Mozart and Brahms. This concert presents an opportunity for the audience to tap into the diversity of the chamber music repertoire, as well as appreciate the finely-honed musical skills of the principal string players of the KSO. The first half of the concert will include Bartok’s Quartet No. 3 and Mozart’s Quintet in C minor. KSO Assistant Principal violist Eunsoon Corliss will join the quartet for this work. Following intermission, the Principal Quartet will perform Brahms’ Quartet No. 1.

At the Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. More information: 865-291-3310, www.knoxvillesymphony.com

Music performances featuring a mix of traditional and contemporary American Roots music sounds from blues, country folk and soul to bluegrass. Featured Acts include: Mountain Soul, The Lonetones and Brother John Meyers and the Grassabillies and more. The majority of the performances will be heard live on WDVX 89.9 & 102.9 FM and worldwide on the web at www.WDVX.com. Market Square Stage in downtown Knoxville. Admission: Free. Information: 865.544.1029, www.WDVX.com

Fine Arts Blount announces its 2nd Annual Kite Festival, "Art in the Sky" (rain date April 18) at Pearson Springs Park in Maryville. It will be a fun event for families and kite enthusiasts. Giant kites by professional kite maker, Martin Blais, from Maryville will be set up as well as banners; a kite vendor from VA will be on hand as well as kite flying demos. Concessions will be available. Kites for children will be on sale in the pavilion for a nominal fee for decorating and construction on site. There will be kite contests for handmade kites for all age groups as well as "Bol races" (foot races while pulling an attached, parachute-like donut) and a candy drop (wind willing) during the festival.

A schedule of the festival will be posted at www.fineartsblount.com; come join the fun and bring your kites or get one there!

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

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.

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.

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.

Unarmed Merchants Art Gallery will be featuring encaustic paintings from local artist Neranza Noel Blount. This show will be up for the month of April starting Friday the 2nd. She is interested in patterns in nature including land and atmospheric weather patterns and how they relate to each other. She also collages with found objects and uses her pen & ink renderings and photography images that have been cut, torn, and then fused onto wooden surfaces and painted over with encaustic wax. She started painting in oils at an early age and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Tennessee. She has received top awards for her works of art nationally and internationally. Her use of the medium of encaustic came out of her father’s profession as a beekeeper. Her husband has also since become a beekeeper. With her art she wants to help build awareness of the importance of honeybees and how the existence of man depends upon them.

Unarmed Merchants, 129 S. Gay Street, Knoxville TN 37902. (865) 549-5769; http://unarmedmerchants.com

The Dogwood Arts Festival Limited Edition Print is synonymous with the annual springtime event and this exhibit showcases the artistry, variety, and beauty that this East Tennessee tradition has recorded. Signing by Dogwood Arts 50th Anniversary Commemorative Print Artist Heather Whiteside on Friday, April 2, 5-8 p.m.
Museum of East Tennessee History, 601 S. Gay Street. Opening Reception: Friday, April 2, 5-9 p.m. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. 1-5 p.m. Admission: Free. 865.215.8830, www.eastTNhistory.org